Nfl Combine Day 1: Sonny Styles electrifies, top workouts, risers and schedule updates
The 2026 nfl combine ramped up Thursday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, offering one of the last major chances for draft prospects to change draft-day perceptions. Thursday’s session — dominated by defensive linemen and linebackers — produced head-turning displays, potential stock risers and a handful of measured takeaways that could shift how teams view several prospects ahead of the April draft in Pittsburgh (April 23-25).
Nfl Combine Day 1: Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese headline speed show
Thursday’s workouts were highlighted by Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles and edge rusher Arvell Reese, who tied for the fastest 40-yard dash times of the day at 4. 46 seconds. Styles also finished near the top of the field in the vertical jump and broad jump, joining a short list of athletes who combined elite speed with explosive jump numbers in the same session. Styles, a 6-foot-5, 244-pound 'backer with 32 7/8-inch arms and the son of former NFL linebacker Lorenzo Styles Sr., entered the week as a probable top-12 pick; his on-field work has the potential to solidify a top-10 slot and maybe even push him into top-five consideration. His workout included a historic combination noted by evaluators: a sub-4. 5-second 40-yard dash along with a 40-plus-inch vertical and an 11-plus-foot broad jump at a weight above 230 pounds.
Standout defensive workouts and measurable takeaways
Beyond Styles and Reese, several defensive prospects impressed with their measurable profiles and drill performance. Oklahoma defensive tackle Gracen Halton posted a 4. 82-second 40-yard dash at 293 pounds and led all defensive tackles with a 36 1/2-inch vertical, showing quick feet in field drills and finishing reps with force on tackling dummies despite an arm length listed at 31 1/8 inches.
UCF edge Malachi Lawrence turned heads with a 4. 52-second 40, a 10-foot-10 broad jump and a 40-inch vertical at 253 pounds; his production includes 20 sacks across four seasons at UCF, and his straight-line speed was evident even if his movement skewed a bit linear in drills. Other defenders singled out for standout showings included Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks and Texas Tech edge David Bailey.
Prospects with notable measurables: Capehart and Elarms-Orr
A few names rose on Thursday because of specific athletic profiles. Capehart checks in at 6-foot-5 and 313 pounds with 10 1/4-inch hands and 33 7/8-inch arms; he ran a 4. 85-second 40 and posted a 33 1/2-inch vertical, moving smoothly in space and using length to disrupt obstacles in drills. Although his college production was limited — 4. 5 tackles for loss over his last 23 games — Thursday’s showing aimed to demonstrate projection as a penetrator at the 3-technique.
At linebacker, Elarms-Orr posted a 4. 47-second 40 at 6-2, 234 pounds and a 40-inch vertical. A first-team All-Big 12 Conference selection, he combined a stout build with quickness in positional drills; his film shows run ability, and Thursday’s speed metrics could bolster confidence he can cover in the Sam role.
Broader implications: who helped — and who hurt — their draft chances
Thursday illustrated a familiar split at the combine: some players entered with strong draft assurances regardless of performance, while a smaller group used the workouts to significantly boost their stock. Others displayed flaws in speed or athleticism, or chose not to perform, which can dampen hopes of being selected on Day 1 or Day 2 of the draft. Evaluators will weigh Thursday’s tape alongside college production and length/strength metrics when refining board placements ahead of pro days and the draft in Pittsburgh.
Schedule, coverage windows, and what’s next at the combine
The full event runs Feb. 23 through March 2, with on-field workouts scheduled from Feb. 26 through March 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Workouts continue Friday with tight ends and defensive backs; Saturday will feature quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs; Sunday is reserved for offensive linemen. Designated live coverage windows begin at 3 p. m. ET on Friday and at 1 p. m. ET on Saturday and Sunday; additional evaluations and interviews will continue throughout the week.
Off-field notes: mentorship visibility and league financials
Small but notable off-field items surfaced during the combine week. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia said he has received mentorship from Johnny Manziel, and Manziel was seen on the sideline wearing a Pavia jersey at a Vanderbilt game last season. USC wide receiver Makai Lemon said it would be "pretty cool" to catch a touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers at the combine podium on Friday. Separately, the salary cap for the 2026 league year has been set and the official franchise and tender numbers have been released; teams and agents will factor those figures into offseason planning as the draft approaches.
Thursday’s defensive showcase set a high bar for the rest of the week at the nfl combine; with positional groups stacking up over the next three days, prospects will have more chances to alter draft narratives before pro days and the April draft in Pittsburgh.
