The NFL Combine isn't just a showcase for teams; it's a game-changer for fantasy football. Every year, standout performances and disappointing showings shake up how incoming rookies are valued in early drafts. These shifts are most evident in Underdog Best Ball drafts, where we can compare average draft position (ADP) from the day before the combine to today. While these moves matter most for early best ball drafters, they also provide valuable insight for dynasty and redraft managers into how the most engaged fantasy players are reacting to the latest information.

So far, 76 rookies have been drafted at least occasionally in early Underdog contests, but not all have been affected the same way. For 48 of them, the combine had little impact. Many are later-round prospects whose ADP remains steady, but even some of the biggest names in the class have barely budged. Cam Ward, Ashton Jeanty, Tetairoa McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, and Luther Burden III have all seen minimal movement after limited participation in Indianapolis.

On the other end of the spectrum, a handful of players have shot up draft boards. One rookie running back is now going more than five rounds earlier than he was just over a week ago. A total of 28 incoming rookies have seen their ADP rise or fall significantly post-combine, and we will highlight each in today's article. Whether it's speed, size, or something else driving the hype, these ADP swings offer a strong indicator of which prospects are gaining or losing value across all fantasy formats.

Let's break down the biggest ADP movers, what's fueling their rise or fall, and what it means for your upcoming drafts.

Combine Winners

The table below highlights all 2025 rookies whose ADP has risen by at least 3.5 spots in drafts from February 28 (the day before the NFL Combine) to today, March 10.

Bhayshul Tuten blazed a 4.32 forty and posted a 40” vertical, making him the fastest running back at the combine by 0.06 seconds. His 4.32 time tied De'Von Achane for the fourth-fastest by a running back at the combine since 2003. His elite athleticism should ensure a spot in the mid-rounds of the NFL Draft.

Brashard Smith was one of three backs (along with Bhayshul Tuten and Jaydon Blue) to run a sub-4.40 forty-yard dash at the combine. While he is a bit undersized, he is an intriguing wide receiver-to-running back convert with a chance to emerge as this year's Tyrone Tracy Jr. He is one of my favorite late-round targets in Underdog drafts.

Omarion Hampton, TreVeyon Henderson, and Quinshon Judkins are three of the four backs behind Ashton Jeanty in a very strong second tier at the position. Each has an ADP in the fifth or sixth round of post-combine Underdog drafts, though Hampton is frequently going in the fourth round, and Henderson is sneaking into the back half of the fifth. I absolutely love this trio of rookie backs. While each is going about half a round earlier than before the combine, they still seem undervalued compared to where they will land in best-ball drafts this summer. All three ran in the 4.4s and looked just as explosive on the turf in Indianapolis as they did on their impressive college tape.

There were differing opinions on RJ Harvey's speed heading into the combine, but he silenced any doubts with an impressive 4.40 time while weighing in at a solid 205 pounds. As a result, he is now going a full round earlier in drafts than before the combine.

The two biggest combine winners at wide receiver were college teammates Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins from Iowa State. Noel was one of ten receivers to run a sub-4.40 forty-yard dash. He also led all receivers with a 41.5” vertical and an 11'2” broad jump. A standout at the Senior Bowl, Noel continues to check every box in the pre-draft process and is now generating buzz as a likely second-round pick with the potential to command slot targets early in his career.

His teammate Jayden Higgins ran a bit slower with a 4.47 forty, but he measured in at 6-foot-4 and 214 pounds. Running in the mid-4.4s at that size is a big win, and Higgins now looks like a near-lock for the second round. It wouldn't be shocking to see him rise into late-first-round consideration as we move into April.

Travis Hunter was a fantasy winner at the combine despite not participating. Several teams, including the Browns, noted they view him primarily as a wide receiver. There is still uncertainty about whether he will play receiver or cornerback at the next level, but if he sees anything close to full-time snaps on offense, his upside is massive. That potential is reflected in his ADP, which has risen nearly a full round in post-combine drafts.

Among the top wide receivers, Matthew Golden was the biggest winner at the combine. He led the position with a 4.29 forty-yard dash and seemingly cemented his status as a first-round lock. There was even buzz coming out of the event that he could challenge Tetairoa McMillan to be the first receiver (aside from Hunter) off the board in the NFL Draft.

Colston Loveland did not participate in the combine but still emerged as a winner after weighing in at 6'6” and 248 pounds. He has elite size, and his movement skills on film are extremely rare for a player of his dimensions.

Don't forget about Trevor Etienne in this incredibly deep and talented rookie running back class. He is my favorite 20th-round Underdog pick this month. He ran a rock-solid 4.42 and posted the second-fastest 10-yard split (1.51) among running backs. He is flying under the radar, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him land in the third round of the NFL Draft.