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2023 NFL Scouting Combine

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NFL.com's prospects whose stock rose at Combine

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It's been an eventful week as over 300 of the top draft prospects from across the country, along with representatives from all 32 teams, ascended to Indianapolis for the 2023 NFL Combine.

While some players chose not to participate in all of the athleticism tests, many did take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium and impressed scouts with their performances.

From several players breaking the Combine record at their respective position in the 40-yard dash, to others wowing with their explosiveness in the broad and vertical jumps, it really was an eye-opening week.

NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter released his list of players whose draft stock rose due to their performance at the Combine.

Here are Reuter's top performers from Indy.

Day 4 - OL/RB

Chase Brown, RB, Illinois

"Chase Brown ran even faster than his brother, Sydney, a safety prospect who did quite well on Friday night with the combine defensive back group. Chase's 4.43-second 40-yard dash exceeded my expectations. He led all combine running backs with his 40-inch vertical and 10-foot-7 broad jump. Brown was solid during on-field drills, making cuts and catching passes with more fluidity than some of his fellow combine RBs. He's not going to break a lot of ankles in the NFL but I believe he displayed the speed and just enough shiftiness to be picked on Day 2 of the draft."

Blake Freeland, OT, BYU

"Freeland is still filling out his 6-7 7/8, 302-pound frame. He literally jumped into the spotlight by recording a 37-inch vertical jump, the best mark for a combine offensive lineman since at least 2003. He also posted a 10-foot broad jump, ran a 4.98-second 40 with an excellent 1.68-second 10-yard split and recorded a nice 7.46-second three-cone time. Freeland's work in on-field drills was a bit uneven, with his agility shining through at times but his narrow base causing issues when he was asked to cover ground in pass protection drills. He does not look like a top-50 pick to me, but the athleticism he showed off on Sunday should land him a spot later on Day 2 of the draft."

Jon Gaines II, G, UCLA

"Gaines' athleticism stood out during his Bruins career, mostly from the right guard spot but he took snaps at the four other positions on the offensive line, too. The 6-foot-4 lineman has good length for the guard position (33 5/8-inch arm). His 1.73-second 10-yard split, 5.01-second 40, 32 1/2-inch vertical and 9-foot-6 broad jump at 303 pounds matched up with what he showed on film. Gaines led all of this year's combine offensive linemen with a 7.31-second three-cone drill and 4.45-second 20-yard shuttle. He moved as fluidly as any lineman, with a low center of gravity that should entice NFL O-line coaches looking for interior blockers."

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

"Gibbs weighed in at 199 pounds, which is satisfactory for the type of rushing/receiving role he's projected to play in the NFL. His 4.36-second 40 confirmed his straight-line speed, and his fluid movement during position drills was impressive. Gibbs caught nearly every pass thrown his way, showing the flexibility and footwork to quickly turn upfield. He couldn't quite bring in one deep throw but got another chance and took advantage. I believe he completed the task of locking up the RB2 spot in this year's draft, behind Texas' Bijan Robinson."

Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

"Jones surprised on Sunday by measuring 6-foot-5 3/8 despite being listed at 6-4 on the Georgia football website. He weighed in at 311 pounds, ran the fastest 40-yard dash among this year's combine offensive linemen (4.97 seconds) and posted solid results in the jumps (30 inches in the vertical, 9-foot broad jump). Also, he met NFL left tackle standards with his other measurements (34 3/4-inch arm, 10 5/8-inch hand, 82 3/4-inch wingspan). On the field, he popped out of a three-point stance and showed plenty of mobility. Teams should like his combine performance and the nasty attitude he displayed playing left tackle for the reigning national champions."

View photos from the Giants' suite in Indianapolis, where the team is gathered to evaluate the top draft prospects.

Day 3 - WR/TE/QB

Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

"Flowers is not a big receiver at 5-foot-9 1/4, 182 pounds, but his 9 1/4-inch hands seemed larger and his 29 1/4-inch arms seemed longer when he was on the field Saturday. He nabbed passes high and low on out routes and brought in deep balls over his shoulder. He checked the box for speed with a 4.42-second 40-yard dash. He didn't quite show the same explosiveness in his jumps (35 1/2-inch vertical, 10-foot-7 broad jump). Scouts saw how he propelled Boston College's offense last season with excellent body control and quickness after the catch, and Saturday's performance should bolster his first-round credentials."

Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton

"Iosivas has a track background, so it wasn't a surprise that he excelled in athleticism tests. His 4.43-second 40-yard dash at 205 pounds confirmed his speed, as did his 39-inch vertical and 10-foot-8 broad jump. His movement during drills was quite smooth for a 6-foot-3 receiver, whether he was running speed-outs or go routes. He was late getting his hands in proper position a few times, but he was still able to cradle the ball behind him to secure the catch."

Zach Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion

"Kuntz transferred from Penn State to Old Dominion prior to the 2021 season, catching 85 passes in a season and a half for the Monarchs before missing the second half of the 2022 season due to injury. Fully healthy on the Lucas Oil Stadium field Saturday, the 6-7 3/8, 255-pound Kuntz jumped 40 inches in the vertical, 10-foot-8 in the broad jump and then ran a 4.55-second 40-yard dash. He was agile moving around cones during drills, flashed a late burst to the ball downfield and showed the ability to grab passes thrown wide and high. Kuntz let some passes into his chest in the gauntlet drill, but his overall agility and smooth movement truly impressed."

Marvin Mims Jr., WR, Oklahoma

"Mims exceeded my expectations with his measurements (5-foot-10 7/8, 183) and still put up an excellent 40 time (4.38 seconds). He impressed with a 39 1/2-inch vertical and 10-foot-9 broad jump, as well. He seemed to fly a bit under the radar nationally despite playing at Oklahoma, but everyone saw him excel in drills. Mims caught every pass thrown his way. His body control was outstanding and he was one of the few receivers able to make a hairpin turn on comeback routes. Time to watch his stock rise."

Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

"Richardson was electric inside Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday. He ran a 4.43 40-yard dash weighing 244 pounds, the fourth-best time by a combine QB since 2003. Also, he jumped like an elite receiver (40 1/2-inch vertical, 10-foot-9 broad jump). The vertical mark was a record for a combine QB since '03. He quickly shifted his focus to the throwing drills after his 40 run. Richardson threw from a strong base and displayed easy velocity. The ball jumped out of his hand, whether he was firing 65-yard throws or 12-yard outs. The arc on his deep throws was majestic. His placement on outs and fades was not perfect, which matches his film, but Richardson put his alpha ability on display during the workout."

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

"Smith-Njigba appeared in just three games last season because of a nagging hamstring injury. He did not run the 40-yard dash at the combine, and frankly, I don't anticipate his 40 time affecting my evaluation of him. Smith-Njigba was the smoothest receiver on the field Saturday, moving quickly and efficiently. He easily pulled in passes thrown over his head despite lacking great length (30 1/2-inch arms). The quickness he showed during his collegiate career was apparent in his elite short shuttle (3.93 seconds) and three-cone (6.57 seconds) results. I rate Smith-Njigba as the draft's top wide receiver, and I believe he showed NFL evaluators he's deserving of that title."

View photos from the NFL Combine as prospects take the field for on-field drills.

Day 2 - CB/S

Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

"It was expected that the ever-athletic Banks would put on a show at the combine, and he did not disappoint. His 4.35-second 40-yard dash, 42-inch vertical and 11-foot-4 broad were impressive, with him checking in at 197 pounds. The former Terp handled the transition drills adeptly despite his thick build and he caught nearly everything thrown his way, including high-pointing passes downfield when given the chance. Banks' length is not elite -- 31 3/8-inch arms and 77 1/8-inch wingspan -- but he projects as a top 50 pick."

Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

"Measuring 6-1 3/8, 197 pounds, Gonzalez confirmed his plus athleticism with a 4.38 40, a 41 1/2-inch vertical and 11-foot-1 broad jump. His length is average (32-inch arms), but his smooth movement during position drills separated him from the pack. Gonzalez snatched passes from the air, backpedaled efficiently and went through every drill without an issue. Aside from one stumble in transition and one early drop, everything just seemed easy for one of the top cornerbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft."

Brandon Hill, S, Pittsburgh

"Hill planted his flag in Indianapolis as a likely Day 2 pick with an outstanding 4.43 40 (1.5-second 10-yard split). The 5-10, 193-pound safety's jumps were not off the charts (35 1/2-inch vertical, 10-foot-3 broad jump), but his on-field work stood out. The former Pitt star made multiple impressive catches, high-pointing deep throws and extending far outside his frame to grab passes headed for the sideline. While he won't be confused for a corner due to his tight hips, Hill moved well enough in the open field to show teams he can be effective covering ground in zone coverage."

Jartavius Martin, S, Illinois

"I went with Martin here, but I could have easily gone with his Illinois teammate, Sydney Brown, who posted a 4.47 40, 40 1/2-inch vertical and 10-foot-10 broad at 5-10 3/4 and 211 pounds. Martin had an impressive day, clearing 44 inches in the vertical jump and 11-foot-1 in the broad jump, and running a 4.46 40 with a scalding 1.47 10-yard split. The versatile defender showed that athleticism during drills, as well, displaying straight-line explosiveness and a strong backpedal. His hips and transitions were among the best in the safety group, and he proved why Illinois trusted him at corner, safety and nickel during his career."

DJ Turner, CB, Michigan

"Turner flew Friday inside Lucas Oil Stadium, clocking a 4.26 40 -- the fastest time through two days of the combine -- with an excellent 1.47 10-yard split. The 5-foot-11 corner only weighed in at 178 pounds, but his time is outstanding, regardless of weight. His jumps further illustrated that explosive speed (38 1/2-inch vertical, 10-foot-11 broad jump). He did not take part in on-field drills, but teams should be well aware of his movement skills from watching his tape."

View photos from Giants Media Day as GM Joe Schoen spoke to the media from the NFL Combine.

Day 1 - DL/LB

Adetomiwa Adebawore, DE, Northwestern

"Adebawore looked very athletic for a 282-pound lineman, running a 4.49-second 40-yard dash and registering a 37.5-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-5-inch broad jump. Adebawore's quick feet were on display during the on-field drills, as he hopped over and around bags like a stand-up edge rusher and worked hard dropping into space in linebacker drills. Though he measures under 6-foot-2, the former Wildcat has good length (33 7/8-inch arm)."

Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa

"Unheralded as a great athlete coming into this event, the 6-4 5/8, 249-pounder jumped 37 1/2 inches in the vertical and 10-7 in the broad jump while posting a 1.59-second 10-yard split. Campbell was as fluid and quick as any larger 'backer who took the field Thursday, which showed in a 6.74-second three-cone effort. Teams will likely project him as an immediate starter at the next level when they consider these results along with the instincts and toughness Campbell showed on tape during his Iowa career."

Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh

"Kancey was listed at 6-foot on the Pittsburgh Panthers' website, but he measured 6-1, 281 in Indianapolis. His arm length measured 30 5/8 inches. That's not typical for a defensive tackle, but it is a win. His 4.67 40 time was exactly what he needed, recording the fastest time for a defensive tackle at the event since 2003, per Next Gen Stats. It bested Aaron Donald's time of 4.68 in 2014. Kancey came up short of Donald's arm measurement (30 5/8 versus 32 5/8) and did not participate in on-field drills, but his film clearly shows his short-area quickness and ability to stand up and swim past defenders off the snap."

Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia

"Smith was unable to finish his final season with the Bulldogs because of a pec injury, but he certainly showed out Thursday in Indianapolis. The 6-2 edge rusher is relatively slight at 238 pounds and has less than ideal arm length (32 5/8 inches), but his blazing 4.39 40 (1.52-second 10-yard split), 41.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-8 broad jump opened some eyes. Smith did not participate in the field drills, but he had already done more than enough to help himself."

Byron Young, EDGE, Tennessee

"Young flashed as a pass rush star for the Volunteers in their 11-2 campaign last fall and may have secured a Day 2 selection with his performance in Indianapolis. He looked the part of a promising edge player with a 38-inch vertical, 11-foot broad jump and blistering 4.43 40. Young showed his agility in the open field, and his rock-solid upper body and heavy hands made the upright bags pop in drills."

NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah updated his ranking of the top 50 prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft.

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