The NFL combine may be mocked (in this very article) for its value on the league’s calendar. In truth, it can make or break prospects, with truly bad or truly incredible performances. It’s rare, but there will be some prospects whose 40-yard dash times will ensure they get drafted — or ensure they do not. The same will be true for a handful of the measurements and exercises that take place over the weekend.
What’s most interesting, however, is when a player moves up nine spots in first round of the NFL draft, like Kyler Murray could begin to do this weekend. He would increase his earnings from $18.9 million at No. 10 overall with the Denver Broncos to $34.9 million at No. 1 overall with the Arizona Cardinals. That’s quite the raise.
That’s why this list favors some of the most talented prospects in this draft class. They may not gain as much ground as a player jumping from undrafted territory into the third round. In a fiscal sense, however, they have the most to gain. A strong combine performance could boost their draft stock ever so slightly, which could result in an exponentially higher salary.
1. Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
You knew this one was coming, right?
Murray’s combine performance will matter for a few reasons. First, he has supposedly bulked up to 200 pounds. That’s only mildly interesting, because if he throws, he’ll throw against air. So scouts won’t get a significant look at how he carries that weight. But it’s a first look, if nothing else. Second, he’ll likely get his height measured. He’s listed at 5-foot-10, but is expected to come in a little short of that. Third, he’ll have to answer questions about his commitment to football over baseball. The MLB wants him to come back. How he handles those team interviews will be a key factor.
If all goes well, he’ll be in the discussion to be the top pick.
2. D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
He’s an athletic freak with all sorts of injury issues, namely to his neck and back. If his medicals look good, he’ll go a long way in shooting himself up the draft board. What’s more, he has the chance to establish himself as the most physically gifted receiver in the draft class. Good medicals and good measurements could put him into the top five selections.
3. Andy Isabella, WR, UMass
Can his precipitous rise continue?
Isabella became a media darling during the Senior Bowl when he was excellent in practice and even better in the game (seven receptions, 74 yards, one touchdown, one rush, 14 yards). He showed that his production at UMass could very well translate to the NFL. Isabella’s meetings with NFL teams could convince teams to reach for him in the third round. A 4.26-second 40-yard dash might help, too. And a strong performance in the 3-cone drill would go a long way in securing him a spot on the Patriots.
4. Oshane Ximines, EDGE, Old Dominion
Ximines’ draft stock is all over the place. Pro Football Focus put him at the end of the first round. Draft Wire put him at the top of the fourth round.
Ximines logged 12 sacks and 55 pressures in 2018. It’s just that he played at Old Dominion, which has never produced an NFL draft pick. The level of competition isn’t particularly strong, though he did have two sacks and seven tackles in Old Dominion’s upset of Virginia Tech.
A good showing on and off the Indianapolis turf should begin to solidify Ximines’ standing on draft day.
5. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
Oliver has the power to make most of the 2018 drama blow over during the course of the weekend. He was dealing with injuries during 2018, and sat for an extended period to heal. Perhaps because that took so long, Oliver and his coach Major Applewhite argued on the sideline over a coat, which was only for players who were actually playing in the game. Oliver was not, but wore the coat anyway. Yelling ensued.
If Oliver puts his most polite foot forward off the field and his most agile foot forward on the field, he might just reestablish himself as one of the draft’s top talents.
6. Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
I’ll keep this one simple. If Baker runs fast, he’ll make a lot more money than if he doesn’t run fast.
7. Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
Gary may just be the most freakish defensive player at the combine. He weighs 285 pounds, but should have athleticism equal to or better than a number of the 210-pound running backs. In a way, he’s got more to lose than he has to gain. But with draft volatility, it’s almost the same thing.
He’s known as a freak athlete, and this is the underwear olympics. This is when freak athletes truly shine.
