The 2025 NFL Combine concluded on Sunday with offensive line workouts. While various prospects took full advantage of their opportunity to compete in Indianapolis this year, some players didn’t quite meet expectations. That’s where scouts and general managers will revisit the tape.
The NFL Combine is a part of the pre-draft process, but other factors must be considered. Just because a 2025 NFL Draft prospect didn’t meet testing expectations doesn’t mean they’re doomed to fail. We've identified five players with what it takes to recover from disappointing showings at the combine.
Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
Watching Alabama offensive guard Tyler Booker on tape is a pleasure. The Crimson Tide standout overwhelms defensive linemen with elite power and sheer determination. Booker is a phone-booth blocker, and the NFL Combine isn't designed for his style of play to shine. His 5.38-second 40-yard dash was the second-worst result among linemen, and his 7-foot-10 broad jump finished dead last. That's not where he wins, and his ability to dominate opponents with physicality still projects him as a high-level starter in the NFL.
Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon
Tez Johnson strung together one of the more peculiar NFL Combine showings in recent history. The Oregon wide receiver's 4.51-second 40-yard dash at 154 pounds did not satisfy NFL scouts. At that weight, Johnson should be running in the high 4.3s or low 4.4s. He responded with a fourth-best 10-foot-11 broad jump. The Pinson, Alabama native also posted elite results in the agility testing, securing a position-best 6.65 in the 3-cone, and a 4.15 shuttle. Short-area quickness and notable change of direction ability remain present in bunches.
Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Like many of the top-ranked prospects, Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham declined to participate in athletic testing. He lost the weigh-in process, clocking in at 296 pounds, nearly 30 pounds less than his listed weight at Michigan. Graham’s 32-inch arms were also a 12th-percentile result. Tape is still king, and the Wolverines product is downright dominant as a pass-rushing 3-technique. His status as a top-five pick should be secured despite the disappointing measurements.
Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. was a record breaker in 2024, setting FBS single-season records in receptions (117) and receiving yards (1,555). The testing results in Indy did not reflect that. Fannin Jr. was average in several drills, running a 4.71 40-yard dash, though it's worth noting his 1.56 10-yard split was second-best among tight ends. A 9-foot-10 broad jump and 34-inch vertical were equally disappointing. The volume pass-catching success shouldn't be forgotten when conducting his evaluation.
Malaki Starks, SAF, Georgia
Malaki Starks has average size at 6-foot and 197 pounds. In the 40-yard dash, his 4.50 result was fifth-worst among safeties, and his 33-inch vertical was third-worst. The advanced metrics tell a different story. Starks reached chart-topping speed in the short shuttle (15.24 mph), gauntlet (18.39 mph), and line drill (18.66 mph), according to Next Gen Stats. The versatile defensive back arguably ran the best position drills of any defensive back.