2026 NFL combine: Top draft prospects, workout predictions

The NFL combine is rolling by Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis this week — a key occasion within the lead-up to the 2026 NFL draft. More than 300 prospects will converge on Indy, the place they are going to obtain official measurements, bear medical evaluations, interview with groups and work out in entrance of NFL scouts, coaches and entrance workplace executives.

The on-field drills start Thursday, and draft consultants Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates are right here to interrupt down what they’re searching for out of the most effective gamers within the class. Which prospects are going to make an impression? Who has essentially the most to show or achieve? Which quarterbacks may flip heads, and naturally, who will run the quickest 40-yard sprint?

Defensive linemen, linebackers and particular groups are up first Thursday at 3 p.m. ET. Defensive backs and tight ends carry out their exercises at 3 p.m. ET Friday, adopted by the quarterbacks, extensive receivers and operating backs at 1 p.m. ET Saturday. The offensive linemen end issues with their exercises at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.

Here are some high names to look at and what to anticipate over the subsequent 4 days.

Jump to:
Top workout watch | Prospects with a lot to prove
Top QBs to watch | Fastest 40-yard dashes
Explosive jumps | Measurements that matter
Medicals to watch | Latest buzz | Bold predictions

Which prospect goes to dominate his mix workout?

Miller: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon. The buzz surrounding Sadiq’s expertise has been rising because the junior tight finish first took the sector as Terrance Ferguson‘s backup in 2024. Now, the 6-foot-3 245-pounder has his shot to impress scouts and GMs. Evaluators I’ve spoken to are predicting Sadiq will leap north of 41 inches within the vertical soar and will run the 40-yard sprint within the low 4.5-second vary. The high tight finish within the class, Sadiq has various grades from groups, with some putting him within the high 20 whereas others see him within the again finish of Round 1. A giant week of testing may push him to the highest of that vary.

Reid: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State. At 6-foot-4, 243 kilos, Styles has the potential to be the discuss of the mix after his workout. Speaking to scouts, the expectation is for Styles to run within the mid-to-high 4.5 vary within the 40-yard sprint and exceed 40 inches within the vertical soar. Don’t be stunned if he touches 11 ft on the broad soar, too. He is already considered as a possible top-10 choose, however Styles is more likely to placed on a present not solely through the testing portion but in addition in on-field drills.

Kiper: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama. Man, Jordan took mine. Styles goes to mild up the vertical and 40. But I’ll go along with Proctor, who’s extraordinarily explosive for his 6-foot-7, 366-pound measurement. We noticed his athleticism on show through the season, as he took a screen pass 11 yards in opposition to Georgia and plowed his way to a primary down in opposition to Missouri. And he has a ton of uncooked upper-body power. I feel he may submit some actually good numbers within the mix testing and assist make the case that he ought to keep at left deal with within the NFL — and go in Round 1.

Yates: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia. Fans of the “First Draft” podcast are accustomed to my emotions about Freeling, who’s amongst my high 15 prospects in all the class. The 6-foot-7, 315-pound deal with is one the most effective O-line athletes anticipated to work out in Indianapolis, and he’ll have an opportunity to showcase the graceful actions, transitions and footwork that helped him turn into a standout move protector. My sentiment is that Freeling will carry on climbing draft boards, and I would not be shocked if he works his method into the highest 10.

Which prospect has essentially the most driving on his workout?

Kiper: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami. There isn’t any arguing Bain’s manufacturing (together with 9.5 sacks and 71 pressures final season), method and total upside. His recreation is constructed on sheer energy, nonstop hustle and a deep arsenal of pass-rush strikes to beat offensive tackles. But his arm size at 6-foot-3, 275 kilos is a question for scouts, and his 40-yard sprint time might be key in seeing his true pace. Bain wants workout and a few stable testing numbers to show he may be simply as dominant within the NFL as he was in faculty. I’ve him ranked ninth total proper now, however he may find yourself going top-five if he places a stamp on his analysis in Indianapolis.

Yates: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama. Few gamers have generated as sturdy of opinions from scouts as Proctor, who at his greatest is a hulking, highly effective, overwhelming deal with with flashes of proactive athleticism that wow you. But he endured troublesome stretches all through his Alabama profession, leaving some scouts skeptical that he has the foot quickness to carry up in opposition to high NFL move rushers. As Mel mentioned above, Proctor’s workout might be important in stating the case that he has the products to carry up in move safety and safe his spot as a possible top-25 choice.

Miller: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama. Simpson (QB2 in my rankings) made the best transfer by deciding to throw on the mix, however lots is now driving on how he performs there. The junior began solely 15 video games in faculty (all final season) and seemed noticeably completely different over the second half of 2025. I need to see what Simpson’s arm appears to be like like in individual and what kind of velocity and drive energy he can generate. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 208 kilos, Simpson’s measurements can even be scrutinized as scouts residence in on his hand measurement and top.

play

Mel Kiper Jr. makes case for Steelers drafting Ty Simpson

Mel Kiper Jr. joins “Get Up” and breaks down why Ty Simpson can be choice for the Steelers within the 2026 NFL draft.

Reid: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida. He got here into the 2025 season as a possible top-20 choose, however Banks performed solely three video games on account of a foot injury. With loads of query marks getting into the predraft course of, Banks revived his draft inventory a bit throughout a robust week of practices on the Senior Bowl. But now scouts will need to see him put all of it collectively on the mix; a robust displaying in testing and on-field drills may assist him resurface as a mid-to-late first-round choose. He’s my No. 29 total prospect.

What do scouts need to see from this quarterback group?

Reid: The QB class is extensive open after Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. And with Mendoza opting to wait until his pro day on April 1 to throw, there is a prime alternative for one more quarterback to assert the highlight Saturday. Who will make a press release?

Simpson (Alabama) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) are considered because the potential QB2 and QB3 of this class. After their extremely inconsistent seasons, scouts have an interest to see how each throw the ball through the throwing session. Simpson remains to be receiving a mix of late Round 1 and early Day 2 grades, whereas Nussmeier’s grades are sporadic. Some scouts see him as a Round 3 prospect, whereas others really feel he is a Day 3 dart throw.

Cole Payton (North Dakota State) can also be gaining steam, and his improvement is nicely forward of the curve regardless of being a one-year starter. Early Day 3 remains to be seen as Payton’s goal space, however Round 3 is not out of the query if he performs nicely through the predraft course of. Saturday might be key.

Which quarterback has the prospect to rise essentially the most Saturday?

Kiper: Taylen Green, Arkansas. The eighth QB on my board has a respectable likelihood to toss his title within the extensive open QB3 ring with efficiency this week, although that admittedly speaks extra to the uncertainty of the quarterback class past Mendoza and Simpson. He appears to be like the half at 6-foot-6 and 224 kilos, he has an enormous arm to push the ball downfield, and he’s a terrific runner with 35 profession scores on the bottom. But Green’s accuracy has been very inconsistent. Consider that his completion price was beneath 60% in half of his video games final season, and his 11 interceptions tied for 14th within the nation.

Green must run in addition to anticipated and throw with precision Saturday. He cannot be lacking excessive and low on passes through the workout, particularly with no defenders in protection. I need to see a soar in his ball location. A very good workout may have groups buzzing a few man with a whole lot of coveted bodily traits.

Pick a four-man relay staff of prospects who will mild up the 40-yard sprint

Miller: This was a simple yr to choose a 4×40 staff. Let’s begin off with Notre Dame operating again Jeremiyah Love. The 6-foot, 214-pound first-rounder has the runaway pace, as proven by his two 90-plus-yard landing runs final season. He will prepare dinner within the low 4.4s. We additionally must get Mississippi State receiver Brenen Thompson on the staff, as he is my choose to run the quickest 40 in Indy. Watch for him to run within the mid-4.2-second vary, although I do not assume he is catching Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy (record 4.21 in 2024).

For the final two, I polled scouts and heard that Iowa wideout Kaden Wetjen (excessive 4.3s) and Wake Forest operating again Demond Claiborne (low 4.4s) are two must-sees with regards to the most effective 40 occasions on this class. If I needed to name out a participant on protection, I’d keep watch over Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell. He can fly.

play

Why Louis Riddick considers Jeremiyah Love an enormous difference-maker

Louis Riddick breaks down why Jeremiyah Love is the largest offensive difference-maker within the 2026 NFL draft.

Which prospect goes to show heads together with his broad/vertical jumps?

Yates: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina. He is likely one of the most explosive gamers within the draft, which is clear when watching his tape. A vertical soar north of 40 inches would come as no shock (count on a formidable broad soar, too), and he’ll blaze the 40 as nicely. Cisse was a movable chess piece throughout his faculty profession. A robust week in Indy will strengthen his case to be a first-round choice.

Which prospects’ measurements will scouts actually be centered on?

Miller: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami. The arm size considerations have been loudly rumored when discussing Bain, and we’ll get a agency quantity on simply how lengthy his arms are this week. Does it matter? Some groups will knock a participant with sub-32-inch arms alongside the defensive position — even when that participant had 71 pressures and 9.5 sacks like Bain did final season. His weight can even be of curiosity.

Will he are available at his listed weight of 275 kilos, or will he look to chop or bulk as much as drive groups into viewing him as both an out of doors or inside D-lineman? If Bain weighs in at 285 or extra, we will assume groups will discuss kicking him inside to deal with. But he may additionally lower weight to suit extra as an edge rusher within the NFL.

Whose medical stories will groups be paying shut consideration to this week?

Reid: If we’re strictly rating this class of receivers by expertise, a robust argument could possibly be made that Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson is the most effective of the bunch. But he has struggled to remain wholesome. He by no means accomplished a full faculty season, missing three games in 2025. He’s all the time battling nagging injuries, so there might be groups hesitant in taking Tyson in Round 1.

Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy sat out final season after tearing his ACL, so groups will need to know extra about his restoration. Talent-wise, there is no doubting McCoy is likely one of the 10 greatest prospects on this class. He has squeaky-clean method, as he can flip and run with any receiver whereas additionally having the hip mobility to interrupt at any level. And at 6-foot, 193 kilos, he additionally has nice measurement for a flexible nook. But the place is he at in his rehab and timeline to return?

Finally, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, who broke his left ankle in an October loss to Northwestern, might be one to look at. He’s my QB5 proper now.

What’s the most effective piece of buzz you have heard heading into the mix exercises?

Kiper: Missouri’s Zion Young could possibly be the primary defensive finish off the board — forward of Bain, Akheem Mesidor, and so forth. (however not fairly in the identical class as high exterior linebackers Arvell Reese and David Bailey). The 6-foot-5, 262-pound edge rusher performs with sturdy arms, loads of quickness and the power to seal off the run. He’s No. 22 on my board, however he has a whole lot of followers across the league and will push greater — particularly if he has week on the mix.

Miller: Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane could possibly be a top-15 choose and a future All-Pro. The 6-foot-4 330-pounder is a favourite of many evaluators I’ve talked to because the Senior Bowl. “He’s a mauler with ballerina feet,” one NFC South space scout mentioned. Guards aren’t normally seen as sensible investments in Round 1 on account of positional worth, and the rookie wage scale dictating a excessive wage for first-rounders, however Ioane is seen as one of many most secure picks on this class.

Reid: If you are searching for two names that scouts are excessive on regardless of not getting a lot Round 1 buzz, contemplate Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas and San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson. Jacas (6-foot-3, 275 kilos) has created loads of momentum after recording 11 sacks final season and adopted that up with a robust efficiency on the Senior Bowl. Don’t be stunned if Jacas, my No. 46 overall player, sneaks into the again finish of the primary spherical.

Johnson (6-foot, 185 kilos) has been repeatedly introduced up by scouts on this deep cornerback class. After a dominant 2025 season that resulted in him incomes Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year, the massive query mark that scouts need answered is Johnson’s straight-line pace. His 40-yard sprint time is one to look at very carefully. I’ve him in Round 2 in the meanwhile.

Yates: Michigan edge rusher Jaishawn Barham is choosing up steam within the scouting group, which I do not count on to decelerate anytime quickly. He started his faculty profession at Maryland and was a stand-up linebacker for a lot of his faculty profession, however at 6-foot-3 and 243 kilos, he performed a hearty dose of edge snaps in 2025 and confirmed distinctive explosiveness. He’s a Day 2 prospect now who will solely create additional intrigue with an enormous week.

Give us your greatest prediction for mix week.

Reid: The buzz popping out of the mix will encompass the depth atop the offensive deal with class. I at present have seven gamers with top-50 grades. Freeling (Georgia), Max Iheanachor (Arizona State) and Blake Miller (Clemson) at present have second-round grades, however I imagine all three will firmly be within the Round 1 image after this weekend. In talking with a number of scouts and evaluators over the previous month, there is no set order on after they’re anticipated to return off the board, however tackles might be chosen continuously — and early.

Yates: We’re going to return out of this week with a whole lot of questions on the highest gamers. In latest years, high prospects have bypassed even a few of the basic duties of the week (i.e., no drills, no weigh-ins, and so forth.), and I’m not right here guilty them or query them. But in a category with fewer blue-chip prospects than common, there are gamers projected to go early who’ve questions on their measurement, well being, athletic profile or in any other case. Many of these questions won’t be answered in Indy.

Kiper: Tennessee extensive receiver Chris Brazzell II will run one thing within the ballpark of 4.47 within the 40-yard sprint and push himself into the first-round dialog. I like his 6-foot-5 measurement, positive arms, total toughness and power on the catch level. But NFL entrance places of work might be paying shut consideration to his timed pace. He’s faster than you’d count on out of his breaks at that measurement, however displaying good straight-line pace will spherical out his scouting report. He’s the kind of participant who may rise over the subsequent few weeks as groups get a better take a look at his tape. He’s WR6 on my board.

Miller: Ohio State will dominate the mix — and the draft. We’ve already seen linebacker Sonny Styles, security Caleb Downs, edge rusher Arvell Reese, defensive deal with Kayden McDonald and extensive receiver Carnell Tate taking high spots at their respective positions in a number of rankings. We ought to see all of them do very nicely in testing this week, too. Like Jordan talked about earlier, Styles is a reputation that pops up continuously with scouts and coaches when speaking about potential workout stars. Those 5 gamers listed are seen as first-round skills, which is why Round 1 may have a scarlet-and-gray really feel to it.