FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The NFL Scouting Combine can be an invaluable tool during the draft process, but teams value each part of the event differently.
Medical evaluations and player interviews are typically at the top of the list of importance, but after that opinions may vary. As Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot explained in a sit-down interview during the combine, Atlanta puts its preliminary draft board together before traveling to Indianapolis for the testing.
This approach speaks to the importance of what a player puts on film during his college season. Physical measurements and athletic testing are certainly factors, though, and a strong performance by a player at the combine can sometimes spur a second look at the tape.
There are several players who might be getting that double take after posting eye-opening numbers during their workouts. Let's take a look at seven high performers who could be on the Falcons' radar when the NFL Draft rolls around.
Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
Depending on how the Falcons approach the interior of their defensive line this offseason, Alexander could be an interesting player for them to consider on Day 2, especially if they can get another pick or two in that range. He's a little over 6 foot 3 and weighed in at 305 pounds. Alexander has good strength, but his burst was on display in Indy. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.95 seconds with a 10-yard split time of 1.72 — both of which were among the best at his position. His vertical (31.5 inches) and broad jump (9 feet, 4 inches) were both great marks as well.
Nick Emmanwori, SS, South Carolina
Emmanwori's workout is one combine fans will be talking about for years to come. One of the top safety prospects in the draft, Emmanwori measured 6-foot-3 and weighed 220 pounds which is an excellent size for the NFL. Moreover, he blazed through the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds and had a 43-inch vertical with an 11-foot-6-inch broad jump. That performance put him in a very exclusive group and earned him a perfect "Relative Athletic Score" of 10. The Falcons have drafted some special athletes in the first round under Fontenot, and Emmanwori fits that bill.
Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
After a buzzy performance at the Senior Bowl, Hairston kept his arrow pointing up in Indy. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the combine, clocking in at 4.28 seconds, which will grab teams' attention. His vertical of 39.5 inches was second best among cornerbacks and his broad jump of 10 feet, 9 inches was third best. Hairston built a play-making reputation at Kentucky, picking off six passes and returning three of them for touchdowns in his two years as a starter. Showcasing elite athleticism on top of those instincts will make Hairston stand out in a crowded position group.
Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
Noel created separation with ease during Senior Bowl practices, and now it's clear why. He was a top performer in many of the workout categories and had the best marks in the broad jump (11 feet, 2 inches) and bench press (23 reps). Noel is shifty and difficult for defenders to stick with, which makes him ideal as a slot player in the NFL. His experience as a returner — 821 yards on kickoff returns and 466 on punt returns — will also add to Noel's appeal.
Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
Let's stick with the Cyclones for a second, shall we. Porter is firmly in the mix of cornerbacks expected to go on Day 2, and he, like Hairston, did a lot to help himself with his testing. Porter had the second-fastest 40 time at 4.3 seconds, and he was tops in the 3-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle. His performance in Indy earned him the highest RAS score in the 2025 cornerback class, a near-perfect 9.99. Porter is fairly raw with only one year of starting experience, but the athletic upside is clear.
Caleb Ransaw, CB, Tulane
While a player like Porter might find his way into the back part of the first round, Ransaw is projected to be around on Day 3. Finding quality players all throughout the draft is what good teams do, though, and Ransaw has skills that are transferable to the type of big nickel role Atlanta has experimented with. At the combine, Ransaw finished second behind Porter with a RAS of 9.95 and give teams a real reason to look further into his tape. His 40-inch vertical, which led all corners, is going to be especially appealing.
Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M
Stewart somehow feels like the perfect prospect to end with, because he’s the embodiment of the draft's ultimate philosophical battle — production versus promise. In a blind comparison of a basic stat sheet, Stewart's 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for a loss over a three-year career at Texas A&M wouldn't stand out. But here's the rest of it. Stewart is 6-foot-5, weighs 267 pounds and has arms that are 34 inches long. Among defensive ends at the combine, he finished first in the broad jump (10 feet, 11 inches), second in the vertical jump (40 inches) and fourth in the 40-yard dash (4.59 seconds). Like Emmanwori, Stewart earned a perfect RAS score of 10. He is a fascinating prospect.
