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2024 NFL Combine Winners and Losers At Each Position. Mike Fanelli takes a look at the top winner and loser at every position from the 2024 NFL Combine.
The 2024 NFL Combine is over. While the week-long event is over, we still have a while before the NFL Draft.
Every draft prospect will have their Pro Day and the opportunity for private workouts in front of every NFL team, giving them a chance to improve or hurt their draft stock.
However, let’s look at the top winner and loser at each position from the NFL Combine.
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Quarterback
Winner – J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
With Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels deciding not to throw at the NFL Combine, McCarthy had a chance to shine as the best quarterback in Indianapolis. His footwork and timing weren’t perfect during the passing drills, but they were solid. He also had a nice 60-yard downfield pass, showing off his arm strength. While the former Michigan star didn’t significantly improve his draft stock, McCarthy might have guaranteed himself as a top-10 pick.
Rumors coming out of the last day of NFL Combine:
• 49ers expected to work on Aiyuk extension after free agency ends
•The ‘feeling’ is Chris Jones will remain in Kansas City if $27-28M deal is offered
• Michigan's J.J. McCarthy Could be Top-10 Pick After Combine
• Patriots a… pic.twitter.com/tMXMpP3UV1— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 4, 2024
Loser – Jayden Daniels, LSU
Daniels will likely be a top-three pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, the former LSU star had a chance to make his case for the top overall selection. Instead, he decided not to throw at the NFL Combine. Furthermore, Daniels was the only quarterback and one of two prospects who didn’t have any measurements taken. Some believe the quarterback wanted to avoid weighing in at under 210 pounds.
Running Backs
Winner – Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
While Trey Benson put himself in the mix for the first running back drafted alongside Jonathon Brooks, Wright was the biggest winner at the running back position. The former Tennessee star had an impressive combine performance. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds, the second-fastest among running backs. Wright also had the best broad jump at 11 feet and two inches, the second-highest mark ever by a running back at the NFL Combine.
Loser – Audric Estime, Notre Dame
The former Notre Dame running back didn’t have an awful performance at the NFL Combine but was a loser. While he didn’t look like a slow player in college, Estime ran a 4.71 40-yard dash, the slowest among running backs. He did put up productive numbers in the broad and vertical jumps, ranking top five at the running back position in both metrics. Maybe the former Notre Dame running back just had a bad day running the 40-yard dash. Hopefully, Estime can improve that number at the school’s pro day.
Wide Receivers
Winner – Ladd McConkey, Georgia
Xavier Worthy was the star of the NFL Combine, breaking the record with a 4.21 40-yard dash. However, McConkey might have put himself into the first-round mix following his performance at the NFL Combine. He ran faster than many expected, posting a 4.39 40-yard dash time. The former Georgia star built on his showing at the Senior Bowl, showing off his quick feet and route running abilities during the drills.
WR Ladd McConkey has “cemented himself as a top-45 selection” after a VERY strong Combine performance, per @TonyPauline pic.twitter.com/SQ5lBMNsET
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) March 4, 2024
Loser – Troy Franklin, Oregon
Many thought Franklin would light up at the NFL Combine. Yet, the former Oregon star ran a 4.41 40-yard dash, ranking 10th among wide receivers. More importantly, Franklin struggled with the on-the-field work, especially the gauntlet drill. He failed to run in a straight line, dropping multiple passes. With several other wide receivers having impressive performances, Franklin might have fallen out of the first round over the weekend.
Tight Ends
Winner – Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
With Brock Bowers deciding not to do any on-the-field work at the NFL Combine, it threw a wet blanket on the tight end unit. However, Sinnott was a star, putting up impressive numbers. Despite being slightly heavier than his playing weight in college, the former Kansas State tight end showed off explosive athleticism. He had the best vertical and broad jump among tight ends while ranking eighth in the 40-yard dash.
Loser – Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota
Unfortunately, the 2024 tight end draft class lacks the appeal of last year’s group. After Brock Bowers and Ja'Tavion Sanders, the tight end unit lacks significant upside. Therefore, picking a clear-cut loser wasn’t easy, but Spann-Ford struggled. He is built similarly to Penn State tight end Theo Johnson. Yet, he ran a far slower 40-yard dash time, ranking second to last at the tight end position (4.77). Spann-Ford also underwhelmed in the vertical and broad jumps.
Offensive Linemen
Winner – Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin
There could be potentially 10 offensive linemen selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. While he won’t be among the first-round offensive linemen, Bortolini had an outstanding performance at the NFL Combine. He ran an impressive 1.69 10-yard split during the 40-yard dash. More importantly, Bortolini joined Jason Kelce as the only offensive lineman to have a sub-4.3 20-yard shuttle and sub-7.3 three-cone drill at the NFL Combine since 2003.
Loser – Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
Hopefully, the NFL will stop having offensive linemen run a 40-yard dash next year. Several offensive linemen suffered an injury in the last leg of their 40-yard dash this year, including Fashanu. The former Penn State star left tackle’s draft stock was starting to slide heading into the NFL Combine. Unfortunately, he never got a chance to excel at the positional drafts after suffering the injury.
Unfortunately Penn State’s Olu Fashanu told me he is done for the day at the combine. Told me it’s a right thigh injury. Said he should be okay by his pro day March 15. Ultra competitive and an awesome guy, he’s in good spirits.
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 3, 2024
Defensive Lineman
Winner – Braden Fiske, Florida State
Fiske was a player many wanted to see at the NFL Combine this year. He ran an impressive 4.78 40-yard dash, saying “Oh yeah” when crossing the finish line. The former Florida State star also posted an outstanding 4.37 20-yard shuttle time, displaying his quickness. While his weight and arm length were lighter and shorter than most NFL teams want from their defensive linemen, Fiske built on his success from the Senior Bowl.
Loser – Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
Many expected Newton to showcase why he’s the top defensive tackle in several rankings. However, his arm length was shorter than many had hoped. The former Illinois star didn’t run a 40-yard dash after he had surgery on a Jones fracture in his foot after the college football season. With several other defensive tackles having impressive showings, Newton will need a massive pro-day performance to be a first-round pick.
Edge Rusher
Winner – Chop Robinson, Penn State
The former Penn State pass rusher was expected to put on a show during the NFL Combine. Robinson met expectations, posting a 4.48 40-yard dash, including a 1.54 10-yard split at 254 pounds. He showed excellent agility and hip fluidity during the drills, moving around cones and bags with ease. While the former Penn State player has average height and length for a pass rusher, his performance at the NFL Combine pushed him into Day 1 consideration.
4.49u for DL Chop Robinson. 🔥
Absolutely flying.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/9UjjsGhQvZ— NFL (@NFL) February 29, 2024
Loser – Bralen Trice, Washington
Trice ended the season playing well, especially against Texas in the college football playoffs. However, his draft stock took a hit at the NFL Combine. He was listed at 274 pounds on Washington’s team website but came in at 245 pounds in Indianapolis. Trice also measured smaller than expected with 32.5-inch arms. More importantly, he ran a 4.72 40-yard dash at the lighter weight. The pass rusher will need an impressive Pro Day to get back into the first-round conversation.
Linebacker
Winner – Payton Wilson, North Carolina State
This year’s linebacker group lacks a first-round talent. However, Wilson might push Edgerrin Cooper to be the first linebacker drafted in April. The former North Carolina State star is coming off a career year totaling 138 tackles. He showed off impressive speed and explosion, running a 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
Loser – Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State
While Eichenberg was the Big 10 linebacker of the year despite missing time with an injury, the former Ohio State star didn’t have a standout performance during the NFL Combine. He didn’t run the 40-yard dash while other linebackers shined in that area. Eichenberg also had average length and jumps for the linebacker position. The former Ohio State star didn’t crush his draft stock but did nothing to improve it while others did.
Cornerback
Winner – Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
The former Toledo star is in the mix to be the first cornerback drafted come April. Mitchell had the second-fastest 40-yard dash among cornerbacks (4.33), finishing only behind Nate Wiggins. He also had a 1.51 10-yard split, ranking ninth at the position. Furthermore, the talented cornerback showed off his explosiveness, posting a 38-inch vertical jump. After a strong performance at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, Mitchell is a top-15 lock.
QUINYON MITCHELL 4.33🚀🔥
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 1, 2024
Loser – Kalen King, Penn State
Almost every Penn State player ran a faster 40-yard dash than scouts expected. However, King was an exception, running a 4.61 40-yard dash. While a strong performance at the NFL Combine could have pushed him into the top 50 picks, the cornerback likely gets drafted in the third round or later without a strong pro day showing.
Safety
Winner – Cole Bishop, Utah
While there is a consensus number one guy at a few positions in this year’s draft class, the safety spot is wide open. Bishop won’t be a first-round pick but might have locked up a Day 2 selection after his NFL Combine performance. He posted a 39-inch vertical and a 4.45 40-yard dash, ranking fifth and third among safeties in Indianapolis. Furthermore, Bishop was impressive during the on-the-field work, especially the gauntlet drill.
Loser – Kamren Kinchens, Miami
Many thought Kinchens could wrap up the top safety spot on draft boards and a first-round selection with a standout NFL Combine performance. Unfortunately, he didn’t separate himself from the rest of the safety class. His 4.65 40-yard dash was disappointing, ranking last among safeties. While the former Miami star had some impressive moments during the on-the-field work, Kinchens missed an opportunity to secure a top-32 selection.
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