The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine reached its conclusion on Sunday. The week-long festivities were filled with breathtaking highs and various top-ranked prospects met expectations by testing impressively. There were several underrated winners too.
With 320-plus participants in attendance, it would be easy to allow these performances to go unnoticed. We've identified five under-the-radar prospects who maximized their opportunity in Indianapolis by improving their pre-draft stock.
ANTHONY GOULD, WR, OREGON STATE
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould put forth an underrated performance at Lucas Oil Stadium. An undersized playmaker with deep vertical speed, Gould ran the 40-yard dash in a blazing-fast 4.39 seconds. Only five receivers had a faster result. Furthermore, Gould's 1.49 10-yard split matched Xavier Worthy for the position-best time, showcasing initial explosion and burst. Gould also had a 39.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-9 broad jump.
Gould took a step forward this season, recording 44 catches for 718 yards and two touchdowns. The speedy threat also accounted for 427 career yards and two touchdowns as a punt returner. Versatility on special teams will make Gould a hot commodity on draft weekend.
MARSHAWN KNEELAND, EDGE, WESTERN MICHIGAN
Agility drills are unfortunately becoming a lost art. More than 200 combine participants opted out of the three-cone and 20-yard shuttle drills, according to Mike Florio. One that didn't? Western Michigan defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who posted elite testing numbers in every category.
Kneeland topped the leaderboard in the three-cone (7.02) and shuttle (4.18) by a wide margin. Kneeland's 35.5 inch vertical, 9-foot-11 broad, and 4.75 40 also qualified as elite results, leading to a Relative Athletic Score of 9.87. Kneeland may be drafted within the top 50 selections.
MIKE SAINRISTIL, CB, MICHIGAN
Michigan Wolverines nickel corner Mike Sainristil is one of the smartest players in the 2024 NFL Draft. Instincts and football IQ are routinely on display when combing through Sainristil's tape. He also happens to be an excellent athlete.
Sainristil placed fourth in the broad (10-foot-11) and seventh in the vertical (40 inches) among all participating cornerbacks, and the Everett, Massachusetts native also ran a respectable 4.47 40. Sainristil completed a sub-seven-second three-cone (6.99) and his elite 4.01 20-yard shuttle finished second behind Myles Harden. At the weigh-in process, Sainristil measured with nearly 31-inch arms, giving him better length than some 6-foot tall cornerbacks. He'll make an immediate impact in the slot.
EVAN WILLIAMS, SAF, OREGON
Oregon's Evan Williams is one of my favorite players in the class. He was a flat-out playmaker in Mobile. Williams continued his ascension in Indianapolis by posting some eye-popping testing numbers.
Williams' insane 40.5-inch vertical fell half an inch short of Tyler Owens’ (41") for the position lead. His 10-foot-6 broad also ranked fourth among all safeties. Williams transferred to Oregon from Fresno State this past season and proved he could handle the competition by recording 82 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
RYAN FLOURNOY, WR, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE
Ryan Flournoy initially improved his pre-draft stock by thriving in this year's Senior Bowl. Flournoy never appeared out of place while rubbing shoulders with big-school prospects. It was more of the same for Flournoy at the NFL Combine.
Flournoy is a rocked-up 6-foot, 202-pound prospect that ran an excellent 4.44. The SEMO standout also leaped a 39.5-inch vertical and threatened for the position lead in the broad jump with an 11-foot result. Flournoy is an outstanding athlete who continues to capture league-wide attention.
Honorable mentions: Mo Kamara (EDGE, Colorado State), Jacob Cowing (WR, Arizona), Elijah Jones (CB, Boston College), Dylan McMahon (IOL, NC State), Tyrice Knight (LB, UTEP), Daequan Hardy (CB, Penn State), Tyronce Tracy Jr. (RB, Purdue), Mason McCormick (IOL, South Dakota State), Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (S, Texas Tech), Bub Means (WR, Pittsburgh), C.J. Hanson (IOL, Holy Cross).
