NFL Draft Stock Watch: Risers and Fallers from 2024 NFL Combine

By / Devy & College Football, Dynasty, NFL, Running Backs, Wide Receivers / Leave a Comment
2024 NFL Draft, NFL Combine, Xavier Worthy, The League Winners, theleaguewinners

With the NFL Combine over, there are some risers and fallers to watch as the 2024 NFL draft approaches.

The NFL draft season continues to march on!

Arguably the biggest event of the draft process, the Indianapolis-based NFL Combine, is over. As usual, some players made a significant mark at the event, displaying traits and athletic ability that could help skyrocket them up draft boards. On the other hand, some players tested worse than expected, lowering their stock in the process.

A lot can change over the next month, especially with college Pro Days quickly approaching. But for now, here are some prospects that are risers and fallers from the 2024 NFL Combine.

2024 NFL Combine Risers

Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

In what is shaping up to be a loaded draft class at wide receiver, prospects need to go above and beyond to stand out for teams. Whether in interviews, athletic testing, or both, players need something unique to separate them from the pack.

This applies to Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy, whose performance at the Combine has helped him stand out in this class and raise his draft stock.

Speed was the main reason Worthy separated from the pack. In his two attempts at the 40-yard dash, he ran a blazing 4.25. He followed that up by breaking the all-time record with a time of 4.21 seconds. Worthy’s speed was not his only positive mark; the former Longhorn posted a 41-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of over 10 feet.

Worthy’s traits all translate to the field, as he constantly burned defenders and made plays for Texas during his time with the program. He averaged 14 yards per reception across three years of play and an ADOT of 13.7 yards. Additionally, he scored five or more touchdowns in every season.

While questions regarding his durability and size are warranted, Worthy’s Combine performance has likely vaulted him into the back half of the first round of the NFL draft. If he can land with a team with a strong-armed quarterback, such as the Bills or Chiefs, the Texas product has a chance to do serious damage in 2024.

Issac Guerendo, RB, Lousiville

Outside of Worthy, one of the best Combine performances belonged to former Louisville running back Issac Guerendo.

Guerendo, who played at Wisconsin from 2019-2022, had what could be called a breakout in 2023. He rushed for 810 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He also chipped in 234 receiving yards, giving him over 1,000 scrimmage yards on the season.

At the Combine, Guerendo showed off freakish athleticism and speed. He ripped off a 4.33 40-yard dash with a 1.51 10-yard split, a 41-inch vertical jump, and a 10-foot-9-inch broad jump. Together, the performance gave Guerendo a 9.99 RAS, good for second-best out of 1745 eligible running backs.

With his tremendous athletic gifts, smooth running style, and good hands as a receiver, Guerendo seems poised for a rise at a relatively thin running back position. He may not be picked in the first few rounds of the draft, but the electric running back from Lousiville may end up being one of the steals of the draft.

Michael Penix, QB, Washington

While not a big tester at the Combine, the former Washington quarterback is a riser due to his on-field performance and medicals.

During the broadcast of the Combine, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Penix had his medicals come back positive and have now been pushed “back under the radar.” It is a crucial development for Michael Penix, as his medicals have been viewed as a potential detriment to his overall draft stock.

On the field, Penix was surgical during the workouts. Outside of a few throws, the quarterback was constantly on time and in sync with his receivers. His mechanics were sound, the footwork was smooth, and there were no accuracy issues. Additionally, the ball jumped out of his hand during every throw during the Combine.

With his health not being a significant concern, combined with an impressive workout, Penix seems poised to rise up draft boards. The quarterback position is a substantial need for multiple teams outside of the top 10, and if they like the talent and ability Penix brings to the table, there could be a bidding war to get in position to draft him.

2024 NFL Combine Fallers

Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon

The first faller from the Combine is not necessarily due to a bad performance, but one that fell under anticipated expectations.

Known as a burner in college, former Orgeon wide receiver Troy Franklin was set to run one of the fastest 40-yard dash times at the Indianapolis-based event. Yet Franklin ran the drill in 4.41 seconds, a time that hit the necessary thresholds for speed in the NFL but was not nearly the speed many evaluators seemed to expect.

Additionally, Franklin struggled with some of the drill work that took place on the field. The most noticeable was the gauntlet drill, where Franklin was not able to run in a straight line while catching the ball.

Franklin’s college tape and performance speak for themselves, as he was the main cog in Oregon’s passing attack in 2023, with 14 touchdowns and over 1,300 yards. But with the numbers not exactly matching the tape, Franklin could see a slight stock drop. Instead of a round-one player, Franklin could be available in round two, making him a great target for teams needing additional receiver help.

Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

Out of all of the performers at the NFL Combine, the most divisive might have been courtesy of former Florida State’s Keon Coleman.

The standout wide receiver had a good start to his workout, posting a 38-inch vertical jump and a broad jump over 10 feet. Due to his measurables of 213 pounds and a height of slightly over 6 feet 3 inches, the numbers were made that much better.

Yet, Coleman’s performance took a turn for the worse during the 40-yard dash. Coleman ran the drill at 4.61, the slowest time out of all receivers that ran the drill at the event.

To make matters more interesting, Coleman flew through the gauntlet drill, hitting a time of 20.36 miles per hour that was the best of all the receivers in his group.

Questions about his overall speed profile may slide Coleman down many teams’ draft boards. For better and for worse, teams see the 40-yard dash as a drill that can be translated to one’s ability to separate; with a low time, teams may now consider Coleman a player unable to separate consistently at the NFL level.

Yet, Coleman’s overall metrics show that he still has the potential to be a good NFL receiver. If a slow speed at the Combine sends him down draft boards, a team willing to select him in a later round could end up with a steal of a player.

Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame

Another Notre Dame running back is potentially following in Kyren Williams‘ footsteps.

Similar to Williams, Audric Estime had a poor showing during the 40-yard dash. Estime ran the drill in 4.71 seconds, an extremely slow time for running backs. By itself, this number is enough to completely discount Estime’s ability to play at the NFL level.

Yet, the Notre Dame product had a 38-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-5-inch broad jump, indicating that he is explosive in his game. Estime also had great college production, highlighted by his 29 touchdowns and a career yards per average of 6.2.

It is almost certain that Estime will fall in the draft, as teams will overlook him due to a speed profile that is lacking.

However, like Williams, Estime has the talent to be successful at the next level. If he lands with the right offensive coaching staff, the Notre Dame product could be a steal on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.

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