2025 NFL Combine Players to Watch, From Cam Ward to Travis Hunter, Tetairoa McMillan, and More

Welcome to the NFL Combine!

It’s time for top prospects to showcase their skills on the biggest stage and potentially change the trajectory of their career. Who we are watching isn’t just about the fastest 40 and the highest vertical; it’s about who offers the refined skills and raw talent and can win over scouts and GMs during interviews.

Don’t let all the rumors of this being an underwhelming draft class fool you, there’s league-changing potential in 2025.

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2025 NFL Combine Date, Location, Where To Watch, and Schedule

• Date: February 27 - March 2, 2025
• Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
• Where To Watch: NFL Network, NFL+

Schedule

• Thursday, February 27: Defensive Linemen and Linebackers
• Friday, February 28: Defensive Backs and Tight Ends
• Saturday, March 1: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, and Wide Receivers
• Sunday, March 2: Offensive Linemen

Click here for the latest 2025 NFL Draft Odds

2025 NFL Combine Players to Watch

Quarterbacks to Watch

When it comes to quarterbacks at the Combine, we all have one big question - which quarterbacks are throwing?

Sanders will not throw and Ward’s status is unknown, but it’s unlikely he’ll throw. Don’t be alarmed. Quarterbacks who have no incentive to raise their draft capital typically opt-out.

When it comes to drills, our focus is on the quarterbacks who stand the most to gain - Dart, Milroe, Ewers, Gabriel, and Leonard. 

While Ewers is getting a significant amount of draft buzz, and Gabriel and Leonard do have the opportunity to climb draft boards, it’s Dart and Milroe who are truly vying for the opportunity to be the dark horse pick and instant-starter to one of the many QB-needy teams.

Dart is my QB3 with second-round potential in this class, offering the dual-threat capabilities and raw talent that tend to draw the eyes of GMs. Consistency and deep ball accuracy are the concerns with Dart, and the Combine will offer the opportunity to dispel those issues and potentially push his way into round one or early second-round pick.

Milroe’s Combine experience will be very intriguing. Big arms draw attention, and Milroe’s arm strength and deep ball accuracy have never been the question. Unlike Dart, who excels in short and intermediate play, Milroe can be quite chaotic in his intermediate accuracy. That chaos was well on display at the Senior Bowl.

Milroe’s job this week is to showcase his true raw potential. He’s a risky prospect, but if there’s one player who could have an Anthony Richardson Combine moment, it’s Milroe.

Running Backs to Watch

No big surprise - Ashton Jeanty will skip the on-field drills. He’s the only clear first-round lock at running back. 

Luckily for us, this year’s RB class is wildly impressive, and the fantasy and betting implications of this Combine are huge. There are two teams with clear RB1 needs - the Raiders and the Cowboys. I recently mocked Jeanty to the Raiders, but we must keep our eye on Omarion Hampton. If Hampton has a strong Combine, he’s in a prime position to push his way into the first round as a potential pick for Dallas.

Pay attention to the rumors coming out of this week. The Combine will offer a good gauge of how big the gap is between Jeanty and Hampton.

Beyond the potential first-round picks, the list of players to watch is very extensive. Whereas QB rankings tend to be very similar across all draft analysts and scouts, there is an incredible range of opinions and outcomes for running backs beyond Hampton. This is an extremely deep running back draft class, offering versatility in multiple true three-down backs, power backs, and gifted pass catchers. 

Kaleb Johnson is looking to establish himself as the RB3 in this class with a track record of heavy workloads and clear three-down back capabilities. The Ohio State backs should separate themselves with Quinshon Judkins showcasing three-down back potential at the next level, while TreVeyon Henderson will look to separate himself from the remainder of the field with receiving skills and pass protection that make him one of the most well-rounded backs of the class. Cam Skattebo needs to dismiss concerns around lack of speed. 

But, it doesn’t stop there!

Beyond the top-ranked players, there are true diamonds in the rough. Brashard Smith is an absolute must-watch, and could jump out among the crowd. Unlike the aforementioned backs, Smith's capabilities come in a very small sample size. He’s a converted receiver with limited time at running back. Smith will likely measure and weigh in under 5’10” and under 200 pounds, raising legitimate concerns about durability.

However, the league is tilting more and more towards smaller, electric backs with elite receiving skills and Smith fits the profile. Tyrone Tracy Jr. ring a bell?

Wide Receivers to Watch

This year’s receiving class isn’t getting the recognition it deserves. While it lacks the marquee names of the 2024 draft, there are true WR1s and excellent depth in this draft. 

While Travis Hunter is listed as a cornerback at the Combine, he plans to do drills at both positions. Although Hunter is consistently at or near the drop of draft rankings for analysts, there are some question marks around his true potential, how NFL teams view his true position, and whether or not he can operate as a true full-time WR1. Hunter, McMillan, Burden, Egbuka, and Golden all figure to be potential first-round factors.

Beyond that tier, things get very intriguing. I am not exaggerating when I say this: remember last year when we had that borderline end of round one range with Xavier Worthy, Xavier Leggette, and Ladd McConkey? The 2025 class is rich with similar potential in players like Elic Ayomanor, Jack Bech, Xavier Restrepo, Jalen Royals, Jayden Higgins, Isaiah Bond, and more. 

This class is giving us everything we look for in receivers to make a day-one impact in the NFL with polished route runners, speed, and versatility. Bond is looking to follow in the footsteps of Xavier Worthy and compete for the fastest 40 at the Combine and push out any concerns around his size. Restrepo will also look to build on the increased opportunities for smaller receivers and potentially dispel concerns around speed. 

Bech had a stellar Senior Bowl and should shine in drills, dispelling any concerns about the lack of early career production. Ayomanor offers size and athleticism and will look to showcase reliable hands as that’s the one potential issue he’ll face.

Royals has true WR1 potential with speed and excellent hands as a true vertical threat. He’ll need to showcase potential in the drills to expand his route tree at the next level. Higgins is from a smaller school and will showcase his skills on a major stage. He may not have top-end NFL speed, but there’s always a spot for tactile receivers and Higgins’ routes and precision should show well this week. 

Further down the rankings, there are several other receivers to keep your eye on. Tez Johnson, Savion Williams, and Chimere Dike. Johnson is another small receiver with big potential. Size is the main concern with Johnson and the Combine will be a true showcase of his elite routes and speed.

Williams, on the other hand, is a player with size and potential to pop at the Combine. Williams will likely test at the top of the class when it comes to pure athleticism. His physical gifts are undeniable, but what separates Williams from cracking the aforementioned borderline round-one receivers is his lack of consistency. He’s a raw talent with the potential to develop.

Every year, we’re searching for that Puka Nacua talent that emerges as an under-the-radar threat and if I have to place a longshot bet on one player, it’s Dike. For Dike, it’s less about climbing draft boards and more about showcasing his clear NFL polish for the right team to draft him on Day 3 and emerge as an immediate star. Dike offers elite route running, true versatility and solid hands that should catch the eyes of GMs.

Tight Ends to Watch

Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland, and Elijah Arroyo will not be participating in Combine drills, opening up the stage for Mason Taylor and Harold Fannin Jr. Both players participated in the Senior Bowl and while Fannin Jr. was generally seen as the TE3 of the class, he was outshined by Arroyo and Taylor.

It’s time for Fannin Jr. to step up and showcase the skills that led to insane stats at Bowling Green. Fannin Jr. had a whopping 117 receptions for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns. Fannin’s size is a concern and he’ll need to showcase that his skills can translate against tougher competition. 

But, that’s not all …

While we, as fantasy enthusiasts, focus on the offensive skill positions, knowing the moving pieces for offensive linemen and defense in general can give you an edge over your leaguemates.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: You potentially missed out on Chuba Hubbard because you thought the Panthers would be too bad to support a viable run game. If you knew the Panthers made significant offseason investments into their offensive line, you would’ve been less hesitant.

Offseason moves - free agency, trades, and the draft - are what give you an edge when it comes time to draft your team in August and all positions matter.

Offensive Linemen to Watch Outside of Top Picks

Defensive Linemen to Watch Outside of Top Picks

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