The NFL Combine has come and gone, and now we are left to piece together the bits of information that are out there to help us make informed evaluations and decisions as dynasty managers. I was fortunate enough to attend the NFL Combine last week in Indianapolis and gather as much information as possible. There are always risers and fallers after the week, so here are the players who will be moving the most on draft boards after their performances.
2025 NFL Combine | Behind the Scenes with Tristan Cook
Players Who Did Not Participate
Leading up to the 2025 NFL Combine, the chatter was about which players we would see participate in the athletic testing and which ones would sit out until their respective pro days. A lot often gets made about players who choose not to run a 40-yard dash or partake in the other testing metrics. However, I don’t think much can be taken from a DNP (did not participate) at the NFL Combine. That’s not the same opinion that everyone holds. Some players get knocked for not participating like Shedeur Sanders, while others—like Cam Ward—don’t see any impact.
What I look for is that we are able to collect these metrics throughout the totality of the pre-draft process. If players want to run their 40-yard dashes, test their vertical and broad jumps, or partake in on-field drills at their pro days, that is fine in my book. I am not going to dock a player in my rankings because they didn’t test. That’s not to say they can’t move in my rankings after the NFL Combine, but that is a result of other performances. If we don’t get any more testing metrics, my evaluation is the same before and after the Combine.
NFL Combine Athletic Testing | What Matters and What Doesn’t
There is no magic formula to determine what testing metric is predictive of NFL success. Some positions tend to have a stronger correlation between good testing numbers and NFL success, as highlighted in Numbers to Know by fellow Nerd Steven Pintado, but to say we can look at any metric and be certain of success isn’t possible. There are two positions that we learn a lot about after the NFL Combine: wide receiver and running back. Rather than trying to dive into which metrics correlate to success the most, I will simply recommend reading this fantastic article by Kyle Borgognoni that does a great job breaking down each fantasy relevant position.
So, what did I learn at the 2025 NFL Combine?
NFL Combine Risers and Fallers
These may not be the players who performed the best or the worst, but players who will see the biggest changes in dynasty rookie stock as a result of the NFL Combine.
Risers
Running Backs
Quinshon Judkins
- He came into the week with questions around his top-end speed and overall athleticism. He answered them in a resounding fashion.
- Judkins posted a 38.5’’ vertical (tied 4th best among RBs), 11’0’’ broad jump (1st); and while his 4.48 40-yard dash (14th) was not elite in this class, it is the same time that Christian McCaffrey and D’Andre Swift ran.
- His 1.51-second 10-yard split was tied for the 2nd-fastest in the RB class. Judkins came out and showed why he’s one of the top RBs at the 2025 NFL Combine.
Bhayshul Tuten
- Tuten vaulted up NFL Draft and dynasty rookie boards after a sensational combine week.
- Bhayshul Tuten tore up the NFL Combine, posting the fastest 40-yard dash time by all running backs at 4.32 seconds.
- Predictably, his 10-yard split was the fastest at 1.49 seconds (the only sub-1.5 second time).
- His vertical of 40.5’’ was the only jump over 40 inches.
- Tuten’s broad jump (10’10’’) was tied for 2nd-best in the class.
Wide Receivers
Matthew Golden
- He continued his ascension up rookie draft rankings (my WR5 heading into the NFL Combine) after running the fastest 40-yard dash for all offensive players (2nd-fastest overall).
- Matthew Golden didn’t do much at the NFL Combine, but what he did was run faster than anyone else in the WR class.
- As noted, his 4.29-second 40-yard dash and 1.49-second 10-yard split were the fastest of the offensive skill players. After posting those numbers, Golden ended his combine testing.
Tai Felton
- Coming into the NFL Combine as my WR8 in the class, Felton shined brightly throughout the media and on-field sessions.
- If I had to pick one, Tai Felton had the standout performance of the NFL Combine. I don’t know that there were many people that had Felton anywhere inside their top 10, but I would be shocked if he’s not in nearly every top 10 WR list post combine.
- He performed well across the board: 4.37-second 40-yard dash (tied for 6th-fastest of the WRs); 1.51-second 10-yard split (T4); 39.5’’ vertical (T4); and 10’10’’ broad jump (T5). Simply put, Felton crushed the combine.
Fallers
Running Backs
Kaleb Johnson
- In a blisteringly-fast RB class, Johnson stood out as notably slower.
- A 4.57-second 40-yard dash isn’t a bad time for a running back not known for his speed. So, why is Kaleb Johnson a “faller?”
- His 10-yard split (1.62 seconds) was the slowest of the RBs, and he didn’t do any other testing afterward.
- I’m reserving judgement to see if Johnson tests better at his pro day, but running slow and then not participating in any other testing metrics doesn’t bode well for Kaleb Johnson.
Wide Receivers
Tez Johnson
- After an exciting Senior Bowl, Johnson fell flat at the NFL Combine.
- Tez Johnson measured in at 5097 and weighed only 154 pounds. That’s lighter than what he was at during the Senior Bowl.
- The light weight didn’t turn into track speed, as Johnson ran the 11th-slowest 40-yard dash among WRs (4.51 seconds).
- Interestingly, he did post the fastest 3-cone in the entire combine (6.65 seconds); 4th-best broad jump (among WRs) (10’’11’’), and 4th-best 20-yard shuttle (4.15 seconds). While his stock certainly took a hit, this showed the short area quickness that we see on tape.
To Be Determined
Running Backs
Cam Skattebo
- He only participated in a handful of drills, leaving some questions unanswered.
- I have notably had Cam Skattebo lower in my RB list than many others’ rankings. My main concerns have been (and still are) his overall athleticism, and in particular, his speed.
- As I mentioned before, I won’t knock a player simply for not participating in part of the NFL Combine. It’s no different here.
- The two biggest takeaways for Skattebo were his impressive vertical jump (39.5”) and his pedestrian broad jump (10’3”). Those were T2 and T11 respectively.
- I came into the combine wanting to know if Cam Skattebo was faster and a better athlete than I thought, and I still don’t know.
Wide Receivers
Travis Hunter
- He didn’t participate in any on-field workouts, although his talent is not the question.
- Travis Hunter made it crystal-clear that he wants to play a full compliment of snaps on both sides of the ball in the NFL. What wasn’t quite as clear is if NFL teams are going to let him try.
- As expected, his future was a hot topic at the NFL Combine. I heard multiple reports that teams view him primarily as a WR. But, I also heard conflicting reports that teams view him primarily as a CB.
- What it’s going to come down to is which team drafts him, because the jury is split.
- My view is that a team won’t invest top-5 draft capital in a player that they are going to pigeonhole to one side of the ball. But, time will tell.
Position-by-Position Best and Worst
- Quarterbacks: Best – Jaxson Dart; Worst – Will Howard
- Running Backs: Best – Bhayshul Tuten; Worst – Jordan James
- Wide Receivers: Best – Tai Felton or Jaylin Noel; Worst – Kaden Prather
- Tight Ends: Best – Terrance Ferguson; Worst – none
Biggest Takeaways from the NFL Combine
This crop of offensive skill players is incredibly fast. The depth of the RB, WR, and TE classes are not being talked about enough. I think there will be massive value picks in the 3rd and 4th rounds of rookie drafts this year.
If you’re looking for additional dynasty rookie content, I have pre-combine positional rankings available, with post-combine updates coming soon.
QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | TE Rankings
Other Ways to Nerd Out!
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