NFL Combine Preview

The 2025 NFL combine process has been underway throughout the week with prospects, coaches, and general managers interviews.

However, the NFL combine grabs our attention later in the week and throughout the entire weekend when these draft prospects showcase their athletic abilities, so let’s talk about the things we can expect from this year’s NFL combine.

1: Defensive lineman standouts

This defensive line class is one of the deepest in the past few years and is filled with athletic freaks on the edge and on the interior.

Whether it’s hybrid linebacker Jalon Walker from Georgia, who is being compared to Micah Parsons or Kenneth Grant from Michigan, who has all the athletic traits within his massive 340-pound frame, these defensive lineman will show out at the combine whether it is expected or not.

All eyes should be on today’s workouts.

2: Speed kills at the wide receiver position

The wide receiver position has a few burners in this draft and I wouldn’t be surprised if a receiver runs in the 4.2’s. Receivers like Texas’ Isaiah Bond and Georgia’s Arian Smith have the speed to boost up their draft stock. Smith has the best chance of breaking the record out of any combine participant.

We can talk all we want about Travis Hunter’s skillset to be a true weapon on both sides of the ball, however there is a TCU receiver getting overlooked who embodies the role of an offensive weapon.

His name is Savion Williams. Williams is a true gadget weapon. He’s still developing as an overall receiver, but his measurables at 6’ 5” 225 lbs with his speed and freakish athleticism in the vertical jump and broad jump should make him a lock to boost his stock astronomically at the combine.

During the season, he showed off his athleticism and versatility while being recorded running a max speed of 22.5 mph.

3: Athletic defensive hybrids dominate

There are so many athletic freaks in this draft at the top of the board, who could cement themselves as first round locks with their combine performances.

Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell and South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori both have shown flashes of their explosiveness on the field, but in drills and testing, those traits have the potential to pop.

Campbell has gotten some first round buzz lately due to his elite speed and range at the linebacker position. He transitioned from edge rusher, which gives reason to how athletically gifted he is at his size.

I have my eyes on Emmanwori though as he is one of the most athletic prospects entering this year’s draft. He was hidden by a star-studded defensive line at South Carolina. He has the strength of a linebacker combined with the speed of a defensive back.

4: Mid-round running backs

I can say undoubtedly, this is the best running back class in recent memory and I think the projected mid-round running backs will get their shine during this combine process.

Prospects like Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten and small school Delaware running back Marcus Yarns are athletic monsters.

Tuten recorded a 4.32 40-yard dash time before the season and was registered at 23-plus mph at 210 lbs during the season and Yarns has flashed his speed over the past couple seasons against the likes of Penn State.

In a stacked running back class, it is easy to be hidden within its depths, however, athleticism will be the one thing that helps certain running backs stand out.

The NFL combine is a very important aspect of the draft process and it is where prospects can solidify their skills already seen on film or where they can boost their stock based on what teams may have missed during their initial scouting process.

Nonetheless, it is an entertaining event where we can see prospects be cemented in the combine record books and get compared to some of the best combine performers in the history of the combine.

Owen Daszko is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email opd5073@psu.edu.