Former SB Champion Throws NFL Combine Under the Bus as Day 3 Offers Four Significant Things

The NFL Combine is where future stars are supposed to be discovered—but history says otherwise. Think about it: if the Combine truly measured greatness, Tom Brady wouldn’t have been the 199th pick after running a laughably slow 5.28-second 40-yard dash. Yet, he became one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. So, the physical attributes were somewhat lagging. But he did show the ability to improve with 33 wonderlic score. That’s what changed an opinion of Super Bowl winner Marshall Faulk.

During the February 28 episode of The Rich Eisen Show, the former St. Louis Rams (renamed LA Rams) winner threw the combine under the bus and said, “The one thing that they haven’t found the measure is somebody’s competitiveness in their heart. There’s just no real telltale on that, when you put him in between the lines and adversity smacks him in the face, can they push themselves and pick themselves up off the turf and ask for the football one more time. Yeah, there’s no wonderlic for that.”

Marshall Faulk might be onto something. If the NFL Combine truly predicted greatness, why have so many “underwhelming” prospects turned into generational superstars—while athletic freaks faded into irrelevance? Take Patrick Mahomes for instance.

The quarterback joked with the NFL to not use his 40 overlay. But the league just made a mockery by using a simulated video of the grim reaper with Tennessee Volunteers LB James Pearce Jr. He took only 4.47 seconds while the Chiefs QB ran the 40-yard dash in 4.80 seconds. His wonderlic was only 24.

However, as Marshall Faulk pointed out, he did carry an edge. He trained his whole life in both baseball and football. And he came in the league against his father’s wishes. So, there was a drive to succeed. Look, what he has achieved. 3 Super Bowls in 8 years. If he goes on to play for 2 decades, there’s a high chance of him creating a record. But let’s hold out on that for now.

Then there’s Lamar Jackson. Teams doubted his passing ability—some even suggested he switch positions. He refused to run the 40-yard dash, betting on himself instead. Now? He’s a two-time MVP, one of the most electrifying QBs ever.

Cooper Kupp faced similar skepticism. He ran a slow 4.62-second 40, leading scouts to doubt his explosiveness. Fast forward to 2021—he dominated the NFL, won the Triple Crown, Super Bowl MVP, and laughed at defenses every week. Even Josh Allen, despite a 37 Wonderlic score, was dismissed as “too raw.” Today? He’s a top-five quarterback who single-handedly keeps Buffalo in contention.

On the flip side, the Combine has produced some fool’s gold. John Ross set the 40-yard dash record (4.22s), making him a top-10 pick. But his NFL career? Injury-riddled and underwhelming. Vernon Gholston put on a Combine clinic—insane speed, strength, and agility. But once he hit the field? Zero career sacks.

And while Faulk’s critique exposes the Combine’s flaws, it doesn’t change the excitement surrounding the next wave of NFL talent. Every year, a new group of prospects arrives in Indianapolis looking to prove they’re more than just numbers on a scouting report. And on Day 3 of the 2025 Combine, several athletes did just that.

NFL Combine’s 3rd day – RBs & WRs shine

The best action in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 1, was the running backs’ domination. After 2022, the 2025 combine was the only one in the last 13 years, when 5 RBs ran 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds or less. Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech), Jaydon Blue (Texas Tech), Brashard Smith (SMU), RJ Harvey (UCF), and Montrell Johnson (Florida).

There was another RB who impressed with his athletic profile. Texas Tech RB Tahj Brooks, only 5 feet 9 inches, 214 pounds (97 kg), recorded a 4.52 40-yard dash, 35-inch vertical, 10’ broad jump, a 6.9-second three-cone drill, and a 4.06-second short shuttle. It’s amazing! WRs also excelled. It would somewhat put a dent in Marshall Faulk’s observation.

The receivers didn’t lag behind in running at electric speeds. After the 2012 NFL Combine, it’s the first time that 10 WRs have run the 40-yard dash under 4.40 seconds. Texas Tech WR Matthew Golden took only 4.29 seconds to complete the run. One of the fastest WRs in the league, Xavier Worthy, has already issued a warning to the upcoming athletes by tweeting, “There’s fast, then there’s me.” After all the hype about RB & WR, entered the most important ones. The quarterback!

Alabama QB Jalen Milroe stayed back from running the 40-yard dash and measured workouts. That’s a wise move, considering he could have increased his stock or shortened it. As of now, he is being touted as an impressive athletic QB.

That’s interesting for the fans who are eagerly waiting for the draft. But there’s one more day left. Stay connected as we will keep bringing news from the football world.