NFL Draft season is just around the corner with most of the college football season concluded and the NFL regular season finished. It is now the road to the NFL Combine where all 30 franchises will scout their future rookies to add to the roster. Here are five players that could have a huge NFL combine to establish themselves as a first round pick.
5 Players Who Need a Huge NFL Combine to Cement NFL Draft First Round
Jordyn Tyson (Wide Receiver, Arizona State)
The Arizona State Sun Devils standout wide receiver played a huge role in the Sun Devils road to the College Football Playoff during the 2024 season and became a major player to watch in the 2025 season. Despite only appearing in nine games this season, Tyson managed to log 711 yards and eight touchdowns.
The problem with Tyson as a prospect is the injury history. He suffered a major knee injury in 2022 while at Colorado, which caused him to be out for the 2023 season. Towards the end of the 2024 season, Tyson suffered a collarbone injury that sidelined him during the post season and had hamstring issues that raised durability issues.
He could be in need to have a big NFL Combine, especially in the 40-yard dash and specific wide receiver drills. Like him, you could use the best ankle brace for runners. Overall, Tyson is probably still a first round pick, but could use a good NFL combine to cement himself.
Kaydn Procter (Offensive Tackle, Alabama)
The Alabama Crimson Tide and former Iowa Hawkeyes’ offensive tackle has been a standout for both teams in his time in college football. Kadyn Procter has been a top name to watch in the draft for a while and has played well enough to be drafted in the first two days.
Procter graded out as the fifth best offensive tackle in college football according to PFF and third highest offensive tackle on the big board. However, he was projected to be a top 10 pick for the longest time but now has dropped to the end of the first round.
Procter could benefit greatly from a strong performance at the NFL Combine. He will definitely be a player to watch during the whole combine in a couple of months.
R Mason Thomas (Edge Rusher, Oklahoma)
One of the best pass rushers in the country is next on the list. R Mason Thomas was very solid in 2025, helping lead the Oklahoma Sooners to the College Football Playoff. However, injuries derailed Thomas down the stretch and pushed him to a second round prospect at this moment.
He finished the 2025 season with 26 total tackles with 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, which was second overall for the Sooners. Thomas’ best season was in 2024, when he finished 12.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks.
The former Sooner will need a strong performance in the NFL Combine to make himself a “for sure” first round prospect come April.
Remello Height (Edge Rusher, Texas Tech)
Another edge rusher for the list, this time with standout senior Remello Height for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The Red Raiders were one of the top teams entering the College Football Playoff and defense was a big reason.
Height finished the 2025 season with 38 total tackles with 10 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. He was also the fourth highest graded edge rushers according to PFF with 92.6 grade. Height was overshadowed by the edge rusher from the other side in David Bailey, who is a top 10 projected pick in April.
Height is projected to be a mid to late first round pick in the draft but could use a strong combine performance to help establish himself more.
KC Concepcion (Wide Receiver, Texas A&M)
The last player on the list is the leading receiver for the College Football Playoffee, Texas A&M Aggies. KC Concepcion, originally a standout receiver for the NC State Wolf Pack, had himself a great season in College Station, catching 61 passes for 919 yards and nine touchdowns.
Currently, Concepcion is a projected late first round pick but could fall into the second round. A strong NFL Combine performance could be huge for the wide receiver, especially with how strong of a wide receiver draft class it is. Keep an eye on Concepcion as he could be a major steal of pick for somebody in April.