Day 3 NFL combine takeaways: Texas wideouts show out, battle for QB4 intensifies

Michael Penix Jr. had impressive measurables, with NFL insider Peter Schrager calling them "the buzz" of the combine on Saturday. He also showed off his beautiful deep ball on a pair of passes that should have been caught.

Bo Nix answered questions about his arm strength, and Joe Milton wowed with the best throws of anyone on Saturday.

Based on Saturday's performances, Penix should be the No. 4 quarterback on big boards, although McCarthy and Nix largely passed their tests, giving both the proper foundation to move up draft lists.

Adonai Mitchell cements himself as a first-round pick:  The former Texas wideout established himself as a first-rounder with an outstanding day. He ran the fastest 40-time of the early session for wide receivers (4.35) and scored highly on his Relative Athletic Score. Mitchell's 9.98 out of 10 is the eighth-highest score out of 3,063 wideouts from 1987-2024.

Chiefs may have found a Baby Cheetah:  Xavier Worthy stole the show, running a historic 4.21 40-yard dash, the fastest in combine history.

Worthy's blazing speed will cause his stock to rise, perhaps to the Chiefs at No. 32. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has already taken notice.

The former Longhorns receiver could play the role vacated by speedster Tyreek Hill when he was traded to the Dolphins in 2022.

Trey Benson could be the best running back prospect: The former Florida State running back ran an explosive 4.39 40-yard dash, giving him even more in common with excellent young Jets running back Breece Hall, who captured the same time on his run at the combine in 2022. Benson is slightly taller, but the two also are nearly identical in weight.

Last season, Hall came back from a torn ACL and had 1,585 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns. If teams believe Benson can duplicate those numbers, too, he'll be a no-brainer to be the first running back off the board.

Wide receiver class has remarkable depth: Mitchell and Worthy stole the show, but Rome Odunze and Brian Thomas Jr. proved why they are locked in as first-round picks. 

Xavier Legette is already built like an NFL wide receiver, and his sub-4.4 40 will add to his intrigue as a prospect. 

Ladd McConkey ran a 4.39 and demonstrated his crisp route-running later in the day.

Next to Odunze, Tulane's Jha'Quan Jackson ran arguably the cleanest gauntlet drill.

Johnny Wilson recorded the longest wingspan by a wide receiver in combine history, and his Florida State teammate Keon Coleman made up for a disappointing 40-yard dash time with the fastest performance in the gauntlet.