2025 NFL Draft: Make or break NFL Combine performances for some key prospects could have massive impact on early rounds
Every single year the NFL Combine can make or break a prospect's journey to the NFL Draft. This year is no exception. In fact, this 2025 NFL Draft class offers perhaps even more prospects than usual who have massive opportunity to rise or fall in the early rounds.A handful of the top prospects this year […]
Every single year the NFL Combine can make or break a prospect's journey to the NFL Draft. This year is no exception. In fact, this 2025 NFL Draft class offers perhaps even more prospects than usual who have massive opportunity to rise or fall in the early rounds.
A handful of the top prospects this year look like they offer absolutely wild traits that if confirmed at the 2025 NFL Combine will likely send their expected NFL Draft capital sky high. Others, however, have significant athletic (or medical) questions that need to be answered. If any make or break outcomes blow people away, one way or the other, that could have a huge impact on the early rounds of the draft.
Who are these players? We asked several NFL Draft contributors here at A to Z Sports to help us find out who these risers and fallers might be. Let's dive in.
Shemar Stewart, EDGE Texas A&M
"The biggest riser from the NFL Scouting Combine is likely going to be Shemar Stewart. He wowed everyone in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, but a player of his size and athleticism at 6'5", 281 lbs is just rare. If he dominates the athletic testing like we expect him to, a Travon Walker type ascension into the top five of the 2025 NFL Draft isn't crazy. Especially since I have him first overall currently on my personal big board." – Tyler Forness
Shemar Stewart is a physical specimen for sure. The problem many seem to have with him is the sack production. Stewart tallied just six sacks in three years. However, that stat alone can be a bit deceiving. Stewart's pass rush pressure numbers (around 12%) are actually quite a bit above positional average. If he does test at an elite level, his ascension might shuffle up the entire early portion of the first round.
Jalon Walker, Linebacker Georgia
"Dane Brugler surprised many when he released his big board and Jalon Walker was third overall in his rankings. Well, Brugler isn’t alone in that thinking. Following a solid week in Indianapolis, Walker could generate true first overall kind of buzz. Walker is a little slighter and shorter than typical edge players, and it starts by winning the weigh ins. If Walker comes in 10 pounds over his playing weight, while running sub-4.5 in the forty-yard dash and jumping over 38 inches in the vertical, expect to hear his name mentioned as a potential option for the Tennessee Titans at first overall." – Rob Gregson
Walker can play both off-ball linebacker and edge defender at an elite level. He posted pass rush win and pressure rates near elite first round edge rusher prospect levels while also dominating as a downhill run defender. On top of that he's been a leader and captain for the Georgia Bulldogs. The NFL is going to love Walker, especially if he tests like a superhuman athlete.
Jayden Higgins, Wide Receiver Iowa State
"A wide receiver that I believe will be on a steady rocket ship rise between now and the NFL Draft is Jayden Higgins. At 6’4” 215 pounds, he is crisp and precise, generates vertical separation down the field, and demonstrates nasty footwork for any receiver, let alone for one his size. If he tests well athletically at the 2025 NFL Combine, I think Higgins has a huge opportunity to see his name called early on Day 2 of the NFL Draft." – Jon Helmkamp
Higgins has been rising among many in the NFL Draft community following a strong Senior Bowl and the NFL is obsessed with over-drafting talk athletic freaks at wide receiver. A couple good test results and he could certainly push towards early second round selection, pushing other valuable talents down the draft board.
Darien Porter, Cornerback Iowa State
"A former receiver-turned-corner, Darien Porter is a gigantic defender who can shoot his way up draft boards. He's one of the best statistical corners in the class, and his 6-foot-4 frame is promising for what's next. A savant in zone, Porter would thrive in an aggressive defense, but teams will start salivating if Porter's agility drills and 40-time project a higher ceiling in man coverage." – Ian Valentino
Iowa State has a few potentially polarizing prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Porter is long and physical, but needs to prove his peak athleticism. If he can answer those critical questions he could rise up among the tier two cornerbacks in this class.
Tre Harris, Wide Receiver Ole Miss
"It’s hard to put into words how tremendous Harris was for Ole Miss the last two seasons, but especially in 2024. His combination of catch radius, body control, and ball skills allowed him to make some extremely difficult catches. We also saw an improved feel as a route runner this year from Harris, making him a more complete receiver.
The biggest issue is that Harris appears to be a very average athlete for NFL standards. If he tests as such, it could take some shine off of him leaving Indianapolis. The hardest part about projecting success from an evaluator’s perspective is forecasting how easily a lack of speed and separation could hurt an NFL player, and Harris could be a part of that debate." – Ryan Roberts
Will Johnson, Cornerback Michigan
"As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches more and more questions seem to surface every year with the top prospects, but concerns with Will Johnson may be legitimate. He's a shutdown outside cornerback, perhaps the best true perimeter defender in the class. However, there is rising sentiment that his top speed may be in question, limiting his upside in man coverage in the NFL.
Yes, he's still coming off an injury that forced him to miss much of 2024, but if Will Johnson can't crack a 4.5 in the forty-yard dash he may drop out of the top ten and trend more towards pick 20 in the 2025 NFL Draft. That would potentially switch up the entire early portion of round one, considering there aren't many other cornerbacks worth reaching for ahead of him." – Travis May
2025 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Class
"This might seem like a cop out answer but for me I think there is pressure on this year's defensive tackle class as a whole to perform well at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. You've probably seen multiple NFL Draft analysts share how strong this year's DT class is but words truly don't do it justice. There are over 40 DTs invited to compete at the NFL Combine and every team rep I've spoken to has a very different looking top 5 in this class. As a result I think how well players test could really help some players start to pull away from the pack and players who test poorly could see their draft stock fall dramatically." – Destin Adams
The consensus lock at the top of defensive tackle rankings is certainly Mason Graham of Michigan. After that there is a wild amount of disagreement on the next big group of defensive line prospects.
Walter Nolen (Ole Miss), Kenneth Grant (Michigan), Derrick Harmon (Oregon) and Tyleik Williams are all competing with one another for first round 2025 NFL Draft slots based on latest mock draft trends. Then Deone Walker (Kentucky), T.J. Sanders (South Carolina), Omarr Norman-Lott (Tennessee), and Alfred Collins (Texas) could all push for second round consideration.
The NFL Combine certainly could be what ends up separating these tiers into much more clear rankings in the coming weeks.
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The 2024 NFL Draft Class has already left quite the impression on the league as a whole. Multiple had fantastic rookie seasons, and it looks like they are going to be dynamic players in this league for the foreseeable future. With one year of their careers in the books, we here at A to Z […]
That's all for now, folks. We'll be back with more 2025 NFL Draft coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
And if you want to see why so many are excited to see how Jalon Walker tests at the NFL Combine just check out his college football highlights in the video below.
