This past week, the 2025 NFL Combine occurred in Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts. 

The NFL Combine is a four-day event at which draft-eligible prospects are invited to show off their physical skills, such as speed, agility, strength, etc. 

Before we get into those who improved, remember a great combine doesn’t determine how good a player is, and the draft projections are my own.  

Riser: South Carolina Saftey Nick Emmanwori 

Projected mid 3rd round pick rising to mid 1st round pick. 

No one has benefited more from the combination than Nick Emmanwori. The 6′ 3″ 220 lb former linebacker ran a 4.38 second 40-yard dash with a 1.49 second 10-yard split. Nick also had a 43″ vertical jump along with 11′ 6″ broad jump. Emmanwori was the biggest riser at this year’s combine. He is a freak athlete with a 10.00 Relative Athletic Score.

Riser: Ole Miss Quarterback Jaxson Dart

Late 2nd round pick to Mid 1st round pick

The consensus quarterback three spot was a massive conversation for many weeks due to this year’s weak QB class. Now that the combine has passed, that spot has gone to Jaxson Dart, as Dart seemed to look the best out of all those who threw in Indy. I expect him to go in the first round because his age, production, and quarterback position are the most valuable in all sports. There is a possibility that Dart will jump on Shedeur Sanders if rumors of him bombing his draft interviews are true.  

Riser: Ohio State Running Back Quinshon Judkins

 Late 2nd round pick to late 1st round pick 

Running backs are on the rise, especially after the years Saquon Barkley and Ashton Jeanty had. I believe Quinshon Judkins has moved up to the first round after his combined numbers, measuring in at 6’0″ and 221 lbs. With these numbers, you would probably expect him to run a 4.54 40-yard dash; however, Judkins ran a 4.48 40-yard dash (.05 seconds slower than his teammate TreVeyon Henderson, who’s 19 lbs lighter) with a 1.51 10-yard split. Judkins also had an 11″ 0 broad jump.