The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine begins this week in Indianapolis, where hundreds of NFL prospects will showcase their skills.
While attention typically focuses on high-profile players, surprises emerge every year at the combine.
Here are the key storylines to watch during this year’s event.
Jalen Milroe’s hand size
Milroe’s hands measured 8 3/4 inches at the Senior Bowl, making them among the smallest for quarterback prospects in recent years.
His measurement matches Saints receiver/quarterback Taysom Hill. Three years ago, Kenny Pickett’s 8 1/2-inch hands became a major talking point before the Steelers selected him 20th overall in 2022.
Pickett has since moved to his second team after struggling in Pittsburgh, though it’s unclear if hand size contributed to his difficulties.
Joe Burrow’s nine-inch hands made headlines in 2020 for being relatively small. Burrow addressed the concern on social media:
Considering retirement after I was informed the football will be slipping out of my tiny hands. Please keep me in your thoughts.
— Joey Burrow (@JoeyB) February 24, 2020
Milroe’s 40-yard dash time will likely impact his draft position more than hand measurements, but both factors will be considered by teams.
Which QBs will join the first-round conversation?
This quarterback class lacks the star power of previous years, but several prospects warrant attention.
Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders lead the group, though Sanders has announced he won’t participate in drills.
Ward recently made headlines with comments about teams that might pass on him in April.
“Okay, you’re either going to draft me or you’re not,” Ward told the Associated Press. “If you don’t draft me, that’s your fault. You’ve got to remember you’re the same team that’s got to play me for the rest of my career, and I’ll remember that.
Ward will likely face questions about these comments during media sessions.
Other notable quarterbacks include Milroe, Texas’ Quinn Ewers, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, and Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel.
Less-heralded prospects like Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke, Syracuse’s Kyle McCord, Florida’s Graham Mertz, and Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard could also boost their stock with strong performances.
Cam Skattebo’s 40 time
The Arizona State running back rushed for 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns last season while adding 45 receptions for 605 yards and three scores.
Skattebo helped lead Arizona State to a Big 12 title and delivered an impressive performance against Texas in the Peach Bowl semifinal, rushing for 143 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw a 42-yard pass on 4th-and-2 and scored a two-point conversion.
In a crowded running back class featuring Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton, Kaleb Johnson, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, Skattebo needs a solid 40-yard dash time to stand out.
Other running backs who could improve their draft position include South Carolina’s Raheim Sanders, Rutgers’ Kyle Monongai, USC’s Woody Marks, Florida’s Montrell Johnson Jr., and Kansas’ Devin Neal.
Sons of former NFL players
Shedeur Sanders, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, headlines this group despite not participating in drills.
LSU tight end Mason Taylor is the son of former Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor, a Hall of Famer and six-time Pro Bowler.
Syracuse tight end Oronde Gadsden II’s father played six seasons as a wide receiver for the Dolphins (1998-2003).
Big “physical freaks”
Several linemen could post impressive numbers in strength and speed tests.
Bruce Feldman’s pre-combine “freaks list” highlighted Georgia LB Jalon Walker (6-2, 245 pounds), who coaches project will run around a 4.4-second 40-yard dash.
Ohio State EDGE rusher JT Tuimoloau (6-5, 269 pounds) finished last season with 12.5 sacks and could impress in multiple drills.
Top defensive line prospects include Michigan’s Mason Graham (6-3, 320 pounds) and Kenneth Grant (6-3, 339 pounds), Ole Miss’ Walter Nolan (6-3, 293 pounds), Kentucky’s Deone Walker (6-6, 350 pounds), and Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart (6-6, 290 pounds).
Notable offensive tackles include Texas’ Kelvin Banks (6-4, 320 pounds), LSU’s Will Campbell (6-6, 320 pounds), Ohio State’s Josh Simmons (6-5, 310 pounds), Missouri’s Armand Membou (6-3, 325 pounds), and Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr. (6-4, 315 pounds).
Which second-tier pass catchers will emerge?
Beyond top receivers like Missouri’s Luther Burden III, Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka, Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, and Ole Miss’ Tre Harris, several less-known prospects could make names for themselves.
TCU’s Jack Bech impressed at the Senior Bowl, earning MVP honors after scoring the game-winning touchdown. Bech lost his brother, Tiger, during the New Orleans terrorist attack earlier this year.
Texas tight end Gunnar Helm caught 60 passes for 786 yards and seven touchdowns last season, finishing second in receiving for the Longhorns.
Texas receivers Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond should post impressive 40 times, as should Louisville’s Ja’Corey Brooks.
LSU tight end Mason Taylor (6-5, 255 pounds) brings considerable upside, while Pitt’s Gavin Bartholemew, who played a school-record 50 games over four seasons, could also rise on draft boards.
San Jose State’s Nick Nash warrants attention after finishing second nationally with 1,382 receiving yards and leading the country with 16 touchdowns last season.
