Three Studs, One Dud From Day 1 Of 2025 NFL Scouting Combine

Workouts are officially underway for defensive linemen and linebackers at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The New England Patriots need a talent overhaul and plan to build in the trenches to match talent at the line of scrimmage across the NFL. They got an early look at that need in the opening day of workouts in the home of the Colts.

Here are three studs and one dud from Thursday’s workouts:

STUDS
James Pearce Jr.
The Tennessee defensive end certainly didn’t lack any speed Thursday with the fastest 40-yard-dash time among defensive lineman with a 4.50-second run. Pearce thrived for the Volunteers in 2023 and led the SEC with 10 sacks during that campaign.

CJ West
West stood out as one of the quickest defensive linemen to take the turf and did so in historic fashion. The Indiana product became just the ninth defensive tackle at the combine since 2003 to run the 40-yard dash in under five seconds at 315 pounds or greater.

West tallied 40 tackles for the improved Hoosiers’ defense in 2024 and previously added seven sacks during his three-year career at Kent State.

J.J. Pegues
The Ole Miss standout may have more versatility than teams realize.

The converted tight end tallied 126 tackles during his college career. He also took fullback reps Thursday evening at over 300 pounds. That’s hard to stop for a defense if an NFL coaching staff wants to get creative.

DUDS
Abdul Carter
Teams did not get a look at arguably the best defensive player in the draft. The Penn State edge rusher spoke with reporters Wednesday before news developed of his stress reaction that could require surgery. Updates rolled in Thursday that Carter can likely avoid surgery and stay on schedule with the draft process.

Not a total dud here, but teams such as the Patriots will have to wait for Penn State’s pro day to see Carter in action up close.