2026 Nfl Combine: Top draft prospects, workout predictions
The 2026 nfl combine is rolling through Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis this week, a key event in the lead-up to the 2026 NFL draft. More than 300 prospects will converge on Indy for official measurements, medical evaluations, team interviews and on-field workouts, and Mike Tannenbaum and Dan Graziano examine Fernando Mendoza’s potential combine week after his decision not to throw there (2: 00).
Nfl Combine: event overview
On-field drills begin Thursday as the event spans a full week of medicals, interviews and testing. Prospects will work out in front of NFL scouts, coaches and front office executives; NFL reporter Kalyn Kahler shared one new tweak to the combine workouts that could matter. The event runs across the broader Feb. 23 through March 2 window, with on-field workouts scheduled from Feb. 26 through March 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Thursday schedule and times
Defensive linemen, linebackers and special teams (kickers) are scheduled to be first on Thursday at 3 p. m. ET. Defensive backs and tight ends perform their workouts at 3 p. m. ET on Friday. Quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs go at 1 p. m. ET on Saturday. Offensive linemen finish the on-field portion at 1 p. m. ET on Sunday. Thursday of this week is specifically listed as Thursday, February 26th for defensive linemen, linebackers and kickers on-field workouts, while defensive backs and tight ends are noted as meeting with the media that same day.
Standouts: Styles and Reese
Thursday’s workouts featured head-turning performances led by Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles and Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese, two former college teammates. The pair tied for the fastest 40-yard dash times of the day with official times listed at 4. 46 seconds; several unofficial clockings during attempts showed 4. 47 in moments captured during the second attempts. Styles also finished near the top of the field in the vertical jump and broad jump. Coverage notes that both players ended up with official 4. 46 times, tied for the fastest of the day among linebackers, edge rushers and defensive linemen.
One observer quoted Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton saying he “just got brutally framemogged” after a side-by-side presentation of his draft profile next to Sonny Styles.
Prospects to watch closely
Draft evaluators on site highlighted multiple prospects expected to make noise. Matt Miller singled out Kenyon Sadiq, tight end from Oregon, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound junior who began as Terrance Ferguson’s backup in 2024. Evaluators project Sadiq to leap north of 41 inches in the vertical jump and run the 40-yard dash in the low 4. 5-second range; teams’ grades vary from top 20 to the back end of Round 1, and a big week of testing could push him higher.
Jordan Reid flagged Sonny Styles as a potential headline act: the 6-foot-4, 243-pound linebacker is expected to run in the mid-to-high 4. 5 range in the 40, exceed 40 inches in the vertical and possibly touch 11 feet on the broad jump. Reid noted Styles is already viewed as a potential top-10 pick and could shine both in testing and on-field drills.
Mel Kiper Jr. emphasized Kadyn Proctor, a 6-foot-7, 366-pound offensive tackle from Alabama, calling him extremely explosive for his size. Proctor showed athleticism during the season, taking a screen pass 11 yards against Georgia and plowing his way to a first down against Missouri; evaluators note his raw upper-body strength and say a strong combine could bolster the case for keeping him at left tackle and landing in Round 1.
Field Yates highlighted Monroe Freeling, a 6-foot-7, 315-pound tackle from Georgia, noting he is among the top 15 prospects in the class and one of the best offensive-line athletes expected to work out in Indianapolis.
Other notable performances Thursday included Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks, Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey (who recorded an official 4. 50 in the 40-yard dash during workout day for defensive linemen and linebackers), UCF edge Malachi Lawrence and Oklahoma defensive tackle Gracen Halton.
Additional notes and logistics
More than 300 prospects will receive official measurements and medical evaluations while meeting with teams and performing in front of evaluators during the combine week. The Washington Commanders were specifically noted as being very interested in the day’s workouts. Manager Scott Jennings was listed as a contact for related coverage and tracking of prospects tied to the Commanders’ interests.
The broader event timeline reiterates dates from Feb. 23 through March 2 with on-field workouts Feb. 26 through March 1. Observers and evaluators are working through testing numbers, medicals and interviews as the week proceeds; some unofficial clockings and social reactions circulated during the sessions alongside official results.
Gambling help and support information listed in event materials includes: 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537); for Massachusetts call 327-5050; for New York call 877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY; for Connecticut call 1-888-789-7777. Materials also note age and jurisdictional restrictions as 21+ (18+ D. C. ) and presence in select states, with Kansas noted in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino.
Workouts continue across the week with tight ends and defensive backs on Friday, quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs on Saturday and offensive linemen on Sunday as teams finalize medicals and evaluations ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.
Closing: The combine’s measurements, medicals, interviews and on-field testing over the next several days will shape draft conversations for prospects such as Kenyon Sadiq, Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese, Kadyn Proctor, Monroe Freeling, David Bailey, Caleb Banks, Malachi Lawrence and Gracen Halton, as teams weigh official results and evaluations.
