Four Studs, Two Duds From Day 2 Of 2025 NFL Scouting Combine

It’s time to talk defensive backs and tight ends.

The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine officially got underway for a stacked class of defensive linemen and linebackers on Thursday, and though it was going to be hard to follow up on what that group showed, the fellas did a decent job on Friday.

The New England Patriots didn’t exactly enter Lucas Oil Stadium hoping to fall in love with anyone across these two positions, but it was hard not to come away impressed with some and weary of others.

Who were the studs? Who were the duds? Let’s quit wasting time and get right into it:

STUDS
S Nick Emmanwori
Emmanwori made himself a ton of money on Friday, proving himself to be the biggest freak in a position full of them.

It’s absurd to be able to run a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, but how about the fact that he also posted the best explosion numbers of anyone at the position with a 43-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot, 6-inch broad jump. Can you say first-round pick?

CB Maxwell Hairston
Hairston ran a 4.28 40-yard dash. That’ll do.

TE Terrance Ferguson
It’s tough when the most intriguing players at a position decide to skip out on testing, but that always opens up an opportunity for someone to show up and show out. Ferguson did just that, clocking his 40-yard dash in at 4.63 seconds (the fastest amongst tight ends), a 39-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot, 2-inch broad jump at 6-foot-5 and 247 pounds.

Good stuff.

CB Darien Porter
Porter ran a 4.30 40-yard dash, which also will do.

DUDS
TE Gunnar Helm
Helm is a good football player, but his numbers left a lot to be desired. Texas’ most reliable target jumped just 30 inches in the vertical and posted the third-slowest 40-yard dash time of anyone (4.84).

CB Zy Alexander
Alexander was barely a fit to be at the combine and struggled to showcase why he ever got an invite.