2024 NFL Combine’s biggest losers, including Blake Corum

By Andrew Buller-Russ

·Updated: March 3, 2024

Every year the NFL Combine gives college football prospects the chance to improve their draft stock, helping them make a lot more money on their rookie contract. Yet, for every prospect that sees their stock rise, there’s another who sees their stock fall.

This topic focuses on the biggest losers from the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, including Michigan’s Blake Corum.

Blake Corum fails to separate himself from pack of RBs

After an incredible four-year career at Michigan where he racked up over 3,700 rushing yards and 58 rushing touchdowns, Blake Corum is the biggest ‘name’ among the 2024 draft-eligible running backs. However, at the NFL Combine, his game didn’t match his fame.

Measuring in at just 5-foot-7 3/4 and 205 pounds, Corum’s 4.53 40 time was a bit underwhelming. Sure, he has more weight than other backs, but being smaller in stature and not exactly quicker could hurt his chances to be a major playmakers in the pros where all the athletes are bigger, stronger, and faster.

Keon Coleman gets mixed results at NFL Combine

At 6-foot-3, 213 pounds, Keon Coleman was never in the mix to compete with Xavier Worthy for the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Still, the Florida State receiver was expected to clock at least in the 4.4s.

However, Coleman posted just a 4.61-second 40-yard dash, far from what was needed to become a first-round pick. Now Coleman all but assured himself that he won’t go any higher than the second round. Yet, his combine showing wasn’t all bad. He still bounced back later on during the pass-catching portion of the drills, which should help erase concerns about a lackluster 40 time.

Ja’Tavion Sanders raises questions about athleticism

Aside from Brock Bowers, there isn’t a tight end worth a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but Ja’Tavion Sanders was hoping to hear his name called on the first day. However, after the Texas product’s underwhelming 4.69 40-yard dash, which ranked as the third-slowest time among tight ends, Sanders looks more like a Day 2 pick, at best.

Jer’Zhan Newton’s injury, measurements could cause stock drop

When the NFL Combine began, Jer’Zhan Newton was a popular pick to be a top-15 selection. But Newton wasn’t able to work out in front of scouts due to recently undergoing surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his foot. Of course, injuries are unavoidable, but Newton didn’t measure to scouts’ liking either.

At 6-foot-1, 5/8, 304 pounds, Newton is not among the biggest players at his position, and his average length of 32 3/8 arms to go with a 75 7/8 wingspan didn’t help his stock either. Newton will have to wait until his Illinois pro day to impress.

Kalen King slides down draft boards with slow 40 time

Another athlete who had a lot riding on his NFL Scouting Combine performance is Penn State’s Kalen King. A four-star recruit who chose Penn State over Michigan, King decided to enter the NFL Draft after his junior season, but that may have been a mild mistake.

After starting the season as one of the top cornerback prospects with a chance to sneak into the first round, a disappointing season, and even worse performances during the NFL Combine, has caused his draft stock to crater.

When others are clocking times in the 4.3-second range, seeing King have a 40-yard dash of 4.61 seconds guarantees he won’t be drafted in the first round, and even landing on Day 2 may be difficult.

Kamren Kinchens squanders chance to be first safety drafted

After recording 11 interceptions the past two seasons, Kamren Kinchens put himself on the NFL Draft radar thanks to his stellar production at Miami. Viewed as a possible second-round pick, Kinchens didn’t do himself any favors at the NFL Combine.

Kinchens recorded just a 4.65 second 40-yard dash, and showed less than ideal movement skills during defensive back drills. However, his hands still checked out, so if he’s in the right place, he’ll make the play, but not having elite speed will cause scouts to question how high his ceiling is.