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.

coverage:
Recapping Days 1-4 of the combine
Kiper’s latest Round 1 mock draft
Kiper’s Big Board rankings

Jump to risers in:
Round 1 | Rounds 2-7

Six Round 1 players who made a statement

Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 221

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. 25 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.

Armand Membou, OT/G, Missouri

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 332

The race for OT1 is going to be tight. LSU’s Will Campbell has great movement traits, but he has 32½-inch arms, which are extremely short for a tackle. Ohio State’s Josh Simmons has standout tools, but he is coming off his knee injury. Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. is also in the mix; he measured at 6-foot-5, which will be key after scouts were wondering if he was too short to play outside.

But what about Membou? He showed his quickness Sunday with a 4.91-second 40 time. He showed his power with a 9-foot, 7-inch broad jump (tops among offensive linemen) and a 34-inch vertical (fourth). And we already know he has the experience that teams like to see, with 30 career starts. His 33½-inch arms mean he can stick at tackle in the pros. Though I projected him at No. 13 to the Dolphins in my mock last week, his combine showing means he will be getting top-10 buzz.

Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 235

Campbell went No. 19 to Tampa Bay in the mock draft, and that might be too late based on what we saw Thursday night. He might even battle Georgia’s Jalon Walker as the top off-ball linebacker in the class (depending on how teams view Walker’s position). Campbell posted big-time production in 2024 with 112 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 16 pressures and 12 run stops. And now he checked another box in his predraft process by standing out at his position at the combine.

Campbell’s 4.52 in the 40 ranked third among linebackers and came with a solid 1.53 10-second split. His 10-foot, 7-inch broad jump was also second at the position, and his 32½-inch arms bode well for his ability to wrap up ball carriers and make plays in coverage.

Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220

Everyone was talking about Emmanwori as a potential combine standout. He lived up to the hype in a big way. His 43-inch vertical and 11-foot, 6-inch broad jump ranked No. 1 among all players. His 4.38-second time in the 40 ranked second among safeties (though his 1.49-second 10-yard split was first). It was pure domination, and his outstanding explosion was on full display.

Toss in really good production in college (four picks in 2024), and he might end up being the first safety off the board. I had Georgia’s Malaki Starks (who ran a solid 4.50) over him at No. 14 to the Colts in the mock draft. Emmanwori was No. 27 to the Ravens. Those two might flip spots after this week.

Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 183

I have to include Hairston, who ran a scorching 4.28-second 40-yard dash. That was the fastest time from any player, regardless of position, at this combine. Hairston didn’t stop there, either. He jumped 39½ inches in the vertical and 10 feet, 9 inches in the broad — both top-three results at cornerback. We saw that speed and suddenness on the tape — along with really strong recognition skills — which allowed him to pick off five passes in 2023 before a shoulder injury slowed him in 2024.

Hairston was the Commanders’ pick in my mock draft at No. 29. But if I were doing another mock draft today, I might push him up to the No. 23 range as a potential fit for the Packers’ secondary.

Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 194

Here’s what I wrote last Thursday before the combine workouts kicked off in our preview: “If he posts something in the 4.4s in the 40-yard dash, I think he locks into Round 1. But if he’s 4.5 seconds or worse, Barron probably slides into Round 2.”

Well, how about 4.39? I had him at No. 30 to Buffalo in last week’s mock, but he probably deserves serious consideration in the middle of Round 1 now — maybe at No. 16 to Arizona or No. 17 to Cincinnati. Barron answered the speed question, which was really the last concern about his game. He plays all over the defense with his versatility and has the ball skills to make plays (five picks and 10 pass breakups last season).

12 risers beyond Round 1

Players here are listed in no particular order.

Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 191

Texas teammate Isaiah Bond might have received the buzz coming into the combine, but Golden stole it with a 4.29-second run in the 40. He has serious wheels. Golden didn’t do the jumps, but that 40 time will propel him up the board. His production was impressive last season (987 yards and nine touchdowns), and he emerged as the Longhorns’ top receiver, despite the expectation that Bond would be that guy.

Golden entered combine week as my No. 5 receiver in the class and in the early-Round 2 mix. But now, he is probably a top-25 pick. The Steelers (No. 21) and Chargers (No. 22) could give him a long look.

Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195

Porter was a third-rounder before the combine, but his on-field performance shifts him into the second-round picture. He ran 4.30 in the 40-yard dash with a 1.49-second 10-yard split. He also had 10-foot, 11-inch broad jump, second among cornerbacks. He’s a former receiver who is still raw in his technique at corner, but the traits are there.

Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 219

Without Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward, the quarterback group was just OK at the combine. Shough was the most impressive of the bunch and the position’s biggest riser on Saturday afternoon. He was consistent throughout the workout, hitting all of his spots.

I still have Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart as the class’ QB3, but there’s momentum for Shough. Scouts might be concerned about his age — he turns 26 this year — but he has some impressive traits and threw 23 touchdown passes to six interceptions last season. He could end up being drafted on Day 2.

Jared Wilson, C, Georgia

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 310

Wilson ran the fastest 40-yard dash among offensive linemen at 4.84 seconds, with an outstanding 1.71-second 10-yard split. My top-ranked center has tremendous quickness on the interior, giving up zero sacks over 967 career snaps. Though he has some experience at guard, he’s a center in the NFL, which means he isn’t likely to go in Round 1. But I’m confident there’s no way he gets past Round 2.

Jonah Savaiinaea, OT/G, Arizona

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 324

Savaiinaea is looking like a late-Day 1 or early-Day 2 pick. He ran a 4.95 in the 40, third among offensive linemen, and moves well on tape. Some scouts have wondered if he’s a better fit inside at guard, where he played in 2022 and for part of the 2023 season. But he spent 2024 split between left and right tackle, and he has the length (33⅞ inches) to stay outside in the pros.

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DL, Georgia

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 276

Ingram-Dawkins can line up all over. He can play defensive end. He can play 3-technique. He can play defensive tackle in a 4-3 alignment. Scouts love his versatility. And now he made a statement with his combine workout, running a 4.86-second 40-yard dash (1.69-second 10-yard split). His 36-inch vertical and 10-foot, 4-inch broad were also outstanding, besting all players listed as defensive tackles in Indy.

There were questions about his production in the Bulldogs’ D-line rotation (three sacks last season), and some wondered if Ingram-Dawkins should have returned to school. But I see him as a Day 2 prospect.

Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 233

I was surprised just how well Stutsman ran. Most evaluators have credited his instincts and recognition skills for how quickly he gets to the ball, but it’s clear his speed also plays a big part. Stutsman ran a 4.52 in the 40 — tied for third among linebackers.

Stutsman could be a Round 2 pick, factoring in this workout, his ability to tackle in open space and his pass-rush upside. Over the past three seasons, he had 338 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, three picks and seven sacks. He has real upside.

Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 235

Knight transferred to South Carolina after stints at Georgia Tech and Charlotte, and he had a solid 2024 season with 79 tackles, eight run stops and a pair of sacks. He was my No. 4 linebacker entering the week, and after running 4.58 in the 40, he’s a clear Day 2 pick.

Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 191

Here’s another guy who is solidly in the Day 2 mix now. Parrish — who played slot corner at K-State — has put together a few years of nice production. He had five interceptions and 19 pass breakups over the past two seasons. But he was flying a little under the radar and was outside my top 10 corners. His 4.35-second 40 time, 37½-inch vertical and 10-foot, 9-inch broad jump could change that.

Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 206

I’ve liked Sanker’s game for a long time. He had great career numbers, with 233 tackles over the past two seasons. He didn’t have many picks (two), but he did have four forced fumbles and 17 pass breakups, so I’m not overly concerned. I think Sanker could get more attention now after solid broad (10 feet, 8 inches) and vertical (36½ inches) jumps. Plus, 4.48 is a good time for him in the 40-yard dash. I could see him ending up being the third or fourth safety in this class.

CJ West, DT, Indiana

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 316

West came to Indiana from Kent State and has steadily improved his draft stock over the past year. He had 8.5 tackles for loss in his final season, showing the ability to get leverage with his lower center of gravity. Then he looked the part at the East-West Shrine Bowl. And now he posted great numbers during the combine workouts. His 4.95-second 40 and 33-inch vertical both tied for the fifth among defensive tackles. West is a potential Round 4 pick.

Eli Cox, C, Kentucky

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 306

Cox was my No. 10 center at this time last week. When I update my Big Board this week, he might be in the C6 or C7 range. And he might have put himself in the fifth-round mix. I thought Cox moved well in position drills Sunday, showing his smoothness and quickness. He also ran a 5.02 in the 40 and jumped 32½ inches in the vertical, which are very good results.