The 2024 NFL Combine has been nothing short of thrilling, with the skill-position players putting on a show during their on-field workouts. The wide receivers, in particular, dazzled the crowd with their blazing speed in the 40-yard dash. Texas’ Xavier Worthy stole the spotlight by setting a combine record with a jaw-dropping time of 4.21 seconds. But he wasn’t the only one who left spectators in awe. A total of nine wideouts ran faster than 4.40 seconds, and 23 clocked in under 4.50 seconds in the 40. It was a display of pure athleticism and speed that had everyone talking.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the winners and losers among the wide receivers from Saturday’s drills:
Winners:
Rome Odunze from Washington showcased his impressive skills, earning him a solid B+ grade. Standing at 6-3 and weighing 212 pounds, Odunze ran a respectable 4.45 in the 40-yard dash. His 39-inch vertical jump matched what scouts had seen on film, but his 10-4 broad jump fell short compared to others in the group. However, his three-cone time of 6.88 was exceptional for someone of his size.
LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. had an outstanding day, earning an impressive A grade. At 6-3 and 209 pounds, Thomas displayed his blazing speed with a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash. He also recorded a 38.5-inch vertical jump and a 10-6 broad jump. Thomas has all the makings of a top-tier receiver with his size and speed.
Xavier Worthy from Texas stole the show and earned a well-deserved A+ grade. Setting a combine record with his lightning-fast time of 4.21 seconds in the 40-yard dash, Worthy proved that size doesn’t matter in today’s game. Standing at 5-11 and weighing 165 pounds, he defied expectations with a 41-inch vertical jump and a 10-11 broad jump. Worthy’s performance solidified his status as a potential first-round pick.
On the other hand, there were a few receivers who didn’t fare as well during the combine:
Keon Coleman from Florida State had high expectations coming into the week, but his performance left much to be desired. Running a 4.61 in the 40-yard dash, Coleman was one of the slowest in the group. However, his 38-inch vertical jump and 10-7 broad jump showcased his athleticism. Despite his disappointing 40-yard dash time, Coleman’s size at 6-3 and 213 pounds still makes him an intriguing prospect.
Javon Baker from UCF struggled to stand out among his peers. At just over 6-1 and 208 pounds, Baker ran a 4.54 in the 40-yard dash, which was one of the slower times in this class. His 37-inch vertical jump also fell below expectations. Additionally, his 10-1 broad jump was one of the lowest in the group. Concerns about his speed and burst were confirmed with a 1.58 10-yard split, the third-slowest among receivers at the combine.
Other notable winners from the combine include AD Mitchell from Texas, who displayed freakish athleticism with a 4.34 in the 40-yard dash, a 39.5-inch vertical jump, and an impressive 11-4 broad jump. Malik Washington from Virginia surprised everyone with his performance, showcasing a 42.5-inch vertical jump, a solid 4.47 in the 40-yard dash, and a 10-6 broad jump. Ricky Pearsall from Florida impressed scouts with his route-running abilities and strong hands, along with a 42-inch vertical jump, a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash, and a 10-8 broad jump.
On the flip side, there were a couple of receivers who didn’t live up to expectations:
Jamari Thrash from Louisville had a decent showing at the combine, but he was overshadowed by the exceptional performances of his peers. Running a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash, Thrash’s time was far from slow. However, it ranked as the 11th-slowest in this incredibly fast group. His 34-inch vertical jump and 10-0 broad jump were also below average compared to others.
Troy Franklin from Oregon had one of the most surprising workouts of the day. Despite his slender frame at 6-2 and 176 pounds, Franklin’s 1.61 10-yard split was shockingly slow. His 4.41 in the 40-yard dash was not terrible, but it was slower than expected based on his film and weigh-in.
The 2024 NFL Draft is set to take place from April
