Dylan Sampson entered the 2025 NFL Combine with a lot of buzz after his stellar 2024 season at Tennessee, where he rushed for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns. However, his Combine performance raised some questions. The most notable was his decision to skip the 40-yard dash, which could have been influenced by rumors of a lingering hamstring injury. Given the emphasis on speed in this year’s running back class, not running the 40-yard dash may have hurt his stock, especially as other backs posted impressive times. While it’s unclear how serious the hamstring issue was, it’s possible it factored into his decision to sit out, limiting his chance to showcase his reportedly fast 4.35 speed.

Despite not running the 40, Sampson still demonstrated his explosiveness in other events, posting a 35-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-4 broad jump. His athleticism remains a strong selling point, but questions about his size (5’11”, 190 lbs) and limited receiving experience (only 40 career catches) still loom large. If the hamstring injury is indeed a factor, teams might have additional concerns about his durability. While his Combine performance didn’t significantly raise his draft stock, Sampson’s college production and overall athletic profile still make him a dynamic prospect. His draft position will likely depend on how teams weigh his health, upside, and fit in their offense, with Sampson potentially landing anywhere from Day 2 to early Day 3.

Author: Mike Lindberg (@FFCanuck99)