The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books. The draft is less than two months away, and we’ll get more clarity on everything in the coming weeks with free agency. But these are top takeaways based on what we saw and heard at the Combine.
Quarterbacks will go with the top two picks in the draft
The Giants were locked in on Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, but the 37-year-old ultimately decided to remain with Los Angeles. Giants general manager Joe Schoen said they are going to take big swings at quarterback—which now probably means trying to trade up to No. 1. If they can’t do that, it likely means the Titans are taking a signal caller, as Tennessee could trade back to No. 3 and almost certainly get their top overall player on the board if it’s not a quarterback.
If the Browns trade up to No. 1 to secure their top choice and no one (including the Giants, sitting at No. 3) feels the need to go to No. 2 for their guy, this won’t come to be. But if the Browns sit at No. 2, clearly looking set to take a quarterback, it probably means we see QB go 1-2 at the top—whether it’s the Titans picking one or trading out to the Giants or another club.
People were slow to realize Jalen Milroe can throw
One of the most shocking things to read on X after the quarterback workouts on Saturday was how impressive Alabama’s Jalen Milroe was to many pundits. Not that Milroe didn’t do a nice job throwing the ball (which he did), but the response from people can make you shake your head. It’s like they were shocked and had no idea that arguably the best deep ball thrower in the nation last year could… throw the ball well. Also, after a small measurement at the Senior Bowl (not sure what happened there), Milroe’s hands measured at 9 3/4 inches—eliminating any potential concern over hand size.
Malaki Starks looks like a stud safety
The athletic testing including a 4.50 40-yard dash was solid for Georgia safety Malaki Starks, but the on-field workouts are where he really stood out. He’s simply a natural athlete with smooth movement skills that translate incredibly well to the football field. Starks was a highly productive player for the Bulldogs and can be a plug-and-play difference-maker toward the end of Round 1 next month.
James Pearce Jr. is a wild card
Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. blazed a 4.47 40-yard dash at 6’5”, 245 pounds and appears to be shooting up draft boards. Heading into the 2024 college football season, Pearce was near the top of many boards before slipping after a little less production in terms of finishing with sacks (7.5 sacks compared to 10.0 sacks in 2023). However, what really makes Pearce a wild card is all the talk about character concerns. Perhaps it’s overblown, but imagine him dropping and landing on a team with a good support system like the Eagles (we saw how that worked out with Jalen Carter).
Tez Johnson can be a late-round value
Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson was one of the most explosive players in the country over the past couple of years, with over 2,000 receiving yards and 21 total touchdowns (one punt return touchdown) for the Ducks. But he ran a 4.51 40-yard dash at 154 pounds, which has raised alarm bells for many. This might just lead to Johnson being a massive steal late in the draft. He plays fast, is a quick and reliable target, and can bring value in the return game. The subpar testing could allow a team to get a steal on Day 3, where he’s more than worth a shot in today’s NFL where receivers don’t get blown up over the middle of the field nearly as much as in the past.