This past weekend, the Underwear Olympics (aka the NFL Scouting Combine) took place in Indianapolis, allowing some of the top college prospects from around the country to shine in front of NFL brass.
Casual fans may be dismissive of the event, thinking it doesn’t fully capture what the players have put on tape, but NFL executives use this time to conduct interviews and make subtle changes in their draft board, allowing movement from key performances (or duds).
Though some of the top talent passed on performing individual drills in favor of their collegiate Pro Days instead, several players took this opportunity to shine and perhaps bumped their stock up from a Day 3 selection to Day 2, or vice versa.
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2025 NFL Combine Winners & Losers
The 2025 draft class is highlighted by outstanding depth along the defensive line and running back, but each position revealed a few gems (or lumps of coal) this past weekend. Here are my thoughts on some of the players that made the most of their spotlight, and others that failed to seize the moment.
Derek Brown and Andrew Erickson were live on location for the combine and shared their biggest draft risers and fallers at quarterback, running back wide receiver and tight end.
NFL Combine Winners: Quarterbacks
With Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders only conducting interviews and not participating in on-field drills, Jaxson Dart became the top quarterback prospect to step onto the field and exhibit his strengths to scouts.
During the passing drills, Dart continually peppered wide receivers with well-placed balls on intermediate and deep throws, including several outstanding go-route balls. The former top recruit in the country had impressive timing and anticipation and got the ball out quickly when asked to.
Even though he was unfamiliar with the receivers he was throwing to, Dart adjusted on the fly nicely. He has a solid chance to be drafted as a late first-round selection.
Tyler Shough (QB – Louisville)
Tyler Shough was off my radar entering the combine, with most analysts and pundits projecting him as a Day 3 selection, due in part to his advanced age (he turns 26 this year) and mediocre measurables.
Shough was among the few quarterbacks who participated in the 40-yard dash, and his 4.63 time raised an eyebrow. Following a decent broad and vertical jump, Shough showed a live arm when throwing to receivers, and consistently hit spots with accuracy and authority.
Shough has plenty of arm strength to make any throw requested of him, but I pause to overhype him too much when viewing his lengthy injury history at Texas Tech. He is ideal in size (6-foot-5, 220 pounds) and has plenty of arm talent, but a team will need to groom him to rise from a backup to a fringe starter.
NFL Combine Losers: Quarterbacks
Viewers immediately knew when Will Howard took the field on Saturday afternoon, as a bevy of traveling Buckeye fans cheered loudly with every throw he made (much to the chagrin of host and Michigan fan Rich Eisen). Howard performed well on shorter throws but struggled to connect with receivers down the field, especially on dig and comeback routes where timing and anticipation are paramount.
Ranked outside the top five at the position by most draft analysts, Howard didn’t do himself many favors on a day where he had the opportunity to seize the spotlight. His tape from Ohio State exhibited plenty of leadership traits and a knack for extending plays. Hopefully, that keeps him within the Day 2 discussion as a backup option with upside.
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