Combine Day 2 Winners: 5 NFL Draft Stocks Soaring

Cornerback Jarrian Jones

Position: Cornerback

College: Florida State Seminoles

Projected: Round 4

Coming into the combine, Jarrian Jones was projected as a sixth or seventh round draft pick. But leaving Indianapolis is a different story. Presumably, Jones jumped up many teams lists after one of the top performances on Friday. 

The Florida State Seminole checked in at an eighth of an inch under six feet, tipping the scales at a lean 190-lbs. What impressed everybody was his ability to move with finesse. Jones ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, clocking in with a 1.53-second 10-yard split. Although his 10'9" broad jump came in below some of the other corners, Jones excelled in on-field drills. 

In the skilled portion of the assessment, the Mississippi native caught virtually every ball thrown his way, elevating his projected draft position with each snag. 

Excelling as a nickle defender with the Seminoles, Jones has the profile that some teams will seek out in the NFL Draft come April.

Tight End Ben Sinnott

Position: Tight End

College: Kansas State Wildcats

Projected: Round 2

For the past two years, Ben Sinnott has been a primary weapon for the Kansas State Wildcats. With nothing left to prove at the collegiate level, Sinnott declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, capturing everyone' attention with a dynamite performance at the combine. 

The athletic big man led all tight ends in the three-cone drill, posting a speedy 6.82 seconds. That was complemented by a 40-inch vertical, 10'6" broad jump, both of which ranked first among tight ends, and 4.68-second 40-yard dash. Further, his skill drills reinforced something we already all knew about Sinnott -- he's a quality pass-catcher, with soft hands and elite athleticism. 

Sinnott will likely be a priority for a team in the second round. Still, we wouldn't be surprised if a tight end-needy franchise moved up to get him at the end of first round or early in Round 2. 

Safety Cole Bishop

Position: Safety

College: Utah Utes

Projected: Round 2

Arguably, nobody improved their draft stock moreso than Cole Bishop. The former Utah Utes safety was brilliant in all aspects of the testing, rising up the ranks as a skilled defender with size. 

Bishop stood out in testing and skill drills. He elevated his 6'2", 190-lbs frame for a 40-inch vertical, with a faster-than-expected 4.45-second 40-yard dash. Moreover, that explosiveness was evident in the on-field drills. Bishop had one of the best gauntlet drills of any safety, also excelling in catching and agility, as well. 

The only knock on Bishop is that he pulled up at the end of the gauntlet drill. However, he played a lot of schemes with the Utes, expanding the number of teams that will be taking a hard look at his tape. We'd be surprised if he fell past the second round.

Cornerback Max Melton

Position: Cornerback

College: Rutgers Scarlett Knights

Projected: Round 2

Max Melton set the turf on fire with the best 40-yard dash time of Day 2. The former Rutgers Scarlett Knight ran a blistering 4.39, impressing further with 40.5-inch vertical and 11'4" broad jumps. But confidence could be what drives Melton into the second round of the NFL Draft. 

"I meet with teams and they're like, 'Oh, you're a Rutgers guys, you now football,' and I'm like, sure enough. I do know football, I feel like the physical attributes mixed in with the mental preparation, mix that ll together and you're gonna have a good player."

That confidence is well-earned after a produtive four years in Piscataway. In his senior year, Melton totaled 33 tackles, a forced fumble, 1.0 sacks, and three interceptions. Combined with his performance in Indianapolis, Melton's on track for a Day 2 selection in the draft. 

Cornerback Jarrian Jones

Position: Cornerback

College: Florida State Seminoles

Projected: Round 4

Coming into the combine, Jarrian Jones was projected as a sixth or seventh round draft pick. But leaving Indianapolis is a different story. Presumably, Jones jumped up many teams lists after one of the top performances on Friday. 

The Florida State Seminole checked in at an eighth of an inch under six feet, tipping the scales at a lean 190-lbs. What impressed everybody was his ability to move with finesse. Jones ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, clocking in with a 1.53-second 10-yard split. Although his 10'9" broad jump came in below some of the other corners, Jones excelled in on-field drills. 

In the skilled portion of the assessment, the Mississippi native caught virtually every ball thrown his way, elevating his projected draft position with each snag. 

Excelling as a nickle defender with the Seminoles, Jones has the profile that some teams will seek out in the NFL Draft come April.