The 2025 NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo provided teams with insights into top prospects, including the potential No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer, and highlighted key stories such as multi-sport athlete Mason West, college player William Horcoff, and the legacy of Ray Shero. The event also featured notable moments like fitness testing, interviews, and the history behind player numbers, offering a comprehensive view of the upcoming NHL draft and future stars.
The 2025 NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo features top prospects like projected No. 1 pick Schaefer, who is preparing for interviews and physical assessments, while also sharing personal stories and team aspirations, with other notable prospects including Hagens and Martone, and a strong representation from USA Hockey's NTDP.
The NFL Scouting Combine will continue to be held in Indianapolis through at least 2026, as the city has hosted the event since 1987. Despite considering bids from other cities, the NFL values Indianapolis for its central location and convenient setup, which allows easy access to hotels and event venues. The city aims to enhance the fan experience to maintain its status as the Combine's host.
With the 2024 NFL draft approaching, ESPN's Jeff Legwold highlights several players who have improved their draft stock, including Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, Houston left tackle Patrick Paul, Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott, CFL player Qwan'tez Stiggers, New Hampshire running back Dylan Laube, Monmouth running back Jaden Shirden, and North Central (Ill.) player DeAngelo Hardy. These players have made significant strides through their performances in college and pre-draft events, potentially impacting their draft positions.
Cooper DeJean, a top-rated cornerback in the upcoming NFL draft, has been medically cleared after a fractured fibula and is set to work out for interested teams at Iowa on April 8, showcasing his on-field skills and drills following a successful collegiate season.
BYU's running back Aidan Robbins, tight end Isaac Rex, and cornerbacks Deion Smith and Kamden Garrett participated in the Big 12 Pro Day, with Robbins impressing scouts with a 4.60-second 40-yard dash and interest from multiple NFL teams. Rex did 24 reps on the bench press and posted an unofficial 40 time in the 4.80 to 4.85 range, while Smith recorded a 10-foot-5-inch broad jump and a 4.58-second 40 time. Garrett ran a 4.47 40, and Eddie Heckard was limited due to injuries. Overall, 137 prospects from 12 Big 12 schools participated in the event, attracting over 130 NFL and CFL scouts and team representatives.
UNC quarterback Drake Maye, who sat out on-field drills at the NFL Scouting Combine, will showcase his skills at the university's pro day, live on NFL+ at 3:30 p.m. ET. Despite lacking accolades like the Heisman Trophy, Maye is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the upcoming draft, ranking No. 5 overall in Daniel Jeremiah's top 50 prospects. Other notable participants at the pro day include wide receiver Devontez Walker, linebacker Cedric Gray, and defensive tackle Myles Murphy.
Jayden Daniels drew a large crowd of NFL talent evaluators to LSU's Pro Day, with representatives from all 32 teams in attendance to watch him and his teammates, including Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. He met with several NFL teams afterward and is expected to be drafted early in the first round, likely in the top three.
Arizona Cardinals General Manager Monti Ossenfort is open to trading their draft pick and downplays Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.'s decision not to work out for scouts, stating that it's not uncommon for players to skip on-field workouts and that they will continue to evaluate him and other prospects.
ESPN updated its quarterback rankings for the 2024 NFL Draft following the NFL Scouting Combine, with Caleb Williams (USC) maintaining the top spot despite not participating in the combine. Other notable prospects include Drake Maye (North Carolina), Jayden Daniels (LSU), JJ McCarthy (Michigan), and Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), while Spencer Rattler (South Carolina) and Michael Pratt (Tulane) also made the list. Several quarterbacks chose not to participate in the combine, impacting their draft stock.
Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who set a Combine record with a 4.21-second 40-yard dash, expressed his desire to be drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs and utilized similarly to Tyreek Hill in their offense. Despite acknowledging that he couldn't beat Usain Bolt in a 40-yard dash, Worthy believes he could be the fastest player in the NFL and a valuable asset to the Chiefs.
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has updated his Big Board Top 25 player rankings for the 2024 NFL Draft following the scouting combine, with USC's Caleb Williams leading the list as the expected No. 1 overall pick. Other notable prospects include Marvin Harrison Jr., Jayden Daniels, Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers. The rankings reflect the impact of the combine and Pro Day events on the draft stock of various players, providing insights into potential selections as the draft approaches.
The New England Patriots hold the pivotal third overall pick in this year's NFL draft, with speculation surrounding their potential selection of a quarterback. While there's buzz about the Patriots targeting a quarterback, it's still early in the process, and their draft strategy may be influenced by the consensus value under the leadership of director of scouting Eliot Wolf. The team's approach to the draft reflects a potential shift from the unconventional drafting style of the Belichick era, with a focus on evaluating prospects and addressing roster needs, particularly at quarterback and other key positions.
The Scouting Combine drew a total unduplicated audience of over five million viewers over four days, with the best day being Saturday when the quarterback, receiver, and running back drills averaged 399,000 viewers. Despite being lower than other NFL-related events, the Combine remains a draw for the most dedicated NFL fans.
The NFL Scouting Combine has influenced the top 25 personal prospect rankings for the 2024 NFL Draft, with wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and quarterback Caleb Williams leading the list. Other notable prospects include offensive tackle Joe Alt, wide receiver Malik Nabers, and tight end Brock Bowers. The rankings also feature several other talented players across various positions, with the draft set to take place from April 25-27 in Detroit.
