Every year as the dust of the NFL season settles, attention turns to the NFL Draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine is the biggest event leading up to it.
This year’s event didn’t disappoint with standouts, stories, and even those who failed to meet expectations.
While the combine isn’t going to determine these player’s careers, it can determine their draft day fate, so let’s take a closer look at who walked away from Indianapolis with their head held high, and who could be tumbling down draft boards.
NFL Scouting Combine Winners
Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Anthony Richardson did just about all you could ask of an NFL Draft prospect to put himself in better standing at the combine.
Measuring in at 6-foot-4, 244 pounds is one thing, but then dominating the combine circuit with a 4.43 40-yard dash, a 40.5-inch vertical, and a 10-foot-9 broad jump makes Richardson a freak of nature.
There is risk involved with a project like Richardson, but there’s no denying that he has a variety of traits NFL teams will feel confident betting on.
Richardson has made himself a serious contender to be the first pick of the NFL Draft come April, and he’s at +650 odds on FanDuel Sportsbook right now for it.
Note: NFL Draft prop odds are current as of Wednesday, March 8, at noon ET.
Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
After missing time with a pectoral injury in 2022, Smith looked forward to dominating the combine, and he did just that.
With a spectacular 4.39 40-yard dash and 41.5-inch vertical, Smith proved to teams he’s got everything athletically one could ask for in a pass rusher.
Don’t be surprised if Nolan Smith builds momentum and continues to work his way up the ranks from now until draft day.
Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion
Kuntz went into the combine with plenty of tight ends being the focus of attention, but stole the show with his performance.
Measuring in at 6-foot-6 1/2, 255 pounds is great, but then going on to run a 4.55 40-yard dash and jump 40 inches in the vertical is incredible.
Kuntz started the first five games before suffering a season-ending injury, but this combine has put him back on track, and will likely lead to him being selected in the first four rounds of the draft.
Keep track of the latest NFL Draft futures with our football odds comparison tool:
NFL Scouting Combine Losers
Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
The wide receiver position as a whole was largely disappointing, but no one needed a good day to recover their stock more than LSU’s Kayshon Boutte.
With his drop in production during the 2022 season, the reports of issues relating to his off-the-field behavior, and the overall talent of the class as a whole, Boutte was someone who could’ve had a great day at the combine and worked himself back into the Day 2 conversation for the draft.
However, he instead turned in a disappointing 29-inch vertical and came in a little smaller than expected.
Boutte’s stock has continued to take hit after hit throughout the season, and if he doesn’t recover with a strong pro day, there will be many teams who leave the once highly-touted wideout off their draft board altogether.
Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
The magic number for NFL Tackles is a 33-inch arm length. In fact, the only current projected starter in the NFL at the position with shorter arms than that is Indianapolis’ Bernhard Raimann at 32 7/8 inches.
Skoronski’s arm length at the combine was 32 ¼ inches, which could lead plenty of teams to view him as an interior lineman at the next level.
This is in no way an indicator of how Skoronski will perform at the next level, and he could still get a chance at tackle, but it’s unlikely he’ll be the first lineman off the board despite having the second best odds at +170 on FanDuel and +125 on DraftKings.
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
In what is largely viewed as a crowded cornerback class up top, Ringo went into the combine with high expectations to test well and set himself up as a high-caliber athlete to ease concerns about his unpolished play on the field.
His size (6-foot-2) and speed (4.36 40-yard dash) were great, but his jumps, especially his 33 1/2-inch vertical, were extremely disappointing. Ringo still has plenty of promising traits, but his jumps not going well are going to scare teams.
He now sits at +3000 on DraftKings to be the first CB off the board on draft day.
NFL Scouting Combine Notes
- The wide receiver class as a whole disappointed outside of a few.
- USC OG Andrew Vorhees could’ve snuck into the first round but is now likely a Day 3 pick after tearing his ACL.
- Tennessee OT Darnell Wright has continued dropping weight this offseason, coming into the combine at 333 pounds. He should be a lock to go in the first round.
- Georgia DL Jalen Carter didn’t lose at the combine, but rumors about the ongoing issues right before it are that he could slip in the draft.
- Northwestern DL Adetomiwa Adebawore turned in a 4.49 40 time at 282 pounds and could be a riser into the first round come draft day.
- Nebraska WR Trey Palmer clocked a 4.33 40 as the fastest wideout at the combine. He should have worked his stock into the Day 2 range but offers a high ceiling.
NFL Draft Scouting Combine Prop Bets
USC WR Jordan Addison: First Wide Receiver Selected (+550) | FanDuel Sportsbook
Addison was sitting in the second position for odds to be the first receiver off the board, and then he came in lighter than expected. The weight is concerning; maybe some analysts would’ve liked him to be faster.
However, it’s evident that he is still a silky-smooth receiver with top-level potential. Now at +550 odds, he is a great value play.
Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez: First Cornerback Selected (-220) | DraftKings Sportsbook
Taking the favorite isn’t always pretty, but Gonzalez seems like he has solidified himself as the top cornerback in this class, and is probably the safest positional favorite at this point in time.
With his great size, testing, and technique, teams should be getting a Day 1 quality contributor on defense with plenty of upside. He’s worth taking as a safe option in your bets as well.
Rams to Draft Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs (+1500) | FanDuel Sportsbook
The Rams were ready to invest at the trade deadline last year, hoping to give multiple firsts in order to land Christian McCaffrey. Now, Gibbs isn’t CMC, but the playmaking ability and skill set he can add to an offense is undeniable, and the Rams have an early second with the willingness to move up in the draft should they deem it necessary.
Predicting where prospects will land is tough, but Gibbs to the Rams is great odds for a possibly big return.
