NFL Combine
2/24/25
9 min read
2025 NFL Combine: 5 Bold Predictions Heading Into This Year's Event
The 2025 NFL Combine is upon us, and this is the last chance for prospects to make a big impression on teams before the draft. With almost 40 years of combine data to add context to the best and worst performances, standing out at the combine isn't easy. Still, with 329 players at the 2025 NFL Combine, there's a chance we see history be made.
Even if there aren't record-breaking runs or jumps coming, there will be a huge fallout from the combine. Everything we think we know today will either be completely confirmed or flipped on its head. Overreacting to the combine isn't wise, but it means something when a prospect's testing scores don't match expectations based on film review.
We have five bold predictions for the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. The 2025 NFL Draft has plenty of room for risers to emerge, so let's get into what it will take to see a huge fallout from a week's worth of events.
Bold Predictions for the 2025 NFL Combine
Running Backs Force Their Way Into First-Round Discussion
The 2025 NFL Draft class is interesting because of the lack of depth beyond the first 15 or so talents that are generally viewed as consensus first-round locks. Combine the fact this is a weaker class that has been severely impacted by NIL's ability to keep players in college and the re-emergence of how important it is to run the ball to combat modern defenses, and it's a good time to be a running back. Finally, we're about to see the return of the position.
It also helps this is a historically deep class of playmakers at the position. Sixteen NFL running backs broke the 1,000-yard mark this year, which is meek compared to the 23 who accomplished the feat in 2006. With more than 30 running backs having draftable grades on my own big board, there's a great chance we see teams add either a new starter or a higher-end backup to their depth chart.
TreVeyon Henderson has EXPLOSIVE big play ability that simply can’t be taught.
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 20, 2025
He’s Jamaal Charles (as a prospect, people), without a fumbling issue. pic.twitter.com/nr62BpopFv
Ashton Jeanty is the only one locked to hear his name in the first round, but that will change after the combine. The receiver class isn't nearly as exciting in comparison, so we'll see several teams drafting late in the first pivot toward the more explosive backs available after Jeanty. Guys like Omarion Hampton, TreVeyon Henderson, and Kaleb Johnson are unquestionably some of the best talents in the class.
The combine will remind teams to ignore some of the more recent biases against the position. Taking a fringe starter late in the first is a less helpful addition than a star ball carrier. Teams like Pittsburgh, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota, and even Kansas City feature the run game prominently enough to justify the pick.
My prediction is that Hampton and Henderson become first-round locks with stellar 40 times and jump attempts. Their explosiveness is otherworldly. Johnson has the chance as well if he wins the agility drills and proves some skeptics wrong about his stiffness.
Another Texas Receiver Breaks the 40-Yard Dash Record
Do you remember when Xavier Worthy broke the NFL Combine record for the fastest 40 times with a 4.21 pace last year? Another Texas receiver has the chance to up-end that mark only one year later. All eyes will be on Isaiah Bond when it's his time to run.
It's been proven that track times are only moderately helpful when projecting 40 times, but it's notable that Bond ran the 100m and 200m faster than Worthy did. There's also something at stake for Bond, who entered the class despite struggling his way through his lone season with the Longhorns after transferring from Alabama.
Isaiah Bond (WR #Texas) has an effortless ability to separate.
— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) December 17, 2024
He’s so efficient and smooth getting in & out of his breaks.
Reminds me a ton of Josh Downs.. pic.twitter.com/v1F2FMgn4G
After averaging only 37 yards a game after the SEC play began and having an abhorrent showing against Ohio State in the title game, Bond needs some positive press and momentum. His on-field attitude toward blocking and struggles to adapt to being a No. 2 receiver were red flags for scouts, but a blazing 40-time that shows he's worth a Day 2 pick is now necessary.
Breaking Worthy's record would be obviously helpful, but at least being a 4.2 guy at all will reinforce what made Bond a popular first-round pick projection one year ago. He's a talented player who runs routes effectively and can make good things happen with the ball in his hands, but overcoming the limitations and inconsistencies becomes more difficult if he's not as fast as expected.
Jalen Milroe Doesn't Save His Stock Despite Dominant Showing
The race for QB3 in the 2025 Draft class is over, as Jaxson Dart is comfortably the third quarterback expected to be drafted in Round 1 now. The 2025 Senior Bowl wasn't a launching pad for Dart to become a top overall pick contender, but the week-long event was an egregiously bad one for Dart's main competitor: Jalen Milroe.
Milroe struggled throughout the entire week, starting with weigh-ins. His hands measured under the NFL's preferred threshold of nine inches, sparking red flags as evaluators were curious as to why Milroe's accuracy was so unpredictable and what his struggles with fumbles stemmed from. Having small hands is what plagued Michael Vick as well.
Dot #2
— B (@dogedegenerate) February 20, 2025
My favorite Jalen Milroe throw all year. 20 seconds left in the half and Bama is looking to put some points up on the board. Milroe wants 6, not 3, 40 yards perfect ball placement to Bernard#CFB #NFL #DOT pic.twitter.com/gozIqvLQS4
That all said, Milroe's time to shine is at the combine. An elite athlete at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Milroe should run extremely well and prove capable of moving positions if he needed to. But saving his stock from being a Day 2 player isn't possible at this juncture. There are too many questions that skewed against him from the Senior Bowl that the combine won't answer.
None of this means Milroe won't eventually be successful as an NFL quarterback, but there's a level of buy-in needed from teams that will require the right fit. His 2024 season exposed his bad tendencies in reading defenses and inconsistent accuracy, so there are just too many negative factors keeping Milroe from being a major combine riser.
Da'Quan Felton Will Be the Top Workout Warrior
There's always a workout warrior or two who turns everyone's head because they weren't on anyone's radar before the combine. There's no question that Virginia Tech receiver Da'Quan Felton will be a top workout warrior based on his placement on Bruce Feldman's annual Freak's List.
Felton is a specimen at 6-foot-5, 212 lbs, a 10'8" broad jump, and a 4.42 40. His combination of vertical explosiveness, raw speed, and overall movement ability for his density and height is rare. Whether he's viewed as a receiver or a a tight end, Felton will draw Day 3 interest. But his resume beyond being a great athlete isn't there.
Da’Quan Felton always been that dude pic.twitter.com/mjwFnlChMC
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) October 27, 2023
Catching 70 passes for 1,027 yards and 10 touchdowns over two seasons at Virginia Tech, Felton looks like Tarzan but plays like Jane. The former Norfolk playmaker competes well in the run game and can fill a role there, but he caught only 26-of-60 contested catch opportunities and broke 23 tackles over the course of his career.
You'd expect someone with his athleticism to be much more physically imposing and threatening. Felton will be a winner in his underwear, but it'll be important for teams to keep his testing in context and not get overly excited about what his game currently entails.
Harold Fannin's Stock Plummets Despite Historic CFB Production
While Tyler Warren was the engine of Penn State's offense for much of the season as the Nittany Lions almost wound up in the national title game, his accomplishments pale compared to Harold Fannin Jr.'s. Fannin broke the NCAA record for tight end production in one season, totaling an insane 117 receptions for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Despite Fannin's absurd production and effortless way of running routes and finishing at the catch point, he's an unremarkable athlete. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, he's built more like a fullback or power slot receiver than a traditionally bulky tight end. Considering he spent only 43% of his career snaps as an inline tight end, it's clear Fannin won't be a plug-and-play option for every offense.
What a night for Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr. vs. Arkansas State in the 68 Ventures Bowl.
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) December 27, 2024
17 catches for 213 yards and a TD. pic.twitter.com/n8NfaJCEAz
Outside of Taysom Hill, it's incredibly uncommon to see NFL offenses successfully integrate weapons like Fannin. Without top-notch athleticism or size, he'll be a unique prospect who doesn't profile as someone who will be a long-term part of most attacks. The testing at the combine will expose this more and subsequently tank his stock to Day 3.
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