In what was a historically fast NFL combine, a lot of players improved their draft stock. In the week since the start of the combine, we have been able to discuss and talk about the winners and the losers of this year’s combine. We will be analyzing some players and groups of players that best improved their draft stock while in Indianapolis. Players that were considered top shelf talent and continued to show this at the combine are not considered winners in our eyes as they were already going to be taken high.

Chris Olave

Olave has been our WR1 all along. He is the best route runner of the class and has moves that only the best in the NFL do when releasing off the line. However, he ran an unofficial 4.26 and everyone’s eyes opened. While the official was actually a 4.39, it was still faster than many may have thought. Mix that in  with really good on the field drills, and his story that mirrors eerily to Justin Jefferson continues. He still will probably not be the first receiver taken, but he is the safest and also could easily produce the best results in what looks to be a loaded receiver class.

Every Georgia Defender Not Named Nakobe Dean

Before getting into the positives, Nakobe Dean did not participate in testing or drills. He said all along he would not, but it still does not look amazing in our eyes. Will it affect his draft stock? Probably not but others improved theirs around him, with two of those linebackers being from his own team. Now for the great. Jordan Davis tested like an absolute freak. On tape he showed a very fast first step for someone of his size, but testing athletically the way he did could not have been seen. The fact that he stated he has been working on his pass rush and that he tested so well, he could be a huge riser and be one of the elite tackles in the league. Devonte Wyatt tested just as impressive, if not better, than Davis. While he is still raw, he showed in the positional drills that he can be a run stuffer as well as pass rusher if he develops well. Travon Walker also tested extremely well, and showed that, despite being perhaps the most undeveloped of the edge rushers, he has the athleticism and size to be something special. Both linebackers, Tindall and Walker, looked very good in positional drills, testing, and interviews (according to reports). Despite playing in a rotation, both are easily day two picks with potential for Quay Walker to go in the first. Lastly, Lewis Cine tested very well and looked good in drills. He is not a day one pick according to many analysts, but seemed to cement himself as one of the best day two safeties in this class with some potential to slip into day one.

Multiple Day 2 Receivers

Christian Watson, Alec Pierce, and George Pickens all tested extremely well for their size, and could have risen similar to Chase Claypool (where elite testing pushed him into the second round). One of them may even sneak into the end of the first. Calvin Austin, a senior bowl standout, had insanely good testing numbers across the board. He was top three in the 40, the broad jump, the vertical jump, the 3-cone, and the 20-yard shuttle. It is unclear where he could end up team wise, but with his athletic profile and continuous rise, he can easily be a third round pick at the least for a team who is looking to add a gadget to the room. This also does not take into account guys like Khalil Shakir, Skyy Moore, Tyquan Thornton, and so many more who had really good combines and could all round out a historic draft class as far as depth, number of selections, and viable starters. 

EJ Perry

This quarterback class is weak, there are no doubts about it. There are three clear first rounders in our eyes in Howell, Willis, and Pickett. Ridder and Corral could sneak into the first, but should be treated as day two choices. Beyond them there are guys like Carson Strong and Zappe (who we do not like at all), but the second tier is a clear step down after the top five, and there are not a ton of names talked about in the rest of the draft let alone on day two. Enter EJ Perry. Perry comes from an Ivy League school, so you know he should have the intelligence to run an offense. He also tested top two in the 40, vertical jump, broad jump, 3-cone, and 20 yards shuttle. In the throwing drills Perry showed off a good enough arm, with good enough accuracy. In no way are we saying he is a starter in this league or deserving of a high draft pick, but considering how he was not talked about much prior to the combine, he came in and did everything possible to improve his draft stock. He has the athleticism to be a gadget if needed like Taysom Hill, but also has the smarts and abilities to stick around on teams and maybe start every once in a while (like Fitzmagic). The other notes on EJ Perry are that he was one of two or three QBs to stay and do the throwing for other positional groups, he must’ve wanted to prove something by doing that. The final note is that for anyone who didn’t see it, a video was released of EJ Perry staying behind to pick up all the garbage laying on the field from the day. It’s a huge, high character move by him.

Tariq Woolen

There was some slight buzz on Wolen heading into the draft, especially with his speed. However, a 4.26 40 and a 42 inch vertical at 6’4” and 200 pounds showed just how special he is athletically. He has the ability to stick at corner, but his size profile and athleticism shows insane potential at safety as well. Coming from a small school as he did, he should have a lot of development to do. Expect a team, though, to take a chance on him sometime in day two in hopes that he becomes something great.

Breece Hall

The running back position was thought to lack any top flight talent coming into the combine. There were a few different names thrown into discussion as the top backs. A few of them  (like Kenneth Walker and James Cook) did nothing to lessen their stock and maybe even improved it, but Breece Hall separated himself at the combine. He ran a 4.39, had the top vertical jump, and was top five in the broad jump. He looked very good with his footwork in positional drills and showed very good hands in the pass catching drills. He profiles as a patient every down back, with the combine showing he can kick it into high gear. Do not be surprised if he is the first back taken early on day two of the draft.

Jelani Woods

Woods caught our eyes at the senior bowl. He looked massive, but moved with decent speed and fluidity that made us wonder why he was not being talked about more in a murky tight end class. Then comes the combine. At 6’7” and 259 pounds, Woods ran a 4.61, led all tight ends in bench reps, looked good in the sled drill, and showed good hands in the positional drills. For a player not really talked about in this class, he has all the physical abilities to be unguardable in the NFL. Will he ever reach that point? It is hard to tell as he is still new to the position. He has a lot of development to go, but I would not be surprised if the combine and insane potential could make him a third round pick for a team that has an established tight end and may want to add someone they can bring along slowly, but one who could pay off massive dividends.