The third day of NFL Combine drills and tests took place on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. With quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers taking center stage, this was the most captivating part of the event yet.
With three days of NFL Scouting Combine drills in the books, let’s look at the biggest winners and losers from the QB, RB, and WR prospects.
Related: NFL Combine 2024: Participants, dates, event info, drills and everything you need to know
Trey Benson’s speed is legit
We already knew Florida State’s Trey Benson looked fast on film, but Saturday’s NFL Combine showing proved he’s one of the fastest running backs in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Measuring in at 6-foot, 216 pounds, Benson has all the measurables needed to be a starting running back in the pros. If racking up over 2,200 yards from scrimmage the past two seasons wasn’t enough, Benson’s elite speed should convince scouts he’s the real deal.
Benson’s official 40-yard dash was timed at 4.39 seconds, good for the third-fastest time among running backs at the 2024 Scouting Combine. A strong bet to be a Day 2 pick, Benson’s combine showing established his place among the best draft-eligible running backs available.
Isaac Guerendo blazes fastest 40 time among NFL Combine RBs
While others were focused on bigger names like Blake Corum or Trey Benson, instead it was Louisville’s Isaac Guerendo who had scouts buzzing at the NFL Combine.
Coming off his strongest season yet, Guerendo finished with 810 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns for the Cardinals in 2023. Now, he holds the title of being the fastest running back at the 2024 NFL Combine after clocking a blistering 4.33-second 40-yard dash.
If Guerendo was viewed as a fringe prospect before, he just put himself on the map as a player many NFL teams will covet, all thanks to his lightning-quick speed.
Related: 2024 NFL Combine: 10 prospects with the most to prove
Xavier Worthy runs fastest 40-yard dash in NFL Combine history
The biggest star of the NFL Combine is Xavier Worthy, the other receiver from Texas. Worthy compiled over 2,700 receiving yards in his career, including a 1,000-yard season his final year as a junior, so we know he can produce at a high level.
Now we also know he’s set to be one of the fastest players in the NFL. Worthy broke a new NFL Combine record with a freakishly-fast 4.21 40-yard dash.
XAVIER WORTHY WITH AN UNOFFICIAL TIE OF THE 40 RECORD.
— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2024
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/PesQjtLyzE
You can find bigger receivers than the 5-foot-11 Worthy, but you won’t find anyone faster. He’s a sure bet to be a Round 2 pick, at the minimum.
Worthy breaks a record previously held by John Ross, who clocked a 4.22 40-yard dash in 2017.
Brian Thomas Jr. and Adonai Mitchell post insane 40 times too
Just by watching Adonai Mitchell during his days with the Texas Longhorns, you knew he was one of the fastest players in college football. After clocking a 4.34-second 40-yard dash, he may not be the fastest, but that’s blazing fast speed.
But LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. topped Mitchell with a 4.33 time, and he measured in at 6-foot-3, 209 pounds. That’s a freak. Already considered a potential first-round prospect, Thomas’ odds to be among the first 32 picks only increased.
In addition to his blazing speed, Mitchell measured in at 6-foot-2 1/4 and topped 200 pounds. Already viewed as a strong Day 2 prospect, it’s not unreasonable to think a team like the Kansas City Chiefs could fall in love with Mitchell at the end of the first round too after his stellar NFL Combine performance.
Keon Coleman isn’t fast?
Posting a 4.61 40-yard dash, we don’t know what happened to Keon Coleman. But some players just don’t test well. That doesn’t mean they can’t play football. When it came time to go through actual football motions, Coleman picked up the pace.
Still, for a player who has been discussed as a potential candidate to be a late-first-round pick, Coleman’s 40 time didn’t do him any favors. But again, talent evaluators probably won’t care after seeing him return to normal once he started running routes and catching passes. At 6-foot-3, 213 pounds, Coleman is still an intriguing prospect.
Michael Penix Jr. ranks in NFL Combine’s top ten in hand size
One of the biggest doubts surrounding Michael Penix Jr. heading into the NFL Combine revolved around his lengthy injury history. Penix tore the ACL in his right knee as a freshman. Two years later, Penix re-tore the same ACL. He’s also suffered a dislocated sternoclavicular joint in his right arm and a separated shoulder.
Yet, according to Ian Rapoport, Penix passed all medical tests at the NFL Combine.
“Another top, potential first-round QB. Medicals were so important for him. My understanding is that the medical exams came out extremely positive for Penix. No issues going forward. A big-time check mark as he heads into the draft.”
Ian Rapoport on Michael Penix Jr.’s medical exam
In addition to passing his medical exams with flying colors, we also got a deeper understanding of how he’s able to get so much velocity behind his throws. Penix’s 10.5-inch hands rank in the top-ten in NFL Combine history.
Now that his size, medicals, and measurables check out, can Penix Jr. still land in the first round of the NFL Draft? Or will coming up short in the College Football National Championship continue dragging his draft stock down?
Either way, Penix did what he could to impress at the NFL Combine, at least in the public eye.
Joe Milton flashes rocket arm with 57-yard throw
As the heir apparent to Hendon Hooker, Joe Milton only got one full season with the Tennesee Volunteers to show what he could do. Yet, what became obvious was his otherworldly arm strength. That was on full display during the throwing portion of QB drills at the NFL Combine.
Here he uncorks what’s estimated to be roughly a 57-yard beauty.
Joe Milton III with the laser rocket arm. pic.twitter.com/O2oisJJva4
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 2, 2024
He also reportedly had the hardest throw, at 62 mph, but again, arm talent has never been the question. Despite a limited chance to prove himself in college, Milton shouldn’t have trouble finding a home during the middle rounds of the NFL Draft.
Related: Illinois NFL Draft prospect Tip Reiman is very skeptical about birds and pigeons: Are they real?
J.J. McCarthy aces NFL Combine’s throwing portion
As NFL Network’s Peter Schrager stated, J.J. McCarthy was “outstanding” during passing drills at the Scouting Combine. Daniel Jeremiah also added that McCarthy’s footwork “looked clean.” Here are a few plays displaying the Michigan QB’s work, including what appears to be a 58-yard throw.
Two pretty pretty good shots from JJ McCarthy pic.twitter.com/5QJqE5Ac2m
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) March 2, 2024
Good visual of J.J. McCarthy and his easy velocity here. He’s got a live arm.
— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) March 2, 2024
pic.twitter.com/TMUVHeEwPn
60 yards in the air hitting the receiver in stride.
— Blue By 88 (@bluebyninety) March 2, 2024
No problem for J.J. McCarthy. pic.twitter.com/C8HfqksaVJ
While it’s a lot easier to make these throws when you’re not facing a pass rush or any defensive coverage, McCarthy did everything he could to improve his stock at the NFL Combine, checking off another portion of the pre-draft evaluation. Prior to the NFL Combine, McCarthy’s name was already being tossed around as a potential top-five and even top-three pick. His latest effort certainly won’t hurt that momentum either.
Related: 5 biggest NFL Combine fails of all time
Fastest 40 times at 2024 NFL Combine – Quarterbacks
- Kedon Slovis – 4.55 seconds
- Sam Hartman – 4.80
- Austin Reed – 4.82
- Spencer Rattler – 4.95
Fastest 40 times at 2024 NFL Combine – Running backs
- Isaac Guerendo – 4.33 seconds
- Jaylen Wright – 4.38
- Trey Benson – 4.39
- Keilan Robinson – 4.42
- Jaden Shirden – 4.45
Related: Fastest 40 yard dash: Fastest players in NFL Combine history, fastest NFL players
Fastest 40 times at 2024 NFL Combine – Wide receivers
- Xavier Worthy – 4.21 seconds – New NFL Combine record
- Brian Thomas Jr. – 4.33
- Adonai Mitchell – 4.34
- Devontez Walker – 4.36
- Jacob Cowing – 4.38
Related: Fastest players at NFL Combine 2024: Xavier Worthy makes history with fastest 40 time ever