2024 NFL Draft: USA Today names 10 prospects with the most to prove at NFL Combine

With the NFL Scouting Combine upon us, the 2024 edition has a handful of players who have a lot to prove to scouts in attendance.

Quarterbacks, skill guys, linemen, you name it. There are 10 players who really need a great performance to erase any potential concerns.

Let’s dive into USA Today’s 10 players who have the most to prove at the scouting combine.

Spencer Rattler, QB – South Carolina

Rattler has a ton of talent, he proved as much throughout his career with Oklahoma and South Carolina. At one point, he was considered a top 10 pick, if not a potential No. 1 overall selection way early on.

That obviously didn;t happen. HIs inconsistency plagued him throughout his college career and had some questionable decisions. But he can erase some doubt with a great combine performance to start soaring up boards.

Braelon Allen, RB – Wisconsin

Allen had career lows in carries and yards last season with a new offense under head coach Luke Fickell. Prior to the latter’s arrival, he was one of the most feared backs in the country.

He has a lot of mileage and he’s more of a runner than a dynamic running back who can catch the ball out of the backfield. If Allen can prove he has agility compared to his size, he’ll do just fine.

Blake Corum, RB – Michigan

Corum was an elite college running back and certainly proved he bounced back from an injury in 2022. He was the dominant ball carrier for the Wolverines once again and made opportunities count on the goal line.

However, his size could be a concern in that area in the pros. But he has immaculate ball carrier vision and could certainly prove at the combine that there should be no worry about him going to the next level.

Devontez Walker, WR – North Carolina

Walker can really stretch the field and turn it up on the YAC stat. He did that a lot once he was finally eligible at UNC. However, he’s reportedly over reliant on that aspect of his game.

As far as getting out of breaks on route running, that’s seemingly where he has more difficulty. So according to USA Today’s reporting, that’ll be the top thing to watch for during the combine.

Johnny Wilson, WR – Florida State

WIlson’s athleticism is insane as is his size. He stands at 6-foot-7 and 237 pounds, making him quite the target for NFL quarterbacks.

However, with that type of size, it could limit his movement against NFL defenses. Of course, it remains to be seen since he can create mismatches. However, him showing off a more diverse skill set at the combine could definitely help.

Xavier Worthy, WR – Texas

Worthy proved he can run the entire route tree and be a game changer at wide receiver. However, teams will have concern about his size, despite being 6-foot-1. 

He was listed at 172 pounds, quite thin for the position. But, you ever hear of a man named DeVonta Smith who won the Heisman and is one of the better receivers in the league with the Philadelphia Eagles? This shouldn’t be too concerning, but Worthy will have to bulk up, at least a little.

Kingsley Suamataia, OT – BYU

A massive tackle and he’s a freak athlete according to BYU coaches. This big human being his 21.5 MPH last season when he was a 318 pound freshman.

Those athletic traits could make him standout, but there will be comparisons to his cousin Penei Sewell. Still, he could prove he stands out himself, turning Suamataia into a higher draft pick.

Bralen Trice, DE – Washington

Trice can be a menace for opposing offensive tackles. While he was dominant at Washington, consistently getting into the backfield and racking up tackles and sacks, it’ll be different in the pros.

According to USA Today, Trice has limited bend which could hinder his pass rushing moves. If he’s more flexible than advertised, then he could rise up higher on draft boards.

Maason Smith, DT – LSU

Smith was a freshman All-American back in 2021 but injuries hampered his development throughout his college career at LSU. Can he bounce back from that?

He definitely has a lot of upside based on his history. However, the injuries are a concern, so the medical examinations are key during the combine.

Kalen King, CB – Penn State

King was a preseason All-American, but his performance did not measure up to those expectations. The glaring performance was his against Marvin Harrison Jr. A little unfair, but that’s an NFL receiver.

His size at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds could be concerning if he’s not a ballhawk. He’s gotta be able to maintain man to man coverage going downfield to warrant a day two selection.

The combine can very well make or break some prospects going into the draft. It remains to be seen who rises or falls out of this group.