With the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in the books, all eyes are now locked on the 2024 NFL Draft. This year at the combine, many of the top projected players chose to sit out and not participate in the drills. Between Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Brock Bowers, many of the top projected players at their respective positions chose to watch from the sidelines. Whether this was the right decision or not remains to be seen. However, there are certainly some players who impressed and just may have improved their draft stock a bit.
Michael Penix Jr. (QB) Washington
First up is one of the top quarterbacks in the class, Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington. Throughout his six college seasons, he suffered two torn ACLs. Needless to say, one of the biggest concerns for him has been his health. Thankfully he passed all of the medical exams and tested quite well. Ultimately, this is likely going to end up helping his draft stock in April.
Three of the top quarterbacks chose to sit out at the combine this year. Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels. This left a nice opportunity for Penix to remind everyone that he is extremely talented and deserves a high draft pick as well. Between the drills and proving his health, Penix certainly impressed me at the combine.
JJ McCarthy (QB) Michigan
Next up is another quarterback, JJ McCarthy out of Michigan. Recently, he’s been gaining some hype and is looking like a potential top-10 pick in the NFL Draft. After his performance at the combine, he may have just proven himself and done enough to show the NFL that he deserves a high draft pick as well. While his performance isn’t exactly raising his draft stock, considering how high it was already, he certainly impressed and reminded us that he is a National Champion for a reason and deserves the hype that many of these other quarterbacks are getting.
McCarthy looked fantastic in the throwing drills and certainly looks the part. Most importantly, with the top quarterbacks sitting out, McCarthy did everything right and I believe he could very well end up getting drafted inside the top 10. Not to mention, several quarterback-needy teams could end up trading up to make sure they get a quarterback.
Joe Milton (QB) Tennessee
The last quarterback that I’ll touch on as someone who impressed at the combine is Joe Milton out of Tennessee. In case you missed it, he was the one casually throwing 70+ yard bombs downfield. Milton is a fairly raw prospect but is someone who could sit behind a veteran for a couple of seasons before getting a real shot in the NFL. Don’t expect him to go super high, but he could end up as a nice project quarterback who gets taken on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
Rome Odunze (WR) Washington
With the top wide receiver prospect opting out of everything regarding the NFL Combine, Rome Odunze was able to step up and remind everyone just how good he is. While Harrison is expected to be the top wide receiver in a deep class, Odunze should be locked in as the second-ranked wide receiver off the board.
Odunze performed the gauntlet effortlessly. Most importantly, he possesses fantastic speed and athleticism to go along with his 6’3, 215-pound frame. Among all of the talented wide receivers who performed at the combine, Odunze was far and away my top wide receiver in this class.
Xavier Worthy (WR) Texas
If you didn’t know who Xavier Worthy was before the combine, you certainly do now. The wide receiver out of Texas not only impressed, but he now holds the record for the fastest recorded 40-yard-dash at the combine with a blazing 4.21 official time. While the speed is great to see, Worthy is more than just a weapon that can stretch the field. Worthy runs solid routes and has nice hands to go along with his blazing speed. Don’t be surprised if a team like Kansas City targets Worthy at the end of the 1st round.
Adonai Mitchell (WR) Texas
Speaking of Texas wide receivers, next up we have another Longhorn, Adonai Mitchell. If it hadn’t been for Worthy’s record-breaking performance, Mitchell would be getting talked about much more than he already is. Mitchell possesses elite athleticism and is an absolute specimen at 6’4 and 196 pounds. Additionally, he ran a 4.34 40-yard dash, which was the third-fastest for all wide receivers in this class. He also had the longest broad jump for all wide receivers at 11’4. Mitchell could very well end up going in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Brian Thomas Jr. (WR) LSU
The last wide receiver who impressed at the combine was Brian Thomas Jr., the big-bodied playmaker out of LSU. Thomas Jr. just broke out last year, catching 1,177 receiving yards while leading the FBS in touchdowns with 17. Not to mention, he has the prototypical size and profile for a potential WR1 in the NFL today.
Heading into the combine, Thomas Jr. was already getting some steam and looked like a Day 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Now, there’s not much doubt at all and he should certainly go in the 1st round. I wouldn’t be too surprised if he ends up going with a top-15 draft pick when it’s all said and done.
Trey Benson (RB) Florida State
Moving on from the wide receiver position, we have our first running back who impressed at the combine this year. Trey Benson is a talented running back out of Florida State who has a very nice combination of speed and size. At 6’1 and 225 pounds, Benson is an extremely aggressive runner who is not afraid to make contact with defenders. After his performance at the combine, Benson has shown that he exudes athleticism and put up a fantastic Relative Athletic Score of 9.77.
Heading into the combine, Benson was viewed as more of a hard runner who forced a ton of missed tackles. After showing just how athletic he is, this combination of size and speed could very well boost his draft stock. Needless to say, he was someone who impressed us all at the combine. Especially for a running back as this class isn’t exactly known for having the greatest running back talent.
Jaylen Wright (RB) Tennessee
The last name I’ll mention as a player who impressed at this year’s combine is running back Jaylen Wright out of Tennessee. Before the drills in Indianapolis, Wright was viewed as a prospect with great speed and explosiveness. This was confirmed at the combine as Wright had the second-fastest 40-yard dash for all running backs with 4.38. Additionally, he had the best broad jump for all running backs at 11’2. Between his athleticism and size, Wright also is someone who has big-play ability in the open field and solid hands. Overall, he impressed at the combine and likely improved his draft stock a bit.
