2025 NFL draft combine preview: Top prospects, predictions
A key part of the 2025 NFL draft evaluation process is underway at Lucas Oil Stadium, with more than 300 prospects descending on Indianapolis for the annual NFL combine. They will receive official measurements, undergo medical evaluations, interview with teams and work out in front of NFL scouts, coaches and front office executives.
The on-field drills begin Thursday, and draft experts Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates are breaking down what they’re looking for out of the best players in the class. Which prospects are going to show out? Who has the most to prove? What position groups are worth monitoring, and which quarterbacks could rise in Indy? And of course, who will run the fastest 40-yard dash?
Defensive linemen and linebackers are up first Thursday at 3 p.m. ET. Defensive backs and tight ends perform their workouts at 3 p.m. ET Friday, followed by the quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs at 1 p.m. ET Saturday. The offensive linemen finish things with their workouts at 1 p.m. ET Sunday. Here are the top names to watch and what to expect over the next four days.
Jump to a section:
Dominant performers | Most at stake
Top position group | Best QBs
40-yard dash | Measurements
Medicals | Buzz | Bold predictions
Reid: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina. If you like explosive athletes, you’ll love Emmanwori, as I expect him to be near the top in all testing numbers. At 6-foot-3, 227 pounds, I anticipate him running a sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash, registering over 11 feet in the broad jump and having a 40-plus-inch vertical. Emmanwori’s suddenness and closing speed appear on film, as he finished this past season with a career-high 88 tackles and four interceptions (two pick-sixes). He has skyrocketed up boards, and there are scouts who believe he could be a top-25 pick and the first safety off of the board — even ahead of Georgia’s Malaki Starks.
Yates: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M. The 6-foot-6, 281-pounder is the ultimate traits vs. production prospect. While he tallied a mere 4.5 career sacks over three seasons, Stewart has elite physical tools and could sail in the 40. Many believe his time could be under 4.6 seconds, which is very fast for a player of his size. He’ll go in the first round, but a stellar showing in Indy could rocket him high and lock in top-15 status. He has excellent power and acceleration, and we will see that Thursday.
Kiper: Savion Williams, WR, TCU. Jordan took my original answer, as Emmanwori is going to dominate Friday. Pay attention to his explosion in the vertical jump, in particular. But I’m also watching Williams, who should run well in the 40 and show off his physical traits during testing. He moves well for a 6-foot-5, 225-pound receiver, which we saw this season when he caught 60 passes for 611 yards and six TDs. TCU also aligned him all over the place — even Wildcat QB. Williams is my No. 6 receiver right now but could jump up the board once scouts see him work out in Indy.
Miller: Jordan Burch, Edge, Oregon. Burch should have a workout that scouts will be buzzing about. At 6-foot-6, 295 pounds, he has a verified vertical jump of 34 inches and has been GPS timed at 21 mph, according to Oregon coaching sources. Based on how fast he looks on film and that GPS time, it’s reasonable to think Burch can run in the 4.7-second range. With his explosive lower-body power and sudden burst, he’s a candidate to breakout in not just the 40, but the vertical jump and three-cone drill, too.
Kiper: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas. I love the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Barron’s skill set and all that he brings. He’s a ball hawk who had five picks and 10 pass breakups last season. He moves all over, too, lining up at outside corner, slot corner and safety over the top. He reminds me of Cooper DeJean in that way. But he simply has to run well this week. If he posts something in the 4.4s in the 40-yard dash, I think he locks into Round 1. But if he’s 4.5 seconds or worse, Barron probably slides into Round 2.
Miller: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri. Kiper likes to joke that I’m the president of the Luther Burden fan club, but I’m willing to accept Mel as a member after the combine. The 5-foot-11, 208-pound Burden just needs to run well after a quiet season in which he caught 61 passes for 676 yards and six TDs. And while no one should question his speed based on tape, sometimes you just have to remind folks of your excellent traits. Seeing how well he moves outside of the stagnant Missouri offense should do just that. An elite all-around performance in terms of speed and agility is possible, and I think he’ll hear his name called within the top 15 picks on draft day.
• Mocks: Kiper | Yates | Miller | Reid
• Rankings: Kiper | Miller | Yates | Reid
• QB Board | Pos. ranks | 10 questions
• Pick order | Scouting evals | More
Reid: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas. I’m going with a bit of a different answer and a name slightly outside Round 1. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder was seen as someone who could possibly be the first receiver drafted in the 2025 class, but Bond suffered a foot injury early in the 2024 season and never regained the form that we saw from him in previous seasons, while still at Alabama. I not only want to see how fast he is when he runs the 40 on Saturday, but also how efficient he can be during pass-catching drills.
Yates: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona. I originally had Michigan corner Will Johnson here, but he’s not working out. So I’ll pivot to McMillan, who also has a lot to prove. He is a top-15 player in the class based on his tape — I love his ability to make tough 50-50 catches — but his 40-yard dash could influence his range a bit. Running something below 4.5 seconds would help his case; it’s uncommon to see receivers who run above that number get drafted in the first round, and especially in the first half of it.
Miller: The dynamite group of edge rushers will wow scouts. Field mentioned Shemar Stewart earlier, but he isn’t alone in must-see workouts. We’ll also want to watch James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee) running and working through agility drills. Speed rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College) should also have a great all-around workout. And if you’re focusing on individual position workouts such as bag drills, I expect Jack Sawyer (Ohio State) to put together a fantastic performance.
The defensive line group is the strength of this year’s draft, and I expect that to show in Indianapolis.
Kiper: Someone has to emerge. Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) isn’t working out, and it’s unclear if Cam Ward (Miami) will, so there will be a lot of attention on the next tier of quarterbacks. Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) currently has the edge to be the third QB off the board, but who is going to establish himself as the clear QB4 in this class? It’s wide open. Can Kyle McCord (Syracuse) make a statement? Will Jalen Milroe (Alabama) show enough consistency? There are a lot of names here who could rise up the board Saturday, including Dillon Gabriel (Oregon), Will Howard (Ohio State) and Tyler Shough (Louisville).
Bart Scott and Tim Hasselbeck discuss whether it would be a smart move for the Raiders to trade up to draft Shedeur Sanders.
Reid: Milroe. He is expected to dominate the testing portion of Saturday’s workout and has a prime opportunity to steal the spotlight. All eyes will be focused on how well he throws the ball, as the biggest question with his game is his inconsistency in the short-to-intermediate areas. Can he improve his ball placement and lessen his too-hot-to-handle throws to underneath targets? That’s what scouts will want to see.
Opinions about Milroe’s draft range are varied, as some evaluators believe that he will be picked on Day 2 while others see him as an early-to-mid Day 3 pick.
Yates: Shough. Among the hypotheticals I’ve considered in the predraft process is how we would discuss the well-traveled Louisville QB if he were 23 years old rather than 25 (he turns 26 in September). He is one of the best throwers in the class and isn’t strictly a pocket passer, as he’s an easy mover who displays the ability to throw on the run and from a variety of different arm slots. I’ll be watching him — he’s my QB4 in this class.
Miller: We don’t have Xavier Worthy-level sprinters in this class, but there are some burners. Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith, Louisville cornerback Quincy Riley, Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten, Texas’ Isaiah Bond (WR) and Jaydon Blue (RB) round out my top five this year. Smith is my favorite for the fastest 40 time based on his track background. He ran a 10.1-second 100-meter dash at Georgia, so a high 4.2-second run is possible.
Riley is another track guy, with a 10.4-second time in the 100 and 4.3 potential Friday. Tuten might be the fastest running back in college football — coaches say he has clocked 4.32 in the 40. And both Longhorns are built for speed with powerful lower bodies. Blue has even been clocked at 22.3 mph, per Texas coaches. He and Bond are legit high-4.3 players.
Kiper: Two offensive tackles spring to mind. Will Campbell (LSU) checks in at No. 10 on my Big Board, but there are questions about his arm length. The traits are there for him to go early, as I see great footwork and technique on tape. Will his arms surpass 33 inches? That’s the key number there. If not, he might have to shift inside to guard in the pros.
Then there is Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas). He’s listed at 6-foot-4, but some scouts think he might be 6-3 or shorter. The latter isn’t ideal for an NFL tackle. I have him ranked No. 23 right now, and he certainly has the mobility, strength and experience to be a high pick and Day 1 starter. I just don’t know yet if it’ll definitely be at tackle.
• Offseason guide (ESPN+) | 32 questions
• Way-Too-Early 2025 Power Rankings
• Ranking the top 50 free agents (ESPN+)
• 32 decisions | Predicting deals (ESPN+)
• Draft order | Kiper’s new mock (ESPN+)
Coaching hires | Free agency | Draft
Yates: This list could be much longer, but I want to focus on Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons (knee injury, October), East Carolina corner Shavon Revel Jr. (torn ACL, September) and Notre Dame corner Benjamin Morrison (hip injury, October). They will all likely be drafted high, but getting confident medicals is essential.
Simmons remains the likeliest of the trio to go in Round 1. At full strength, he has a compelling case as the best tackle in the class.
Reid: There were 30 RBs drafted in 2017 — the most of any 21st-century draft. But the 2025 class could surpass that, as I have 33 running backs with a draftable grade. Scouts continue to rave about this group because of the diversity within it. Ashton Jeanty (Boise State) is the top option, and there are many different opinions on who follows the Heisman runner-up. Omarion Hampton (North Carolina), Kaleb Johnson (Iowa) and the Ohio State duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins are all in the mix. We’re going to see these runners fly off the board during Day 2.
Miller: Everyone is waiting to see how the combine affects the quarterback rankings. One general manager I spoke with before heading to Indianapolis felt there was a strong possibility of Jaxson Dart supplanting Shedeur Sanders as QB2 with a strong all-around event (including interviews). Cam Ward seems to be the consensus top QB, but the order behind him is currently a toss-up. Scouts are hoping the combine will help sort out the passer board, but the buzz on Dart rising is legitimate.
Kiper: Two small-school players are getting a ton of love right now. The first one is a first-rounder who just landed at No. 15 in my recent mock draft: Marshall outside linebacker Mike Green. He racked up an FBS-high 17 sacks this past season, using his explosiveness, bend and power to get home. Don’t be surprised if he keeps climbing the board and firms up Round 1 status this week.
The second is William & Mary offensive tackle Charles Grant. A former high school wrestler, he is listed at 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds and started 41 career games for the Tribe. His tape shows real physicality, explosive traits and excellent length. Based on what I’m hearing, he could be a second-rounder and shouldn’t go later than Round 3. I have him at OT9 but might need to bump him up.
Yates: Scouts are more prepared than ever for top prospects having limited participation in the combine process. Just last year, Marvin Harrison Jr. chose not to do on-field work and only took part in measurements. Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers opted against even being measured last February, which had zero impact on their draft stock or their awesome rookie seasons.
Some scouts have wondered what the combine will look like for elite prospects going forward, and more opt-outs from field work shouldn’t be surprising. We’ve already heard top guys such as Sanders and Georgia’s Mykel Williams will not be on the field. Neither will Penn State’s Abdul Carter, who has a stress fracture in his right foot.
Field Yates explains why Abdul Carter will still be a very high draft pick despite his current foot injury.
Kiper: I teased this a little bit in my latest mock draft, but we could start viewing the RB class a little tighter at the top. I’m getting the sense that many people around the NFL don’t see Hampton too far behind Jeanty in the running back rankings. (I’m still not there, though — I have Jeanty at No. 5 and Hampton at No. 19, even though I projected both to go in the top 12 in that mock.)
Hampton has a great all-around skill set. He is elusive enough to make tacklers miss, has the speed to break away from defenders once he finds daylight and shows the pass-catching traits to be a three-down back in the pros. He ran for 1,660 yards in 2024, and if Hampton pops in the running back workouts Saturday, we might be looking at two first-round RBs.
One more bonus prediction: Texas’ Isaiah Bond will run a blistering 40 time. I could see him cruising to something in the low-to-mid 4.3s.
Miller: Expect a big weekend from the tight end class — even without Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland working out. The 2025 group is loaded with potential Day 2 talents, and that will show up in positional drills and individual testing. Texas’ Gunnar Helm and Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr. stand to gain this week from their performances. With seven tight ends ranked in my top 75, this is the offensive positional group we’ll be talking about following workouts.
Reid: Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston will emerge out of a cluttered cornerback group. His suddenness and change-of-direction skills appear frequently on tape, and I expect that explosiveness to carry over into testing, building on his strong Senior Bowl performance. I think Hairston could run in the high 4.3s in the 40. He is currently ranked as the No. 43 player on my board with a mid-second-round grade. A strong performance could easily get him inside the top 40 picks, maybe even higher due to his coverage versatility and ball awareness.
Yates: I’m going to echo what Matt said earlier on Jordan Burch; I think he’s going to crush this weekend. Burch is far too good to be considered a sleeper, yet he isn’t often mentioned in the first-round conversation. But Indianapolis should treat him well, as the 6-foot-6, 295-pounder has some of the best physical traits in the draft, which is a big reason why I have a second-round grade on him. Burch’s skills were on full display when Oregon ran a fake punt featuring a direct snap to him against Maryland, resulting in a big gain.
Pat McAfee reads a text message from sources saying Travis Kelce will play in the NFL next season. (2:26)
Travis Kelce plans to play in the 2025 season, Pat McAfee confirmed Thursday with the Kansas City Chiefs’ star tight end.
McAfee read a text from Kelce on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday.
“I’m coming back for sure. Gonna try to get into the best shape I’ve been this offseason and get back to the mountaintop,” Kelce wrote in the text. “Got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game and with how I got the guys ready for battle. I can’t go out like that!!!!”
Later Thursday, the “New Heights” podcast, hosted by Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce, posted a confirmation on X: “From the desk of @tkelce : ITS TIME FOR YEAR 13.”
Travis Kelce will discuss his decision to return for a 13th season on the next episode, which will be released next week.
Kelce was held to four catches for 39 yards in the Chiefs’ 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX that denied Kansas City a chance at a three-peat. That ended a season in which he posted career lows (not counting his rookie season, when he appeared in just one game) in receiving yards (823) and touchdowns (3). He did lead the Chiefs in receptions, however, with 97.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said earlier this week at the scouting combine in Indianapolis that he expected the veteran tight end to play for the Chiefs this coming season, based on his last conversation with Kelce.
Kelce, 35, said in multiple interviews the week of the Super Bowl that he intended to play again in 2025. But he was less definitive about his future in the days after the game on his podcast.
Kelce has an $11.5 million roster bonus on March 15 that would trigger in the final year of his contract. But Veach said this week that there is no deadline for Kelce to make his decision.
One of the most popular players in franchise history, Kelce endeared himself to Chiefs fans with more than just his play. He solidified his icon status in Kansas City when he shouted to fans at Arrowhead Stadium and a national television audience, “You’ve got to fight for your right to party!” after the Chiefs beat the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game after the 2019 season to reach the Super Bowl for the first time in 50 seasons.
The saying remains a rallying cry for the Chiefs and their fans to this day. Many Chiefs, from Veach to coach Andy Reid to quarterback Patrick Mahomes have credited Kelce for being the energy behind the Chiefs’ recent run of success.
Kelce has been selected to play in the Pro Bowl 10 times. He was a first-team All-Pro pick four times and a second-team choice three times.
Late last season, Kelce became the 15th NFL player to catch 1,000 career passes and only the third tight end. In addition to being third among players at his position with 1,004 regular-season receptions in his career, he is also third in yards at 12,151.
ESPN’s Adam Teicher contributed to this report.
NBA
NCAAM
ESPN
Which prospect is going to dominate his combine workout?
EDITOR’S PICKS
Kiper’s pre-combine NFL mock draft: New projections for all 32 first-round picks
2dMel Kiper Jr.
NFL combine schedule: What to know, plus top prospects to watch in 2025 draft class
3dESPN staff
‘This is a meat-and-potatoes draft’: NFL scouts on the strengths, weaknesses and depth of the 2025 class
4dMatt Miller
Which prospect has the most riding on his workout?
What to know for the 2025 NFL draft
Which position group will put on a show in Indy?
What are you watching for from the quarterback group?
Which QB has the best chance to be that riser?
Which quarterback will everyone be talking about after Saturday night’s workouts?
Who is your five-man track team that will light up the 40-yard dash?
Whose height/weight/hand measurements will teams be paying close attention to in Indy?
What to know for the NFL offseason
Whose medical reports will matter most?
What’s the best piece of buzz you’ve heard heading into combine workouts?
Give us your best prediction for combine week.
EDITOR’S PICKS
Chiefs GM expects ‘fired up’ Kelce to play in ’25
2dAdam Teicher
Down bad: Travis Kelce turns to Taylor Swift music to cope with Super Bowl loss
5hKalan Hooks
Chiefs to franchise tag guard Smith, source says
2hAdam Teicher
2025 NFL Scouting Combine Workouts: DL and LBs
FILED UNDER:
DL and LBs are up for drills today
If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.
The DL and LBs will be doing drills at the Combine today. The Washington Commanders will be very interested in today’s workouts.
RELATED
Thursday, February 27th: Defensive Linemen and Linebackers do on-field workouts — Defensive backs and tight ends meet with the media.
Podcasts: Apple Podcasts | Pandora | Spotify | Podbean | iHeartRadio
Facebook Page: Click here to like our page
Twitter: Follow @HogsHaven
Instagram: Follow @Hogs_Haven
Threads: Follow @hogs_haven
Blue Sky: Follow Hogs Haven
Manager: Scott Jennings: Follow @ScottJenningsHH
Buy Washington gear at the Hogs Haven Fanshop
NFL News twitter feed
Washington Commanders twitter feed
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT) or visit FanDuel.com/RG.
