21 prospects our NFL Draft expert can’t wait to see at the scouting combine
INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL Scouting Combine usually will get mocked with unfavorable connotations, comparable to calling it the “underwear Olympics.” But I all the time return to the line by legendary NFL scout and certainly one of my mentors, CO Brocato: (*21*)
The combine provides us context — that’s the worth. Whether it’s athletic testing, medical suggestions or different data, I all the time be taught extra throughout my week in Indianapolis (this will likely be my sixteenth straight combine journey) than another stretch of the yr.
There will likely be 318 NFL prospects in Indianapolis this week, and all 318 have one thing to present. But I’m particularly enthusiastic about these 21 prospects — and for various causes…
Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
My choose for the quickest 40-yard sprint at this yr’s combine, Thompson is small (he’ll most likely measure in at 5 toes, 9 inches and round 170 kilos), however measurement does not matter a lot if nobody on the area can catch you.
Thompson ran a ten.18-second 100-meter sprint in highschool, and you’ll see that velocity in his sport. He led the FBS with 5 catches of 50-plus yards in 2025 — and he would have doubled that quantity with respectable quarterback play. I’m setting the line on Thompson’s 40 time at 4.28 seconds.
Others in rivalry to run sub-4.35 in the 40: Barion Brown (LSU), Chris Hilton (LSU), Deion Burks (Oklahoma), Eric Rivers (Georgia Tech), Desmond Reid (Pittsburgh) and Malik Benson (Oregon).
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Right now, Tate is the favourite to be the first large receiver drafted, however will that also be the case leaving the combine?
I believe so. Tate is deceptively quick as a result of his lengthy strides permit him to acquire floor rapidly. It will not be shocking if his 40 time is nearer to 4.4 than 4.5.
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
With his scheme versatility, Thieneman can deliver every kind of worth to a protection. He could make performs over the high in protection or downhill as a run defender together with his velocity and athleticism. I’m keen to see how that vary manifests itself in his athletic testing numbers. Will his efficiency be sufficient to punch his ticket for a top-25 choice?
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Simpson could possibly be the thirteenth choose; he could possibly be the 53rd choose. Neither end result could be all that shocking.
The combine will likely be a pivotal week for him, beginning with getting his verified top, weight and hand measurement. Then, he’ll want to cross his docs to guarantee no matter challenge he was coping with late in the season is not a priority transferring ahead. And scouts will need to see his passing expertise when QBs work out.
The solely space that should not be a priority for him is the workforce interviews — as a coach’s son, Simpson ought to ace that a part of the combine take a look at.
Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami
Bain had dominant moments on his 2025 tape. He can be a polarizing prospect amongst scouts. With his non-traditional physique sort and shorter arms, some groups view his talent set as a greater match inside as a three-tech reasonably than as an edge.
Will his verified measurements and athletic testing reply a few of these questions? Or will they make him much more polarizing?
Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami
Often labeled the “other” Miami cross rusher, Mesidor performed his approach out of Bain’s shadow this season. But scouts are keen to see his testing numbers and the way they examine with the tape that claims he’s a first-round choose. Mesidor has had a number of accidents to his toes, so his docs will likely be crucial.
Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Although the tape is uneven, I felt comfy together with Cisse in my midseason top 50primarily due to his athletic upside. He performs with quick-twitch and straightforward velocity, which ought to translate to a 40 time in the 4.3s and 40-plus-inch vertical explosion numbers. Cisse ought to placed on a present.
Zachariah Branch, WR, USC
Another sturdy candidate for quickest 40 time, Branch should not have any hassle operating in the 4.3s. But he was a screen-pass service provider on his 2025 tape, so I’m extra to see him observe the soccer over his shoulders and present his athleticism as a route runner throughout place drills. Teams need to be satisfied Branch is greater than a gadget participant, and the combine might assist accomplish that.
Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama
Jackson was a record-setting highschool sprinter in California and a former five-star recruit. But a significant knee damage sidetracked his soccer trajectory, so scouts are keen to hear what NFL workforce docs say about his well being. How a lot of that world-class velocity does he nonetheless have?
Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
Smith goes to take a look at evaluators’ limits of how a lot finesse tackling they’re keen to abdomen for true centerfield protection expertise. He will not have the opportunity to reply the physicality query marks in Indy. But if he turns heads together with his testing, it should nudge some groups to cease focusing an excessive amount of on his shortcomings and as an alternative begin believing he could possibly be this yr’s model of Calen Bullock.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
First and foremost, how is the well being of his knee?
He is greater than a yr faraway from the ACL damage he suffered in January 2025, so groups could have an excellent understanding of his restoration. Is he far sufficient in his rehab timeline to work out in Indianapolis? If not, will he work out at his professional day? The combine ought to present solutions to these questions on a participant in the operating to be CB1 on this class.
Jack Kelly, L.B., BYU
A former nationwide champion BMX racer at age 5, Kelly developed a fearless aggressive streak very early. But much more spectacular could be his explosive velocity when chasing the soccer. At 245 kilos, Kelly has the juice to run in the 4.4s and soar over 40 inches in the vertical. I’m hoping to see him in the three-cone drill, too, as a result of his change of path was a priority on tape.
Jaren Kanak, TE, Oklahoma
In what must be a loaded tight finish class on Day 3 of the draft, Kanak has an opportunity to separate himself by blazing the observe at Lucas Oil Stadium. After three years at linebacker, he moved to offense for 2025 and was strong (44 catches for 533 yards), regardless of Oklahoma’s offense offering inconsistent quarterback play. But his velocity at 230-plus kilos actually pops, so it wasn’t a shock to be taught he ran a ten.37-second 100 meters in highschool.
D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
The measurement is the measurement — there’s nothing Ponds can do about that. An NFL scout advised me throughout the season that Ponds stood 5-8 1/4 and 174 kilos with 29 5/8-inch arms, so I anticipate his combine measurements to be shut.
But I’m extra enthusiastic about his on-field efficiency. He was a state champion in the 100 meters (10.37) and may carry out nicely in place drills.
Jaishawn Barham, edge, Michigan
Somewhat of a tweener, Barham moved from off-ball linebacker to an edge position in 2025, which was the proper change as a result of the energy of his sport is his twitchy burst. Setting an edge and sequencing rush strikes are incomplete areas for him, however his explosive athleticism is the promoting level — and it ought to present throughout drills.
Scouts additionally need to be taught extra about him throughout interviews (one scout known as him the “quietest” man in his assigned space). Will Barham open up extra throughout the course of?
Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
Payton is the distinctive case wherein not transferring, however reasonably ready to be a starter, most likely hurts a prospect’s NFL worth. He has only one season of beginning expertise, and it reveals — he is not prepared to face NFL competitors. Realistically, he wants on-field reps to assist him develop, which is what makes him such a captivating prospect in a weak quarterback class.
At 230-ish kilos, Payton ought to run in the 4.5s and be spectacular throughout the board together with his athletic testing. If he will be quiet together with his mechanics and correct together with his throws on high of that, prepare for the Payton prepare to take off.
Mike Washington, RB, Arkansas
After Jeremiyah Love is chosen someplace in the high 10, will probably be anybody’s guess as to the order of the subsequent few operating backs off the board.
Washington was a projected undrafted free agent prospect over the summer time, however he earned draftable grades from scouts together with his play in 2025. He carried out nicely at the Senior Bowl, too, and may flip some heads together with his testing this week.
Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech
Rutledge is an old-school, throwback blocker who needs to manhandle the man in entrance of him. Scouts need to see how his testing numbers match up, however extra importantly, they need workforce docs to give two thumbs up on his docs. After the 2023 season, Rutledge was concerned in a severe automobile accident that required a number of foot/toe surgical procedures (docs even thought of amputation at one level).
The damage did not cease him from changing into an All-American, so hopefully, there are no long-term considerations.
Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
A top-50 prospect in my rankings since September, Golday pulled out of the East-West Shrine Bowl, so we have not seen him on the area in virtually two months. But the buzz will actually get loud for the 6-4, 240-pound linebacker if he comes anyplace shut to the numbers listed for him on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” (1.54-second 10-yard cut up, 4.24 shuttle, 10-7 broad soar, 36-inch vertical).
Kendrick Law, WR, Kentucky
Another gadget receiver, Law is explosive with the ball in his fingers — his on-field mph numbers ought to simply translate to a 40 time in the 4.3s. In a number of methods, he jogs my memory of Kadarius Toney.
There are loads of query marks about Law, however his twitchy athleticism is enchanting and must be on full show in Indianapolis.
Treydan Stukes, CB, Arizona
One of the high nickel corners on this yr’s draft class, Stukes is a former walk-on with playmaking instincts from completely different alignments. He ought to gentle up stopwatches in the 40-yard sprint, though I’m extra enthusiastic about his instances in the three-cone and shuttles.
He is a linear athlete with hints of stiffness on tape. We will see if that additionally reveals in the testing.
