Winners and Losers From The Combine
Brightcast Media
Indianapolis was at the center of the NFL universe over the last few days. Hundreds of ex-college football players were aiming to showcase themselves as best as possible ahead of April’s 2024 NFL Draft. While some of these athletes may have raised their potential draft positioning, others failed to hit the mark substantially. Let’s look at the winners and losers from the 2024 NFL Combine.
Winner: Xavier Worthy
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
We knew Worthy was fast, but 4.21 in the 40 fast?! The California native broke the record for the fastest 40-time at the combine. It had previously been held by former WR John Ross (4.22). Worthy had been somewhat of an afterthought heading into this combine period. He was clearly behind the ‘big three’ of Malik Nabers, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Rome Odunze. Some even had Ladd McConkey, Keon Coleman, Troy Franklin, and teammate Adonai Mitchell ranked higher. After this performance, we’d guess scouts will take a longer look at Worthy’s tape from Texas. Speed kills, and there’s no denying how special Worthy is in that category.
Loser: Spencer Rattler
Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
Rattler can spin the ball. There’s no doubt about that. He dazzled some scouts in Indianapolis with his arm strength throughout the Combine. But, there’s a lot more that goes into quarterbacking than that. Rattler was among the worst-graded athletes across all drills. He’s always been a bit undersized, but he coupled with that horrible speed ratings. Rattler ranked among the worst in the 10, 20, and 40. Teams will almost certainly question his ability to adjust to NFL speed. That will keep him firmly in the Day 3 range.
Winner: Luke McCaffrey
Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Luke McCaffrey is the son of Ed and the brother of Christian. Possessing those strong bloodlines is already a positive for the 6’2″ receiver. Even more impressive is the fact that Luke ran a faster 40-time (4.47) than his all-NFL brother did (4.48). The Rice receiver is lauded for his toughness and route-running ability. With this impressive 40 time, expect him to climb draft boards.
Loser: Audric Estime
Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images
A 40-time isn’t everything for an RB. We’ve seen plenty of running backs dominate in the NFL after running relatively slow times. A recent example is Rams RB Kyren Williams who ran a 4.65 at the Combine and went on to become a Pro Bowler in 2024. However, a slow time will almost certainly affect your draft stock. That will likely be the case for Notre Dame’s Audric Estime. The 230-pound back ran a 4.71 — a shockingly slow time for the RB who rushed for 1,341 yards and 18 TDs last season. Williams’ 4.65 is the slowest by a RB who has gotten drafted since 2015. Estime will now face an uphill battle to be drafted in April.
Winner: Isaac Guerendo
Stacy Revere/Getty Images
There’s not one standout running back head-and-shoulders above the rest. There’s even a scenario in which we don’t see a running back taken until Round 3. Louisville’s Isaac Guerendo did a very nice job in boosting his stock in Indianapolis. Weighing in at over 220 pounds, Guerendo ran a 4.33 40 AND boasted a 41.5″ vertical leap. Based on these numbers, in addition to his physical running style, Guerendo might now be in contention to become the first running back off the board.
Loser: Kalen King
William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Combine can serve as an avenue for reflection for all the prospects. Kalen King entered last season as one of the top cornerbacks in college football. Today, a position change to safety might be King’s best chance to make an impact at the next level. King’s 4.61 40-time was the second-slowest for all corners. Penn State has been a breeding ground for DBs in recent years, with Pittsburgh’s Joey Porter Jr. as the most recent draft selection. However, Porter Jr. ran a strong 4.46 at the Combine last year. Teams aren’t going to use a high draft pick on a corner who can barely keep up with most tight ends in a foot race.
Winner: Adonai Mitchell
Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
Mitchell tested exceptionally well. He’s the type of guy who profiles as a legit WR2 on the next level — and can even become a WR1 in the right scheme. Athletically, few are as impressive as the Texas pass-catching dynamo. At 6’2″, he ran a blistering 4.34 40-time along with a 39.5″ vertical leap. He also had a ridiculous 11’4″ broad jump. His tape is super impressive — and for a team like the Chiefs picking towards the end of the first round, Mitchell would be a game-changer.
Loser: Kool-Aid McKinstry
Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports
The medical evaluations at the Combine can sometimes uncover ailments that players haven’t previously disclosed. That was the case for Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry who is reportedly dealing with a Jones fracture in his right foot. He didn’t participate in the Combine as a result. In a class rich with cornerback depth, McKinstry’s stock will almost certainly fall as a result of this. Teams are more than happy to pass on a player who is already dealing with an injury in favor of a similarly-ranked player who is healthy.
Winner: Tyler Owens
Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Owens’ thoughts on space and planets aside, the Texas Tech safety turned quite a few heads in Indianapolis. He had a crazy 12’2″ broad jump — one of the best marks ever recorded at the combine. Owens notched a 41-inch vertical at 6’2″ and roughly 215 pounds. A groin injury nixed his ability to run the 40. Owens had reportedly aimed to run in the 4.2s, which would be utterly ridiculous for a guy his size. While his tape is a bit inconsistent, a team will draft him with the hopes of tapping into his mass potential.
Loser: Austin Booker
Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
Kansas’ Austin Booker is an intriguing prospect. He was excellent in his lone season as a Jayhawk, registering eight sacks and a pair of forced fumbles for Kansas’ defense. His combine results were a bit troubling, however. Booker is more of a tweener. He’s not quite fast enough (4.71 40-time) to be used as a versatile backer and isn’t big enough (240 pounds) to be a full-time defensive end. It’s going to take a very particular team to take a chance on Booker and utilize him to the best of his abilities. Think similar to a Bryce Huff for the New York Jets. Teams simply aren’t paying premiums for a player who will likely only see the field for 40 percent of snaps.
Winner: Joe Milton
Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Milton is a developmental project at the QB spot. Scouts are in awe of his ability to throw the football. he’s unparalleled when it comes to velocity and sheer arm strength. There are some things to clean up about his accuracy downfield. With that said, Milton will certainly have a market based on his showing in Indianapolis. When you flick your wrist and casually launch a football 70 yards in the air, there’s something to work with.
Loser: Kamren Kinchens
Stacy Revere/Getty Images
There was a time when it seemed like a lock that Miami’s Kamren Kinchens would be the first safety taken off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft. Just a month out, we aren’t so sure about that declaration anymore. Kinchens ran a painfully slow 40-time, clocking in at 4.65. That was tied for worst (with college teammate James Williams) among all safeties who ran the 40. Now, we wouldn’t be all that surprised that a few other safeties hear their names called on draft day before Kinchens.
Winner: Braden Fiske
Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
The Florida State defensive lineman reaffirmed why he’ll be a hot commodity for teams drafting in Rounds 2/3. Fiske demonstrated fantastic overall mobility — both with his 40-time (4.78) and his ability to smash agility drills. There’s an uncommon explosiveness to his game which should translate very well on the next level. Whether at defensive tackle or end, Fiske made some money via his performance in Indianapolis.
Loser: Bucky Irving
Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Oregon scatback Bucky Irving was always going to test poorly due to his size. The Second-team All-Pac-12 rusher is listed at 5-foot-9 and weighs in under 200 pounds. That wouldn’t be that big of an issue if Irving boasted top-end speed, but he clearly doesn’t after clocking an official 4.55 40-time. Irving was among the smallest and slowest backs at the Combine. He plays faster than that time and is a polished route runner, but those traits aren’t going to be enough when teams are weighing their potential RB options.
Winner: Keon Coleman
Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
Coleman solidified himself as a first-round pick — and perhaps the fourth receiver off the board after the presumed top three (Harrison Jr., Nabers, Odunze). His 40 time would appear disappointing on the surface (4.61). However, Coleman put up blistering numbers when running through ‘the gauntlet’ where he’d turn and catch balls on the run. He’s one of those guys who plays faster than his straight-line speed would indicate. Watch the tape and you’ll see how talented Coleman is. Notching a 38-inch vertical at 6’3″ certainly is impressive as well.
Loser: Steele Chambers
Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
A couple of decades ago, Ohio State’s Steele Chambers would likely be a safety. Instead, the 6-foot, 225-pound former running back was among the smallest linebackers at the combine. We know he’s a gifted athlete who moves well. However, teams will project him to struggle due to his size. And, the fact that he only has one year as a starter on tape will scare some teams off. He’s locked in as a late Day 3 pick as it currently stands.
Winner: Michael Penix
Abbie Parr/Getty Images
Penix had a very good showing at the combine. From a pure measurables standpoint, Penix had a larger wingspan and much bigger hands than many expected. Reports indicate that his physical exams came back clean. In terms of on-field performance, Penix flashed a strong arm and very good accuracy downfield. Whether Penix lands in the first round or not remains a question. At the very least, he didn’t hurt his stock at all. On the contrary — Penix may have been the best quarterback in Indianapolis.
Loser: Ja’Tavion Sanders
Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Perhaps the Combine isn’t the best place for a player with Ja’Tavion Sanders’ skill set to truly shine. Sanders’s best ability is his making contested catches thanks to his frame. Running routes against air is better suited for some of the other TEs in the pool. A dominant Combine showing could have possibly pushed Sanders into the first round, but it seems likely that Georgia’s Brock Bowers will be the only TE to be taken on Day 1. Sanders will have to wait until Day 2 to hear his name called.
Winner: Quinyon Mitchell
Stacy Revere/Getty Images
The MAC has given the NFL some real talents over the years, and Mitchell is one of those guys. The corner out of Toledo should be a first-round pick after performing very well at the combine. He ran an eye-popping 4.33 40. A high-character individual, Mitchell is also a true ballhawk on the field. He defended 44 passes over the last two years — more than any DB in the country. The Florida native has positioned himself to potentially be a Top 15 pick after this wonderful showing.
Loser: Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Mizzou CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. was going to have to test off the charts athletically to make up for his lack of size. He wasn’t able to do so. Rakestraw Jr. posted middling numbers in the 10, 20, and 40 plus the broad jump. This came after weighing in at 183 pounds. Corners are being asked more and more to help in the run game at the next level. A 180-pound defensive back is going to have a hard time bringing down even the lowest-of-tier running backs. Rakestraw Jr. is a mid-round pick who did himself no favors at the Combine.
Winner: Gabriel Murphy
Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images
Commentators remarked at Murphy’s ‘euro step’ pass-rushing technique off the edge where he positions his body in a way where he can then chop down at the offensive tackle before sliding right past en route to the quarterback. Running with the linebackers, Murphy ran a respectable 4.68 40 despite spending his entire career at UCLA with his hand in the dirt. He also crushed it with 25 reps in the bench press exercise. With Murphy’s energy and effort levels, he’ll undoubtedly be drafted before too long by a team in need of pass-rushing production.
Loser: Drake Maye
Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
Drake Maye had the opportunity to do the unthinkable. When the season began, it was clear that Caleb Williams was going to the be top QB entering the 2024 NFL Draft. Maye closed the distance throughout the season and could have even leapfrogged Williams with a strong Combine. Instead, Maye (just like Williams) opted out of the event. Maye is a tremendous athlete with an incredibly powerful arm. With how teams have been swayed with strong Combine performances in the past, Maye could have put on a show in Indianapolis and made a real run at being the No. 1 selection. Alas, he’ll likely be the second (or, third) pick in April’s draft.
Winner: Amarius Mims
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Men who are 6’8″ and 340 pounds should not be running a 4.33-second shuttle time. It was the fastest time for an offensive tackle at the combine dating back to 1999. Mims moves unusually on the field, and we mean that in the best way possible. You just don’t see guys this big functioning with such fluidity and grace. There are a host of offensive tackles vying to be drafted in the top half of the first round. After this performance, Mims threw his proverbial hat into the ring.
Loser: JJ McCarthy
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
With the top three QB’s (Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels) opting out of the Combine, all eyes shifted to Michigan’s JJ McCarthy. Out of the remaining passers, McCarthy has the best chance to sneak into the top 10 due to his age (21 years old) and athleticism. McCarthy weighed about 20 pounds heavier than he had during his final season at Michigan. He was shaky during the passing drills. Teams are going to have questions about his ability to elevate an offense. McCarthy entered this week with a chance to jump one of the absent QBs. It doesn’t seem like he did enough to take either of their spots.
