2025 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper names 18 risers after NFL Scouting Combine

Ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper highlighted 18 players who rose after the NFL Scouting Combine this past weekend.

There are plenty of players who rise or fall following this big weekend of on-field workouts and interviews with teams. Kiper divided them between players rising in the first round and those who rose outside the first round.

Let’s dive into Kiper’s list from ESPN.

Six Risers Inside Round 1

Omarion Hampton, RB – North Carolina 

Hampton was always a first round talent for Kiper, at least as of his mock drafts. Everyone’s looking at Ashton Jeanty, but Hampton is a dude. A 4.46 40-yard dash was the highlight of a great combine performance.

Armand Membou, OT/G – Missouri

Membou just made a statement with his combine workout, which included a 4.91 40-yard dash that included some screaming. It was a great sight! Kiper might be pushing this man up into the top 10 in a new mock draft as one of the top tackles.

Jihaad Campbell, LB – Alabama

Campbell is currently No. 19 to Tampa Bay in Kiper’s latest mock draft. He ran a 4.52 40-yard dash and had a 10-foot-7-inch broad jump. He or Jalon Walker will be the top off ball linebacker.

Nick Emmanwori, S – South Carolina

Emmanwori lived up to the hype in terms of the combine expectations per Kiper. He had a 43 inch vertical and ran a 4.38 second 40-yard dash, among other workouts. Based on his college production, Emmannwori might work his way to being the first safety taken.

Maxwell Hairston, CB – Kentucky

Hairston ran a 4.28 second 40-yard dash at the combine, which was the fastest time regardless of position. The speed matched the same speed Kiper saw on tape at Kentucky and he might be pushed up closer to mid-first round. 

Jahdae Barron, CB – Texas

Kiper noted that Barron would be a lock for a first round pick if he ran in 4.4s for his 40-yard dash at the combine. He ran a 4.39. Speed and college production should move him up in the first round.

12 Risers Outside Round 1

Matthew Golden, WR – Texas

Golden ran a blazing 4.29 40-yard dash at the combine and that’ll move him up the board. Kiper is thinking about moving him from round two to top 25 pick.

Darien Porter, CB – Iowa State

Porter was considered a third rounder in the draft by Kiper. But after his 4.30 40 time and 10-foot-11-inch broad jump, he could get a boost.

Tyler Shough, QB – Louisville

Here’s a QB we haven’t mentioned much, via Kiper, much this offseason. Shough had a consistent workout and could end up challenging Jaxson Dart for QB3. It’ll likely be Day 2 for Shough.

Jared Wilson, C – Georgia

Wilson ran an awesome 40-yard dash at 4.84 seconds. He is Kiper’s top ranked center in the draft and has given up zero sacks across almost 1,000 snaps.

Jonah Savaiinaea, OT/G – Arizona

Savaiinaea could be a late first round pick or an early second round pick at this point. He ran a 4.95 40-yard dash and Kiper might make him a Day 1 pick in the draft when it’s all said and done.

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DL – Georgia

Ingram-Dawkins can line up on the edge or the interior, making him one of the most versatile prospects. Kiper seems him as a Day 2 draft prospect following a good combine.

Danny Stutsman, LB – Oklahoma

Stutsman was a star on the field for the Sooners and now he’s rising up Kiper’s board. After his combine workout, the draft expert might make him a first round pick.

Demetrius Knight Jr., LB – South Carolina

Knight concluded his college career with a solid season at South Carolina. Following a 4.58 40-yard dash at the combine, Kiper has him a clear Day 2 draft pick.

Jacob Parrish, CB – Kansas State

Parrish is in the Day 2 mix for Kiper’s upcoming mock draft. Once outside his top 10 cornerbacks, the combine workout changed that. That included a 4.35 40-yard dash and 10-foot-9-inch broad jump.

Jonas Sanker, S – Virginia

Sanker had great numbers at Virginia with 233 total tackles and 17 pass breakups. A solid combine workout could push him to Kiper’s third or fourth best safety in the draft.

CJ West, DT – Indiana

West improved his draft stock in Kiper’s eyes once he finished out his career at Indiana. He’s a great backfield penetrator on the defensive line and has Round 4 potential.

Eli Cox, C – Kentucky

Cox was No. 10 on Kiper’s center list last week and now he might move up to No. 6 or 7 after his combine mix. He also moved up to potential fifth round selection, per the draft analyst.