• Moving on up: Troy Fautanu’s stock gets a bump from his offensive tackle-like measurables and testing.
• WRs impress: Xavier Legette and Ricky Pearsall were the biggest risers among a stacked wide receiver group.
• PFF’s 2024 NFL Draft Guide now available: Our latest draft guide is loaded with more than 600 pages of PFF-exclusive advanced stats, grades and analysis on some of the top 2024 draft prospects.
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With the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine all wrapped up, we wanted to give you an early look at some of the biggest risers on the PFF big board following the measurables and testing results. Here is a sneak peek of some of the top risers from the week in Indianapolis.
OT Troy Fautanu, Washington
Fautanu already ranked inside the top 25 on the PFF big board headed into combine week, but he’s still the first name we mention on this list. Fautanu tested very well with a 5.01-second 40-yard dash, 32.5-inch vertical and a 9-foot-5 broad jumo. Nonetheless, we already knew he was one of the most athletic offensive linemen in the class. The biggest reason he entered the top 20 is that he measured in with 34.5-inch arms. Length was a potential question mark for him – as there were some hints of him moving from left tackle to an interior spot – but 34.5 inches ranks in the 68th percentile for tackles in the NFL.
WR Ricky Pearsall, Florida
Pearsall was one of the SEC's most efficient slot receivers this past season, posting a 91st percentile score versus single coverage and a 90th percentile separation score overall. This raised his preseason stock from Day 3 to the backend of Day 2. However, his impact at the Senior Bowl in addition to his eye-popping athletic testing at the combine brings his projected draft position even higher. At 6-foot-1 and 189 pounds, Pearsall ran a 4.4-second1 40-yard dash, hit 42 inches in the vertical, jumped 10-foot-9 in the broad and ran 6.64-second three 3-cone drill to show he’s a do-it-all kind of a receiver. He feels like a top-50 pick now, as he's a guy to watch out for with the Carolina Panthers‘ first pick in the second round.
WR Xavier Legette, South Carolina
Legette was one of the biggest risers during the season this year, as he went from being an afterthought in South Carolina’s passing attack to the guy the Gamecocks built their passing game around. He had an up-and-down Senior Bowl week and didn’t exactly win the weigh-ins when he measured in at 6-foot-1 with shorter arms and smaller hands — not great for a contested catch receiver. However, his combine testing reaffirmed his exceptional athleticism at 221 pounds, as he posted a 4.39-second 40-yard dash and 40-inch vertical. Poor testing would have dropped Legette, but confirming his athletic ability keeps that from being the case.
EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
Kneeland had a fantastic season at Western Michigan this year, earning an elite overall PFF grade. The 6-foot-3, 267-pound defensive end didn’t stand in the 40-yard dash, vertical or broad jumps (though his numbers were totally fine when weight adjusted), but he impressed the most during the agility drills. His 7.03-second three-cone and 4.18-second short shuttle were the fastest times among the defensive ends in attendance. His tape shows the power, and now we know he has surprising agility, too.
DT Braden Fiske, Florida State
Fiske was already a riser this draft season due to how he finished the regular season and dominated the Senior Bowl. Yet, his combine performance was likely the most impressive thing he's done so far. Fiske led all interior defensive linemen in 40-yard dash (4.78 seconds), vertical (33.5 inches) and broad jump (9-foot-9). These numbers also translate well to his game as a one-gap pass-rusher.
CB Max Melton, Rutgers
Melton has had a fantastic draft season. He showcased versatile coverage ability as an outside and slot corner at the Senior Bowl, and in Indianapolis, he showed he’s an elite athlete as well. Melton led all corners with an 11-foot-4 broad jump, ranked third in the vertical with 40.5 inches and also ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash. His elite athleticism means it's time for him to jump up the big board.
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