2025 NFL Scouting Combine Recap: What Really
Happened & What We Learned
Medical checks, measurements, and interviews were recorded as NFL scouts evaluated
this year’s top draft-eligible college players on various criteria at the 2025 NFL Combine
this past week. Like always, this year’s event was exciting for rookie prospects, who got
their chance to show their skills in front of NFL teams, a vital step in achieving their
dreams of playing in the NFL.
This event scouts and tests the players and the members of each NFL team’s staff as
they make decisions that will shape the future of their franchise.
This year, 329 college football players were invited to showcase their skills in
Indianapolis before NFL teams. While several prospects stood out and created some
buzz ahead of the NFL Draft, some opted to work at their respective Pro Days, allowing
others to make a strong impression on NFL teams.
With less than two months remaining in the 2025 NFL Draft, this event gave lots of NFL
teams and their fans a chance to see some of the top talent in the draft class. Some top
players didn’t work out in Indianapolis, but still, we got to see an excellent group of
players this year, which supports the claim that this is a year to find starters and depth
rather than blue-chip talent at the top of the draft.
What We Learned From the 2025 NFL Combine?
The NFL Scouting Combine is one of the most important events on the NFL Draft
calendar. While how a player tests here is not the be-all and end-all of the scouting
process, it boosts their draft status and forces scouts to take a more extended look at
their film. Having said that, below are the things we learned from the four-day scouting
combined with the nearing 2025 NFL Draft.
- The four-day intense event confirmed that this draft has deep classes at running
back, defensive line (interior and at edge), and interior offensive line. - Who will be the No. 1 player in the 2025 NFL Draft? The Combine didn’t shed
light on that. Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter,
Colorado CB/WR (2024 Heisman Trophy Winner) Travis Hunter, and Miami
(Fla.) QB Cam Ward all attended and seemed most in the running to potentially
hear their name called first next month, but none worked out. - But Cam Warm had a nice podium session with NFL media members and
replicated his impressive interviewing skills with the teams likely to consider
drafting him strongly – namely the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, New
York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Jets. - Assuming the Titans retain the draft’s No. 1 overall selection, which rookie GM
Mike Borgonzi seemed to be signaling is for sale. When asked if other teams are
interested, Borgonzi said, “Seems to be.” - Ward and Sanders didn’t throw Saturday, which has become the norm for toptier quarterback prospects, who typically opt to work out at their schools’ far
more customized pro days. But props to Leonard, Texas’ Quinn Ewers, Ohio
State’s Will Howard, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe; each of
them performed a nice job on Saturday – after all of them provided strong and
engaging interviews earlier in the week. - The 2025 running back class showed size and speed. We were already aware
that this position in 2025 is deep, but the group exceeded expectations this past
week. While Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty chose not to participate, he is still likely
to be the top running back at the draft; while all we got from him at Indy were his
measurements – height, weight, wingspan, and hand and arm sizes, we also
learned some things about other players of the group. Fourteen running backs
ran sub-4.5-second 40-yard dashes, while 16 weighed more than 210 pounds.
Five prospects hit both marks, including North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton. It
will be interesting to see if the depth at the position stops him from becoming a
Round 1 pick, along with Ashton Jeanty. - Another elite prospect in this position is Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten, who
(4.32 seconds). In comparison, the class’ average 40-time was 4.48 seconds, the
fastest since the Network began covering the event in depth 22 years ago. He has
elite athleticism and has the tools to be the shiftiest and fastest track-star-level
running back in the NFL. - Several other running backs also showed their impressive skills, including
Brashard Smith (SMU), Jaydon Blue (Texas), and RJ Harvey (UCF), who all ran
between 4.38 and 4.40-second 40-yard dashes. TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio
State), Omarion Hampton (UNC), and Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State) all recorded
times below 4.50. Hence, we believe we could see multiples selected in Round 1
for the third time in the last five drafts. - However, not everyone in the group performed well. Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma
State), Kaleb Johnson (Iowa), Jordan James (Oregon), and Devin Neal (Kansas)
didn’t meet the expectations associated with them. Both Gordon and Johnson had
highly disappointing combines, and their values could take a dip. - The Wide Receiver Class surprised me in multiple ways. Isaiah Bond, likely to
run one of the fastest 40-yard dash times at this year’s combine, hardly cracked
4.4 seconds official time: 4.39). His value was already low but should fall further
due to his inconsistent production and worrying tape. - Meanwhile, his teammate, Matthew Golden, will make a real impact in the NFL as
he rises even further up the dynasty board after running an official time of 4.29.
He is a way more productive and polished target than Bond was in college, not to
mention a faster one over 40 years (Matthew Golden clocked in at 4.29, topped
among all offensive players in Indianapolis). He had 58 receptions for 987 yards
and nine touchdowns for the Longhorns in 2024. He has made headlines for what
he put on tape during his final year at Texas but made more noise, showing off
his speed and quickness this past week. He was considered a late first-round
player but could go a few spots higher after his day in Indianapolis. - Regarding other players at this position, Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan didn’t
participate this past week. Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III ran a 4.41-
second 40 (not so bad). We also saw some surprises: Iowa State’s WR Jayden
Higgins ran a 4.47-second 40, and Stanford’s Elic Ayomanor clocked a 4.44. Both
of them should rise at draft boards. - Ole Miss WR Tre Harris and Oregon wideout Tez Johnson couldn’t crack 4.5, but
4.54 (Tre Harris) and 4.51 (Tez Johnson) are acceptable at their receiver
position, which is perhaps the least dependent on raw athleticism and straightline speed among all non-quarterback players with 230 or more pounds. Both
Johnson and Harris showed their passable speed, which matters. - Last but not least, Texas Christian’s Jack Bech is the obvious choice if you’re
looking for another receiver to cheer for this year. After a breakout season with
the Horned Frogs, he has shown impressive skills at the Senior Bowl and
Scouting Combine. - As expected, South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori delivered one of the most
athletic displays of the Combine. He was among the top performers of the week.
At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, he led all safeties in top speed (23.53 mph), 10-yard
split (1.49 seconds), broad jump (11 feet, 6 inches), and vertical jump (43
inches). His vertical wasn’t just the best among all safeties; it was 1.5 inches
better than everybody at the combine. - But amid what’s otherwise something of a lack of offensive star and firepower, it
seems the real talent and depth of this year’s draft is in the defensive line, where
around a dozen players could hear their names called in Round 1, assuming the
quantity of such quality doesn’t push some down the board if too many teams
wind up over-drafting players at the positions of rarity. - If anyone can push Emmanwori for having the best weekend in Indianapolis, it’s
Texas A&M’s edge defender Shemar Stewart, who might have pushed himself
into the top 10 on the drafting board. He was one of the two edge defenders to
hit 40 inches or better in the vertical jump, and his 10-foot, 11-inch broad jump
was the best at his position. What makes it more impressive is that he did that at
6-foot-5 and 267 pounds. Athleticism was never an issue with Stewart; instead, it
was the lack of production despite those physical attributes. And when you
combine his run-defense grade with his athleticism, it’s easy to see why NFL
teams would feel like they can develop Stewart into a star. - LSU’s Will Campbell headlined the group, as many draft pundits see him as the
top offensive line prospect in this year’s class. But Missouri’s Armand Membou
solidified his tackle status this past week and earned top-10 consideration
thanks to the mix of size and athleticism he put on tape at Missouri. Member
wowed everybody with a 4.91-second 40-yard dash (the second best among all
offensive linemen), had a 34-inch vertical jump, and led the position with a 9-
foot, 7-inch broad jump. That kind of movement at 6-foot-4, 332 pounds with
33.5-inch arms speaks a lot about his skills. - Kentucky’s cornerback Maxwell Hairston could be a first-round pick. Heading
into the combine, some saw Hairston as a fringe first-rounder but not a lock. He
tested very well this past week, producing the best 40-yard dash time (4.28
seconds) and top speed (24.25 mph) of any player at the combine. The event can
boost any player’s draft stock, and they increased Hairston’s chances of hearing
his name called in the first round next month. - The deep Tight End class isn’t so deep this year. It would have been interesting to
see how Penn State’s Tyler Warren or Michigan tight end Colston Loveland
would have done. They didn’t participate in any timed/measurable workouts,
like the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical, or broad jump. The one great
prospect at this position who participated was BGU Tight End Harold Fannin Jr.,
who, unfortunately, was a loser of this, combined with his ugly performance. He
ran a 4.71-second 40-yard dash at a position where athleticism is of massive
importance. He doesn’t possess the skills required to succeed consistently in the
NFL. His movement is too poor, and after a pretty hideous combine, he’ll fall in
value ahead of fantasy drafts. - Eight former Michigan players were invited to this year’s Scouting Combine – 10
fewer than last year when the then-national champions invaded Indy en masse.
However, up to four Wolverines, Dots Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham, TE
Colston Loveland, and CB Will Johnson – are expected to hear their names called
in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft (only QB J.J. McCarthy was in 2024). - If you guessed an offensive lineman or run-stuffing defender was the event’s
strongest player, then no. Oklahoma pass rusher Ethan Downs and Alabama TE
CJ Dippre tied for the most bench-press repetitions of 225 pounds, pushing the
plates 32 times apiece – 3 clear of everybody else who tested in Indianapolis. - Matthew Stafford’s decision to remain with the Rams for at least one more year
will undoubtedly impact the draft. The reigning NFC West champions can retain
their Super Bowl-winning trigger man, and the Giants and Raiders, among
others, may pivot toward free agency if not make an aggressive move up the
draft board for players like Sanders or Ward. - However, the following top quarterback prospect that seems likeliest to fall is
Sam Darnold. The question is whether the Vikings tag him to keep him, tag him
to trade him, or let him go free entirely. The last possibility would have cascading
consequences next month. - Regardless of where Darnold, Hunter, Ward, or WR Tee Higgins go, the big fish
this offseason could be All-Pro DE Myles Garnett. As of now, the Browns maintain
that the 2023 DPOY isn’t going anywhere, but a lot of time between now and the
draft got Cleveland’s position to change, given it doesn’t seem Garnett’s plan to
leave and pursue a ring will. - There is plenty of fear spreading among the league’s 30 other teams that Eagles’
EVP/GM Howie Roseman will find a way to pry Garrett out of Cleveland in his bid
to keep Philadelphia’s Super Bowl window open for years to come. - San Francisco’s Saturday night’s agreement to trade WR Deebo Samuel to the
Washington Commanders for only a fifth-round draft pick in return was a
reminder of why they are often one of the run franchises in the league, given they
almost always make this kind of move to with a current star a year too early
rather than a year too late. - The Rams are taking this same approach with WR Cooper Kupp, who’s
apparently on his way out of LA. - The Kansas City Chiefs are already in progress, the 2025 season set to be coach
Andy Reid’s 13th in K.C. During the event, there was a lot of news coming from
the perennial AFC champions, from TE Travis Kelce’s decision to come back for a
13th season to the club’s decision to franchise Trey Smith at a pricey figure
mostly associated with left tackles rather than right guards. Still, more work is
needed to add another Lombardi feather to a dynastic cup. - Fifteen players from national champion Ohio State were invited to participate in
this year’s scouting combine, most of any school in 2025.
- Conclusion:
The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine provided a comprehensive look at the depth and
diversity of talent in this year’s draft class. Some players proved they’re first-round
locks, some tumbled, and some kept scouts waiting for Pro Day performances. The
running backs showed their rare combination of size and speed, defensive line
prospects solidified their dominance as potential first-round staples, and the
quarterback picture is still up in the air.
The Combine also highlighted key storylines, such as the uncertainty around the No. 1
overall pick and the potential ripple effects of player trades and free agency moves. As
Pro Days have approached and franchises have finalized their boards, the 2025
Combine has set the stage for a draft defined by depth, positional battles, and pivotal
decisions that could alter the league’s trajectory