NFL Combine

2/17/25

13 min read

Ranking The Biggest Combine Risers In NFL History

By Ian Valentino

NFL/NFL Draft Analyst
Dec 3, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defesnive tackle Aaron Donald (99) celebrates in the first half in a game against the Cleveland Browns at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yannick Peterhans-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Scouting Combine is where the majority of offseason transactions begin. Not only are evaluators and coaches closely watching on-field drills where the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft will compete, but they'll also be planting seeds with representatives of free agents. Cumulatively, there's not a more influential event on the NFL calendar.

The Scouting Combine is unique because the interviews and drills are more individualized than actual games. The best athletes will stand out and show their advantages more easily because all of these drills are well-known and can be trained for. Certain individuals who weren't overly good on the field will look like Tarzan at the combine, earning the moniker of a workout warrior.

Since the inception of the NFL Scouting Combine in 1982, there have been plenty of surprising performances that boosted how high players were selected. These 10 players helped their stock the most as they blew expectations out of the water. Not all of them panned out, but some of these risers proved to be much more than workout warriors.

10 Biggest Combine Risers in NFL History

10. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR

Everyone knew Darrius Heyward-Bey was fast, but the impact of him running a 4.3-second 40-yard dash was massive. All of his speed splits were excellent, and the fact he pulled it while boasting a 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame shattered expectations. The Oakland Raiders took him seventh overall in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Heyward-Bey was a decent player at Maryland, totaling 138 receptions for 2,089 yards and 13 touchdowns over three seasons. You could tell he was fast but also a project. Looking at pre-combine mocks, Heyward-Bey was projected to be a late first-round consideration who brought more value as a big target than a speedster. 

Even Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay thought he was more of a late first-round option closer to draft day. Heyward-Bey benefitted from the Raiders' incompetence and obsession with speed over quality players, but the combine is directly to thank for almost a full-round jump. 

Heyward-Bey lasted 10 years in the NFL but barely outproduced his three-year collegiate career. Playing for the Raiders, Colts, and Steelers, Heyward-Bey finished his professional career with 202 receptions, 2,897 yards, and 16 touchdowns. His best season featured 64 receptions for 975 yards and four scores. 

9. Aaron Donald, DT

The rapid ascent of Aaron Donald throughout the 2014 NFL Draft process happened at a break-neck pace. Donald was great at Pittsburgh, totaling 181 tackles, 67 tackles for loss, and 29.5 sacks over four seasons. But there was palpable doubt about a 6-foot-1, 285-pound defensive tackle entering the Senior Bowl, where Donald ended up starring.

Walking away from that Senior Bowl, there was a sense Donald might've been a top 40 lock, but he was still an aberration due to his size. People thought he was a rotational tackle and little more. Investing more than a late first-round pick was way too much.

Then, the combine came. Despite measuring in the ninth and seventh percentile in height and weight, respectively, Donald became a top 15 lock. His blazing 4.68 40-yard dash and 1.59-second 10-yard split, 116" broad jump, and 7.11-second 3-cone time each catapulted Donald because he was undoubtedly one of the freakiest athletes in NFL history. 

It shouldn't have taken the combine to prove it because Donald's speed and naturally low pad level were evident on the tape. Donald was still way under-drafted because he lasted until the 13th overall pick, but he jumped at least one round thanks to his combine performance.  

8. Vernon Davis, TE

We may never see a more absurdly impressive combine performance from a tight end than what Vernon Davis produced. The pass-catching tight end became a mismatch nightmare after converting from receiver to tight end as a sophomore. He produced 78 receptions, 1,312 yards, and nine touchdowns in his last two years in school.

Expectations were for Davis to show out well, but no one could expect Davis to run a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at 254 pounds. He still holds the record as the fastest tight end in combine history. Davis logged a 42" vertical jump, a 128" broad jump, and cranked out 33 bench press reps.

Each mark ranks at least in the 96th percentile of their category for all tight ends ever. There's not even someone who truly compares to Davis' numbers at the position, and he'd be more similar to Calvin Johnson than his closest rival at tight end. 

The draft impact in 2006 was huge. Davis was a likely first-rounder because his tape was great, but his raw explosiveness became a historic moment when it happened. San Francisco took him sixth overall, which became a popular range after the combine, but this was a big jump from his original ranking. 

7. Byron Jones, CB

The golden standard for athleticism as a defensive back is undoubtedly Byron Jones. Like Vernon Davis is for tight ends, there's not another defender in the same stratosphere as Jones. In fact, when comparing Jones to all athletes who ever tested, it was TCU receiver Josh Doctson who had the most similar profile but was still only 77 percent of the athlete Jones was. 

Playing both cornerback and safety at UConn, Jones left zero doubt he was athletically qualified to do whatever a team asked him to be at the next level. A shoulder injury ended his senior season after seven games, but Jones went from a decent Day 2 gamble to the 27th overall pick to the Dallas in the 2015 NFL Draft. Jones spent three seasons as a safety before becoming a Pro Bowl cornerback for the Cowboys and Dolphins.

His journey to get there was largely because of his explosiveness and rare movement ability. Ranking in the 95th percentile or better for his vertical jump (44.5"), broad jump (147"), 20-yard shuttle (3.94 seconds), and 60-yard shuttle (10.98"), Jones was lightning quick, fast, and could out-jump almost anyone in NFL history. He still holds the NFL record for the longest broad jump and set the world record by one inch.

6. Tony Mandarich, OT

The legend of Tony Mandarich is one of the most incredible NFL bust stories ever. Jacked up on steroids for years before the 1989 NFL Draft, Mandarich boasted a frame that was more destined to become Mr. Universe than it was to withstand the heavy toll that football takes on muscular frames. Mandarich was monstrously good at Michigan State in a run-heavy offense, and his combine performance went down in the history books. 

At a rocked-up 6-foot-6 and 308 pounds, Mandarich ran a 4.69 40-yard dash and pumped 39 reps of 225 on the bench. Teams were curious if he was on the juice and Mandarich cheated on drug tests before reaching the NFL. Even if they were skeptical about his denials, the Green Bay Packers selected Mandarich No. 2 overall.

His combine performance and dominant run-blocking film catapulted Mandarich above future NFL Hall of Famers on big boards. He was rated higher than Troy Aikman, Barry Sanders, Deion Sanders, and Derrick Thomas. Teams overlooked Mandarich's obviously enhanced body and lack of pass-blocking experience because he was that freakish.

Unfortunately, Mandarich was one of the original workout warriors. He came off steroids, and his addiction to painkillers and a destructive lifestyle made him one of the biggest busts in NFL history. 

5. John Ross, WR

Compared to some of the other more encompassing combine performances on this list, John Ross' rise only due to his 40-yard dash is confusing. The NFL's need for speed was on full display with Ross' draft process. The 5-foot-11, 188-pounder set a then-NFL record for the fastest 40-yard dash with a 4.22 mark.

The momentum of Ross' 2016 season and subsequent 40-yard dash was one of the biggest one-year rises in NFL history. Ross had only 33 receptions for 579 yards and five touchdowns before missing the 2015 season with a torn ACL. He returned to Washington with an explosive 81-catch, 1,150-yard, and 17 touchdown season.

Cincinnati spent the ninth overall pick on Ross in hopes of supplementing the team's playmaking around A.J. Green and Andy Dalton. Instead of taking Patrick Mahomes, Deshaun Watson, T.J. Watt, Marshon Lattimore, or Marlon Humphrey, the Bengals ended up with a player who never sustained success as his body broke down almost immediately. 

4. Dontari Poe, DT

Before there was Jalen Carter, there was Dontari Poe. A massive 6-foot-3, 346-pound nose tackle who ran the fastest 40-yard dash time for a player over 340 pounds with a 4.98, Poe had scouts racing back to the tape to see what they may have missed with Poe. He also logged 44 reps on the bench press and notched a vertical jump just under 30".

With his blend of elite size, strength, and speed, Poe jumped from an afterthought to the 11th overall pick. The Memphis product had only five sacks over three years, but his combine performance revealed he was doing more damage in the run game and opening opportunities for teammates. His 101 tackles and 22 tackles for loss suggested Poe would be better if schemed for.

That's exactly what happened in the NFL. The two-time Pro Bowler immediately bolstered Kansas City's defense, and he was a successful player for most of his nine seasons. Not bad for a player completely off Peter Schrager's radar before the combine.  

3. Matt Jones, WR

All right, kids, pull up a chair if you weren't around for Matt Jones' ascension in the 2005 NFL Draft. It was an incredible draft journey for the former Arkansas quarterback, as just days before the draft, he still wasn't being mentioned as a possible first-round pick. Teams still weren't sure what position he would play in the NFL.

Jones could only be loosely referred to as a dual-threat quarterback in college because he was terrific at running the ball but quite poor as a passer. The 6-foot-6, 242-pounder certainly looked like a quarterback but struggled to deliver accurate passes because of how his long limbs affected his throwing motion. He completed only 55.2% of his collegiate attempts for 53 touchdowns and 30 interceptions, so staying at quarterback was out of the question.

However, Jones went from a confusing late-round prospect to the 21st overall pick when teams considered him a better option at receiver or tight end. Jones blazed an incredible 4.37 40-yard dash, posted a 39.5" vertical jump, and lept 129" in the broad jump only one year before Vernon Davis did it at a similar size. 

Jones had some interesting moments in the NFL, but his huge frame proved awkward at receiver because he just wasn't overly coordinated despite his explosiveness. He lost 20 pounds to play receiver, but his career was derailed when he was arrested and charged with cocaine possession. His final season was considered an on-field high, setting career highs with 65 receptions for 761 yards and two touchdowns.

2. Vernon Gholston, EDGE

The 2007 Ohio State defense was loaded with future NFL players, but it was surprising when Vernon Gholston was drafted before any of his peers. Sure, his 14-sack junior season played a part in that, but Gholston wasn't the dominating presence who made it feel like he was that sort of player. Instead, guys like Cameron Heyward, James Laurinaitis, Marcus Freeman, Larry Grant, and Malcolm Jenkins were often the catalysts for big plays.

Gholston did well to take advantage of his opportunities, though, closing out the year with nine sacks against Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan, and LSU. What came next vaulted him from a fringe first-rounder to the sixth overall pick to the New York Jets.

It's not hard to see why the Jets may have ignored some red flags on film, such as Gholston's struggle to change direction and lack of real plan as a pass-rusher. His raw stats were great, and his combine was historic. The rest was up to Eric Mangini to develop.

Standing 6-foot-3 and 266 pounds, Gholston became an all-time defensive line prospect. His 4.65 40-yard dash, 35.5" vertical jump, 125" broad jump, and 37 reps on the bench ranked no worse than the 93rd percentile for all linemen ever. That's basically like Jared Verse's athletic profile. 

Instead of Gholston being a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate, though, he totaled 42 tackles and zero sacks over his three-year career. It just never clicked for Gholston, and it didn't take long for the Jets to realize they overreacted to his combine. In fairness to the Jets, though, the Dolphins considered Gholston to be the top overall pick before settling on Jake Long.

1. Mike Mamula, EDGE

If Mandarich became part of the definition for NFL Scouting Combine and NFL draft busts, then Mike Mamula would be the sole definition of a workout warrior. He is a combine legend, having specifically trained to dominate workout activities before it was popular. The added context around his selection makes it even harder to fathom there being a player who could rise more than Mamula.

Let's start with Mamula's combine performance. A successful edge-rusher at Boston College who tallied 24 career sacks and 13 takedowns in his senior season, Mamula was a nice prospect who was well-built at 6-foot-4 and 252 pounds. He went from a potential first-round pick to the seventh overall selection by taking an Olympian's approach to dominating drills.

At the time, his 4.58 40-yard dash was astonishing for his size. He had a great broad jump of 127", and he aced the Wonderlic. The 1995 NFL Draft didn't have a ton of standout stars where the Eagles were drafting, or so they thought, so Philadelphia traded two picks to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Those picks became Hall of Famers Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks.

Mamula had a decent five years on the field, totaling 31.5 sacks. He had issues finishing sacks, often missing his target due to his lack of flexibility and agility. He was a pass-rushing specialist who might've been a bit ahead of his time, considering the league wasn't as pass-heavy as it is now. 

Between Mamula's reputation as someone who was better in the underwear Olympics than he was on the field and the heavy trade compensation the Eagles surrendered for him, he'll forever be etched in history when talking about the scouting combine. 

Tags: 2025 NFL Combine, Aaron Donald, Byron Jones See More

Ian Valentino

NFL/NFL Draft Analyst

Ian Valentino is an NFL and NFL draft contributor for The 33rd Team. He has covered all aspects of the NFL since 2013. He's previously provided scouting services to the NFL, XFL and CFL. He also has written for Bleacher Report, Complex Sports and Pro Football Network.

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