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As the 2024 NFL Draft edges closer, talents are stepping into the limelight at the Scouting Combine and attempting to seize their moment in front of the draft's key decision-makers. This annual event isn't just a showcase; it's a golden ticket for hopefuls to climb the draft order, provided they excel in their specific skill areas. However, it's not just about athleticism and strength. The real test includes handling the gaze of countless eyes scrutinizing their every move.
The Combine challenges each contender with tests like the vertical and broad jumps, and the daunting 225-pound bench press. Agility is put to the test through the 20-yard shuttle, the 3-cone, and the 60-yard shuttle drills. Depending on their role, participants face additional specialized tests before the iconic 40-yard dash puts their speed on full display. Beyond the physical, interviews with dozens of teams test their football IQ and composure and give teams a glimpse of how the prospect might fit into their offensive scheme and game plan.
Each year, standout performers emerge as the talk of the NFL Combine, captivating scouts and executives with their exceptional feats. Their stock rises, sparking debates among the teams about the wisdom of drafting them. Here are the names that have stirred the waters in Indianapolis this time around and how they could also be rising up draft boards as well as in the 2024 Dynasty Rookie Drafts.
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NFL Combine Winners
Xavier Worthy - WR, Texas
Cue the De'Sean Jackson comps, Worthy lit up the NFL Combine and was the star of the show after breaking the 40-yard dash record by running a 4.21 on his second attempt. The speedy wideout from Texas followed up a solid showing from his teammate, Adonai Mitchell who went in group one. Worthy didn't participate in any other drills after that, but it was easy to see his nearly transcendent speed during the 40-yard dash where he reached 24+ mph.
Worthy only measured in at 5-foot-11 and 165 lbs, but it didn't matter. He looked like the roadrunner out there just leaving everyone in a cloud of dust. Right now, it's still difficult to measure Worthy's exact draft capital, but he may have vaulted himself in Round 1 of the draft with that speed. He finishes up his college career with 196 receptions for 2,752 yards and 25 TDs over just three years. Worthy won't even be 21 for a few months yet.
In his youth football days, Xavier Worthy’s teammates called him “Flash” due to his phenomenal speed. Today at the combine, the talented WR showed that his top-gear is in a league all its own. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/2agCtrjFmX
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) March 3, 2024
Adonai Mitchell - WR, Texas
The duo of Texas Longhorn wideouts shined in each of their groupings at the combine. Mitchell went with the first group of WRs and was really impressive with a 9.98 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) when he ran a 4.34 40-yard dash and a 39.5-inch vertical. Mitchell also measured in at 6-foot-2 and 205 lbs and showed his ability as a legitimate weapon downfield that will keep defensive coordinators up at night.
Mitchell, who goes by AD, had a disappointing first two seasons at Georgia where he was held back by injuries before transferring to Texas. In 2023, AD had 55 receptions for 845 yards and 11 TDs while having to share the rock with Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington, and Ja'Tavion Sanders. Based on what he did at the combine, Mitchell should go in Round 1 of the draft.
Marshawn Lloyd - RB, USC
Most of the pundits have been down on the 2024 RB class, but once you stop comparing it to Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs, there's plenty of potential out there among the backs. I forget exactly who it was, but a few years back a fantasy analyst claimed that opportunity matters more than talent for running backs in fantasy and there's a lot of wisdom in that quote. The veteran RB classes of 2017 and 2018 have been holding down starting RB positions for years, but inevitably they have to be replaced due to the natural cycle of the position. The fact that the community is down on a lot of these backs is creating some incredible value later in rookie drafts.
Lloyd impressed today running a 4.46 40-yard dash at the combine. He played two years at South Carolina before transferring to USC in 2023 where he rushed 115 times for 816 yards and 9 TDs. Lloyd just turned 23, but his legs don't have a lot of miles on him. Expect Lloyd to have his name called somewhere in the middle of Day Two.
elite speed by @m_lloyd_2 💨✌️🔥#NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/x7iiBJFBWq
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) March 2, 2024
Brock Bowers - TE, Georgia
Bowers didn't run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, but he measured in well at 6-foot-3 and 243 lbs. to go with 32.75 arms and 9.75 hands. He's the undisputed TE1 in this draft class and shouldn't have to wait too long to hear his name called on opening draft night. While Bowers didn't participate much, he answered any lingering questions that there might have been about his size. He's one of the biggest receiving threats at tight end we've seen to come out in recent years.
Rome Odunze - WR, Washington
Already dubbed one of the top wide receivers in the draft, Odunze opted to participate in all of the combine drills after his fellow WRs Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers decided not to. Rome didn't disappoint, showcasing his superb speed and agility. He ran a 4.45 forty-yard dash and ended up with the second-best short shuttle time (4.03) and fourth-best 3-cone time (6.88) among wide receivers.
Odunze feels like a lock to go within the first 10 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and should be on your radar early on in dynasty rookie drafts as well. There were some questions about Odunze not being able to separate at the next level and that he relies too much on contested catches to make it in the league. All of the elite quickness that he showed out there on the field should eliminate any concerns that there were about his ability to separate.
This was an INCREDIBLE moment unlike anything I’ve ever seen at the combine when it comes to elite talent like Rome Odunze.
He was the last prospect on the field. The day was done for everyone else. Not Rome. He vowed to complete EVERY aspect of testing. 3-Cone testing was last… pic.twitter.com/cNNr06jqUG
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 3, 2024
Jaylen Wright - RB, Tennessee
A player who was flying a little below the radar heading into draft season, Wright displayed some exceptional speed at the NFL Combine by running a 4.4 40-yard dash and measuring in at 5-foot-10 and 210 lbs. The 200+ mark in terms of weight is usually a big factor in terms of how much of a workload they can handle at the next level.
He only had 136 rush attempts in 2023, but gained 1,010 yards, and scored 4 TDs. Wright also showed enough with his receiving ability to finish with 22 receptions for 141 yards. Some scouts during the combine were floating Alvin Kamara comps to Wright. It's probably a little generous, but it's hard not to see how athletic he is out there running that his ceiling could be elite.
Trey Benson - RB, Florida State
Another back who silenced some doubters at the combine, Benson measured in at 6-foot-0 while weighing 216 lbs. Benson ran a 4.39 40-yard dash and looked solid in the running back drills while also jumping over ten feet in the board jump. Benson had a brutal knee injury at Oregon in 2020 that caused him to miss an entire season. After a regime change following the 2021 season, Benson decided to transfer to Florida State.
Benson has some limited tread on his tires, with only 316 total carries in college. In 2023, Benson rushed 156 times for 905 yards and 14 TDs. He also displayed enough receiving ability out of the backfield with 20 receptions for 227 yards and 1 TD. Benson displayed enough running ability during his time in college, as well as the combine that he could sneak into the back of Round 2 on draft weekend. Don't let the naysayers fool you, there's plenty of potential here at the RB position in dynasty rookie drafts.
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