The 2024 NFL Combine is coming to a close with all 32 teams heading back home and more than 200 draft prospects preparing for their final weeks of preparations before the NFL Draft. With the biggest event of the pre-draft cycle behind us, now it’s time to look at the biggest winners from the 2024 NFL Combine.
It’s always important to recognize that players who deliver some of the best performances at the NFL Combine aren’t guaranteed for greatness. However, the process does influence the NFL Draft. Quarterbacks Anthony Richardson and C.J. Stroud are two such examples from 2023.
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Here are the biggest winners from the 2024 NFL Combine.
Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State Nittany Lions
Everyone around the NFL wanted to keep a close eye on Penn State Nittany Lions edge rusher Chop Robinson at the NFL Combine. While he wasn’t very productive last season, in part due to injuries, he’s one of the best athletes in this class. Measuring in at 6-foot-3, Robinson delivered with a 4.49 40-yard dash, 34.5-inch vertical and a 10’8″ broad jump. Athletically, he is comparable to Micah Parsons, but he’s more raw in terms of his technique. Still, Robinson arguably offers some of the highest upside among defensive prospects in this class and that should help secure him a spot in Round 1.
Payton Wilson, linebacker, NC State Wolfpack
College football isn’t producing off-ball linebackers like it used to, with All-Pro Roquan Smith the only first-round pick in recent years who could be considered a hit. Payton Wilson is the best linebacker in the 2024 NFL Draft, but the NC State star has some major questions. Medicals were a big worry before his arrival, with an injury sheet that included two ACL tears and shoulder surgery. He’ll also be 24 years old before being drafted. However, the 6-foot-3 linebacker posted a phenomenal 4.43 time in the 40-yard dash and finished the day with an outstanding 9.81 Relative Athletic Score (graded from 1-10). With what he put on display in Indianapolis, Wilson is at least secured to be a second-round pick and that’s saying something considering is age and a potential shorter shelf life in the NFL.
Braden Fiske, defensive tackle, Florida State Seminoles
The Florida State Seminoles have produced plenty of very good defensive linemen for the NFL and defensive tackle Braden Fiske could be the next in line. In terms of pure athleticism, with the help of a stellar 40 time (4.78), broad jump (9’09”) and vertical jump (33.5 inches) – Fiske rates as one of the most athletic defensive tackles in NFL Combine history. One way to highlight this athleticism and movement skills, his 4.37 time in the short shuttle was actually faster than Aaron Donald’s (4.39). NFL teams will revisit Fiske’s tape in the days ahead and he might’ve just pushed himself into the top 35 range come April.
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Theo Johnson, tight end, Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State sent some of its best athletes to the NFL Combine with tight end Theo Johnson joining Chop Robinson among the standouts this week. After Brock Bowers, there’s a lot of uncertainty over who is the second-best tight end in this class. For teams looking for offensive weapons at the position, Theo Johnson put on a show like few others have before. Johnson posted a 9.99 RAS score, the second-highest ever in Indianapolis. Having recently drawn an NFL comparison to Jimmy Graham, Johnson might’ve just pushed his draft stock into Day 2. If he doesn’t go in Round 3, he should be one of the first players off the board in Round 4.
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Mike Sainsristil, cornerback, Michigan Wolverines
In the modern NFL, slot cornerbacks play a critical role for defenses. Mike Sainristil came to Lucas Oil Stadium with many hoping to see his eye-popping athleticism on display. The Michigan Wolverines nickel showed that and more. In the 3-cone drill, which carries special importance for defensive backs, Sainristil finished with the fourth-best time (6.99 seconds) and he had the second-fastest short shuttle (4.01 seconds). The agility was on full display and he also showcased his explosiveness with a 40-inch vertical kump and 10’11” broad jump. At 5-foot-9, he’s limited to the slot at the next level, but he’s the best at this position in this class and the NFL Combine likely secured his spot in Round 2.
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Isaac Guerendo, running back, Louisville Cardinals
Two of the standout rookie running backs from the 2023 class – Keaton Mitchell and De’Von Achane – made big plays last year because of their speed. We’d like to introduce you to Isaac Guerendo out of Louisville. The 6-foot running back was clocked at a max speed of 24.08 MPH on his 40-yard dash, joining Achane and Mitchell as the only backs to do that in the last two years. The combination of size, speed, toughness and pass-catching skills could make Guerendo a future three-down back who teams can snag on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
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Xavier Worthy, wide receiver, Texas Longhorns
When you run the fastest 40-yard dash in NFL history (4.21 seconds), you’re going to be declared a winner of the NFL Combine. Xavier Worthy stole the show in Indianapolis, proving the breathtaking speed he showed on film is very real. He was the only wide receiver clocked at 24 mph (24.41). For context, NextGen Stats recorded DK Metcalf with the fastest speed during the 2023 season at 22.23 mph. To his credit, Worthy also tied for the eighth-highest vertical jump (41 inches) in the entire 2024 class. Suffice it to say, you will hear his name called in Round 1.
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Trey Benson, running back, Florida State Seminoles
NFL teams wanted someone to stand out as the best running back in the 2024 NFL Draft class. Trey Benson might’ve done that. A two-time All-ACC running back at Florida State, everyone knew Benson had the physicality, contact balance and agility to be an NFL running back. Then, in Indianapolis, he posted the third-best 40 time (4.39 seconds) among running backs with a 10-yard split (1.52) seconds that placed him just .01 seconds behind first. Seeing that athleticism from the 6-foot back, Benson made a strong case that he’s RB1 in this year’s crop.
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Michael Penix Jr, quarterback, Washington Huskies
The biggest thing Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. needed to leave the NFL Combine was medical approval. After suffering two ACL surgeries and an AC joint separation, there were fears a bad medical review would take him off draft boards entirely. Fortunately, he received a clean bill of health from NFL teams. He built on that, measuring in at 6-foot-2 with one of the largest hand sizes (10.5 inches) among quarterbacks in NFL Combine history.
The Heisman trophy finalist did even more than that, too. Penix Jr. outshined J.J. McCarthy during the throwing workout and with eh top three quarterbacks (Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels) not participating, Penix Jr. will start preparing for Washington’s Pro Day as the biggest winner among quarterbacks from the NFL Combine.
Ladd McConkey, wide receiver, Georgia Bulldogs
If for whatever reason you weren’t familiar with Georgia Bulldogs wideout Ladd McConkey before, that should change now. Ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine, the two-time national champion was recognized as one of the best route-runners in the class with some of the most outstanding hands of all pass-catchers. Indianapolis proved he’s way more than that. McConkey recorded the seventh-best 40 time (4.39 seconds) and tied for the fourth-highest 10-yard split (1.52 seconds) among wide receivers. Plus, he dominated in the gauntlet drill. McConkey is a Round 1 talent and his time as one of the sleepers of the 2024 class might be over because he needs to be a known star.
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Troy Fautanu, offensive lineman, Washington Huskies
The Washington Huskies football program should feel outstanding about their ability to develop NFL-caliber athletes following this showing in Indianapolis. Yes, Huskies offensive lineman Troy Fautanu was viewed as a likely top-30 pick. However, there were some worries he might have to kick inside from tackle to guard due to a lack of athleticism. Measuring in at 6-foot-4 with 34.5-inch arms, Fautanu posted the fourth-highest 10-yard split (1.71 seconds) and finished with the eighth-highest vertical jump (32.5 inches) and sixth-best broad jump (9’5″) in his group, which included Joe Alt. Fautanu then dominated in the wave drill, showing how easily he moves at his size. With the athleticism he put on display, Fautanu is sticking at tackle and he might be a top-20 pick.
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Amarius Mims, offensive tackle, Georgia Bulldogs
Heading into March, the consensus was that Joe Alt (Notre Dame) and Olu Fashanu (Penn State) would be the two offensive tackles taken in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Amarius Mims might’ve just thrown his hat into the ring. Mims doesn’t have a lot of experience, having played just 680 total snaps in the last two years. However, he measured in at the NFL Combine at 6-foot-7 with an absurd wingspan (86.75) and long arms (36.125 inches), and he’s built like a giant at 340 pounds. Oh, we forgot to mention, he also showcased elite athleticism with a (5.07) 40 time a (1.78) 10-yard split and a 9.53 Relative Athletic Score. The 25.5-inch vertical is viewed by scouts as an outlier which will improve significantly at the Georgia Pro Day. He is an offensive line coach’s dream and shouldn’t make it out of the top-12 picks.
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