Fantasy Football Impact Post 2024 NFL Combine Notes

NFL Combine

Fantasy Football Impact Post 2024 NFL Combine Notes

2024 NFL Combine Results Impacting Fantasy Football
_Episode 68 of the Fantasy Sports Collective Podcast covers the NFL combine, specifically how QB, RB, WR and TE’s fared…_share.transistor.fm

NFL Combine

You can never get too excited about workout results, BUT when those are paired with highly productive college players, there is a legitimate celebration. This draft can be the best QB class since 1983 (John Elway, Jim Kelly, Dan Marino, Tony Eason) and the most extraordinary WR class ever. That’s not hyperbole either, as I’ll address below.

The post-combine expectation is that at least five quarterbacks, six receivers, and one tight end will be selected in the first round of the NFL draft, and eight of the first twelve selections will be from these positions.

Quarterback

The odds are in favor of quarterbacks being the initial three picks, and the combine showcased that J.J. McCarthy is a ick as well. Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix demonstrated they are potential first-round picks, too, though they will fall in the twenties and could be second-round selections. If the first round, it would make six, tying the 2001 record (Tim Couch, Donovan McNabb draft).

Quarterback Combine Notes

Limited Participation by Top Prospects:

Notably, the consensus top three quarterbacks in the draft — Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (North Carolina), and Jayden Daniels (LSU) — opted out of throwing and athletic drills at the combine.

Standout Performers:

Michael Penix Jr. (Washington): Though not the top-ranked prospect, Penix Jr. impressed with his consistent accuracy and strong arm strength, showcasing his ability to make various throws during the drills.
J.J. McCarthy (Michigan): Despite his smaller frame compared to other quarterbacks, McCarthy silenced doubters with his strong arm strength and impressive precision, raising his draft stock.
Bo Nix (Oregon): Entering the combine with questions about his arm strength, Nix displayed improved footwork and better accuracy than his college film, solidifying his position as a potential first-round pick.

Other Notable Performances:

Kedon Slovis (BYU): At the combine, he recorded the fastest 40-yard dash time among quarterbacks (4.5, showcasing his athleticism.
Sam Hartman (Notre Dame) and Austin Reed (Western Kentucky): While not top drill performers, their athletic testing numbers and college experience make them intriguing options for teams seeking later-round selections.

Running Back

The running back position is weaker for this draft, but there are some day-two (rounds 2 and 3) talent. With NFL teams utilizing committees at this position, at least one of these guys will turn into this year’s DeVone Achane and Tyjae Spears, among others. The guys at the top of the draft mainly didn’t participate, including Jonathan Brooks (Texas) and Blake Corum (Michigan). Those two are expected to land between selection 50 and 100. However, some impressive athletic testing scores by productive ould sneak into fantasy relevance as rookies, similar to Achane in 2023.

Top Performers based on RAS (Relative Athletic Score):

Isaac Guerendo (Louisville): Boasted a near-perfect 9.98 RAS score, impressing with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, a 41.5-inch vertical jump, and a 10’9” broad jump. His size (6’0”, 221 lbs) and athleticism solidified his position as a potential Day 2 draft pick.
Jaylen Wright (Tennessee): With a 9.81 RAS, Wright showcased his speed with a 4.38-second 40-yard dash. His decent size, explosiveness and agility make him an intriguing option for teams seeking a pass-catching back.
Trey Benson (Florida State): He notched a 9.77 RAS, good athleticism with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash and a 38.5-inch vertical jump. His well-rounded skillset, including receiving ability, could make him a versatile contributor in the NFL.

Other Notable Mentions:

Tyrone Tracy Jr. (Purdue): He scored a 9.87 ity and explosiveness in drills. college career at Iowa as a receiver, but he switched back and forth.
MarShawn Lloyd (USC): Posted a 9.29 RAS, combining good size (6’1”, 225 lbs) with decent speed (4.61-second 40-yard dash).

Wide Receivers

Based on the combine results it appears that a minimum of 6 WR’s will be selected in the first round, with potential for up to 8. Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze are locked into the top 10, add in Brian Thomas who dominated the combine capitulating him into the top 10 conversation, and Xavier Worthy + Adonai Mitchell assured they’ll end up in the 1st round as well with great athletic performances. All of these players were excellent college performers, thus they aren’t just workout warriors.

Standouts based on 40-yard dash:

Xavier Worthy (Texas): He stole the show with a record-breaking 4.21-second 40-yard dash, the fastest ever recorded at the combine. This solidified his status as a potential top-10 pick.
Brian Thomas Jr. (LSU): He followed closely with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, showcasing his impressive speed and good size (6’3”, 211 lbs).
Adonai Mitchell (Texas): Worthy’s teammate also clocked a blazing 4.34-second 40-yard dash, further amplifying the depth of talent at wide receiver from the University of Texas.
Other notable mentions: Devontez Walker (UNC) and Jacob Cowing (Arizona) added their names to the list with impressive times of 4.36 seconds and 4.38 seconds, respectively.

Beyond pure speed:

Relative Athletic Score (RAS): While the 40-yard dash grabs headlines, other drills and metrics like RAS provide a more comprehensive picture. Players like Rome Odunze (Washington), Brian Thomas Jr., and Adonai Mitchell all scored above 9.90 in RAS, indicating their overall athletic prowess.
Route-running and hands: While not measured quantitatively, some receivers like Ladd McConkey (Georgia) and Ricky Pearsall (Florida) impressed scouts with their polished route-running ability and sure hands during drills.

Tight Ends

Brock Bowers from Georgia, is widely considered the top tight end prospect, he opted out of on-field drills at the combine. His college production and athletic measurables make him a potential top-10 pick. Also Ja’Tavion Sanders, the tight end from Texas, did not participate in any of the on-field drills or athletic testing at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine last week. He’s expected to be selected in the late first or second round of the draft.

Top Performers by RAS (Relative Athletic Score):

Theo Johnson (Penn State): Ranked at the top with a near-perfect RAS score of 9.99, Johnson showcased exceptional athleticism. He didn’t participate in on-field drills but was impressed with his measurables (6’6”, 252 lbs) and testing numbers.
Tip Reiman (Iowa): Following closely behind with a RAS score of 9.93, Reiman demonstrated an excellent blend of size (6’5”, 245 lbs) and athleticism with solid testing results.
Ben Sinnott (Georgia): Showcased his athleticism with a RAS score of 9.75, recording a 4.57-second 40-yard dash and displaying good hands and route-running ability.
Other notable performers: Jared Wiley (9.53 RAS), and Tanner McLachlan (9.39 RAS) also impressed with their athletic testing and could be potential mid-round draft picks