The NFL Combine may have lost some luster in 2025 with many of the top prospects, including Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward, Ashton Jeanty, and Tetairoa McMillan deciding not to run or work out at all.
But from behind the scenes to on the field, there was still much learned on the stock of several players ahead of the NFL Draft.
Here’s breaking down the best and worst developments from the latest round of pre-draft information gathering in Indianapolis.
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NFL Combine 2025: Winners & Losers
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Winner: Cam Ward
Ward has some similar vibes to Jayden Daniels with his deliberate college journey to top draft pick. The various experiences he went through at Incarnate Ward and Washington State before Miami are being appreciated more as an asset on top of his arm-accuracy-athleticism combination. He reportedly impressed teams in interviews and shared his knowledge of multiple offenses. That solidified his standing as the standout top QB prospect, separating him from the pack even further.
Loser: Shedeur Sanders
Sanders choosing not to compete with the other non-Ward quarterbacks was a questionable decision, especially with more questioning about his surefire first-round status. There’s no doubt his quiet cockiness is admirable in terms of confidence in his passing abilities, but he may not have been positioned to sit out in favor of his upcoming pro day at Colorado. By not doing anything on the field, he may have opened the door for a fall. Meanwhile, several QBs, including rising consensus No. 3 QB prospect Jaxson Dart, are pushing for higher positions.
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Winner: Jack Bech
Bech was the best wide receiver on the field in both Senior Bowl practices and the combine. He has already come into the second-round conversation out of TCU, but there was even more to love in Indy. At 6-1, 214 pounds with his kind of quickness, route-running, and hands, Bech has a case to be a long-term, reliable NFL starter. The work has been well timed with other receivers fading a bit behind Tetairoa McMillan.
Loser: Emeka Egbuka
Egbuka sat out of workouts while Bech, Matthew Golden, Luther Burden III, and others in the mix for first-round picks participated. He could have benefited from getting on the field, especially given he had chances to work in practice with three former Ohio State QBs — Will Howard, Kyle McCord, and Quinn Ewers — at the combine. There was an opportunity missed to lock down the No. 2 spot behind McMillan.
Winner: Matthew Golden
Golden keeps on doing what he needs to do as a big-play threat with a complete receiving skill set, including a 4.29-second 40-yard dash, just a little off from former Texas teammate Xavier Worthy’s record 4.21 last year. He is getting closer to getting drafted ahead behind McMillan and ahead of Egbuka.
Loser: Isaiah Bond
Making a bold prediction for one’s self that doesn’t come true (beating Worthy’s 40 time) will draw added scrutiny to a good-but-not-great combine performance.
Winner: Shemar Stewart
Stewart already had been rising before the combine and blew it up during edge rusher workouts that were otherwise meh as a group, confirming that he should be a first-rounder with fellow former Texas A&M sack artist Nic Scourton. Stewart can go ahead of his teammate and potentially be the second edge rusher drafted.
Loser: Abdul Carter
Carter’s medical evaluation discovered a manageable foot issue, but his quick decision to postpone surgery that would prevent further injury raises a little bit of a durability concern for the Titans, who are weighing whether the Penn State edge rusher should be the No. 1 overall pick.
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Winner: Kenneth Grant
Grant, the massive freakishly athletic Michigan defensive tackle, measured well but unfortunately suffered a hamstring strain and got advice not to try to blow up the drills despite a desire to still impress. He will do that when he’s expected to be fully healthy for his March 21 pro day.
Loser: Mason Graham
Graham is more of a compact, quicker inside pass rush type than his former Michigan teammate Grant. However, he left some questions about the level of his power and strength with his measurements. The non-injury decision to skip workouts kept him from locking down his top-10 overall spot.
Winner: James Pearce Jr.
Pearce has been perceived as a polarizing prospect in trying to mesh his potential with his drive, but his freakish workout results at 6-5, 245 pounds, including a 4.47 40-yard dash, caught a lot of people’s attention. That athletic upside as an edge pass rusher can get him drafted earlier than expected up there with Stewart in the first round.
Loser: Jack Sawyer
Sawyer has been consistently losing draft stock since his dazzling end to Ohio State’s national championship playoff run. He just didn’t look dynamic enough to be considered anywhere close to a high second-round pick.
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Winner: Nick Emmanwori
Emmanwori was the SEC East safety prospect who lived up to freakish expectations. The South Carolina product was outstanding stuffing the stat sheet in college and showed off in every aspect on the field in Indianapolis to get borderline first-round consideration again.
Loser: Malaki Starks
Starks, out of Georgia, is another do-everything SEC East safety prospect, but the athleticism, speed, and measurables ended up disappointing. He is still a first-rounder, but the gap keeps closing between him and Emmanwori.
Winner: Tennessee Titans
The Titans should love the fact Ward crushed his job interviews and the mystique over Carter and Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter remains. There are more signs they could take advantage of a team wanting any of those top three prospects overall and stockpile more high draft capital out of the No. 1 overall pick.
Winner: Pro days | Loser: Combine
Starting with Ward and Sanders, the marquee prospects who didn’t work out at the NFL Combine kept mentioning how much they are looking forward to being back on campus during Pro Days. The combine is becoming like meaningless bowl games, given it’s not the ultimate part of the draft evaluation for some.
The annual prospect showcase also becomes less important from a television entertainment perspective when missing out on the top star power. The NFL must do some self-reflection so the combine can maintain its punch as a premier offseason event.
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