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NFL Scouting Combine 2024: Highlights, analysis & takeaways

2WNHCDB Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

By PFF.com

• EDGE1 secured: Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner put on a show in Indianapolis, which may have solidified him as the first edge defender off the board come April.

• CB Quinyon Mitchell stood out: The junior made his case to be CB1 in the 2024 NFL Draft with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash.

• Xavier Worthy handled business: Worthy broke the NFL scouting combine record for the fastest 40-yard dash with a time of 4.21 seconds.

• Taliese Fuaga remains a top tackle option: Fuaga came into the week as one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the class and a sure-fire first-round pick. Though his 33.12-inch arm length is well below average for his position, basically everything else about his week was stellar.

• PFF’s 2024 NFL Draft Guide now available: Our latest draft guide is loaded with more than 600 pages of PFF-exclusive advanced stats, grades and analysis on some of the top 2024 draft prospects.

Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

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The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine took place in Indianapolis last week, with just over 320 of the draft class' best prospects leaving it all on the field in the hope of improving their draft stock.

Here are the highlights from the measurements, on-field drills and media sessions.

TOP PERFORMERS FROM THURSDAY (DEFENSIVE LINE & LINEBACKERS)

EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama 

The crown of EDGE1 in the 2024 NFL Draft was still up for grabs when the defensive linemen took the field for on-field drills. Though there was no new tape produced from the drills, the athletic testing results (and measurables) from Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner might have solidified him as the top edge player off the board in April. His 4.46-second official 40-yard dash, 40.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-7 broad jump all ranked above the 90th percentile.

DT Braden Fiske, Florida State 

Fiske has been on a tear since December began. He finished the season strong with a great performance in the ACC Championship Game, and the carried that momentum into a great week of practice (and gameplay) in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. That hot streak only got hotter at the combine, as his 9-foot-9 broad jump, 33.5-inch vertical and 4.78-second 40-yard dash were all best-in-class for the defensive tackle position. 

EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State

Chop Robinson put some lofty combine goals out into the world when he said at his podium that he wanted to run in the 4.4-second range, jump 40 inches in the vertical and 11 feet in the broad. He didn't quite hit those jumps, but did record a 34.5-inch vertical with a 10-foot-8 broad jump. He also ran a 4.48 40-yard dash while weighing 254 pounds. Those kinds of numbers will keep him firmly in the first-round conversation. 

DT Byron Murphy Ii, Texas 

Though Murphy’s day wasn’t as impressive as Fiske’s, he still deserves a shout-out. At 6-foot and 297 pounds, Murphy ran a 4.87 40-yard dash with a 33.5-inch vertical and a 9-foot-3 broad jump. All three numbers were very impressive for a player of his size and skillset as a one-gap pass-rusher. 

LB Payton Wilson, N.C. State

Wilson had a ton of momentum going into combine week to earn the LB1 title. Though his injury history is extensive, when he’s healthy, he showcased starting-caliber ability at inside linebacker. His athletic testing results of a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, 9-foot-11 broad jump, and a 34.5-inch vertical are evidence his NFL-caliber athleticism in the middle of the defense. He was PFF’s LB1 going into the week, and that won’t change after seeing his results.

OTHER NOTABLE STANDOUTS

LB Trevin Wallace, Kentucky
  • 4.51-second 40-yard dash, 37.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-7 broad jump.
 LB Edufuan Ulofoshio, Washington
  • 4.56-second 40-yard dash, 39.5-inch vertical, 10-foot-9 broad jump
DT T’Vondre Sweat, Texas
  • 5.27-second 40-yard dash (at 366 pounds).
DT Mekhi Wingo, LSU
  • 1.64-second 10-yard split.

TOP PERFORMERS FROM FRIDAY (DEFENSIVE BACKS & TIGHT ENDS)

CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

The top of the cornerback class in the 2024 NFL Draft is wide open with a few vying for CB1 status. Mitchell is firmly in that mix and has had quite easily the best pre-draft process of all of them. After dominating at the Senior Bowl, the junior ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at 6 feet, 195 pounds. That time is in the 95th percentile for corners. Mitchell was PFF’s highest-graded cornerback in each of the last two seasons and could hear his name called within the first 15 picks of the draft with how dominant he’s been in the last month.

 

CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson

Wiggins is also one of the top candidates to be the first corner off the board in April and only furthered his case to be CB1 with a strong showing in Indianapolis. His 4.28-second 40-yard dash is the fastest of any prospect so far this year. Wiggins was also in the 80th percentile for cornerbacks with a 10-foot-7 broad jump. He, unfortunately, suffered a hip flexor strain while running the 40-yard dash, which prematurely ended his workout. Wiggins also came in lighter than expected at 173 pounds, which was already his biggest concern listed in PFF’s 2024 NFL Draft Guide. Even so, he’s an elite athlete who can end up being a top-15 pick.

 

CB Jarrian Jones, Florida State 

Jones was one of the underrated stars on Florida State’s defense this year, posting a 90.1 PFF grade that was fifth among all cornerbacks in the country. The Seminoles’ slot corner was also one of the combine’s biggest stars with a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, 39.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-9 broad jump. All of those figures are in the 85th percentile or better for cornerbacks. This performance in Indianapolis combined with his elite 2023 tape should have Jones selected somewhere on Day 2.

 

TE Theo Johnson, Penn State 

Johnson had one of the greatest performances ever by a tight end at the combine. He has great size for the position, measuring at 6-foot-6 and 259 pounds. Johnson still tested as an elite player with those dimensions, as his 4.57-second 40-yard dash is in the 90th percentile for tight ends. His 1.55-second 10-yard split was in the 93rd percentile and was the same number that Kyle Pitts posted. Johnson also showed off elite explosiveness with a 39.5-inch vertical and a 10-foot-5 broad jump. The broad was in the 93rd percentile for tight ends while the vertical was all the way in the 97th percentile. Expect Johnson to come off the board early on Day 3 after this showing. 

 

S Tyler Owens, Texas Tech

Owens was already one of the combine’s early standouts during his podium session, revealing that he doesn’t believe in outer space or other planets. He may doubt astronomy, but he’s an alien. He posted a 12-foot-2 broad jump. That’s not just the second-best mark in combine history, it’s one inch off the world record set by Byron Jones in 2015. His 41-inch vertical was in the 95th percentile for safeties as well. Owens did all of that while still having well above-average size at 6-foot-2 and 216 pounds. He unfortunately got hurt during his 40-yard dash attempt, so we’ll have to wait for his Pro Day to see if he can post more ridiculous numbers. Once seen as a seventh-round prospect, Owens could be moving up boards after this week in Indianapolis.

 

Other notable standouts

CB Cam Hart, Notre Dame 
  • 39.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-10 broad jump at 6-foot-3, 202 pounds.
CB Max Melton, Rutgers 
  • 11-foot-4 broad jump, 40.5-inch vertical and 4.39-second 40-yard dash.
S Ryan Watts, Texas 
  • 40.5-inch vertical  and 10-foot-5 broad jump.
CB Decamerion Richardson, Mississippi State 
  • 4.34-second 40-yard dash and 10-foot-8 broad jump.
TE Devin Culp, Washington
  • 4.47-second 40-yard dash.
TE Tip Reiman, Illinois 
  • 1.55-second 10-yard split at 271 pounds.
TE Jared Wiley, TCU 
  • 37-inch vertical and 4.62-second 40-yard dash.
PFF’s 2024 NFL Draft Guide is now available: Our latest draft guide is loaded with more than 600 pages of PFF-exclusive advanced stats, grades and analysis on some of the top 2024 draft prospects.

TOP PERFORMERS FROM SATURDAY (QUARTERBACK, WIDE RECEIVERS AND RUNNING BACKS)

WR Xavier Worthy, Texas

Though this list isn’t necessarily in order, Worthy had to be the first name we mentioned, as he broke the NFL scouting combine record for the fastest 40-yard dash with a time of 4.21 seconds. The 6-foot-1, 172-pound receiver also hit 41 inches in the vertical jump.

That 40 time will get him in first-round range on multiple teams’ boards.

 

WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas

Mitchell put on a fantastic showing in Indy, recording a 4.34-second 40-yard dash and an 11-foot-4 broad jump to lead all receivers. He did that at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds. His numbers and tape put him in the first-round conversation.

WR Rome Odunze, Washington

The 6-foot-3, 212-pound Rome Odunze put his all-around athleticism on full display. He hit 10-foot-4 in the broad jump, 39 inches in the vertical jump and ran an official 4.45-second 40-yard dash. He was in the top-10 conversation before today and will remain there after testing.

WR Xavier Legette, South Carolina

Legette had an up-and-down Senior Bowl performance, which put his draft stock in limbo despite his great year for South Carolina in 2023. But at the combine, he reminded people of that eye-popping athletic ability we saw on tape, producing a 10-foot-6, broad, 40-inch vert and a 4.39-second official 40-yard dash while weighing 221 pounds.

WR Ricky Pearsall, Florida

Pearsall has had an incredible pre-draft process and, honestly, an incredible year overall if we're talking about raising his NFL draft stock.

His tape this past season was excellent, showcasing his ability to be one of the more reliable receivers in the country from his slot position. At the combine, he showed that he is more than just shiftiness — he is also very explosive. He recorded a 4.41-second 40-yard dash, a 42-inch vert and a 10-foot-9 broad.

RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee

Wright entered the week as RB2 on PFF’s big board, and athleticism was a big reason why. His 4.38-second 40-yard dash, 39-inch vertical jump and 11-foot-4 broad while weighing 210 pounds solidified all that athletic ability we saw on tape. He should be one of the top three backs off the board in April.

RB Isaac Guerendo, Louisville

Guerendo didn’t even lead his team in rushing volume or production this past season, but his explosiveness at his size makes him one of the more intriguing running back prospects in the class.

At 6 feet and 221 pounds, he ran a 4.33 and jumped 41.5 inches in the vert, the best numbers for any back at the combine. He also jumped 10-foot-9 in the broad, which was second-best.

That’s 70th-percentile-plus height and weight with 90th-percentile-plus athleticism all around.

TE Theo Johnson, Penn State

Johnson had about as good a combine week as a prospect can have from a measurements and testing perspective. At 6-foot-6 and 259 pounds, he jumped 10-foot-5 in the broad, 39.5-inch vert and ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash, all of which ranked second among his peers.

He will be coveted by vertical passing attacks that like to stretch defenses up the middle with tight end seam routes.

OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
  • McCarthy didn’t run, but he did participate in the on-field throwing session. In doing so, he recorded the second-fastest speed on the laser at 61 m.p.h.
WR Cornelius Johnson, Michigan
  • 4.44-second 40-yard dash, 37.5 inches in the vert and 10-foot-7 broad at 6-foot-3, 212 pounds. Between his numbers in Indy and his performance at the Shrine Bowl, Johnson has had a very strong draft season.
WR Jermaine Burton, Alabama
  • 4.45-second 40-yard dash, 38.5-inch vertical jump and 11-foot-1 broad jump. He remains one of the most underrated prospects in the wide receiver class.
WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
  • 4.33-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-3, 209 pounds could solidify top-20 status.
WR Johnny Wilson, Florida State
  • 4.53-second 40-yard dash, 37-inch vert, 10-foot-8 broad and a 4.11-second short shuttle time despite being 6-foot-6 and 231 pounds. Those are very impressive numbers for a player of his size.
WR Devontez Walker, North Carolina
  • His blazing 4.36-second 40-yard dash, 40.5-inch vert and 11-foot-2 broad showcase his best traits: explosiveness and speed. He’ll be a coveted vertical threat for Day 2 of the draft.
RB Audric Estime, Notre Dame
  • 38-inch vert and 10-foot-5 broad at 221 pounds.
RB Tyrone Tracy, Purdue
  • 4.48-second 40-yard dash, 40-inch vert and a 10-foot-4 broad as a receiver-turned-running back.

TOP PERFORMERS FROM SUNDAY (OFFENSIVE LINE & SPECIAL TEAMS)

OL Troy Fautanu, Washington

Fautanu was a projected first-round pick before combine week, but his week was so good that he is still considered the biggest riser from the group.

The Washington product measured in with 34.5-inch arms, a very good number for his case to stay at offensive tackle in the league. He then ran a 5.01-second 40-yard dash with a 32.5-inch vertical jump and 9-foot-5 broad.

On top of all that, he looks incredibly athletic in the on-field workouts. He’s a top-20 lock now.

OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

Fuaga came into the week as one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the class and a sure-fire first-round pick. Though his 33.12-inch arm length is well below average for his position, basically everything else about his week was stellar.

Reports indicate that he interviewed very well, and his on-field drills showcased his explosiveness and power. He tested well, too, producing a 32-inch vert and a 9-foot-3 broad at 324 pounds.

 

OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

Alt has just steadily been one of the best offensive tackle prospects in the class, and his combine week poured more fuel on that fire. At almost 6-foot-9, 321 pounds, he ran a 5.05-second 40-yard dash, jumped 28 inches in the vert and recorded a 9-foot-4 broad. Those numbers weren’t eye-popping, but they were all solid enough to allow him to maintain his case for OT1.

OT Amarius Mims, Georgia

Mims basically won the week when he showed up at 340 pounds with the body build of an edge player. He then measured in with 36.25-inch arms. He ended up running an official 5.07-second 40-yard dash, and he recorded a 9-foot-3 broad jump.

However, his most impressive athletic feat was his 4.33-second short shuttle, which was the seventh-fastest time for an offensive lineman at the combine since 1999. Of the six who were faster, the heaviest of them was 304 pounds.

IOL Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin

Bortolini has had a great draft cycle, putting in a good performance at the Senior Bowl and now a very good combine week. He recorded the second-fastest 40-yard dash among the offensive line group at 4.94. He also jumped 32.5 inches in the vert and 9-foot-4 in the broad.

PFF’s 2024 NFL Draft Guide is now available: Our latest draft guide is loaded with more than 600 pages of PFF-exclusive advanced stats, grades and analysis on some of the top 2024 draft prospects.

OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

OT Garret Greenfield, South Dakota State
  • Broke the combine record for the highest vertical jump for an offensive lineman (38.5 inches).
OT Tylan Grable, UCF
  • Top-five scores at his position in the 40 (4.95), vertical jump (36.5 inches) and broad jump (9-foot-9).
OT Roger Rosengarten, Washington
  • Rosengarten ran the fastest 40 time of any of the offensive linemen (4.92).
IOL Mason Mccormick, South Dakota State
  • McCormick's 9-foot-9 broad jump led all offensive linemen.
OT Frank Crum, Wyoming
  • Crum tied Bortolini for the second-fastest 40-yard dash time among the offensive linemen (4.94).
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