We’re through another big checkpoint in the 2025 NFL draft process — the combine. More than 300 prospects went through on-field position drills, ran their 40-yard dashes, underwent medical testing and/or interviewed with team personnel in Indianapolis.
Though nine of my top 10 players in the class didn’t work out, plenty of players improved their stock over the past week and exceeded expectations. Who is set to jump up the board the most? I picked out a few players who are rising after the events in Indy.
I split these risers up into two sections. First, I highlighted six players who were in my most recent mock draft and could be inching even higher up the board. Second, I went through 12 players who were outside Round 1 (and in most cases still are) but made themselves some money this past week with big performances. One important note: This is just about what happened on the field. I’m going to talk to sources across the league over the next few weeks to find out about red flags and about who excelled during the team interview portion of the combine. Here are my draft risers from the combine workouts.
I mentioned heading into the combine that there are some people in the NFL who group Hampton together with Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty at the top of the running back class. The gap between the two might not be as big as everyone thought, and Hampton earned himself a nice little bump after his workout Saturday (Jeanty didn’t work out). He ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, which is a great time for a big back. We also saw solid explosion with his 38-inch vertical and 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump. He displayed the traits and production all season — Hampton ran for 1,660 yards — and the testing confirmed what was on the tape.
I projected Hampton at No. 12 to the Cowboys in my Feb. 25Â mock draft. And while that might be toward the top of his draft range, he sure seems likely to go in that No. 12 to No. 22 range after his performance in Indianapolis. I could see him fitting with the Broncos at No. 20, for instance.
