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Best Performances From the Scouting Combine
© Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Best Performances From the Scouting Combine

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Patrick Weider  |  Last updated Mar 4, 2025 8:39 AM ET

By Patrick Weider

The scouting combine has been called the underwear Olympics by some observers, but it can be a valuable tool in helping NFL evaluators determine how talented a group of players are. The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine helped a ton of players improve their draft stock. Some of the data I will mention are players' height and weight. This is an important tool to study for NFL teams. I will also be discussing the 40-yard dash and  the 10-yard split. The latter is the first 10 yards of the 40-yard dash. This is an important tool for understanding the explosiveness of a player. The other two big measuring sticks are the broad jump and vertical jump. Both show how high and far players can jump, which means how good of an athlete they are. 

James Pearce - Tennessee, Edge 

James Pearce is someone I saw play last year and I came away impressed with him as a player. He has the athletic build and athleticism to be a good edge in the NFL for a long time. I love his pass-rushing ability and I think it translates well to the NFL. At the NFL Combine, he was one of the stand-out edge players. First, his size is what we thought it was. He checked in at 6-5 and weighed in at 245 lbs. Then his 40-yard dash was 4.47. That is blazing fast. The other key factor is to look at the 10-yard split, he ran a 1.56. So, if you watch his film, and then see what he did at the combine you see a complete player. Pearce was already a Top 10 pick; I can see him moving up into the Top 5 after this performance. 

Nick Emmanwori - South Carolina, Safety 

Nick Emmanwori was not someone I knew a ton about before the NFL combine. I knew he was a good player last year, but I did not realize the explosiveness he has. He had a vertical jump that was 43 inches and a broad jump of 11-6. Both numbers were the best of any of the defensive backs at the combine. He then put on a show in the 40-yard dash where he ran a 4.38. This led me to go back and watch his film. He is an athlete who can move and makes plays all over the field. He was an All-SEC and All-American safety. I think Emmanwori improved his draft stock and is going to get a ton of first-round pick buzz. 

Josh Conerly Jr. - Oregon, Offensive Tackle

Josh Conerly was a good offensive tackle for Oregon last year. Against Ohio State in the regular season, he did a good job protecting Dillan Gabriel. At the combine, he did a good job of competing and standing out. He had a 1.71 10-yard split in the 40-yard dash, which is a good number for an offensive lineman. He also stood out in the position drills as he was one of the better offensive tackles at the combine. He is firmly projected as a first-round pick, and nothing at the combine changed that.

Matthew Golden - Texas, Wide Receiver 

Matthew Golden is someone who kept getting better as the season went on for Texas. By the end of the year, he was their best receiver. Golden is an explosive wide receiver who has all the tools to be a legitimate weapon in the NFL. At the combine, he did not disappoint. He ran an eye-popping 4.29 40-yard dash and an impressive 1.49 10-yard split. Golden confirmed at the combine that he is one of the best wide receivers in this draft.

Jahdae Barron - Texas, Safety

Jahdae Barron was the Thorpe Award winner last year as the nation's top defensive back. He came into the draft process as a projected first-round pick and he left the combine only going up on draft boards. He measured in at 5-11 and 194 lbs. So, his size is fine for safety. Then he went in and ran a 4.39 40-yard dash which is blazing for a defensive back. Barron is one of the best defensive backs in the draft and he showed it at the combine.

 Armand Menbou - Missouri, Offensive Tackle 

When I saw Armand Menbou showing up on mock drafts, I decided to go look at his film. His ability to turn his hips and block edge defenders in the run game is impressive. He shows good athleticism and strength to play the position. Then at the combine, he had one of the most impressive showcases. He ran a 4.91 in the 40-yard dash, which is incredible for an offensive tackle. He also ran a 1.74 10-yard split, which is also impressive. I would expect Menbou to get some buzz for being the first offensive tackle off the board. 

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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