NFL Combine Risers and Fallers: Who improved their draft stock?

The NFL Combine is one of the key events of the evaluation process leading up to the NFL Draft, and in this year in Indianapolis, several prospects improved their draft stock.

Players like John Ross, Marshon Lattimore, and O.J. Howard  lit up the combine, proving they were the elite athletes many believed them to be.

However, there were also some surprises. A few players who we assumed were elite athletes didn’t test as well.

Here are the six players that improve their draft stock the most, as well as the six prospects who hurt their cause.

Six Risers from the Combine

1. Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA 

Previously considered a Day 2 prospect, Moreau may have just put himself in the first round conversation. He ran the second fastest 40-yard dash time among the defensive backs, recording a blazing 4.35 time.

Measuring in at 6-feet and 206 pounds, Moreau also showcased tremendous athleticism, movement skills, and lower body explosion. He led all cornerbacks in the broad jump (136-inches), finished in the top-five in the vertical (38-inches), and recorded a solid short shuttle time (4.12).

The former UCLA defensive back proved he’s an elite athlete, and this coupled with his solid film and blazing speed will make him one of the top cornerbacks in the draft class.

2. Haason Reddick, LB, Temple

After already being one of the most impressive players at the Senior Bowl, Reddick continued to impress scouts and analysts with an outstanding combine performance.

Even though he tested with the defensive line group, Reddick showcased all of the agility, speed, and burst to be a special linebacker in the NFL. He led all front-seven players in the 40-yard dash (4.52) and broad jump (133-inches). He also finished amongst the top linebackers in the bench press (24 reps) and vertical (36.5-inches), as well as record a respectable 7.01 three-cone time.

Reddick not only proved he’s one of the most explosive athletes in the draft, but he also showed the speed and agility to hold up well in space as an off-ball linebacker at the next level.

3. Jordan Willis, Edge, Kansas State

Willis was the surprise player of the Combine. While many have criticized him for his stiffness on film, Willis showed excellent agility and quickness in drills.

He ran the fastest three-cone time at 6.85 among defensive linemen and tied for third in the short shuttle (4.28). Willis also performed near the top in the broad jump (125-inches) and vertical (39-inches), showcasing his excellent lower body explosion, as well as top-end burst with a 4.53 40-yard time and 1.54 10-yard split, both top marks among the edge rushers.

Willis solidified himself as a second-round prospect in the draft with his strong performance in Indianapolis.

4. Obi Melifonwu, DB, UConn

Melifonwu may have stole the show with his ridiculous combine performance on Monday. He recorded the top vertical in Indianapolis at 44 inches, as well as the top broad jump at 11-feet and 9-inches. He also ran the fasted 40-yard dash among the safeties at a blazing 4.40.

These are incredible numbers for any player, but it’s especially impressive for a defensive back who measures in at 6-foot-4 and 224 pounds.

Melifonwu definitely improved his draft stock this week. He may sneak into the end of first round, but in the very least, he solidified himself as an early Day 2 prospect.

5. Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss

Engram has good film and production in college, but many were skeptical of his speed and athleticism leading up to the combine. There were rumors he’d run in the 4.8 range in the 40-yard dash.

Well, Engram squashed those concerns with eye-popping workout numbers in Indianapolis. He ran a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash, the fastest time for any tight end. In fact, only four wide receivers ran faster times. Engram also finished second in the three-cone drill (6.92) and third in the shuttle (4.23), showing good agility.

The good workout numbers coupled with his strong hands and route-running ability make Engram one of the top tight end prospects in the draft.

6. Derek Rivers, Edge, Youngstown State

If people weren’t talking about Rivers as a borderline first-round/second-round prospect, they should be after this week.

Not only does the former Youngstown State defensive end have excellent film, but he also showcased elite athletic traits during workouts. He finished third among edge rushers in the 40-yard dash at 4.61, was third in bench press with 30 reps, fourth in vertical at 35-inches, and third in the three-cone drill at 6.94.

He’s an explosive pass rusher who could go early in the second round.