Georgia RB Kenny McIntosh had respectable performances as a pass-catcher in drills at the NFL Combine on Sunday. Unfortunately, the 6’0, 204-pounder logged a disappointing 40-yard time (4.62) that ranks 3rd-lowest among RBs. This showing in Indianapolis may push McIntosh into Day 3 conversation in the NFL Draft next month. Certainly not the effort the former Bulldog was hoping for.
Ole Miss RB Zach Evans (hamstring) didn’t participate in any drills at the NFL Combine on Sunday. We did confirm his measurements at 5’11 and 202 pounds, though we won’t see the former TCU transfer run drills until the Rebels' pro day scheduled for March 29th in Oxford, Mississippi. A quality pro day performance could see the former top high school recruit work his way into Day 2 draft capital. Check back on Evans as the month unfolds.
Texas A&M RB Devon Achane ran the fastest 40-yard dash time of all RBs at the NFL Combine. The former track athlete logged an official 4.32 time measuring at 5’8½ and 188 pounds. Given Achane’s smaller frame, this weight/speed combination is extremely encouraging. We’re potentially looking at a top-5 RB in this 2023 class with the right scheme fit for his all-purpose skill set. Achane’s performance today solidified the likelihood of receiving early Day 2 draft capital.
UCLA RB Zach Charbonnet looked sharp at the NFL Combine, weighing in at 6’0 and 214 pounds. Though his athleticism didn’t blow the doors off Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Charbonnet’s official 4.53 40-yard time and sound performances in most of the drills on Sunday reflect his profile of a well-rounded RB with a potential 3-down skill set. Look for Charbonnet’s name to be called at some point during Day 2 of the NFL Draft in April.
Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs measured in at 5’9, 199 pounds at the NFL Combine on Sunday. Though he’s slightly shorter than he was listed in college (5'11), the Crimson Tide product wowed in drills. Gibbs recorded the 2nd-fastest official 40-yard dash time (4.36) with a stellar 1.52-second 10-yard split. Sub-200-pound RBs may give fantasy managers some pause, but Gibbs’ speed and agility displayed in both running and pass-catching on Sunday shouldn’t impact his draft stock. We’re still looking at him as a top-2 back in this 2023 class.
As anticipated, Texas RB Bijan Robinson tested superbly well at the NFL Combine on Sunday. The Longhorn standout measured in at 5’11 and 215 pounds and put his smooth movement and burst on display in drills. The biggest takeaway from Robinson’s day is the fact that he logged a sub-4.5 second 40-yard time. His official 4.46 time ranks 6th among RBs, and his 1.52-second 10-yard split ranks tied-3rd with Texas teammate Roschon Johnson and Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs. Robinson is a smidge faster than expected, and his performance only solidifies his bonafide RB1 status in this 2023 class.
SMU WR Rashee Rice earned the fifth-highest Relative Athletic Score (RAS) among receivers at the NFL Scouting Combine. The 6'1, 204-pounder registered the position's second-highest vertical (41 inches) and a strong broad jump (10'8). His 4.51-second 40-yard dash was closer to decent for the position (63rd percentile), but Rice's 1.49-second 10-yard split rated elite. Rice posted huge numbers as a 2022 senior, catching 96 balls for 1,355 yards and 10 TDs. He broke out as a 20-year-old sophomore. Look for much more on Rice in his upcoming dynasty prospect profile.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Chiefs are “bracing to lose” WR Mecole Hardman in free agency. Hardman, who underwent groin surgery in February, appeared in only 8 games this past season. 30% of his fantasy production came in one game (Week 7, at San Francisco). According to Fowler, the Chiefs will “attempt” to re-sign WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. Even if the 26-year-old returns, we expect Kansas City to add WR talent this offseason.
TCU WR Quentin Johnston skipped the 40-yard dash and other drills at the NFL Scouting Combine. But he showed out in the broad jump and vertical. Johnston tied for second among receivers in the broad (11'2) and ranked third in the vertical (40.5 inches). He also measured in at 6'3 and 208 pounds. Johnston just might be battling Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jordan Addison for top position among WRs in the NFL Draft. His WR41 ADP on Underdog, however, finds him going more than a round behind JSN and three spots behind Addison in WR ADP. That all makes him an intriguing pick for best ball rosters right now. The right NFL landing spot could vault him well into WR3 territory in fantasy football drafts.
Buckeyes WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba declined to run the 40-yard dash Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine. He also tied for just 23rd at the position in the broad jump (10'5) and 27th in the vertical (35 inches). JSN did, however, lead all WRs with a 6.57-second three-cone drill. Frankly, we're not worried about this performance after the way he performed in a loaded Ohio State WR corps in 2021. Smith-Njigba also continued to look good in the on-field Combine workouts. We'll have much more on the likely NFL Draft first-round pick.
Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims Jr. had a good day Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine. His 4.38-second 40-yard dash ranked fifth among all wideouts. Mims also tied for fifth among 40 receivers in the vertical and checked in fourth at the position in the three-cone drill. Mims averaged a strong 19.5 yards per catch across three seasons with the Sooners. Look for much more on him and the rest of the WR class in our Dynasty Fantasy Football Value series.
LSU WR Kayshon Boutte ran a decent 4.5-second 40-yard dash Saturday at the NFL Scouting combine. He didn't have a great day otherwise, though. His 108-inch broach jump rated just 32nd percentile for the position, according to Pro Football Focus' Marcus Mosher. And Boutte's 29-inch vertical rate an even worse second percentile. It was a rough day, but Boutte is still a productive early draft entrant who broke out as a freshman in the SEC. Look for a full breakdown as our Dynasty Fantasy Football Value series gets rolling.
TE Luke Musgrave posted an elite Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.94 at the NFL Combine. At nearly 6’6 and 253 pounds, the Oregon State product turned heads with a 36.0” vertical, a 10’5” broad jump and a 4.61 forty-time. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport passed along more good news. Musgrave, who suffered a torn MCL early last season, received “full medical clearance” at the Combine. See where he stacks up among dynasty TEs.
TE Darnell Washington measured in at nearly 6’7 and 264 pounds at the NFL Combine. He recorded excellent marks in the broad jump (10 feet, 2 inches), short shuttle (4.08) and 40-yard dash (4.64). At his size, Washington is simply an athletic freak. While his production was lacking at Georgia, note that he played with the top TE in the nation (Brock Bowers). Expect Washington to come off the board as a top-50 pick.
TE Michael Mayer measured in at nearly 6’5 and 249 pounds at the NFL Combine. Mayer wasn’t a standout tester, posting a 4.70 forty and a 32.5” vertical. No major surprise there, though. Mayer is a contested catch specialist who exited Notre Dame with 180 catches across 3 seasons. He still projects as a day 1 NFL starter.
USC WR Jordan Addison pulled himself from position drills Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine because of a minor back strain. It's not expected to affect his readiness for the school's pro day. Before leaving, Addison posted a 4.49-second 40-yard dash and a 34-inch vertical jump. Neither mark proved especially impressive for the 5'11, 173-pound wideout. We'll see whether the testing numbers affect his NFL Draft outlook. And we'll have much more on the former Biletnikoff Award winner as we preview all the fantasy-relevant rookies over the next two months.
Nebraska WR Trey Palmer led all receivers at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash (officially). Palmer collected just 41 total receptions over his first three college seasons, playing at LSU. He also averaged a mere 11.2 yards per catch. Palmer then snared 71 receptions for 1,043 yards and 9 TDs after transferring to Nebraska for 2022. He also averaged a career-high 14.7 yards per catch, 3.2 ahead of his previous best. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein calls Palmer a "raw" route runner. But the athletic ability of a former five-star recruit clearly remains. We'll have much more on Palmer as part of our upcoming Dynasty Fantasy Football Value series on the entire rookie class.
Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, TE Dalton Kincaid didn’t participate in combine drills due to a “tiny” back fracture. The Utah product measured in at 6’4, 246 pounds — 6 pounds more than his college listing. A potential Round 1 pick, Kincaid said he hopes to participate in Utah’s March 23 Pro Day.
QB Will Levis measured in at 6’4, 229 pounds at the NFL Combine. He passed on running the 40-yard dash, citing a turf toe injury that popped up in October. On the field, Levis’ performance gave evaluators another chance to see his effortless arm strength. The Kentucky star remains a likely top-10 NFL pick.
QB C.J. Stroud measured in at 6’3, 214 pounds at the NFL Combine. With 10-inch hands (right on the mark for an NFL QB) and a throw velocity of 59 MPH (among the highest in this class), Stroud simply solidified his top-10 stock. He also showed impressive accuracy in the on-field drills. In fact, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah called Stroud’s performance “one of the best throwing sessions I’ve seen at the Combine.”
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