Now that the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine has concluded, let’s look at the immediate ramifications it had on the values of the incoming rookie class. This is Linebacker Stock Up/Stock Down (2024 Combine Edition). It is a seven-part series covering the pertinent risers and fallers of the combine. If you want to see how these changes are reflected in our rookie rankings, check out our Rankings Page. This series will not feature offensive linemen since they are not part of the fantasy football landscape. If you want to see the testing numbers for the offensive lineman, they are available at NFL.com.
Stock Up
Payton Wilson, NC State
Payton Wilson had an excellent week at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. His size wasn’t a concern as he still checked in at almost 6’4″ and 233 lbs which is more than adequate size. While his size was good, his speed was elite and easily the best of the rookie linebackers. His 4.43 second 40-yard Dash was insanely quick and showed he is capable of both dropping into coverage or getting after the quarterback.
Wilson also scored well in the explosiveness drills as his Vertical Jump and Broad Jump were both above average. He showed his all-around potential this weekend and should see his draft stock rise significantly. He was already in the conversation for LB1 in this class with Cedric Gray, and with the two of them being the linebacker winners this week, they have put even further distance between them and the LB3 on the board.
Cedric Gray, North Carolina
Cedric Gray was the other linebacker who was impressive this weekend, although he checked in smaller than Wilson. Gray weighed in at 6’1″ and 234 lbs, which was okay but not great. The most concerning portion of his size grade was his poor bench press, but that only serves to further illustrate that he has potential if he puts on some mass before the NFL.
His speed scores were very impressive as he ran a 4.64 second 40-yard Dash. This was one of the better times and shows his potentially elite ceiling. While he is certainly going to need to add some muscle to take his game to the next level, he grades out very well in every other aspect of testing. Gray may be the most versatile linebacker in this draft class and can be an elite producer in IDP leagues.
Stock Down
Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State
Tommy Eichenberg was never in the top linebacker tier for me, but he was someone I saw with serious potential. However, after a poor performance at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, he has fallen into a group of linebackers that are largely just late-round dart throws with nothing more than prayer appeal. He opted not to run any of the speed drills, which is concerning since most prospects only run the drills they think they will excel at. Skipping the speed drills means he will likely be well below average if he tests at his Pro Day.
The testing he did participate in did not produce the results you would have hoped to see from him. His Vertical Jump and broad Jump were both poor or okay at best, with his Shuttle run being the lone good score in this testing. He is yet another linebacker who graded average in the size department. His 6’2″ and 233 lbs frame is not an issue, but for a player of that size to be projected as a slow player, it isn’t a great combination. Eichenberg is a linebacker I will be avoiding for the most part in IDP rookie drafts. He is okay as a last-round flyer, but nothing more.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr, Clemson
For me, Jeremiah Trotter Jr was in the running with the top tier of rookie linebackers, but after the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, he will be dropping down into the second tier. He did almost no testing, and the tests he did participate in were underwhelming, to say the least. He weighed in even smaller than the other three linebackers on this list at 6’0″ and 228 lbs which is well below average size for a linebacker. His bench press was decent but is not enough to cancel out the other poor results.
His avoidance of the speed and explosiveness drills should also be viewed as a sign that he expected his results to be well below average in those areas. So, for Trotter Jr, we have either no results or bad results. For this reason, he is now firmly outside the top tier of linebackers for me, which is a real problem as I viewed the linebacker group to be easily the worst position group of the IDP rookies.
The RAS Score data is from ras.football and was the result of the hard work of Kent Lee Platte aka Math Bomb.
