NFL Combine 2023: Top Risers and Fallers | Sports Illustrated (2026)

NFL Combine Risers and Fallers: Sonny Styles Steals the Show

The NFL scouting combine is a crucial event for aspiring football players, where they showcase their skills and athleticism to scouts and coaches. This year's combine saw some standout performances, particularly from linebackers and defensive linemen. Among the risers, Sonny Styles of Ohio State stood out with his impressive vertical jump of 43 ½ inches, the best among players 6' 4" or taller and 240 pounds or heavier since 2003. His 6' 5" frame and 244-pound build, coupled with an 11’ 2” broad jump and a 4.46 40-yard dash, solidified his position as a mid-first-round pick in April.

But it wasn't just Styles who shone. Here's a breakdown of the risers and fallers from the front seven:

Risers:

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech: An All-American and Bednarik Award winner, Rodriguez faced questions about his athleticism throughout the season. However, he answered them with a 4.57 40-yard dash and jumps of 38 ½ inches and 10’ 1”. He's on track to be drafted on the second day.
Zane Durant, DT, Penn State: Durant, who had an up-and-down season, reminded evaluators of his potential with a group-best 4.75 40-yard dash, a 9’ 4” broad jump, and a 33 ½-inch vertical jump. His ankle bend and explosion in drills were particularly impressive.
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George Gumbs Jr., Edge, Florida: Gumbs, a largely unheralded player, made a name for himself with a 41-inch vertical jump (second-best since 2013), a 4.66 40-yard dash, and a 10’ 1” broad jump. His burst and power on the field were notable, and he may have boosted his stock more than anyone else.
DeMonte Capehart, DT, Clemson: Capehart, a 6' 5" and 313-pound defensive tackle, impressed with a 4.85 40-yard dash, long legs, and impressive bend and flexibility. His blend of size, experience, and athleticism warrants further scrutiny.
Romello Height, Edge, Texas Tech: Height's 6' 3" and 239-pound frame might be a concern for some teams, but his on-field performance showcased his athleticism, fluidity, and ease of movement. He finished in the top 10 in quarterback pressures and hurries, cementing his spot as a Day 2 pick.
Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh: Louis, an undersized linebacker at 6' 0" and 220 pounds, stood out for his raw twitch and speed. He moved with suddenness and change of direction in drills, making plays all over the field. He's projected to be a third-round pick.

Fallers:

Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State: McDonald, a 6' 2" and 326-pound defensive tackle, struggled with multiple slips in drills and lacked the athleticism and fluidity expected of a first-round pick. He's more of a power player and short-area mover.
Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama: Lawson, a veteran standout, failed to impress in team drills, lacking the high-level juice and mobility of his peers. He's projected as a Day 3 pick.

Other News and Notes:

David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech: Bailey, a top-10 prospect, impressed with a 4.50 40-yard dash and fluid movement. His presence and performance at the combine were notable, especially in an era where many elite prospects opt out.
Kaleb Proctor, DT, Southeastern Louisiana: Proctor, a small-school player, showed next-level burst and fluidity. He'll face questions about size and competition level, but his NFL athleticism is evident from his film.
Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma: Halton looked fluid and athletic in drills, posting a 36 ½-inch vertical jump, the third-highest among defensive tackles in the past two decades.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU: Elarms-Orr ran a 4.47 40-yard dash and operated with quickness and suddenness.
Christen Miller, DT, Georgia: Miller, one of the draft's best defensive tackles, didn't participate in athletic testing or drills.
Caleb Banks, Edge, Florida: Banks did athletic testing and briefly went through drills before opting out due to cleat discomfort.
Standouts who were minimal or non-participants: CJ Allen (Georgia), Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor (Miami), Gabe Jacas (Illinois).
Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M: Howell gingerly walked to the sideline favoring his left leg after a coverage drill.