NFL · 9 months ago

Stock Down: 10 Losers From the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine

Grant White

Host · Writer

Isaiah Bond - Wide Receiver, Texas Longhorns
Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond made headlines ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine, noting he would break the 40-yard dash record. Instead, he came in well short of the mark, posting a time of 4.39. As a former track athlete, speed has been the hallmark of Bond's success as a pass-catcher. Now, NFL teams are left doubting whether Bond can back up his winning attitude with tangible on-field results.

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Kelvin Banks Jr. - Offensive Tackle, Texas Longhorns
2025 NFL Draft: Ranking the Top Offensive Lineman

Kelvin Banks Jr. was among the top offensive linemen heading into the NFL Scouting Combine. Unfortunately, all he did was compromise his position. The Texas Longhorns lineman ran a disappointing 5.16 in the 40-yard dash, with sub-optimal vertical and broad jump measurements. While he'll still be one of the top offensive linemen off the board, he no longer looks like the best available.
Gunnar Helm - Tight End, Texas Longhorns
2025 NFL Draft: Ranking the Top Tight Ends

Another Longhorns alum left Indianapolis on less sure footing. Gunnar Helm was among the least athletic tight ends at the Combine, testing poorly across the board. His 4.84 40-yard time was underwhelming, as was his 7.15 three-cone drill and 30" vertical. Teams will look in other directions when they step to the podium in Green Bay.
Dylan Sampson - Running Back, Tennessee Volunteers
Dylan Sampson didn't participate in all of the Combine testing, but after going through the few drills he did, he should have sat out the entire event. The Tennessee Volunteers running back posted modest results with a 35" vertical, 10'4" broad jump, and 13 reps on the bench press. Without taking part in the 40-yard dash or agility drills, teams will be skipping Sampson when at the NFL Draft.

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Ollie Gordon II - Running Back, Oklahoma State Cowboys
2025 NFL Draft: Ranking the Top Running Backs

Ollie Gordon II is forsaking every rule of the basic market principle. The Oklahoma State Cowboys running back had a standout 2023 campaign but decided to head back to Stillwater for his junior season. He saw a decline in his metrics, negatively impacting his NFL Draft stock. That took a further hit at the NFL Scouting Combine. Gordan ran a 4.61, with 34.5" vertical and 10" broad jump. In doing so, he's selling low on his draft stock.
LaJohntay Wester - Wide Receiver, Colorado Buffaloes
NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 5 Wide Receivers at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine

By the end of his senior season, LaJohntay Wester had become a more reliable staple of the Colorado Buffaloes vaunted offensive attack. In doing so, he moved up the wide receiver rankings ahead of the upcoming draft. Unfortunately, he conceded a lot of that ground at the Combine. Wester posted some of the worst testing results among all wide receivers. Consequently, he might have to settle for an undrafted free-agent contract after the draft.
Kyle Kennard - EDGE, South Carolina Gamecocks
There's a growing divide between Kyle Kennard and the top-ranked EDGE rushers in the upcoming draft. Already behind the eight-ball, Kennard fell further after his performance in Indianapolis. The South Carolina Gamecocks senior tested poorly in the 40-yard dash, posting a time of 4.73 with a 1.63 split. Speed isn't the only factor, but it hurts Kennard's draft stock.

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Tez Johnson - Wide Receiver, Oregon Ducks
We all knew that Tez Johnson was undersized, but we hoped he would make up for it in Combine testing. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for the Oregon Ducks wide receiver. Johnson ran a 4.51 40-yard dash and came in at 154 pounds. Assuredly, he's been usurped by other pass-catchers in this year's class.
Will Howard - Quarterback, Ohio State Buckeyes
NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 20 Quarterbacks After the 2025 Senior Bowl

This was Will Howard's chance to move up the ranks in a mediocre quarterback class. After this weekend's performance, the Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback moves in the opposite direction. Howard missed the mark in the throwing drills, amplifying concerns regarding his downfield accuracy. More concerningly, he posted the worst vertical and broad metrics among the few quarterbacks who elected to participate in drills.
Malaki Starks - Georgia Bulldogs
NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 5 Safeties at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine

Speed isn't everything, but it's probably the most important thing regarding safeties. In that regard, Malaki Starks came up well short of the mark. The Georgia Bulldogs safety ran a 4.50 in the 40-yard dash, followed by a more disappointing 7.26 in the three-cone drill. While he checks in a shade over 6'0", Starks had just a 33" vertical jump. Those are big red flags for any team looking for a safety.
Isaiah Bond - Wide Receiver, Texas Longhorns
Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond made headlines ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine, noting he would break the 40-yard dash record. Instead, he came in well short of the mark, posting a time of 4.39. As a former track athlete, speed has been the hallmark of Bond's success as a pass-catcher. Now, NFL teams are left doubting whether Bond can back up his winning attitude with tangible on-field results.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Kelvin Banks Jr. - Offensive Tackle, Texas Longhorns
2025 NFL Draft: Ranking the Top Offensive Lineman

Kelvin Banks Jr. was among the top offensive linemen heading into the NFL Scouting Combine. Unfortunately, all he did was compromise his position. The Texas Longhorns lineman ran a disappointing 5.16 in the 40-yard dash, with sub-optimal vertical and broad jump measurements. While he'll still be one of the top offensive linemen off the board, he no longer looks like the best available.

Stock Down: 10 Losers From the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine

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