The NFL Combine has come and gone. Here are some players who failed to help themselves as hoped from a week in Indy.
The 2024 NFL Combine has come and gone, and with it, another great opportunity for college prospects to alter their pro stock before this spring's NFL Draft. With bowl games over with and the Combine in the rearview mirror, most players now have only their pro day and one-on-one interviews/visits to turn heads around the NFL.
This year's Combine standouts included a new record set for the fastest 40-yard dash by Xavier Worthy and much more. On the flip side, several players came in with higher hopes for stronger showings and instead left with a muddier picture than before.
Here are eight players who should have been in the Chiefs' sights coming into the week who failed to set themselves apart when given the chance.
Leonard Taylor III, Interior Defensive Line, Miami
There were reasons to explain away Taylor's lackluster season in '23, but after the performance the former 5-star recruit had at the Combine, it's hard to see him as a top 100 player.
Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cornerback, Alabama
Sadly, injuries are a part of the Combine and McKinstryreportedly discovereda "Jones fracture" in his foot. He may still test at his pro day but this is a substantial blow to a player who needed to show something athletically.
Bucky Irving, Running Back, Oregon
Irving was quickly becoming a favorite day 2 "scatback" selection—though undersized he seemed to have dynamic burst and agility. With a 22.8% percentile athletic testing at that size, it's hard to see him as more than a Day 3 pick now.
Darius Robinson, Defensive Line, Missouri
After an excellent Senior Bowl, Robinson failed to record a sub-5-second 40-yard dash. The thought was he could live on the edge in the NFL, but now he's looking like a tweener who might need to go to the correct scheme. Great showing as a defensive tackle but below average as an edge.
Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Cornerback, Missouri
We promise this isn't personal Tiger fans, Rakestraw has 1st-round caliber tape but running a 4.54 second time in the 40-yard dash when standing 5'11", 183 lbs. limits his upside. He still should be in the mix on Day 2 though.
Austin Booker, Edge, Kansas
Dane Brugler recently highlighted Booker on the Prospect to Pros podcast saying the Combine could be a leaping point for his draft stock. After weighing in at just 240 lbs. with average athletic testing, it doesn't seem there will be a big rise for him.
Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington
Even on tape, you can see the athletic limitations of Trice but the effort, power, and productivity left hope for him as a productive pass rusher. Coming in undersized and posting an average 40-yard dash, a sub-average 10-yard split, and not competing in the rest of the drills isn't helping him.
Kamren Kinchens, Safety, Miami
Kinchens had a down 2023 but his 2022 was strong. He looked instinctive despite being somewhat physically limited. But with some fairly disappointing speed and athletic testing, it's just hard to see him going anywhere before Day 3.