Previewing the 2025 NFL Combine: Which defensive backs and tight ends to watch

It’s time for the DBs and tight ends to work out

The New York Giants and the rest of the NFL are in draft season!

Aspiring NFL athletes will perform at Lucas Oil Stadium in their underwear, testing their movement skills and being measured to their exact size. Yesterday we watched the defensive linemen, edge defenders, and linebackers work out.

Today, we have a number of defensive backs and tight ends to watch.

Friday’s coverage of the NFL Scouting Combine kicks off Friday Feb. 28th at 3 p.m., on the NFL Network.

Medical checks

CB Benjamin Morrison, Norte Dame

The medicals for two cornerbacks are critical: Norte Dame’s Benjamin Morrison and ECU’s Shavon Revel. Morrison missed half the season with a hip injury that required surgery. He was widely regarded as a top cornerback before his injury. He allowed an impressive 45.7% catch rate in college with 12 passes defended and nine interceptions — he intercepted six passes as a true freshman in 2022. Teams became wise and started throwing away from him. Morrison stands to make a lot more money and will shoot up the draft board if his hip checks out medically.

[Prospect Profile]

CB Shavon Revel, ECU

A unique blend of size, length, and explosiveness, along with elite man coverage skills that were on display in 2023. He may not be the most technically sound corner, but Revel allowed just a 43.1% catch rate in college, and his tantalizing movement skills were evident on tape. He’s a sure tackler with a lot of upside, but he tore his ACL in September of 2024. The evaluation of his knee by team doctors will be important in Indianapolis.

[Prospect Profile]

SAF Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State

The Penn State standout safety partially tore his right ACL in Week 2 of the 2024 season. He decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the draft, and he may slide but could be a steal for a team if he’s medically cleared and is the same player as he was before the injury. Winston Jr. is a force in run support and a physical presence.

[Prospect Profile]

TE Colston Loveland, Michigan

Loveland had surgery on his AC joint last month and will not be participating in drills, but the dynamic 20-year-old tight end will be in attendance. Reports suggest that Loveland should be ready for training camp, but medical checks on the shoulder are still necessary to ensure he’ll be fine. When do the Chargers pick, 22nd? Maybe Loveland will reunite with Jim Harbaugh in Los Angeles.

CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado: Dual duty?

Hunter is listed as a cornerback and will work out on Friday. The rare prospect is one of the major storylines as the event in Indianapolis starts. Some teams have him higher as a wide receiver; others value him more as a cornerback; and, reportedly, some think he can do dual duty — he’s a bright young player with all the upside in the world, and he’s top-three at each position. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. mocked Hunter to the Giants in his recent mock draft. How much more can Travis Hunter move up draft boards? We may find that out after this weekend.

CB Will Johnson, Michigan

Johnson did not play up to his 2023 season in his six 2024 appearances before an upper-body injury knocked him out for the rest of the season. He has ideal size at around 6’2, 200 pounds. He has to nail the interview process, test well, and thrive in the movement portions of his drills to possibly reinsert himself on the map as one of the top-two cornerbacks in the draft.

CB Jahdae Barron, Texas

Barron was a star nickel and sub-package player for the Longhorns for four seasons before making the switch outside — he did not disappoint in his new role! Barron seized outside responsibilities and was one of college football’s most dominant corners in 2024.

Some question his vertical speed and size, and questions persist on whether he’s a true cornerback prospect. Fluid movement skills, a good forty-yard dash, and a quick three-cone may silence those questions and place Barron firmly in the first round.

CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky

Hairston will reportedly run in the 4.3s at the combine after measuring 5-11, 179-pounds at the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl. He’s likely to do very well in the broad and vertical jumps. Hairston needs to WOW with his movement skills and transitions at the combine, albeit some of his most significant deficiencies — questionable run support — will not be able to be displayed in Indianapolis. Still, like Barron, Hariston must test well to overcome the natural concerns with their size.

CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss

Trey Amos is another fringe first-round pick who needs to run a good forty-yard dash to solidify himself in the top 40. Sound testing and movement skills in the drills would answer necessary questions about Amos and could go a long way for the Rebel.

** Sleeper **

CB Darien Porter, Iowa State

The 6-2, 197-pound sixth-year senior played a lot of zone coverage for Matt Campbell at Iowa State, but his athletic ability pops on tape. He’s fluid, explosive, and smooth when transitioning and changing direction. His combination of size and how he MAY test at the combine will attract more eyeballs to his tape. Porter dabbled with receiver in college and was a special teams phenom, blocking multiple punts/kicks.

He’s a unique player in that he didn’t start his first game until 2024, has less than 700 collegiate plays under his belt, and is 24 years old. He may be on the short-list of players who may run the fastest at this year’s combine. Some questions surround Porter, but he could come away from this weekend a huge winner.

Tight Ends

Tyler Warren, Penn State

Warren caught 104 passes for 1,233 yards with eight touchdowns in 2024 while also being one of the country’s best and most physical blocking tight ends. He’s rumored to be in the top 10, and those rumors may become more of a reality if he tests well at the combine. Warren should look natural in the gauntlet and receiving drills while bringing pop to the bag work.

Mason Taylor, LSU

The son of Jason Taylor caught 55 of 79 targets for 546 yards with two touchdowns in 2024. Taylor displayed effortless hands and a smooth ability to maneuver. Like Warren, Taylor should look excellent in the gauntlet drill. Several tight ends are receiving top-50 consideration. Taylor is in that conversation with Warren, Loveland, and Miami’s Elijah Arroyo, who can’t work out at the combine due to a minor injury, which is a shame, for his athletic ability would have shined at the event.

[Prospect Profile]

** Sleeper **

Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green

Fannin is going to become more a recognized name after the event. The Bowling Green star caught 117 passes for 1,155 yards with 10 touchdowns while also receiving end-around and having mild success on the ground in limited work. He’s 6-4, 230 pounds, and his ability to create separation through his athletic traits was evident on tape. These traits should translate when the tight ends do routes on air. He has a massive week ahead of him and could stand to earn more money with a good performance.