Which NFL Draft prospects will show off at the Combine? Revisiting Bruce Feldman’s

With the NFL Scouting Combine kicking off this week, a jaw-dropping show is expected in Indianapolis. The combine also serves as a great window to look back at our annual Freaks List of college studs.

In recent years, some under-the-radar players from the list have lit up the combine. UTSA corner Tariq Woolen (No. 6 on the 2021 Freaks List) ran a 4.26 40-yard dash and recorded a vertical jump of 42 inches after measuring in at over 6-4 and 205 pounds. Woolen would make the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

Last year, Michigan cornerback DJ Turner (No. 31 on the 2022 Freaks List), who I reported had posted a 4.28-second 40 out of a two-point stance, clocked a 4.26 at the combine. Pitt defensive tackle Calijah Kancey became a top-20 pick after exceeding his Freaks List 40 of 4.69 seconds by going 4.67.

Northwestern defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore (No. 30 on the Freaks List) measured in at 282 pounds in Indy and ran a 4.49 40, had a vertical jump of 37 1/2 inches and went 10 feet, 5 inches in the broad jump. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson (No. 50 on the Freaks List) wowed scouts with 4.43 speed and a 40-inch vertical to go with a rocket arm that helped him become the fourth pick of the draft.

Louisville edge rusher YaYa Diaby (No. 85 on the Freaks List) exceeded his numbers with a vertical jump of 37 inches, a broad jump of 10 feet and a 40 of 4.51. The 6-3, 275-pounder went in the third round to Tampa Bay and had a big impact, producing 7.5 sacks as a rookie.

Though there is an impressive crop of talent primed for the combine, a few Freaks to remember will not be there but are expected to put up dazzling numbers at their pro days. FAU wideout Je’Quan Burton, a two-time Freaks List honoree, has recorded 11-5 in the broad jump and over 46 inches in the vertical jump. Miami’s Tyler Harrell as a wide receiver for Louisville earlier in his career consistently hit 24 MPH on the GPS. Then-Louisville coach Scott Satterfield said he was the fastest player he’s ever timed and had him on his stop watch at 4.19 in the 40 and 4.24 on the laser.

I’ve also heard that LSU star Malik Nabers may not work out. He would have been in the top 20 of this list. Same for Iowa DB Cooper DeJean, who is still coming off of a season-ending leg injury and won’t test till his pro day. DeJean’s trainer told The Athletic last summer that he “has the capability of breaking 4.3 (in the 40) at 210 pounds.”

Here are the 40 players The Athletic is most interested to see test and time in Indianapolis. As will be evident, the collection of wideouts in this draft class stands out.

GO DEEPER

College football Freaks List 2023: Bruce Feldman’s rankings with a true freshman at No.1

The Nittany Lions produce a ton of players who star in Indy. I think Robinson, a 6-3, 254-pound junior, will be the next. In 10 games in 2023, he had 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. There’s been some skepticism in draft chatter about whether Robinson actually merits first-round consideration. In draft analyst circles, Robinson has become polarizing. The Athletic recently had him going No. 35 to the Cardinals, down from No. 14 in an August mock draft. Robinson is ranked No. 26 on Dane Brugler’s big board.

At Penn State, he measured in bigger than current Cowboys star Micah Parsons, and the coaches there thought he was perhaps just as fast, although matching Parsons’ 4.39 40 in Indy will be a big challenge. Robinson clocked a 4.47 last year, but he actually ran a quicker shuttle, 4.22 to Parsons’ 4.40. He also has a broad jump of 10-7 and bench press of 400 pounds. One source who has seen him in training this month predicted that Robinson “is going to go off at the combine” and will put up “absurd” numbers.

A dominant DB in the MAC, he once had four interceptions and two pick sixes in one game. He’s a solid 6-0, 195 pounds and bench pressed 225 pounds 21 times last offseason. He also had a top speed of 23.58 MPH on the GPS last summer. Last spring, he ran in the 4.3s twice in the 40 for NFL scouts. I expect him to run in the mid-4.3s in Indy and excel in everything he does there. Mitchell is a big-time talent.

He doesn’t have the heft of teammate T’Vondre Sweat, but the 6-1, 308-pounder is more disruptive and caused more problems for rival coaches. Murphy is super strong and explosive. I’m hearing there’s a decent chance he can run the 40 in the 4.8s.

4. Payton Wilson, LB, NC State

He is one of the best players in the draft. A former standout lacrosse player and state champion wrestler, the 6-4, 235-pounder won the Butkus and Bednarik awards in 2023. At NC State, Wilson had been clocked in the 40 at 4.49 and ran a 4.21 in the pro agility shuttle last offseason. He bench pressed 390, vertical jumped 35 1/2 inches and broad jumped 9-8 1/2. Don’t be surprised if he tops a lot of those numbers at the combine.

Payton Wilson (11) is one of the top prospects this year. (Rob Kinnan / USA Today)

The son of a Pro Football Hall of Fame…