The NFL scouting combine is in the rearview mirror. Prospects showcased their skills with NFL contingency present in hopes of raising their stock heading into the draft. Some players impressed, while others fell flat. Let’s take a look at the winners from the 2024 NFL combine.
Quarterbacks
Michael Penix Jr – Washington
Heisman Trophy finalist displayed pinpoint accuracy, hitting his target on most throws in the drills. His hand size of 10 ½ inches ranks in the top 10 all-time for quarterbacks. He also displays an 81-inch wingspan and has likely moved into the top five in this year’s quarterback draft class with his combine performance. Penix threw for over 9500 yards and 67 touchdowns in two seasons at Washington. If he can stay on the field he has a good chance to be a solid NFL starter.
Devin Leary – Kentucky
Leary’s best season came in 2021 while at North Carolina State when he threw for over 3400 yards and 35 touchdowns. He threw for 2746 yards and 25 touchdowns in 12 games last season. This year’s draft is quarterback heavy with as many as five going in the first round of the draft. Leary was solid across the board in the combine and could have solidified himself in the next level of quarterbacks coming out with the likes of Spencer Rattler.
Joe Milton – Tennessee
Milton was one of the standouts at quarterback at the combine, showing great arm strength in tosses that exceeded 70 yards with the fastest throw at the combine at 62 mph. He also displayed touch on most occasions, with an occasional flat pass. Milton threw for 2813 yards and 20 touchdowns last year in his only full season behind center at the collegiate level. Milton didn’t rise into the first-tier quarterback class, but he could be at the top of the list of the next tier, making him an early-round draft pick.
Running Backs
Isaac Guerendo – Louisville
Guerendo displayed his speed with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, which ranked among the best for any player over 220 pounds at his position in two decades. He also was second among running backs in vertical leap and in broad jump. Guerendo saw limited action while at Wisconsin and rushed for 810 yards and 11 touchdowns in his lone season at Louisville. There are plenty of solid running backs in this year’s draft class without a definitive ranking order. Based on his outstanding combine, don’t be surprised if Guerendo is picked higher than other backs with better collegiate statistics.
Jaylen Wright – Tennessee
Wright rushed for 1013 yards and averaged an impressive 7.4 yards per carry last season. He is the best breakaway threat in this year’s running back class. He dazzled with a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the combine. Wright was also among the best in the vertical jump and broad jump. The running backs in this class likely won’t start coming off the board until the second day of the draft with Wright among the top of the list.
Wide Receivers
Xavier Worthy – Texas
It wasn’t a shock coming into the combine that Worthy was fast, but he showed that he has more than game-changing speed. His 4.21 seconds in the 40-yard dash set a combine record. Worthy hauled in 75 passes for 1014 yards last season and it’s a bit of a head-scratcher as to why he only averaged 13.5 yards per reception. There’s no doubt that teams in need of a home run threat will salivate at the chance to select Worthy to tap into that potential.
Brian Thomas Jr. – LSU
Keeping with the theme of speed, Thomas Jr. was the second fastest receiver at the combine. In addition, he thrived in all of the drills and has great size at 6’ 5” and 200 pounds. He torched defenses last season after catching 68 passes for 1177 yards and 17 touchdowns. Thomas will probably be selected in the latter part of the first round for teams in search for a legitimate number one receiver.
Rome Odunze – Washington
Odunze was already a top-10 pick heading into the combine after hauling in 92 games for 1640 yards and 13 touchdowns. Everyone already knew about Odunze’s talent, but the way he conducted himself with poise with the media and in practicing the three-cone drill relentlessly, likely moved him up even further. Don’t be surprised if Odunze has now surpassed Malik Nabers of LSU on the draft board.
Adonai Mitchell – Texas
Mitchell opened eyes with 4.35-second 40-yard dash, which is world class for someone at his size (6’ 2”, 205 pounds). The buzz was that Mitchell was projected by many to land in Kansas City with the Chiefs, but now one must wonder if he’ll last that long on the board. His board jump tied for second and he impressed with quickness in other drills. Mitchell caught 55 passes for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
Keon Coleman – Florida State
Coleman caught over 50 passes in each of the last two seasons with 11 touchdowns in his only year at Florida State. His 4.61-second 40-yard dash was far from impressive, but he opened eyes during the on-field drills. He was among the fastest in both the gauntlet drill and running go routes. Coleman is an intriguing prospect who should move up following an overall impressive combine.
Tight Ends
Theo Johnson – Penn State
Johnson was far and away the winner at the combine among the tight ends. At 6’6” and 259 pounds, Johnson posted eye-popping numbers of 4.59 seconds in the 40-yard dash with a 39-inch vertical leap. He found the end zone seven times on 34 receptions last season and is now being compared to Jimmy Graham. Don’t be surprised if Johnson is selected among the first few tight ends in this year’s draft.
Ben Sinnott – Kansas State
Sinnott shined as one of the top tight ends at the combine. He came in a bit heavier than his playing weight at Kansas State, but still put up great numbers. Sinnott posted the best broad jump and vertical jump among tight ends and was in the top ten in the 40-yard-dash. He caught 49 passes for 676 yards and six touchdowns last season. Sinnott has positioned himself along with Theo Johnson among the top tight ends to enter the draft.
