The NFL Scouting Combine is just one piece of the puzzle as players prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft.
But even though it isn't the whole picture, the combine does offer prospective picks a place to shine, and NFL.com's Chad Reuter recently spotlighted those who did just that.
Reuter noted players from each day of the combine who either improved or declined their draft stock with on-field performances in Indianapolis. We'll share Reuter's thoughts on two "stock up" players from each of the first three days:
From the LB/DL group, Reuter spoke highly of LB Jihaad Campbell (Alabama), DT Derrick Harmon (Oregon), EDGE James Pearce, Jr. (Tennessee), EDGE Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), DT Junior Tafuna (Utah) and DT Tyleik Williams (Ohio State).
Reuter said Stewart "made a splash" in Indy:
He posted a 40-inch vertical (second-best among combine defensive linemen), 10-foot-11 broad jump (best among combine d-linemen) and excellent 4.59-second [40-yard dash] (fourth-fastest among combine DLs). He tweaked his hamstring running the 40, per NFL Network Senior National Reporter Stacey Dales, and the injury kept him out of the position workouts. The drills could have given him a platform to show he has the agility and change-of-direction skills to become a more productive player in the pros (4.5 sacks in three seasons at Texas A&M), but he did more than enough in the athletic testing to help himself.
Reuter tipped his cap to Campbell's 4.52-second time in the 40-yard dash, as well as his broad jump of 10 feet, 7 inches.
Campbell looked like a pro executing drills, moving in space and catching passes during the workout. He was clearly the top off-ball linebacker on the field, and he even stayed late to do pass-rush drills after the LBs had completed their workout.
Defensive backs and tight ends made their appearance on Day 2, and Reuter highlighted CB Jahdae Barron (Texas), S Billy Bowman, Jr. (Oklahoma), S Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina), TE Terrance Ferguson (Oregon), CB Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky), CB Darien Porter (Iowa State) and TE Joshua Simon.
Reuter pointed out that Barron is "on the smaller side" at 5-foot-10 3/4 and with 29 5/8-inch arms but "did not disappoint" in his on-field drills.
His 4.39-second 40-yard dash and 1.5-second 10-yard split at 194 pounds proved he has the speed to play outside against NFL receivers, a major boon for his draft stock. All-Pro CB Trent McDuffie had similar size (5-10 3/4, 193) and length (29 3/4 arms) at the 2022 combine, and Barron bested McDuffie's 40 time (4.44).
Porter previously played receiver before making the move to corner, and he was only a one-year starter for the Cyclones. Reuter said he showed off his athleticism.
At 6-2 7/8 and 195 pounds, he ran a 4.30 40 with a 1.49-second 10-yard split and a 10-foot-11 broad jump. Porter looked good in drills, showing off strong hands to high-point most deep throws. He also exceled in the gauntlet drill, running in a straight line and snatching passes with his 33 1/8-inch arms.
Day 3 at the combine garners plenty of attention with quarterbacks, receivers and running backs all making their case to prospective team suitors. Reuter listed the following as "stock up" names to keep an eye on: QB Quinn Ewers (Texas), WR Matthew Golden (Texas), WR Jayden Higgins (Iowa State), RB Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State), WR Jaylin Noel (Iowa State) and RB Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech).
Higgins could be a Day 2 option for teams, Reuter said.
Higgins ran a solid 4.47-second 40 (1.53-second 10-yard split) and showed explosiveness with a 39-inch vertical leap. He doesn't have elite quickness, but he'll still be able to challenge NFL corners at the top of the route. Higgins looks the ball into his hands and can turn upfield quickly for a player of his size.
And Tuten led all running backs in the 40 (4.32 seconds) and vertical jump (40.5 inches).
His 10-10 broad jump at 206 pounds turned heads, too. The 5-9 1/4 back showed why he was a regular contributor in the passing game during his college career, smoothly grabbing throws during drills. While he doesn't possess elite change-of-direction ability (4.41-second 20-yard shuttle), Tuten has some make-you-miss in the open field, portending dual-threat contributions at the next level.
Click here to read Reuter's entire day-by-day breakdown of this year's NFL Scouting Combine.
PFF releases free agency rankings; 5 Vikings in top 25
The NFL's New League Year opens Wednesday, March 12, and players across the league are slated to test the waters of free agency.
Analytics site Pro Football Focus on Monday ranked its top 150 players, and five current Vikings landed in the top 25. According to PFF, the highest-ranked Viking due to hit free agency is QB Sam Darnold, who impressed during the 2024 campaign and helped lead Minnesota to a 14-3 regular-season record.
Darnold was ranked No. 9, and S Camryn Bynum came in at No. 16 thanks to his "trustworthy" track record.
Bynum has made his fair share of game-changing plays through three-and-a-half NFL seasons, with eight career interceptions and a career-best three in 2024. Add in the fact that Bynum's 104 solo tackles in 2023 led all safeties, and you have a trustworthy player on the back end to keep the offense in front of him and limit big plays.
Just two spots later, PFF ranked CB Byron Murphy, Jr., at No. 18, noting his six interceptions last season tied for the most among cornerbacks.
Left tackle Cam Robinson landed at No. 20, and RB Aaron Jones, Sr., was at No. 24.
Robinson was part of a Jaguars team that had a dismal start to 2024. But individually, he was a reliable option at left tackle before being acquired by the Vikings at the trade deadline. His 95.1 pass-blocking efficiency rating this regular season was the worst mark of his career, but if anything, that's a testament to his play over the past four years.
PFF spoke highly of Jones' "consistent production," saying he earned a PFF grade of 75.0 or higher in eight straight games.
Justin Jefferson announces 'JJets Flight School'
Vikings phenom Justin Jefferson has annually hosted a variety of youth football camps, but on Monday afternoon he announced "JJets Flight School."
The camp, which will take place June 6-8 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, is coined the "inaugural 3-day wide receiver elite skills camp," gathering the 18 best high school wideouts from around the country to learn under Jefferson.
