NFL Scouting Combine risers and fallers: 10 prospects whose stocks soared, plummeted in Indianapolis

The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine is officially over, and several players made lasting impressions at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, with some even rewriting the record books. 

Before turning our attention to the next phase of the pre-draft process, here are 10 players whose stocks either raised or dropped this past week. 

Risers

Texas WR Xavier Worthy 

Fellow Texas wideout Adonai Mitchell may have solidified himself as a Day 1 pick with his combine performance, but Worthy undoubtedly stole the show in Indy. In addition to setting the NFL Scouting Combine record with his 4.21-second 40-yard dash, Worthy ranked fourth among wide receivers in the vertical jump (41 inches) and fifth in the broad jump (10-foot-11). As a result of Worthy's record-breaking day, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the former Longhorn could be the fourth wide receiver to come off the board in April. 

Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy 

Although the national championship-winning quarterback didn't light up the throwing drills at the combine, his stock has continued to soar thanks to his impressive intangibles and better-than-expected frame (6-foot-2, 219 pounds). There were rumblings that McCarthy could be a top-10 pick with a solid combine performance, and now there are some league personnel members who feel he will be selected inside the top five, according to ESPN's Louis Riddick. If UNC's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels underwhelm at their respective Pro Days, it'll be intriguing to see whether McCarthy will be a contender for the QB3 ranking as the pre-draft process progresses.

Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright

Despite not being considered a consensus top-five running back by ESPN's NFL Draft analysts, it's hard to imagine Wright not being one of the first three players at his position selected in the draft. The 5-foot-10, 210-pounder posted the second-longest broad jump ever recorded by a running back in combine history (11-foot-2) and the second-fastest 40-yard dash time among the 2024 RB class (4.38 seconds). A true home run hitter, Wright could prove to be this year's De'Von Achane. 

Florida State DT Braden Fiske

Fiske was arguably the biggest standout of the first day of on-field drills at the combine, and he caught everyone's attention when he shouted, "Oh yeah" after his impressive 4.78-second 40-yard dash. Per Kent Lee Platte's Relative Athletic Score, Fiske scored a 9.92 out of a possible 10, ranking as the 14th-best score out of 1620 defensive tackle prospects since 1987. While the Western Michigan transfer will need to add weight at the next level, he should be a lock to be a Day 2 selection in this year’s draft. 

Wisconsin center Tanor Bortolini

Bortolini, Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN's No. 5 center in this year's class, should have elevated his stock from a late-round pick to a potential Day 2 selection after testing off the charts on Sunday. Aside from running the second-fastest 40-yard dash among offensive linemen (4.94 seconds), Bortolini finished first in the 20-yard shuttle (4.28 seconds) and the three-cone drill (7.16 seconds). Bortolini's three-cone time was the fastest recorded by a center in NFL Scouting Combine history, breaking the record previously owned by Jason Kelce. 

Fallers

Washington edge-rusher Bralen Trice

Once thought to be a potential first-rounder, it's possible Trice may not hear his name called until the third round in April. Trice's on-field drills left much to be desired, and he only ran a 4.72-second 40-yard dash, the 16th-fastest time among edge-rushers. What is by far the most concerning takeaway from Trice's combine results was that he weighed in at just 245 pounds after being listed at 274 pounds during his final season with the Huskies. 

Oregon WR Troy Franklin 

With so many impressive performances at the combine by this year's loaded wide receiver class, Franklin had little room for error to remain in the running to be a first-round pick. Unfortunately, Franklin’s measurements raised some eyebrows, and he struggled mightily during the on-field drills, most notably his attempt at running the gauntlet, which has since gone viral. In all likelihood, Franklin won't be one of the top five receivers selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he must deliver a stellar showing at his Pro Day to salvage his declining stock. 

Miami safety Kamren Kitchens 

After arriving in Indianapolis in discussion as the top safety in the draft, Kitchens didn't do much to establish his status as such. Not only was Kitchens' 4.65-second 40-yard dash time tied for the worst among defensive backs at the combine, but he wasn't the smoothest runner during on-field drills. Additionally, Kitchens scored an unofficial 2.11 Relative Athletic Score out of 10, which ranked 771 among 976 free safety prospects since 1987. 

Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. 

The 23rd-ranked player on NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah's pre-combine big board, Rakestraw likely undermined his chances of being a first-round pick during his short-lived outing at the combine. The Missouri product participated in just two drills before pulling out of testing with a groin injury, an issue that forced him to miss multiple games in 2023. Rakestraw ran the 40-yard dash in 4.51 seconds, which ranked 23rd out of 29 cornerbacks, and posted the third-worst broad jump at the position. 

Notre Dame RB Audric Estime 

The NFL Scouting Combine isn't the best environment for a bruising back like Estime to showcase his abilities, but he didn't do himself any favors with his lackluster performance. Estime's 4.71-second 40-yard dash was the slowest recorded by any running back at the combine, and he looked rather stiff during agility drills. In the right situation, Estime can still be a productive NFL player, though he will likely be a Day 3 selection instead of the third-round pick some believed he could've been.