INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 29: Dallas Turner #LB26 of Alabama participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
NFL

The NFL Combine's Biggest Standouts From Indianapolis

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The NFL Scouting Combine is all wrapped up, with some major standouts from a week of interviews, measurements, and workouts.

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While top prospects like Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. opted out of the vast majority of Combine-related activities, other prospects took advantage of the week to showcase what they can bring to NFL teams come the 2024 NFL Draft in April.

With that in mind, let's take a look at a few of the biggest standout prospects from this year's Combine in Indianapolis.

Braden Fiske, DL, Florida State

In a defensive line class where Johnny Newton and Bryon Murphy are the consensus top guys, Florida State's Braden Fiske is making a strong case as the top prospect in the next group of players at the position.

As a lighter DL prospect at 6'4" and 292 pounds, Fiske needed to dominate the Combine workouts, and he did so with ease. His 4.78 time in the 40-yard dash and 4.37 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle turned plenty of heads, while also posting very strong explosive scores in the vertical jump (33.5 inches) and broad jump (117 inches).

For teams that need a quick, penetrating one-gap defensive lineman, Fiske certainly meets the bill. Murphy or Newton will still likely be the first defensive lineman taken, but the Florida State prospect has likely solidified himself as a top-50 pick for the right team looking for a player with his skill set.

 

Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

While there had been no consensus top EDGE prospect heading into the Combine, Alabama's Dallas Turner might have secured that title after a head-turning day of workouts.

Along with a vertical jump 40.5 inches and a broad jump 10'7", Turner posted a blazing 40-yard dash time of 4.46 seconds, which would put him well into the 99th percentile of defensive ends who have previously tested. Kent Lee Platte listed Turner with a 9.49 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) at DE despite his frame being more of a traditional EDGE than down lineman.

Turner has fluctuated with his weight while at Alabama, he came in at a very solid 247 points, but it's his arm length that will be getting defensive coaches excited, with 34 3/8" arms. That matters out on the edge when prospects are trying to engage with blockers and keep good extension in order to keep their chest clean.

While Laiatu Latu and Jared Verse have been contending with Turner for the EDGE1 spot, an outstanding week at the Combine has likely solidified the Alabama prospect's draft status.

 

Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 02: Isaac Guerendo #RB12 of Louisville participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 02, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

While Fiske and Turner had plenty of pre-draft momentum heading into Indianapolis, Louisville running back Isaac Guerendo was the under-the-radar breakout star of the combine.

The 6'0", 221-pound running back had a limited workload for the Cardinals in 2023, but still managed to rack up 810 yards and 11 touchdowns on 6.1 yards per carry while sharing a backfield with fellow prospect Jawhar Jordan. Despite being a more well-built back, Guerendo the best 40-yard dash time of any other running back at the Combine, posting a blazing time of 4.33 seconds. He also led all backs with a 41.5-inch vertical.

Guerendo came away with an absurd 9.99 RAS, but the tape is likely what will may Guerendo a Day 3 back compared to a lot of the other prospects who didn't test as well. Guerendo's vision was a consistent issue on film, and he needs to be more confident in lowering his pads and churning his legs to pick up additional yards through contact.

Regardless, Guerrendo's Combine should give his draft stock a major boost.

 

Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

In an absolutely loaded wide receiver class, Adonai Mitchell may have forced his way into the first-round conversation with a spectacular Combine.

Not to be overshadowed by Longhorns teammate Xavier Worthy breaking the 40-yard dash record, Mitchell had a spectacular all-around day. Coming in with a solid frame at 6'2" and 205 pounds, Mitchell posted an impressive 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash, along with a 39.5-inch vertical and an elite 11'4" broad jump, recording a 9.97 RAS.

One of Mitchell's best traits on tape was his deep-ball tracking, and he was able to show off that uncanny ability as well during on-field workouts.

Mitchell was just one part of an offensive juggernaut for Texas, but the Combine allowed him to showcase his individual talents on a big stage. With so much competition at the position, it's unclear where he'll will be drafted, but he has at least forced teams to have the conversation of him being a potential first-round pick.

 

Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

There may not have been a single OL prospect with more on the line this past week than Troy Fautanu.

As an undersized tackle prospect, many evaluators thought that the Washington lineman might benefit from kicking inside to guard. While still under 6'4", Fautanu measured in with 34.5-inch arms, which is more than ideal to play tackle at the NFL level.

On top of that, Fautanu posted some excellent explosive and speed scores, recording a 9.45 RAS despite a smaller frame compared to other OT prospects. His movements skills were on full display during some of the non-testing workouts.

Despite so many massive offensive linemen in this draft, a strong Combine alongside some really good film for the Huskies has more than solidified Fautanu as a first-round pick.

MORE: 2024 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Projections After Super Bowl LVIII

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