2024 NFL Combine Risers: Texas Duo of Xavier Worthy and AD Mitchell Stands Above

Day 3 of the NFL’s annual testing event in Indianapolis is in the books, with quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers taking to the field inside Lucas Oil Stadium. Who joined record-breaker Xavier Worthy in the group of NFL Combine risers, and what does it mean for the 2024 NFL Draft?

Day 3 Risers at the 2024 NFL Combine

Percentile data is derived from Kent Lee Platte’s (@MathBomb on X — formerly Twitter) Relative Athletic Score, or RAS, system.

Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

It feels right to lead off with the wide receiver who broke the NFL Combine record for the fastest 40-yard dash time. Xavier Worthy officially ran a 4.21 40-yard dash — one hundredth of a second faster than John Ross’ time from 2017.

Everyone gravitates to Worthy’s speed, and rightly so. But the exciting part about Worthy is that he’s a better overall prospect than Ross. He’s a surgical route runner who weaponizes his speed, and he has superb ball-tracking ability in the deep third.

Adonai “AD” Mitchell, WR, Texas

AD Mitchell‘s tape is some of the best in the 2024 NFL Draft WR class at its peak. Mitchell is a phenomenal route runner at 6’2 3/8″, 205 pounds, who flashes near-elite hand-eye coordination. His athleticism has always been a strength, but his NFL Combine numbers finally quantified that athleticism.

At his size, with over 32″ arms, Mitchell ran a blazing 4.35 40-yard dash, and also jumped 39.5″ in the vertical and 11’4″ in the broad. Mitchell has always been on the Round 1 fringe in mock drafts, but this testing showing might increase his odds as a true X receiver.

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Brian Thomas Jr. is my WR4 behind Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze. His NFL Combine showing not only locked him into that spot but also increased his odds of going inside the top half of the first round.

MORE: Top WRs in the 2024 NFL Draft

At 6’3″, 209 pounds, with near-33″ arms, Thomas recorded a 4.33 40-yard dash, 38.5″ vertical, and a 10’6″ broad jump. The speed, in particular, is what allows Thomas to be so deadly on slot fades and nine routes, but his wingspan is just as notable. He’s a unicorn athlete.

Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville

There was no shortage of quality testing in the 2024 NFL Draft RB class, but the best tester of the group — by far — was Louisville’s Isaac Guerendo. Guerendo measured in at 6’0″, 221 pounds, and still managed to score a position-best 41.5″ vertical and a 10’9″ broad jump.

Guerendo’s most impressive number, however, was his 4.33 40-yard dash — a number that was also a position-best. Guerendo ran the 100m dash in the 10.5 range in high school, and his speed and bend, combined with his physicality, make him a perfect wide-zone scheme fit.

Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

The turbocharged technician backed up his athleticism at the NFL Combine. Standing around 6’0″, 185 pounds, Ladd McConkey ran a crisp 4.39 40-yard dash and put up a 36″ vertical and a 10’4″ broad jump.

On top of his testing athleticism, McConkey has some of the best throttle control and intentional motion in the class. Those two traits in tandem could make him a top-50 pick.

Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee

On tape, Jaylen Wright appears as one of the most explosive, most dynamic running backs in the 2024 NFL Draft, and his testing reflected that fact. While maintaining a weight of 210 pounds, Wright ran a blazing 4.38 40-yard dash and also logged a 38″ vertical and an 11’2″ broad jump.

Wright benefited from frequent light boxes at Tennessee, but he also has the searing speed to make the most of space when he has it, and his testing reinforces that.

Jalen Coker, WR, Holy Cross

Two small-school WR prospects excelled at the NFL Combine, the first of whom being Shrine Bowl standout Jalen Coker. At around 6’1 1/2″, 208 pounds, Coker achieved a position-leading 42.5″ vertical jump, and his 1.52 10-yard split was near the 94th percentile.

Ryan Flournoy, WR, SE Missouri State

Coker bested Ryan Flournoy in the vertical jump, but Flournoy ran a blazing 4.44 40-yard dash at 6’1″, 202 pounds, and he also logged an 11′ broad jump near the 98th percentile. Flournoy showed off his ability to secure tough catches over the middle of the field at the Senior Bowl, and his stint in Indianapolis compounded the momentum.

Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

The biggest development for Michael Penix Jr. at the NFL Combine came off the practice field. It was reported early on Saturday that Penix had passed medical evaluations, effectively breaking down a major roadblock on the climb to Round 1.

MORE: 2024 NFL Combine Results — 40-Yard Dash, Bench Press, Vertical, 3-Cone, and More

Then, in positional drills, Penix was one of the best throwers, generating easy pace and drive velocity. Other QBs struggled to push throws outside the numbers and keep passes inside WRs’ wheelhouses, but Penix did so without any strain.

Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida

Ricky Pearsall’s functional athleticism doesn’t always seem to be elite on tape, but Pearsall tested with elite numbers at the 2024 NFL Combine. He ran a 4.41 40-yard dash, jumped 42″ in the vertical, logged a position-best 6.64 three-cone, and was one of the most consistent performers in positional drills.

Pearsall’s testing athleticism doesn’t always match his on-field pace, but the verified numbers will endear him to teams, as will his rock-solid hands and sharp route nuance. Once thought to be an early Day 3 pick, he should go much higher now.

Malik Washington, WR, Virginia

Malik Washington catalyzed his offseason rise with a dominant Shrine Bowl showing, and his NFL Combine performance further solidified his status as one of the easiest WR prospects to bank on as an eventual NFL success.

At 5’8 1/2″ and 191 pounds, Washington tested with a 4.47 40-yard dash, a 10’6″ broad jump, and a 42.5″ vertical jump that tied for the lead among all WRs. And he capped off his day with an immaculate gauntlet drill, running the line with smooth balance and strong hands.

Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona

At 5’8″, 168 pounds, Jacob Cowing needed to prove that his speed was an asset, and he did that with a swift 4.38 40-yard dash. His shuttle time was questionable, but his speed is verified, and during the gauntlet drill, he was able to keep that speed while extending beyond his frame effortlessly for high passes.

Bub Means, WR, Pittsburgh

Keep the name Bub Means in the vault as a Day 3 sleeper. Means measured in at 6’1″, 212 pounds, with arms over 33″ long, and he tested with a 4.43 40-yard dash and a 39.5″ vertical. On tape at Pittsburgh, his ability to stress defenses vertically was one of his best traits, and he has the stem IQ to maximize those tools at the NFL level.

Joe Milton, QB, Tennessee

The NFL Combine always serves as a controlled environment for tools-rich prospects to show their potential, and Joe Milton took advantage of his chance to do so on Saturday. Milton’s testing athleticism at his size was impressive, and even more so was his arm strength.

In a class with Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, it’s not brash to say that Milton has one of the best arms of the bunch. He’s a lot rougher on the intangibles side, but after his effortless deep passing performance in Indianapolis, someone is bound to take a chance on him.

Kedon Slovis, QB, BYU

Kedon Slovis‘ offseason has been a steady “Stock Up” tour. He’s still not a lock to be drafted, but he fared well at the Shrine Bowl, and at the NFL Combine, he registered a RAS of 9.74 — logging a 4.6 40-yard dash, 9’10” broad jump, and a 39″ vertical near the 100th percentile.

Even beyond the athleticism, Slovis showed great touch during deep passing drills, and he interviewed well earlier in the week.

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He may be playing himself into position to be a priority mid-to-late Day 3 option for teams.

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