2025 NFL Scouting Combine Blog

Welcome to the 2025 NFL Combine blog!

The annual NFL Combine in Indianapolis is a pivotal date on the fantasy football calendar. For many who have watched these prospects for years at the college level, it is an opportunity to see how they perform in a testing setting. For others just getting a handle on the rookie class, it is a first look at players they will be adding to their dynasty rosters in a few short months.

The process itself can be overrated, but simply yelling into the voi,d "The NFL Combine does not matter," is too simplistic. Teams have specific thresholds for testing numbers at specific positions; if prospects do not hit them, they are off the board. We can definitely get caught up in flashy drills like the forty-yard dash, but the Underwear Olympics can create some shuffling in the rookie ranks when you dive in beyond the surface numbers.

We will have you covered with the pertinent news from the proceedings, outlined below. Stay tuned for more updates!

Quarterbacks

After a sensational quarterback class that backed up its lofty draft capital on the field, the 2025 class offers far more questions than answers. You do not need me to tell you this quarterback class is not getting much love. It was a talking point during the college football season and has translated to draft season, with only two quarterbacks looking like first round locks.

Cam Ward has become the heavy favorite to be the first quarterback off the board. He has loads of starting experience. He has found success at three different schools. His physical tools clearly surpass those of any of his peers by a good margin. Whatever the “it” factor is, he appears to have it. While some of his decisions may lead to his coaches going prematurely gray, he is the one quarterback in this draft with star potential. Despite lacking the prospect prestige of a Caleb Williams or Andrew Luck, I still expect Ward to be a Titan when it is all said and done. He is undecided about his participation in Combine drills, but his decision should not move the needle on his prospect stock.

Shedeur Sanders is comfortably the draft’s second-ranked quarterback, and he is not throwing at the Combine. Sanders’ story is well-known. He has followed his father – Deion Sanders for anyone just now catching up on the last three years of football news – from Jackson State to Colorado. I will not begrudge him for his famous dad, but there is some baggage related to the presence of Deion lurking around your franchise. Despite the concerns, Shedeur is a good talent in his own right and figures to hear his name called in the top ten picks. He may be the most pro-ready quarterback and provides a tidy floor.

The next tier of quarterbacks is a messy one. Tyler Shough – who started his career at Oregon all the way back in 2018 – will test the NFL’s newfound preference for collegiate experience. His rise gives off some Tom Savage vibes, but in Shough’s defense, injuries have been his bugaboo. He could push to be a day-two selection if the medicals are sound.

Jaxson Dart and Quinn Ewers are two well-established college quarterbacks who are battling to be the third quarterback off the board. Dart looks to have more helium at the moment, but draft season can be a fickle one. It looks like both will go through most drills in Indianapolis, and a strong performance for either could help them in their quest to go on day two.

Jalen Milroe has tools for days yet inconsistencies which will almost assuredly keep him out of Round 1. He is built to be a Combine warrior and should lead the positional group in a lot of testing. Both Dillon Gabriel and Will Howard are experienced and well-traveled quarterbacks who could carve out long careers as backups. I am not too enthused on either as having starter upside.

Running Backs

After a down year at the position, running backs are back with a vengeance in 2025. At last year’s Combine, receivers stole the show, and backs could do so this year.

There is no need to spill much more ink on Ashton Jeanty. He is poised to be a high selection and an immediate RB1 in dynasty leagues. Behind him, Kaleb Johnson, Omarion Hampton, and Tre’Veyon Henderson are vying to be the second runner off the board, with each having a shot to go on Thursday evening. All could start from day one, replenishing the ranks at the NFL level.

We could see some strong testing at the position. Bhayshul Tuten could turn heads with his forty time. The former Virginia Tech Hokie and North Carolina A&T Aggie is an explosive runner who is more than just a speed merchant, having been very productive in the ACC the past two seasons. A late arrival to the draft scene, he is a player I will be watching very closely in Indianapolis.

As mentioned in the introduction, testing numbers can often be about hitting a certain number which allows teams to check off a box on their list of requirements. From a fan and dynasty manager perspective, it can often be about confirming what we saw in the field. Does perceived athleticism on the field translate to the Combine setting? Many backs in this class have upside; showcasing unexpected athleticism could create some shuffling in the ranks.

Wide Receivers

On the other end of the spectrum is wide receiver. After a 2024 class that could only be described as what the kids are calling “lit”, 2025 brings us back to reality.

Despite the muted talent overall, there is still a potential top receiver in Tetairoa McMillan. He was dominant at Arizona and has possibly the best ball skills in the draft. I would not expect him to be a dominant tester, but overall athleticism is not what his game is predicated on. Assuming he tests fine and hits baseline numbers, he is my number one with a bullet.

Luther Burden and Emeka Egbuka are the early favorites to be the second and third receivers off the board, though their games are not particularly similar. Burden is an all-purpose weapon who can line up anywhere. Egbuka often gets compared to former teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and it is easy to see the similarities. I will be interested to see what their testing numbers are, though both profile as solid complementary weapons at the NFL level.

Matthew Golden has been a fast riser, with his dominant playoff performance helping him fly up boards. I will be interested in seeing him do drills. Perhaps the most intriguing prospect in my eyes is Savion Williams. While I do not expect him to blaze the track with the forty, he could show his explosive ability in jumps and agility drills. A relative unknown unless you are a real college football diehard, he should introduce himself to the draft community at large.

Tight Ends

This group of tight ends could be one of the best classes we have seen in recent memory. We could see as many as six in the top two rounds, and it is likely multiple tight ends go on the first day.

Tyler Warren has opted out of drills, perhaps an indication he is secure in his first-round draft status. We should see plenty of intriguing prospects participate, however, including probably first-round pick Colston Loveland along with day-two hopefuls in Harold Fannin Jr., Gunnar Helm, Elijah Arroyo, and Mason Taylor. Those six make up a great group that should create a fantasy impact, and there are a host of day-three tight ends who offer developmental upside and deep league stashes.