With the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine coming to a close, we have seen or heard from 321 different players. Like every year, prospects had a chance to either make themselves some additional money or potentially threaten their draft stock; this year is no different. Here are six risers and six fallers.
Riser: Dallas Turner, Edge. Alabama.
It was no secret that Alabama edge defender Dallas Turner had a chance to be the first defender off the board in an otherwise offense-laden class. Turner all but confirmed that with a special athletic showcase on Thursday.
Photo courtesy of Relative Athletic Score.
Turner is coming off a highly productive junior campaign in which he registered nine sacks and 50 total pressures. There was some concern about his size, and while he doesn't have the ideal height, he has long arms and packs an athletic punch. His first step jumped off the tape, and he is now trending towards being a lock for the top 10.
Faller: Kameron Kinchens, Safety. Miami.
Kinchens hurt his draft stock significantly on Friday night. Once considered a consensus second-round pick, Kinchens will now be lucky to be drafted in the first two days. Unfortunately, he had a generationally poor day of testing. His 2.11 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) ranks 771st out of 976 free safeties since 1987.
Photo courtesy of Relative Athletic Score.
For his size, you would anticipate better explosive measurements. Even with the poor 40-yard dash time, teams could live with it as long as the short-area quickness drills were sufficient, but his 10 and 20-yard splits were also lackluster. He finished his day of testing as a 21st percentile athlete. The tape shouldn't be dismissed for Kinchens, but this level of lackluster performance will lead some teams to remove him from their draft board.
Riser: Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy, Wide Receivers. Texas.
Arguably the strongest combine showings, both Texas receivers quieted any doubters. First, Mitchell ran a blazing 4.34 40-yard dash at 6'2" and 205 lbs. Then, Xavier Worthy came out and shattered the NFL record for the fastest 40-yard dash. He ran an official 4.21, one-hundredth of a second faster than John Ross's 2017 record.
Photos courtesy of Relative Athletic Score.
Both players were expected to be top-45 picks, and one or both of them may have worked their way into the first round with great testing. Both names should also be on Patriot watch.
Faller: Keon Coleman, Wide Receiver. Florida State.
Of all the receivers who chose to participate in drills at the combine, Coleman had the most at stake. Once touted as a potential top-20 pick during the 2023 season, scrutiny arose regarding his ability to create separation as pundits delved into his tape. This event presented an opportunity for him to address those concerns about his athleticism and silence the doubters. Unfortunately, things didn't unfold as he had hoped.
Photos courtesy of Relative Athletic Score.
However, amidst the disappointment, there is a silver lining. Despite less-than-stellar testing numbers, Coleman showcased his athleticism in live drills. His impressive 10-yard split was just the beginning. In fact, he reached the highest speed among all receivers during the gauntlet drill at the combine.
Why is that a silver lining? Aside from the obvious fact that he plays faster than his timed speed suggests, Coleman's performance closely mirrors that of Los Angeles Rams star receiver Puka Nacua. In 2022, Nacua ran a 4.57 40-yard dash, considered average, but followed it up with the fastest recorded speed during the gauntlet drill at the combine. Nacua subsequently shattered rookie receiving records, hauling in 105 passes for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns.
For those quick to write Coleman off, this should serve as a reminder that combine testing isn't the sole measure of a player's potential. The fact that he showcased impressive speed in live drills is promising. While some teams may have concerns about his separation abilities on tape and his lackluster long speed, his impressive 10-yard split and GPS tracking data should be seen as positive indicators of his upside.
Faller: Running Back, Audric Estime. Notre Dame.
In a class of relatively athletic running backs, Estime emerged as one of the least impressive athletes. His struggles extended beyond mere testing, as he appeared heavy-footed during footwork drills. Estime had the potential to ascend into top consideration among running backs in a highly variable class. However, his poor athletic profile and testing all but ensured he won't be the first running back off the board.
Photos courtesy of Relative Athletic Score.
Despite these setbacks, Estime still possesses a coveted skill set. His bruising running style, combined with a respectable 10-yard split, suggests he could carve out a role in the NFL. Perhaps he becomes a steal in the mid-day three rounds. Nevertheless, his athletic ceiling is now in question.
Riser: Wide Receiver, Ladd McConkey. Georgia.
McConkey epitomizes the overlooked receiver who hasn't been fully appreciated in the pre-draft process due to assumptions about his athletic limitations. However, his performance at the combine proved otherwise. His 4.39 40-yard dash exceeded expectations, ending any doubts about his long speed. Additionally, his 1.52 10-yard split ranked third among all receivers in this draft class, confirming the exceptional burst evident on his tape.
Photos courtesy of Relative Athletic Score.
While McConkey chose not to participate in agility drills, I have little doubt he would have been amongst the best in the class. His combine performance should serve as a testament to his overall athleticism and agility, challenging any lingering doubts about his abilities
Faller: Edge, Bralen Trice. Washington.
Trice only participated in the measurables and 40-yard dash portion of the athletic testing, but it didn't go well for him. He weighed in at 245 lbs, which is slight for an edge rusher. His 4.72 in the 40-yard dash was decent, but given his smaller build, one might have expected more athleticism, especially considering his 10-yard split was just slightly above average. While his production at Washington shouldn't be overlooked, there's always concern regarding Pac-12 defenders transitioning to the NFL. This concern is amplified by average athletic testing and below-average size.
Photos courtesy of Relative Athletic Score.
Quick Hitters:
Riser: Linebacker, Payton Wilson. NC State.
In a largely wide-open linebacker class, Wilson may have separated himself from the competition with a stellar athletic display. He is a name to watch for in the second round.
Photos courtesy of Relative Athletic Score.
Faller: Wide Receiver, Ainias Smith. Texas A&M.
In the pre-testing medical evaluation, a team doctor discovered that Smith had a fractured shin. In a really strong receiver class where everyone tested pretty well, this injury likely hurts Smith's draft stock. However, he did participate in the bench press and managed to put up 21 reps, the most of any receivers in this class.
Riser: Wide Receiver, Ricky Pearsall. Florida.
Pearsall has been a steady riser since the Senior Bowl last month, where he was one of the best receivers in attendance. He followed that up with some elite athletic testing. I would expect him to receive strong consideration in the second round.
Photos courtesy of Relative Athletic Score.
Faller: Cornerback, Kalen King. Penn State.
Once considered a top cornerback prospect, King has fallen over the past 18 months. He is likely to be an early day-three pick now. His athletic testing didn't help him, though. He is a limited athlete who projects more to a nickel/slot cornerback role. However, there just isn't a high draft premium placed on slot cornerbacks.
Photos courtesy of Relative Athletic Score.
Riser: Offensive Tackle, Troy Fautanu. Washington.
There was some debate on whether or not Fautanu had the arm length to stick at tackle. There is a very small sample size of guys with sub-33-inch arms sticking at offensive tackle, let alone being good with length question marks. There was no question about Fautanu's movement skills; he was going to be a first-round lock, even if he was a guard prospect. Today, he measured in with 34.5-inch arms, longer than both top tackle prospects Olu Fashanu and Joe Alt. That means he has a strong chance of sticking at tackle in the NFL, despite his smaller stature. It almost definitely cements his status as a top-25 prospect.
Photos courtesy of Relative Athletic Score.
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