The most important week of the offseason is underway for NFL general managers, coaches, and scouts.
The 2026 NFL combine is taking place once again in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium where teams and fans can watch future stars showcase their talents.
The combine provides a stage for college players to interview with teams, participate in drills and undergo an evaluation ahead of the upcoming NFL draft.
What To Watch During The 2026 NFL Combine
The 2026 NFL combine has plenty of intriguing storylines to follow over the coming days. On-field work begins Thursday, and here are several things to watch closely.
NFL combine on-field workout schedule
Thursday: place-kickers, defensive linemen, linebackers
Friday: defensive backs, tight ends
Saturday: running backs, quarterbacks, wideouts|
Sunday: offensive linemen
Quarterback Stock Risers
Recent reports have confirmed what Fernando Mendoza previously indicated in that he will not be throwing at the combine, but instead will do so at Indiana’s Pro Day.
It presents the perfect opportunity for quarterbacks like Ty Simpson and Garrett Nussmeier to improve their draft stock drastically.
Teams will want to see more than just how these young quarterbacks can interview. Scouts will want to see how they perform in an unfamiliar setting. It is presumed that Mendoza will be heading to the Las Vegas Raiders, so the other quarterbacks will have all eyes set on them.
Simpson is confirmed to be throwing this week. His season with Alabama didn’t end on the perfect note, and many speculate he may have harmed his draft stock during those final games. However, this is the perfect opportunity for Simpson to change the narrative.
At the combine, quarterbacks will go through a set of drills that test the accuracy, timing, and mechanics. The sample size for Simpson is small after starting just one full season in college, which is why the drills are most important. As for his competition, Nussmeier will be looking to improve his stock, but a more surprising name is Cole Payton.
There has been recent analysis coming out about Payton claiming he could be the next best fundamental quarterback behind Mendoza. With reports like this, the North Dakota State quarterback actually has more to lose. However, one thing to keep an eye on is the fact that he is a left-handed quarterback.
One report suggests Payton is “Tim Tebow,” but without the hype. In order to prove his worth, Payton will need to have a big showing during the on-field evaluations.
Can The 40-Yard Dash Record Be Broken Again?
The thrill of the 40-yard dash happens every year. In 2024, Xavier Worthy broke John Ross’ record with a 4.21 sprint.
There are a few draft prospects to keep an eye on with a chance to break the current record.
Barion Brown – WR, LSU
Barion Brown is absolutely a name to watch during the 40-yard dash on Saturday. As a speedy return specialist in the SEC, Brown recorded a total of six career kickoff return touchdowns while at Kentucky and LSU. Brown has continued to generate buzz, and a main reason for it is he was recorded at a top speed of 20.87 mph at Senior Bowl last month.
There is history for Brown as he recorded a 10.49 second time in the 100-meter as a high school athlete in 2021. At the time this was recorded as the third-fastest TSSAA state meet time since 1985. Having a history in track helps the case, but has also translated to football with Brown recording a 22.6 mph kickoff return in 2023. However, he won’t be the only Tigers receiver challenging the 40-yard dash record.
Chris Hilton Jr. – WR, LSU
There is a second pass catcher from LSU who is in play to break the record set by Worthy. NFL scouts are comparing Chris Hilton Jr. to Tyreek Hill, which is enough to catch the eyes of anybody. According to LSU, Hilton owns the team record with a GPS-confirmed speed of 23.7 mph.
If his teammate can’t break the record, the statistics point to Hilton being in play. With Zebra Technologies recording two different speeds from the East West Shrine Bowl, at 22.13 MPH, and at the Senior Bowl with 20.72 MPH.
Domani Jackson – CB, Alabama
On the defensive side, there is a cornerback who could also challenge the record. Domani Jackson from Alabama comes into the combine with serious speed that stems from a history in high school track. In 2021, Jackson tied a California state record for the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.25 seconds.
As a participant in the East West Shrine Bowl, Jackson was captured with a speed of 20.3 mph. Jackson makes a strong case, but he has tough competition from two LSU receivers. Defensive backs have their on-field workout Friday while the receivers will have their opportunity Saturday.
What Receivers Can Separate Themselves From The Rest?
This year’s NFL draft class is filled with quality talent. There are three names on-lookers should pay attention to at the combine.
Malik Benson (Oregon)
Known for his explosiveness and ability to stretch the field, Malik Benson has the kind of acceleration that immediately shows up in drills like the 40-yard dash and gauntlet. Benson is a deep-threat receiver that has versatility to make him adaptable.
Not only is Benson a deep threat, but he hardly has miscues. He will need to test well in order to improve his stock. Benson is a pick that can turn into a long-term investment if developed correctly. Depending on his scores, Benson’s draft stock could rise quickly.
Jeff Caldwell (Cincinnati)
Jeff Caldwell brings a physical presence to the receiver class with a height listed at 6-5 according to Cincinnati’s official roster. With strong hands and the ability to win contested catches, he’ll look to impress scouts in positional drills and in his interviews. Caldwell is expected to have monster scores in the broad jump and vertical.
His size is the major component teams are looking at as he is more of a low risk with a high reward pick if selected early. Caldwell is starting to move up on teams’ draft boards and could potentially be gone before Day 2 ends. The combine will be a major opportunity for him to showcase separation skills and overall polish as a route runner.
Brenen Thompson (Mississippi State)
Brenen Thompson is a name to watch during the Combine. Thompson’s 40-yard dash will be one to watch as many expect him to have a blazing time. His straight-line speed makes him a deep-ball threat, but he is also able to create space and that has been a great strength. However, Thompson will have to prove that his size shouldn’t be a reason teams avoid taking a chance early on him.
The physicality is different in the NFL, and he will have to make sure that he scores high in every drill. With so much depth at the position, the combine could play a crucial role in determining if Thompson is a Day 1 pick.
Defensive Talent Risers
The defensive class in this year’s NFL draft is loaded with top-end talent. Several prospects, like Caleb Downs and David Bailey are projected within the first five picks in several mock drafts. Between experts like Bucky Brooks and Mel Kiper, five defensive players are on pace to be drafted within the first 10 picks. With so many elite defenders grouped together, the question becomes: who goes first, and how does that reshape the board for everyone else?
Players projected in the top 10 typically separate themselves with elite athletic traits, positional value, and scheme versatility. The combine will be critical in determining that pecking order.
Players mocked to go within the top 10 are:
Caleb Downs – Safety, Ohio State
David Bailey – OLB, Texas Tech
Arvell Reese – LB, Ohio State
Rueben Bain Jr. – DE, Miami
These four are the most consistent names through mock drafts to go somewhere between picks 1-10. However, the question is who will actually be the first drafted? The combine will be the confirmation teams need to help determine this question.
For edge rushers and defensive linemen, the 40-yard dash split times, broad jump, and three-cone drill can impact draft stock. Explosion metrics often translate directly to pass-rush upside. Linebackers and safeties, meanwhile, must show fluidity in coverage drills and strong change-of-direction numbers to solidify their status as modern, every-down defenders.
If one defender posts elite testing numbers, he could leapfrog others in the same tier. And when one domino falls in the top 10, it can push another on-the-line prospect defender slightly down the board, potentially into a better schematic fit.
With so much depth at the top, the combine won’t just confirm talent, it could completely reshape the defensive order.
Who’s The Answer After Jeremiyah Love?
Running backs traditionally aren’t often first round material. There’s growing consensus that Jeremiyah Love will be the first running back selected in this year’s draft. His production, burst and versatility have generated serious buzz. But once Love comes off the board, what happens next?
The combine presents a massive opportunity for the rest of the running back class to separate itself.
For backs trying to climb draft boards, the 40-yard dash is obvious, straight-line speed still matters. But scouts will also focus heavily on other areas as well:
- The three-cone drill
- Pass-catching drills
- Interviews and football IQ sessions
Teams drafting a running back early are often looking for immediate impact. Looking at recent high selections like Bijan Robinson (8th overall in 2023) and Saquon Barkley (2nd overall in 2018), they weren’t just productive in college, they tested as elite athletes and were viewed as franchise-altering weapons. The current outlook on running backs in the NFL is tricky. With a weaker class, it’s hard to determine a long-term solution. However, if Love maintains his trajectory, he could cement himself as a top-10 lock.
Mock drafts currently vary on how many running backs will go in Round 1. Some project just one. Others see two sneaking in late. A dominant combine performance could be the difference between Day 1 and early Day 2.
For players like Emmett Johnson, or even Nicholas Singleton, this combine is important to showcase the skills they have to prove their NFL value.
