The 2025 Scouting Combine has already given fans a rare opportunity to hear candid insights from front offices gearing up for the upcoming free agency and the April draft. 

With the 2025 NFL Draft approaching quickly, this weekend's on-field workouts will play a significant role in shaping the outcomes. Even the most dedicated film analysts must acknowledge the merit of incorporating Combine results.

While defensive linemen and linebackers kicked off the event on Thursday, the spotlight will shift to other positions starting Friday afternoon through Sunday. 

The 40-yard dash, 3-cone drill, and jumping workouts will showcase the raw explosiveness and strength each elite athlete can bring to the next level. While not all top athletes become outstanding players, nearly every standout player is an exceptional athlete.

With that said, here’s a look at the players we're keeping an eye on and the specific drills they need to excel in to enhance their 2025 NFL Draft prospects. Each collegiate standout is competing to elevate their ranking among peers. Success in these drills will certainly help them achieve that goal.

Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina: 3-Cone Drill

The 2025 NFL Draft marks a shift in emphasis for running backs as teams look to build successful offenses again. While quarterbacks will always hold a higher value, the importance of a standout running back is making a resurgence. Teams have realized the advantages of having a versatile playmaker who can adapt beyond scripted plays, especially as defenses adjust to quick passing schemes.

Ashton Jeanty is likely to be the first back chosen, but the competition for the No. 2 spot is heating up. TreVeyon Henderson and Kaleb Johnson have strong cases, but Omarion Hampton is positioned well to claim the spot as the second running back taken in the first round. He brings an impressive mix of experience, size, and explosiveness to the table.

With 3,110 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns over the past two seasons, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound Hampton boasts a remarkably balanced and powerful profile. He has thrived in a mixed run scheme that allowed him to demonstrate his skills in both zone and gap schemes, forcing 140 missed tackles and averaging 4.3 yards after contact per carry in 2023 and 2024.

If Hampton can demonstrate quick footwork and fluidity in the 3-cone drill, he could significantly boost his draft stock. While this drill typically favors smaller, more agile backs, his game tape reveals moments where he moves with the grace of a lighter athlete. Historically, the average running back’s 3-cone time is 7.05 seconds, so Hampton should aim to surpass that.

Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss: 40-Yard Dash

40-yard dash times play a crucial role in determining the draft position of receivers and can even indicate future career success. Although many speedy athletes will be on display, Tre Harris stands out as a player who can elevate his draft prospects significantly. The Ole Miss standout has an impressive profile but faces skepticism.

Critics argue that Ole Miss' system inflated his advanced metrics. While his efficiency may be hard to replicate in the NFL, Harris is undeniably talented. At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, he poses a challenge for defenses with his combination of power, acceleration, and exceptional post-catch field vision.

Harris has shown versatility with a track record in the slot, outside, and impressive yards after catch. He needs to prove that he’s not just a product of Lane Kiffin’s offense but an elite athlete in his own right. With a 48% success rate on contested catches and only a 6.4% drop rate, his critics will be eager to see if he can showcase the speed that could validate his game.

Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green: 20-Yard Shuttle

Tight ends face some of the most complex Combine expectations due to the varied nature of the position. Some teams prefer a tight end who can also serve as a backup lineman, while others might choose a converted receiver who rarely needs to block. This has resulted in successful tight ends ranging from 230 to 275 pounds.

On paper, Harold Fannin Jr. is a remarkable prospect. He set the FBS record for tight end production in a single season last year, amassing 117 receptions for 1,555 yards, all at just 20 years old. His impressive early career performance bodes well for his future.

However, Fannin's frame, standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 230 pounds, raises concerns among evaluators. He lacks the explosive first step of higher-profile prospects like Tyler Warren or Elijah Arroyo and doesn’t possess the power of Colston Loveland. It’s possible that if he lands in the right situation with a compatible quarterback, these concerns may prove irrelevant.

Demonstrating greater explosiveness than what his film indicates would be advantageous for Fannin. Creating separation is critical for him, given that he often excelled in contested catch situations and showcased an impressive focus under pressure.

Nick Emmanwori, SAF, South Carolina: 3-Cone Drill

There isn’t a wealth of definitive research on how defensive backs can succeed at the Combine, but it’s easy to anticipate the questions Nick Emmanwori will encounter. On film, he stands out as one of the exceptional athletes in this class. At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Emmanwori embodies the ideal safety prototype and is coming off an impressive season with outstanding ball production.

However, he is seldom projected as a first-round pick. His profile suggests he should be a top-10 choice, much like Kyle Hamilton's was. Are teams overly concerned about Emmanwori’s agility in tight spaces due to his height?

Even though he allowed a quarterback rating of just 37.1 when targeted in 2024 and has a 7% missed tackle rate over the past two seasons, his performance in drills will be closely watched. He is expected to run fast and jump well, but the real question is whether he can change directions swiftly and smoothly.

If he can excel in these agility tests, Emmanwori could solidify his status as the top safety and start appearing in the early 20s of mock drafts moving forward. His elite tackling ability, proficiency in man coverage, and knack for making plays on the ball create a highly valuable skill set.

DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State: 20-Yard Shuttle

Following in Deuce Vaughn's footsteps at Kansas State proved to be a challenging task, but DJ Giddens excelled as his successor. Similar to Vaughn, Giddens is an explosive ball-carrier whose style belies his stature, amassing 2,569 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2023 and 2024, earning respect from opponents and NFL scouts alike.

Despite a commendable record as a powerful gap runner and a capable receiver, the 6-foot-1, 212-pound Giddens doesn’t frequently crop up in discussions about this draft class. This may be partially due to the abundance of running back options, but Giddens’ standout plays appear to be better suited for the next level. Although he tends to run upright, he displays a remarkably smooth athleticism.

How this translates during the Combine will be intriguing. Giddens will either demonstrate that he is a more effective football player than athlete or surprise observers with his athleticism, validating the notion that he makes it look effortless due to his movement. He parallels the path once taken by Alvin Kamara in college, and running backs often can thrive despite lacking stellar Combine performances.

The 20-yard shuttle holds more significance for running backs than the 40-yard dash, thus we’ll be keen to see his explosiveness. If Giddens can shine in short-distance drills and clock a time under 4.27, he could find himself climbing into the late Day 2 bracket.

Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford: 3-Cone Drill

It’s hard to think of a prospect whose stock is so heavily influenced by a single game as Elic Ayomanor's. His incredible 13-catch, 294-yard, three-touchdown showing against Travis Hunter and the Colorado Buffaloes was remarkable. While it’s evident that Ayomanor has the skills and athleticism for the NFL, he has struggled to replicate that level of performance consistently since that game in 2023.

Much of this can be attributed to Stanford’s lackluster passing attack, which hampered Ayomanor's ability to showcase his talent. As a vertical threat with a sleek 6-foot-2, 210-pound build, he primarily saw action on back-shoulder throws, go routes, and high-pressure plays that forced difficult catches. But is this due to Ayomanor’s inability to create separation with sharp cuts?

The 3-cone drill will effectively address this concern. Although the 3-cone drill has not been shown to strongly predict success, Ayomanor’s low yards after catch average (4.5), minimal forced missed tackle rate (17), and limited slot usage (13.7%) throughout his career raise red flags regarding his potential to be too one-dimensional in the NFL.