The NFL Scouting Combine is officially in the books, and much has changed as it pertains to NFL Draft rankings. With this in mind, it is time to break down the biggest changes from a wild week at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Many of the “risers” you will see listed in articles this week are merely players who did exactly what we all expected. Living up to expectations is key for top prospects, but how much are they truly “rising”? The only way they become true risers is if the prospects ranked ahead of them did not live up to their expectations. In this two-part series, we will be looking at players who truly exceeded expectations and made themselves significantly more money on their rookie deal. We will also take a look at several prospects who underperformed and saw their stock drop.

Risers

J.J. McCarthy | QB | Michigan
McCarthy’s Performance did not shock me as it pertains to his arm strength, but his footwork and touch were much more impressive than I expected them to be. McCarthy is a strong-armed, high-velocity thrower, but oftentimes he put too much on short and intermediate passes. On Saturday, McCarthy took some off the shorter passes and displayed clean footwork throughout the workout. His stock is definitely moving up, and I anticipate him being a top 10 draft pick.

Isaac Guerendo | RB | Louisville
Guerendo did not see the most usage during the majority of his career, but after a breakout 2023 season with Louisville, he is in prime position to make a major leap in draft rankings. The 221-pound runner led all running backs with a 4.33 40, and his 41.5″ vertical and 129″ broad jump were also impressive. Do not be surprised if Guerendo is off the board by the time we get to Day 3.

Jaylen Wright | RB | Tennessee
The Alvin Kamara comparisons are likely to come up frequently for Wright, as his play style and performance at Tennessee is quite reminiscent of former Volunteer and current Saints running back Alvin Kamara. Wright posted an impressive 4.38 40, 38″ vertical, and 134″ broad jump. Wright has entered himself into the fight for RB1.

Xavier Worthy | WR | Texas
I expected Worthy to potentially break 4.3, but you simply do not expect a player to break the 40 record going into the workout. Any player with 4.21 speed is going to move up draft boards, as that type of speed is rare to come by. Worthy is currently my WR5 and is safely in the first round. In fact, I could see a team taking him as high as the top 10-12 selections.

Xavier Legette | WR | South Carolina
I would have loved to see Legette measure in at 6’3″, but even though that number was significantly lower, his workout was impressive. Not only did he post a sub-4.4 40 at 227 pounds (which was expected), but his smoothness and fluidity when running routes caught my attention. His change-of-direction skills at that size are good enough to raise his stock back toward the first round.

Theo Johnson | TE | Penn State
Johnson caught my eye at the Senior Bowl, and I was excited to see how well he would test. For someone at his size, he tested well in the agility drills, and he iced the cake with a 4.57 40 and 39.5″ vertical. I do not think Ja’Tavion Sanders is doomed in the NFL after his underwhelming testing, but I am definitely on board with moving Johnson ahead of him as my TE2 in the class.

Roger Rosengarten | OT | Washington
Rosengarten has been a slow riser throughout the process, but people finally took notice of his athleticism this week. Posting the fastest 40 time of any offensive lineman (4.92), Rosengarten dsiplayed nice fluidity in on-field drills and made evident his mobility. In a deep tackle class, I see Rosengarten as a likely second-round selection. He is one of the top pass-blocking right tackles in the draft.

Braden Fiske | DL | Florida State
In an otherwise underwhelming defensive line group, Fiske was one of the few standouts. I do have concerns about his shorter arms, but there is not much else to criticize with his game. At 6’3 5/8″, 292 pounds, Fiske put on a show, recording a 4.78 40, 33.5″ vertical, 117″ broad jump, 4.37 short shuttle, 26 bench reps. He is firmly in the second-round discussion, and, depending on the team, he may draw interest in the back portion of Round 1.

Chop Robinson | EDGE | Penn State
I knew Robinson was a solid athlete, but I had expected teammate Adisa Isaac to outdo him in many of the drills and tests. However, that was not the case, as Robinson put himself into the first-round discussion after running a 4.49 40 at nearly 6’4″ and over 250 pounds. His entire workout was better than I had anticipated, and I have no choice but move him up on my draft board. He is currently a top-35 player on my overall board.

Edefuan Ulofoshio | LB | Washington
You may not be able to pronounce his name, but just remember that his name means, “not afraid of war.” That seems fitting for a linebacker, does it not? Ulofoshio was a projected Day 3 pick coming into the combine, but after running a 4.56 40, recording a 39.5″ vertical, and jumping 128″ in the broad jump, he looks the part of an NFL linebacker. At 236 pounds, Ulofoshio moved well in drills and made very few mistakes during the workout. Teams will definitely be going back to the tape on him.

Elijah Jones | CB | Boston College
Jones could afford to add some weight to his frame, but his numbers across the board were nothing short of impressive. Not only did Jones record a 4.44 in the 40, but he also posted an incredible 42.5″ vertical and 131″ broad jump. He is not the greatest zone corner at this stage of his career, but his athleticism and instincts indicate he will be able to branch out into different coverages once he gets acclimated to the NFL.

Others who Improved their Stock

Adonai Mitchell | WR | Texas
Ricky Pearsall | WR | Florida
Brian Thomas, Jr. | WR | LSU
Michael Penix, Jr. | QB | Washington
Ladd McConkey | WR | Georgia
MarShawn Lloyd | RB | USC
Ben Sinnott | TE | Kansas State
Troy Fautanu | OL | Washington
Tanner Bartolini | C | Wisconsin
Ruke Orhorhoro | DL | Clemson
Dallas Turner | EDGE | Alabama
Jalyx Hunt | EDGE | Houston Christian
Payton Wilson | LB | North Carolina State
Trevin Wallace | LB | Kentucky
Daequan Hardy | DB | Penn State
Quinyon Mitchell | DB | Toledo
Jarrian Jones | DB | Florida State
Max Melton | DB | Rutgers
Marcellas Dial | DB | South Carolina
Mike Sainristill | DB | Michigan
Cole Bishop | DB | Utah

Which players do you think helped themselves the most this week in Indy? Be sure to light up the comment section down below with your thoughts on this and all things NFL Draft!