RADIO
The NFL Scouting Combine has concluded. While most of our energy was spent admiring jaw-dropping prospects with fast 40-yard dash times or an otherworldly number of bench press reps, we must also keep an eye on some members of the draft class who underperformed.
We must analyze these prospects while remembering that the Scouting Combine isn't an end-all, be-all. Puka Nacua, Bucky Irving, and Kyren Williams are among the many recent examples of players who underwhelmed in Indianapolis but have already achieved stardom in the NFL. Nevertheless, it's worth keeping stock of individual performances and adjusting our fantasy football draft boards accordingly.
Here are several players who might have seen a dip in their dynasty ADP and could also fall down teams' draft boards in April. This article intends to remain conscious of the current market, identify players we shouldn't reach for, and potentially spot focus on a few players who are now steals after their stocks dropped too far.
NFL Combine Losers
Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
With no clear favorite for the QB3 in this year's draft, Ohio State signal-caller Will Howard had the chance to boost his stock last week. The 23-year-old was already trending up after winning the national championship, and a strong performance in Indianapolis could have cemented him as the best quarterback prospect not named Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward.
Instead, Howard went viral for a horrible showing in the passing drills. He repeatedly missed his receivers, mixing underthrows and overthrows while occasionally leading the pass-catchers in the wrong direction.
One bad day doesn't define Howard as a player, and it's possible he couldn't overcome the nerves associated with throwing in front of NFL decision-makers. Still, last week's showing creates questions about how much development Howard will need before taking on NFL defenses.
Perfect at the combine? pic.twitter.com/20Ou5e27Im
— Depressed New York Fan (@JudgeEnjoyer) March 2, 2025
Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon
At 5-foot-9 and 154 pounds, many critics expected Johnson to showcase his speed in the 40-yard dash. The belief was that he could use his quickness to make up for a severely undersized frame.
Instead, Johnson was clocked at 4.54 seconds, the slowest time for a receiver under 170 pounds since 2003. Setting a new record low for a 20-plus-year period is not ideal, and it could hurt Johnson's draft stock.
With that said, fans and media members familiar with Johnson's game were quick to defend him, noting that he appears to play a lot faster than his 40-yard dash time indicates.
Tez Johnson's play speed is better than today's 4.51.
I saw him play once in person this season. Nobody caught him.pic.twitter.com/ZtamTyv8i4
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) March 1, 2025
Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
Bond planted his flag during an interview with the media, proclaiming that he would set a new 40-yard dash record by beating fellow Texas receiver Xavier Worthy's time from a year earlier. Bond promised that he would break the record "for sure," and he even suggested that he might run a sub-4.20.
In the end, Bond was clocked at 4.39 seconds. Not only did he fail to break the record and fail to beat Worthy, but he ran slower than current teammate Matthew Golden, too. Bond was only the ninth-fastest receiver at this year's Scouting Combine.
Speed (and a lack thereof) doesn't mean everything. Just ask John Ross. Still, given that Bond's quickness is such an important component of his game, it's fair to wonder just how far he'll slide down draft boards after his performance in Indianapolis.
Texas WR Isaiah Bond runs a 4.40u on his second try 🤘
📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/5oGy4Gishl— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2025
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Sanders chose not to work out at the Scouting Combine. This is not a completely rare decision, especially for top-tier prospects like Sanders, but it certainly creates some discussion nonetheless.
However, Sanders' decision to skip workouts is not what's hurting him right now. Instead, he has started to lose some allure due to new rumors about his attitude. NBC Sports' Matthew Berry spoke to executives from two different teams who said their meetings with Sanders were "bad ... and that he came off as unprofessional and disinterested."
Sanders may be trying to manipulate his landing spot by having worse meetings with teams for which he doesn't want to play. Maybe Berry's reporting is inaccurate or he's being fed info to create a smokescreen. However, it's also possible that real concerns exist about his character.
Most worrisome of all is a tidbit from Berry that reads, "A few folks said to me it was a much closer discussion about Sanders vs. Jaxson Dart than Sanders vs. Ward." If Sanders ends up being the third quarterback off the board, fantasy managers will start to panic.
Re: Shedeur Sanders: Yes, some ppl think he’s brash. But most of the feedback I’ve gotten from NFL coaches/scouts/execs (in Indy and in the days since) has been positive. https://t.co/4eG4CfA7ul
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) March 5, 2025
Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Carter had already decided to skip workouts at the Scouting Combine, and then he was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his foot. The injury was serious enough that Carter and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, floated the idea of surgery, but ESPN's Adam Schefter has since reported that the star defender won't need an operation.
Still, any sort of injury is an issue, especially for a player who could cost teams a top-5 selection in the draft. That's a heavy investment for a player who has medical concerns, even if his agent downplayed them.
With all this said, Carter is expected to work out at Penn State's pro day on March 28. If he performs well at the pro day and doesn't show any lingering injury concerns, we can put this behind us and resume referring to Carter as a potential No. 1 pick.
Doctors told Penn St. DE and projected No. 1 pick Abdul Carter that, after further scans on his right foot, surgery is not advisable. Carter will work out at his March 28 pro day at Penn State.
“I couldn’t be more confident that this will be a non-factor where he’s drafted,”… pic.twitter.com/pHTkIzDcWM
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 27, 2025
Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama
Testing at the Scouting Combine revealed some potential flaws in Booker's athletic makeup, including subpar strength, speed, athleticism, and explosiveness.
Booker was among the worst members of his position group in terms of 40-yard dash time (second to last), 10-yard split (last), vertical jump (second to last), broad jump (last), three-cone drill (last), and short shuttle (third to last).
Media and fans rave about Booker's performance at Alabama and what he has shown on film, so there is still a clear path to him becoming a quality NFL starter. However, his Scouting Combine results suggest that he faces an uphill battle.
Tyler Booker is a certified sicko for this quote
"The thing I love most about football is taking the love away from other people."
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) March 1, 2025
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
More Fantasy Football Analysis
