NFL Draft 2025: Risers & Fallers After the Scouting Combine

NFL Draft Stock Surges and Dips After Combine Showcase

The clock is ticking down to the 2025 NFL Draft, with less than two months remaining for teams to finalize their evaluations and strategize their selections. The annual NFL Scouting Combine, held in Indianapolis this past weekend, provided a crucial platform for prospects to showcase their abilities in front of coaches, scouts, and general managers. While the combine isn’t the be-all and end-all of the evaluation process, it offers a standardized environment for comparing athletes and can significantly impact draft stock.

This year’s combine highlighted the depth of talent at several key positions. Running backs, defensive linemen (both interior and edge), tight ends, and interior offensive linemen all displayed impressive skills and athleticism, solidifying their positions as strong areas of the draft class. Each group had ample opportunity to shine in various drills and testing exercises, aiming to prove why they deserve to be among the next generation of NFL stars.

However, the combine also revealed some uncertainties at the very top of the draft. A lack of clear consensus top-five players emerged, and the absence of top quarterback prospects from on-field drills meant that teams will need to rely on pro day workouts in March for a more comprehensive evaluation of those crucial positions. This absence of top-tier quarterback participation created an opportunity for players further down the draft board to step into the spotlight and impress.

For some players, the combine served as a springboard, exceeding expectations and significantly boosting their draft stock. For others, the weekend was less favorable, potentially leading to a drop in their perceived value. Let’s delve into some notable risers and fallers from the 2025 NFL Draft Combine.

Rising Stars: Stock Up After Indy

• Golden (Wide Receiver): Golden entered the combine with momentum, having finished his college season strong with multiple 100-yard receiving games. Known for his route running and contested catch ability, he surprisingly unleashed blazing speed, clocking a 4.29-second 40-yard dash, the fastest among all wide receivers. This performance transforms him from a potential late first-round pick into a contender to be among the first receivers selected.

• Tuten (Running Back): Projected as a Day 3 pick due to the depth of the running back class, Tuten exploded onto the scene with exceptional athleticism. Standing at 5-foot-9 and 206 pounds, he posted the best 40-yard dash (4.32 seconds) and vertical jump (40 1/2 inches) among running backs, demonstrating his speed and explosiveness. He could now potentially be drafted in Round 4 or 5.

• Noel (Wide Receiver): Noel solidified his status as one of the top slot receiver prospects with a stellar combine performance. His 4.39-second 40-yard dash and exceptional 10-yard split showcased his speed, while his top-tier vertical jump (41 1/2 inches), broad jump (11 feet, 2 inches), and bench press reps (23) highlighted his impressive combination of athleticism and strength. He could now find himself among the top 50 players drafted.

• Wilson (Center): In a draft with a limited number of true center prospects, Wilson seized the opportunity to shine. He recorded the fastest 40-yard dash among all offensive linemen at 4.84 seconds, an exceptional time for his position. Coupled with his size (6-foot-3, 310 pounds), solid arm length, and good hands, this performance should significantly improve his draft standing, particularly given his limited starting experience.

• Conerly Jr. (Offensive Lineman): After a shaky performance at the Senior Bowl, Conerly Jr. redeemed himself at the combine. He ran a better-than-average 40-yard dash (5.05 seconds) and, crucially, posted the best 10-yard split among all offensive linemen (1.71 seconds), showcasing his explosiveness. His size (6-foot-5, 311 pounds) and arm length could allow him to remain at tackle in the NFL.

• Biggers (Defensive Tackle): Biggers impressed with his combination of size and agility. Measuring in at a massive 6-foot-6 and 321 pounds, he still managed to post one of the fastest 10-yard splits among defensive tackles. This unexpected burst of speed for a player of his size could propel him up a round in the draft, despite his limited production in college.

• Ingram-Dawkins (Defensive Tackle): Ingram-Dawkins displayed exceptional athleticism for an interior defensive lineman. He topped all defensive tackles in the vertical jump (36 inches), broad jump (10 feet, 4 inches), 3-cone drill (7.28 seconds), and shuttle run (4.34 seconds), showcasing his agility and explosiveness.

• Buchanan (Linebacker): Seen as a late-round prospect, Buchanan stood out in a solid linebacker class with his athleticism. His 4.60-second 40-yard dash, position-best vertical jump (40 inches), and strong broad jump performance demonstrated his explosiveness and could elevate him into Day 3 consideration.

• Hairston (Cornerback): Hairston used the combine to address concerns about his size by posting the fastest 40-yard dash, the second-best vertical jump, and the third-best broad jump among cornerbacks. His speed and explosiveness could allay fears about his height and weight.

• Ransaw (Cornerback): Ransaw was not far behind Hairston. Posting elite athletic measurables with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, 40-inch vertical jump, and strong broad jump performance, he could be a Day 3 pick.

Falling Fortunes: Stock Down After Indy

• Bond (Wide Receiver): After boasting he’d contend with a record time in the 40-yard dash, Bond fell well short of that mark with a 4.39-second time. Coupled with inconsistent production over the past two seasons, his underwhelming speed raises concerns about his overall potential.

• Burden III (Wide Receiver): Considered a potential top-three receiver, Burden III’s 4.41-second 40-yard dash and 1.54-second 10-yard split were perceived as average, especially for a player touted as an explosive yards-after-catch threat.

• Johnson (Wide Receiver): Johnson had a mixed combine. He weighed in as the lightest wide receiver in the last 25 years of the combine at 154 pounds and ran a pedestrian 4.51-second 40-yard dash. The mixed results might give some teams pause about selecting Johnson.

• James (Running Back): James needed to distinguish himself in a crowded running back class. Instead, he had one of the slower 40-yard dash times and tied for the worst broad jump, failing to demonstrate the speed and explosiveness that could have elevated his stock.

• Fannin Jr. (Tight End): Fannin Jr.’s performance was a mixed bag. While he displayed good agility in the 3-cone and shuttle drills, his average 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump numbers could cause him to slip in a competitive tight end class.

• Booker (Offensive Lineman): Booker, known for his strength and physicality, struggled athletically at the combine. He had the second-slowest 40-yard dash and by far the slowest 10-yard split among offensive linemen, along with the worst broad jump performance. This lack of athleticism could limit the teams willing to spend a high draft pick on him.

• Milum (Offensive Lineman): Concerns about Milum’s arm length were confirmed at the combine, limiting his potential to play tackle in the NFL. His slow 40-yard dash and 10-yard split further hurt his stock, potentially pushing him down to Round 3.

• Pegues (Defensive Tackle): Pegues, a converted tight end, didn’t showcase the expected athleticism in his drills. His poor 10-yard split and below-average vertical jump could cause him to fall down a round in the draft.

• Hassanein (Edge Rusher): Hassanein’s combine performance raised concerns about his developmental potential as a pass rusher. His slow 10-yard split, coupled with underwhelming broad jump and vertical jump numbers, indicate a lack of explosiveness and agility.

• Alexander (Cornerback): While a taller cornerback prospect, Alexander measured in with short arms. Paired with his slow 40-yard dash and poor vertical jump, these athletic limitations could lead teams to opt for cornerbacks with more physical tools and ball skills later in the draft.

The NFL Combine offers only one piece of the puzzle in player evaluation. Teams will continue to analyze film, conduct interviews, and attend pro day workouts to gather more information before making their final draft decisions. However, the performances in Indianapolis undoubtedly shifted the landscape for many prospects, altering their draft trajectories as the 2025 NFL Draft draws closer.