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Stats don't tell the whole story in sports. Neither do measurables, but NFL front offices love to see both combine to form a great profile for draft-eligible players. The stats are easy to discern, but it's players' performances at the NFL Combine that could make or break their draft stock, despite the numbers needing to be dissected with nuance.
A couple of days into this year's combine, we've already seen some players' draft stock skyrocket following impressive outings. Shemar Stewart and Nick Emmanwori have really set themselves apart as freaks of nature in their respective positions. But while many stand out, others have done so as well in a negative way. One of those was Gunnar Helm, the talented tight end out of Texas.
Gunnar Helm performs poorly in every NFL Combine drill
Helm showed up a bit underweight, which was surprising, and then tested poorly in every category. His high 4.84 forty-yard dash was particularly rough, leading to a very low Relative Athletic Score. It has fans wondering why he even participated in the combine.
Helm was a top target for the Longhorns in 2024. After catching just 19 es in his first two seasons at Texas, Helm exploded last year for 60 receptions, 786 yards and seven touchdowns. He was key in Texas' first two College Football Playoff wins, scoring against Clemson and Arizona State.
Helm's on-field play is certainly much better than his athletic testing. He put plenty of great stuff on tape, which will make him a favorite among many scouts. But his combine performance is set to cost him some money this April.