Joel Klatt’s winners and takeaways from the 2024 NFL Draft Combine

Joel Klatt

College Football Analyst

The NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone, serving as an important benchmark in the draft process as we saw many exciting things happen over the weekend.

Like many, I used to think that the combine was a made-for-TV event that many NFL talent evaluators didn’t care for, outside of the interviews. But my opinion on the importance of the NFL Combine has evolved in recent years.

When you evaluate these prospects, the vast majority of them aren’t separated by much. This year isn’t different as I believe there are many good players in what I find to be a deep draft. It’s especially deep at quarterback, wide receiver and along the offensive line. 

The combine serves as a chance to break some ties teams might have in their evaluations of players. Sure, running a really fast 40-yard dash might not win you a ring. But it can help you separate from the other prospects at your position, which in turn, can help you get drafted higher. That means more money on your rookie contract, and if you’re a first-round pick, that means millions of more dollars.

Now, several of the top prospects sat out of the drills at the combine. But Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr. and others had no upside of performing well at the combine. Williams could’ve aced all of the passing drills, but he can’t improve his stock as the likely No. 1 pick in the draft. Harrison could’ve run the fastest 40-yard dash of all time, but he was already viewed as the best receiver and non-quarterback prospect in this draft.

Which players improved their draft stock the most at the NFL Combine?

For nearly everyone else though, they had something to prove this weekend in Indianapolis as they looked to help settle ties. Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels, who are projected to be top-three picks in the draft, didn’t throw over the weekend. But all of the other quarterbacks did, and a few helped themselves in the process.

So, let’s…


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Publish date : 2024-03-05 20:25:49

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