15 players on the rise after the NFL combine

Plenty of prospects boosted their draft stock during the NFL Scouting Combine this weekend. Here are 15 players who stood out to us.

Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The first of two Texas wideouts to make this list, Mitchell impressed in everything he did. He measured in at a strong 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, ran a blazing fast 4.34-second 40-yard dash, posted a 39.5-inch vertical, and had an 11-foot-4 broad jump.

On top of his excellent testing, Mitchell looked fluid and comfortable in the receiver drills. He got in and out of breaks with ease, showed good hands, and leveraged his third-fastest 40 of the event to really shine.

There's an argument to be made that no one improved their stock more than Fiske. The 6-foot-4, 292-pounder led the defensive tackle group in the 40-yard dash (4.78), vertical jump (33.5 inches), broad jump (9-foot-9), and 20-yard shuttle (4.37).

Fiske's 40-yard dash was extra fun to watch as he let out an audible "Oh yeah!" when he crossed the finish line.

Have a Combine, @bradenfiske55.#NFLCombine | (by @FastTwitchDrink) pic.twitter.com/ur0QI7eXT9

- NFL (@NFL) February 29, 2024

Fiske paired that excellent lower-body explosiveness with 26 reps on the bench press and a good showing during on-field workouts. The 24-year-old might've gone from a Day 2 pick to a first-rounder with his combine.

Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Mitchell was among the players we were most excited to watch at the combine, and he didn't disappoint. The former Toledo Rocket ran a blazing fast 4.33-second 40-yard dash and led all corners with 20 reps on the bench press.

Where Mitchell really popped off the screen was in the corner workouts that emphasized hip movement. He was able to flip his hips at a moment's notice without sacrificing lateral space and looked the part of a playmaker. There's a decent chance Mitchell is the first defender selected in April's draft.

McConkey entered the weekend with many believing he'd exclusively operate as a slot receiver at the next level. He proved he has the requisite athleticism and hands to play all over the field when he posted a blazing-fast 4.39-second 40 time and excelled in drills like the gauntlet.

.@GeorgiaFootball WR Ladd McConkey looking so smooth in the gauntlet.

: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/1ehj5MwTxI

- NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2024

The 22-year-old did have a few drops during some of the other drills, but we'll chalk that up to the quarterbacks and receivers learning each others' timing and styles, as his tape shows a consistent ability to come down with balls thrown his way.

Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Johnson had an excellent day and showcased a rare blend of size and speed. The former Nittany Lion is the first tight end since 1987 to run a sub-4.6-second 40-yard dash (4.57) and have a vertical leap over 39 inches (39.5) while weighing over 255 pounds (259) at the combine, according to analyst Warren Sharp.

Johnson looked comfortable in space and willing as a blocker throughout his workouts. An NFL team willing to use him more than he was at Penn State, where he set career highs in 2023 with 34 receptions for 341 yards and seven touchdowns, could get a steal in the middle rounds of the draft.

Turner and Penn State's Chop Robinson (more on him shortly) were in a class of their own during much of the athletic testing. Turner posted an impressive 4.46-second 40-yard dash time with a 1.54-second 10-yard split - both best among edge players - which match his impressive ability to get off the ball and attack offensive linemen.

4.47u

Dallas Turner just put everyone on notice.

: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/6sKrmeh6SQ

- NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2024

The 21-year-old's lower-body explosiveness translated to the vertical (40.5 inches) and broad (10-7) jumps as well. Turner didn't have many spots to climb on most draft boards, but he proved he should be considered one of the draft's top pass-rushers.

Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Wilson was our pick to put on a show entering the combine, and he did not disappoint. The former Wolfpack member led all linebackers with a 4.43 in the 40 to establish himself as one of the class' most athletic second-level defenders.

The 23-year-old continued to showcase his agility in the on-field workouts where he looked fluid and comfortable moving in every direction. Wilson earned himself some money by standing out in a draft class that doesn't feature any elite backers.

Melton, who is expected to go in the middle rounds of April's draft, tested off the charts. His jumps and 40-yard dash time were among the best posted over the weekend, regardless of position.

.@RFootball DB Max Melton's day so far:
- 4.39u 40
- 11'4"u broad
- 40.5"u vertical

: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/BE3b5TSLo4

- NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2024

He was one of six players to run a sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash (4.39) and jumped over 40 inches in the vertical (40.5 inches). From that group, only Melton (11-foot-4) and North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker (11-2) posted a broad jump over 11 feet.

Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Like Melton, Wright excelled in all of his testing and position drills. His 4.38-second 40 was second among all tailbacks, the 11-2 broad jump was tops at his position and tied for fifth among all participants, and he looked solid moving through the running back drills.

Wright is one of the most intriguing running back prospects in the class after posting those excellent results with a 5-foot-10, 210-pound build. He could be one of the first backs selected and force the team that drafts him to find ways to get him touches.

Several other top edge rusher prospects have better sack production than Robinson, but the former Nittany Lion proved that wasn't for a lack of physical gifts. His testing results were very close to Turner's with a 4.48-second sprint in the 40-yard dash, a 1.54-second split, and a 10-8 broad jump. His 34.5-inch vertical didn't reach the top of his position's leaderboard but is still solid.

Did @PennStateFball EDGE Chop Robinson impress you the most so far at the Combine?

: #NFLCombine continues today at 3pm ET on NFL Network
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/LiHYCq9vOl

- NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2024

Robinson moved exceptionally well in drills and showed plenty of confidence in his ability to get off the ball and round corners. His hoop drill in particular looked quite natural and fluid.

Michael Hickey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

McCarthy opted not to do any of the athletic testing drills, but he threw the ball well and showcased some nice touch and strength on deeper throws. The former Wolverine confirmed he met with 11 teams during the weekend and has several visits lined up for after the combine.

Worthy didn't do any of the wide receiver drills but proved he has game-breaking speed when he broke the combine's 40-yard dash time record with a blistering 4.21-second run.

OFFICIAL: 4.21

XAVIER WORTHY HOLDS THE NEW 40-YARD DASH RECORD pic.twitter.com/IrXf3WyemB

- NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2024

Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The 6-foot, 221-pounder impressed with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, 41.5-inch vertical, and 10-9 broad jump. Guerendo should pop when watching him in the NFL, whether it's on special teams, as a third-down back, or as a backup.

Owens made headlines earlier in the week when he said he didn't believe in space or other planets, but he proved his athleticism was worth a mention, too. His 12-2 broad jump is the second-longest in combine history, only trailing Byron Jones' unofficial world record of 12-3. He also posted a 41-inch vertical before sustaining a groin injury, which prevented him from completing the 40.

The second-best broad jump in Combine history.

12'2" for @TexasTechFB DB Tyler Owens.

: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/3S5Zrdyyb3

- NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2024

Fautanu's jumps were solid, and his 1.71-second 10-yard split was impressive, but it was the former Husky's movement in the offensive line drills that really stood out. The 23-year-old showed that he has the fluidity and quickness to remain at tackle despite some believing he'd have to move inside to guard. His versatility should only move him up draft boards.

Big guys, quick feet

: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/QWgTTIcHhc

- NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2024

Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.