The NFL Combine is one of the league’s premier offseason events with every team and top prospects descending on Indianapolis. It’s the first time coaches and decision-makers get an up-close look at the top players with interviews and on-field workouts scheduled throughout the week.
Each year more of the big-name prospects decide to focus on the interviews and skip the workout, but the on-field portion is still important for many lesser-known players. Let’s look at the top 10 sleepers at the 2025 NFL Combine.
1) Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
Fannin set the single-season FBs records for receptions (117) and receiving yards (1,555) by a tight end in 2024 so designating him as a sleeper might be a stretch, but the MAC product has to have a solid week at the Scouting Combine. Smaller school prospects have to work that much harder in the pre-draft process and the All-American proved the bright lights don’t affect him at the Senior Bowl.
He’s ranked as the No. 35 prospect in PFSN’s MDS Rankings, but the 6’3″ tight end isn’t a lock to be selected that high. He’s a fast, linear, competitive player who can stretch the field and projects as a versatile chess piece, but his limited lateral movement could make him fall in the draft.
2) Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
Howard comes to Indianapolis off a College Football Playoff National Championship and a year where he led the Big 10 in passing yards (4,010), touchdowns (35), and completion percentage (73.0%). Decision-makers have to determine whether Howard’s one year of excellent accuracy was a fluke as his career completion percentage is just 63.8%.
He’s a five-year player who only had one season as the unquestioned starter at Kansas State before transferring to a loaded Ohio State offense. The team interviews will be important for Howard as coaches will test if he’s more than a one-read quarterback. He ranked No. 100 in the MDS Rankings.
3) Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
Noel is an intriguing prospect as he was tagged as a slot-only option after the season but blew up at the Senior Bowl playing both inside and out. He capped off his college career with 80 receptions, 1,194 yards, and eight touchdowns, and comes into the NFL Combine as the No. 110 prospect in the MDS Rankings.
His biggest issue is his size. He proved he can play outside at the Senior Bowl but it’s a different story going up against long, tough cornerbacks in the NFL. He’s listed at a shade under 5’10” with just over 30″ arms, so he’ll have to prove he can consistently defeat press coverage with his quickness. Noel should have an impressive on-field workout.
4) Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
McCord was a three-year player at Ohio State but transferred to Syracuse after a lackluster 2023 season as the starter. The quarterback blew up at his new school proving he’s not a product of a loaded offense by setting single-season FBS records for completions (391), attempts (592), passing yards (4,779), and yards per game (367.6).
He’s known as a good decision-maker who can process defenses well, but will need to improve his mechanics at the next level. McCord has played a lot of football the last two seasons winning 21 of 25 starts, but will his size (6’3″) or arm strength hold him back?
5) Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
Gordon may have been the top running back taken in if he came out for the 2024 NFL Draft after winning the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back in 2023 putting up 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns. He’s a massive back at 6’2″, 225 lbs., but isn’t a freak athlete and lacks breakaway speed.
One of the best things Gordon has going for him is his age. He’ll be 21 heading into his rookie season so he hasn’t taken the same pounding as other running back prospects. His on-field workout likely won’t blow teams out of the water, but this is a tough, young ball carrier who can make it happen in the right system.
6) Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State
Parrish needs a good week in Indianapolis as the cornerback measured just under 5’10” at the Senior Bowl. He put up five interceptions and 19 pass breakups in his three seasons at Kansas State, and projects as a CB3 with inside/out versatility.
His size gives him trouble against bigger receivers but he has the speed and athleticism to match in coverage. He comes into Combine Week as the No. 163 prospect in PFSN’s MDS Rankings Look, but for Parrish to have a smooth on-field workout that could shoot him up draft boards.
7) Jack Bech, WR, TCU
Similar to Fannin, it’s difficult to call Bech a sleeper after being named the Senior Bowl MVP. The 6’1″ prospect has good size and hands in contested situations but will need to show how good of an athlete he is in the on-field workout.
His final season at TCU was by far his best in college hauling in 62 receptions for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns. He comes in as the No. 96 prospect in the MDS Rankings, and the knock-on Bech is that he lacks twitch and top-end speed. He can make up for that with his size, but proving he’s athletic enough to be more than a WR3 should be his goal in Indianapolis.
8) David Walker, EDGE, Central Arkansas
Walker is an undersized EDGE player who showed up big time at the Senior Bowl. He measured 6’0″ with just under 32″ arms. Not the ideal size for an NFL pass rusher, but he’s proven he can make up for it with his play style.
Walker’s motor was relentless at the Senior Bowl and his natural leverage made it tough for offensive linemen to gain position on him. He’s a fluid mover who should look good working out on the field but he’ll need to prove he’s better than the 10.5 sacks he had at the FCS level in 2024.
9) Charles Grant, OL, William & Mary
Grant comes to Indianapolis from FCS William & Mary but possesses physical traits on par with top-end FBS offensive linemen. He’s unofficially listed at 6’4″, 300 lbs., and played with great footwork in college.
His athleticism makes him a good zone-run scheme fit and he should look impressive during his on-field workout. Grant is PFSN’s No. 136 prospect in the MDS Rankings, but a solid week should propel him up draft boards.
10) Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland
Phillips is one of the younger players going to the NFL Combine coming out of school after only three seasons. He played in three games at Tennessee before transferring to Maryland for his final two years. He has very good size for the position at 6’3″, 320 lbs., but he’s raw as a player.
One of his biggest flaws is being a bit slow processing things after the snap. He’s naturally gifted with good bend, athleticism, and violent hands which will be on display during his on-field workout. Phillips needs to prove to coaches he can absorb and retain an NFL defensive system. He’s No. 128 in PFSN’s MDS Rankings and good get drafted high with a solid workout.