Grok query:
Which wide receivers improved their draft stock at the 2025 nfl combine?
Answer:
Based on the available information from the 2025 NFL Combine, several wide receivers stood out with performances that likely improved their draft stock. The NFL Combine, held in Indianapolis from February 24 to March 3, 2025, showcased athletic testing and on-field drills that can significantly influence how scouts and teams evaluate prospects. Here are the wide receivers who appear to have boosted their draft stock, based on their reported performances:
- **Matthew Golden (Texas):** Golden ran the fastest 40-yard dash among wide receivers at the 2025 Combine, clocking an impressive 4.29 seconds with a 1.49 10-yard split. This blazing speed, combined with his already rising pre-draft hype, likely solidified or elevated his status as a potential early-round pick. His ability to play multiple receiver positions (X, slot, and Z) and his well-rounded skill set further enhance his appeal.
- **Luther Burden III (Missouri):** Burden validated his reputation for speed and explosiveness with a 4.41-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-0, 206 pounds. His on-field drills showcased his acceleration and playmaking ability, and his size appeared more imposing than expected, potentially pushing him higher in the first-round conversation. His standout sophomore season (88 receptions, 1,212 yards, 9 touchdowns) paired with this athletic showing makes him a notable riser.
- **Elic Ayomanor (Stanford):** Ayomanor, at 6-foot-2, 206 pounds, posted a 4.44-second 40-yard dash, a 38.5-inch vertical, and a 10-foot-7 broad jump. These numbers are excellent for his size, demonstrating both speed and explosiveness. His performance aligns with his profile as an "X" receiver prototype, likely improving his stock as a potential NFL starter.
- **Jayden Higgins (Iowa State):** Higgins addressed pre-combine concerns about his speed by running a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4, 214 pounds, with a 1.53 10-yard split. His 39-inch vertical and 10-foot-8 broad jump further highlighted his athleticism, earning him a reported Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.87—one of the highest among receivers. This could elevate him into Day 2 consideration.
- **Tory Horton (Colorado State):** Horton, measured at 6-foot-2, 196 pounds, ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash with a 1.53 10-yard split and added a 37.5-inch vertical. His speed and leaping ability at a solid size likely boosted his draft stock, positioning him as a potential mid-round pick with upside.
- **Tai Felton (Maryland):** Felton, at 6-foot-2, 181 pounds, ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash and reportedly achieved a 9.60 RAS. His large hands (10 1/4 inches) and solid production in 2024 (70 catches, 1,198 yards, 14 touchdowns) paired with this athletic performance could move him up draft boards, possibly into the third-to-fifth-round range.
- **Jack Bech (TCU):** Bech continued a strong pre-draft process, following an impressive Senior Bowl with a solid Combine showing. His 34.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-5 broad jump, combined with smooth route-running and ball-tracking skills in drills, likely improved his stock as a reliable depth receiver, potentially in the mid-to-late rounds.
- **Savion Williams (TCU):** Williams, at 6-foot-4, 222 pounds, ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash. While not the fastest time, it’s notable for his large frame, and his massive 10 1/4-inch hands—the largest among receivers at the Combine—add intrigue. This performance could elevate him as a developmental prospect with unique physical traits.
These assessments are drawn from reported Combine results, including 40-yard dash times, jumping metrics, and Relative Athletic Scores (RAS), as well as qualitative observations from on-field drills. Players like Matthew Golden and Luther Burden III, with their elite speed and high profiles, likely saw the most significant boosts, while others like Higgins, Ayomanor, and Horton quelled concerns about athleticism, enhancing their appeal to NFL teams. The 2025 wide receiver class may not be as top-heavy as previous years, but these performances highlight depth and potential risers for the draft, scheduled for April 24-26, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.