The NFL Combine is more than just a showcase—it's a proving ground under the watchful eyes of the NFL world both on and off the Lucas Oil Stadium turf. Every year, a few players steal the spotlight with blazing 40-yard dash times and record-breaking lifts, including herculean displays of explosiveness in both the broad and vertical jumps.
As the 2025 class takes center stage in Indianapolis this week, below I’ll highlight a few players, in different categories, that should sit atop the totem pole of their peers once on-field workouts are complete.
Best Hands: Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami
Xavier Restrepo doesn’t have the catch radius of some of the larger wideouts in the class, but his ability to play much larger than his verified 5-foot-9 frame is a trait scouts love across the league. He won’t blaze in the 40 or jump out of the gym in the broad or vert but don’t expect a ball to hit the ground when Restrepo’s turn comes in positional drills. He’s an elite possession player with experience dominating all three levels of a defense. He enters the 2025 draft process as Miami’s all-time leader in receptions (200), 57 more than second-place Santana Moss.
Strongest Arm: Cam Ward, Miami
Whether it was his play at Incarnate Word, Washington State, or his final collegiate season with the Hurricanes, Cam Ward’s fundamental arm talent has remained overwhelmingly evident since the first time he stepped foot on a college campus. What makes his arm elite, however, is his ability to maintain zip from a variety of arm angles, and whether he’s on balance or not. Should Ward compete this week, which remains a question, expect his arm to dazzle inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
Fastest 40: Arian Smith, WR, Georgia
Speed is his calling card. A Florida state title winner in the 200M and the winner of the boys' elite 100M race at the 2019 Nike Elite Prefontaine Classic, it’s not hard to see why Arian Smith has been talked about as one of the fastest players in the 2025 class. With a verified track background, including a blazing 10.18-second 100M time during his collegiate career, his straight-line speed isn’t just elite, it’s world-class.
Sleeper of the Week: Quan Felton, WR, Virginia Tech
At 6-foot-4, 223 pounds, Quan Felton has been recorded at more than 22 mph on the GPS, broad-jumped nearly 11 feet, and is expected to sit in the low 4.4s in the 40. A transfer to the Hokies from Norfolk State, while game tape ultimately holds the most weight for teams, an outstanding week of testing, at his size, will open eyes across the league.
Weightroom Warrior: Jackson Slater, OL, Sacramento State
A powerful presence within the interior, expect Jackson Slater to put up a nice number when it’s his turn under the bar. Shorter-armed (33 inches or less) offensive/defensive linemen often have an easier time throwing the bar around due to the reduced distance they have to push and lock-out, but despite Slater’s length (verified 33 inches), he should have no issue in challenging for the top spot in Indianapolis. Toughness and grit also show up in this exercise, and Slater is as competitive and physically powerful as any interior player in the class. He’ll compete with a chip on his shoulder this week.
