The NFL Scouting Combine has officially come to an end in Indianapolis as this year’s top NFL prospects from the college level put on a show and showed off their skills in front of the league’s top evaluators.
Through testing and drill work, all prospects did their very best to prove why they should be drafted high in the upcoming NFL Draft, which kicks off on April 25 in Detroit. But as always, there were a handful of players who stood out, shined the brightest, and clearly increased their stock ahead of draft day.
At the combine, NFL insider Ian Rapoport broke down four players from the combine that increased their stock with some of the strongest showings in Indianapolis.
Xavier Worthy
“It’s hard to imagine anyone raised their stock more than Xavier Worthy, the University of Texas receiver who lit this thing on fire yesterday. 4.21 [second] 40-yard dash,” Rapoport said. “Thought there was a pretty decent change maybe that he would slip into the first round, kind of late in the first round before the run. Now I’d say there’s a really good chance he gets in the first round, potentially even the fourth receiver taken.”
Worthy broke Washington wide receiver John Ross‘ 40-yard dash record at this year’s combine at 4.21 seconds, now officially crowned the fastest man in football before taking a snap in the NFL. He caught 197 passes for 2,755 yards and 26 touchdowns during his three seasons at Texas, also making an impact as a returner. But will the 165-pound speedster now break into the first round following his record breaking performance in Indy?
J.J. McCarthy
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy also raised his draft stock this weekend according to Rapoport. As many evaluators wanted to see McCarthy’s passing abilities on display after playing in a run-centric, pro-syle offense for the Wolverines.
“J.J. McCarthy the Michigan quarterback. Everyone loves the intangibles, loves that leadership, loves the winning, as I know you do,” Rapoport said to Michigan alumni Rich Eisen on the broadcast. “Wondered kind of what he could do? How could he throw it? I would say there’s a pretty good chance that he is the fourth quarterback taken, a lot closer to the top three than maybe we all imagined.”
Jaylen Wright
With no clear, consensus top running back in this year’s NFL Draft class, Tennessee rusher Jaylen Wright may have made his case for the top spot following this year’s combine. After rushing for a career-high 1,013 yards last season for the Volunteers, Wright boasted the furthest broad jump and the second-fastest 40-yard dash amongst running backs in Indianapolis.
“Jaylen Wright the University of Tennessee running back, another blazing [40-yard dash] time. This one 4.38 [seconds]. It’s a really solid group of running backs, he is firmly in the mix there,” Rapoport said.
Quinyon Mitchell
“And then Quinyon Mitchell with his 4.33 [second] 40 [yard dash] I would say solidified himself as one of the top corners,” Rapoport said. “Had a great, great Senior Bowl, just kind of needed to follow up with some good drills and a 40, did exactly that here in Indianapolis.”
Mitchell is regarded by many as the top NFL prospect in this year’s draft class that’s not from a Power Five program following his breakout career at Toledo. He built on his impressive senior season with an impressive Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, as he’s now seemingly vying with Alabama‘s Terrion Arnold for the top cornerback selected in April.
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