The same question was scattered across social media last week, albeit with some of the words shuffled around.
“Why does the NFL Scouting Combine matter?” If the answer is “It doesn’t,” then why go through the whole performance at all? It does matter, just not in the way you might suspect.
It’s only the Underwear Olympics (hardy har-har). Fast guys run fast, and the freaks are on parade. The point so often missed is each player’s draft capital. I’m with the jaded critics who believe the Combine shouldn’t affect where and when a player is drafted (if at all), but it does. Everyone in Indianapolis is running for something, whether it be their future or, in Rich Eisen’s case, charity.
Fantasy football lovers were paying attention. Among the participants, some saw their draft stock rise from a stellar showing at Lucas Oil Stadium. Let’s take a look at a few of those notable players.
- 2024 NFL Mock Drafts
- Expert Consensus 2024 NFL Mock Draft
- 2024 NFL Draft Guide
- 2024 NFL Draft Prospect Profiles
2024 NFL Scouting Combine: Risers & Fallers
Risers
Isaac Guerendo (RB – LOU)
There was always an outside chance that a team would draft Isaac Guerendo in a few months. That chance is a near certainty after he put on an athletic showcase at Lucas Oil Stadium in front of all 32 teams and fans watching. Even at a beefy 220 pounds, the Louisville product by way of Wisconsin set the mark as the fastest RB at the Combine with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash. He also had an absurd 41.5-inch vertical jump, best of all RBs by an inch and a half. Guerendo is not known for his quickness, contact balance or vision, but some team will take a flyer in an effort to polish him into a Pro Bowler.
Ladd McConkey (WR – UG)
There were long stretches during Ladd McConkey’s career where other talented players simply overshadowed him. Always a savvy route runner and well-rounded technician out wide for Georgia, not many gave him credit for his athleticism. McConkey was one of nine WRs who ran faster than a 4.40 in the 40. Anything in the 4.3s is incendiary speed that can be lethal with a player with McConkey’s skillset. He really helped himself.
Xavier Worthy (WR – TEX)
I don’t make the rules. If you run the fastest 40 in the history of the NFL Scouting Combine, you’ll set off a domino effect where teams will fall over themselves to acquire you in the first round of the draft. Xavier Worthy’s slight frame is not a knock. Defenders can’t jam what they can’t touch. He ran a 4.21 for crying out loud. His play speed is there, along with a nice route-running repertoire. Fast WRs aren’t usually this good at football.
Dynasty Rookie Mock Drafts
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Two Rounds (10-Team, 1QB)
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Two Rounds (12-Team, 1QB)
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Superflex, 5-Round
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: 10-Team, Superflex
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: 12-Team, Superflex
Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice
- 2024 Dynasty Superflex Rookie Draft Rankings: Fitz’s Top 40 Pick
- Erickson’s Top Dynasty Rookie Wide Receivers
- Erickson’s Top Dynasty Rookie Running Backs
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Rankings & Tiers: Wide Receivers
- How to Prepare for Your Dynasty Rookie Draft: Feb |
- 3 Overvalued Dynasty Rookie Draft Picks to Avoid
- 3 Undervalued Dynasty Rookie Draft Picks to Target
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