The 2017 NFL combine is over and done with, and before we move on to pro days -- which begin this week -- let's look back at prospects who caught my eye at the combine and helped their draft stock.
You won't find pass-rusher Myles Garrett or wide receiver John Ross here, even though both lit up the combine. That's because what we saw only cemented their status in my rankings. Garrett has been my No. 1 prospect since the beginning of the season, and he's staying right where he has been after he posted ridiculous numbers. He ran a 4.64 40-yard dash and had a 41-inch vertical and 10-foot-8 broad jump, all at 6-foot-4, 272 pounds. The Browns have to take him with the No. 1 pick. Ross, meanwhile, ran a combine-record 4.22 40-yard dash, but we already knew speed was his best asset. He's a top-three receiver and potential first-round pick.
Two things to keep in mind about my risers from the combine:
We don't have access to the medical reports, so I'm basing these on drills and on-field workouts.
Pro days are still an important part of the process, which is why you won't find any draft "fallers" -- yet. Florida cornerback Teez Tabor ran a 4.62 40, which is concerning. But maybe he had a bad workout, and maybe he'll run faster at his pro day. His tape shows first-round talent, so I'm not dropping him.
Here are 15 prospects who helped their stock at the combine, starting with a quarterback who had a great workout.
Patrick Mahomes II, QB, Texas Tech
Mahomes, who measured in at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, put on an impressive display in the on-field workouts, showing that he can make all of the throws. He also put up the best 20-yard shuttle (4.08 seconds) time and third-best three-cone drill (6.88) time and had a solid 40-yard dash (4.8). The former Red Raider signal-caller is more of a thrower than a pitcher who can pick his spots at this point, but his arm talent is undeniable. He's extremely raw -- his footwork and mechanics on tape are maddeningly inconsistent -- and the air raid system in which he played will likely cause some hesitation among teams. From all I've heard, however, Mahomes is a sponge who wants to learn and develop, and he'll work hard to learn the playbook when he's drafted. I think Mahomes is entrenched as the fourth quarterback in this draft -- behind Mitch Trubisky, Deshaun Watson and DeShone Kizer -- and he's in the mix to be picked in the second or third round.