NFL Combine 2026: Schedule, Results, and Kaleb Proctor’s Big Moment Ahead of the NFL Draft

The nfl combine 2026 is underway in Indianapolis, giving nfl draft decision-makers their most standardized look at the 2026 class: verified measurements, timed testing, and on-field movement in a controlled setting. Early nfl combine results have already produced a few headline performances—especially among front-seven defenders—while smaller-school standouts like kaleb proctor have used the spotlight to push into broader draft conversations.

NFL Combine Schedule: Key Workout Times in ET

The nfl combine schedule runs through Sunday, March 1, with on-field coverage set in afternoon windows (ET). Here’s the core structure teams and fans are following:

Beyond the televised workouts, the combine’s “hidden” value remains interviews, medical checks, and team meetings—areas where prospects can meaningfully rise or slide without ever running a 40.

NFL Combine Results: Early Standouts Are Tilting Draft Boards

The first wave of nfl combine results has been kind to athletic defenders. Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles delivered one of the loudest all-around profiles: a blazing 40-yard dash at 4.46 seconds, plus explosiveness and agility numbers that reinforced his rare size-speed blend. Fellow Buckeye Arvell Reese also hit 4.46, strengthening the perception that the 2026 linebacker group has high-end movement traits at the top.

Up front, Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey’s 4.50 in the 40 at his size helped validate top-of-the-draft expectations, while Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez separated himself with elite change-of-direction testing that scouts value for coverage and pursuit roles.

The broader theme so far: teams are increasingly hunting defenders who can stay on the field for all three downs—rush, cover, and tackle in space. The combine’s timed drills don’t finish evaluations, but they can confirm what film suggests or force a re-check when numbers don’t match expectations.

Kaleb Proctor: The Name Rising Fast at the NFL Combine

Among the most talked-about movers is kaleb proctor, a defensive tackle from Southeastern Louisiana who entered the week as a smaller-school prospect needing verification against top competition. He delivered it.

Proctor measured 6-foot-2, 291 pounds with 33-inch arms and posted a 4.79-second 40-yard dash, including a 1.69-second 10-yard split. For interior defensive linemen, that first 10 yards matters: it’s the best snapshot of burst off the snap and early acceleration into a blocker’s frame. He also jumped 33 inches in the vertical and 9 feet, 5 inches in the broad, pairing quickness with legitimate lower-body explosion. His 4.71-second short shuttle added another checkmark for lateral mobility—an indicator he can redirect when gaps change or when pass-rush counters demand sudden angle shifts.

Taken together, Proctor’s testing package reads like a modern interior defender: not just a space-eater, but someone who can chase, stunt, and threaten edges on movement calls.

Top Takeaways: What the Testing Is Really Signaling

The combine often gets reduced to a few numbers, but the most meaningful outcomes are about roles:

• Linebackers are being tested like big safeties. The strongest early performers look built for the NFL’s spread-heavy offenses: speed, smooth hips, and quick stop-start ability.

• Interior defensive line is trending toward “movement” players. Prospects who can run and change direction—like Proctor—fit more schemes than pure two-gap specialists.

• Confirmation matters as much as surprise. A fast time can elevate a name, but a “as-expected” performance can lock in a prospect’s floor for teams that already liked the tape.

That’s why the phrase “top” is relative at the nfl combine: it’s less about winning a drill and more about proving you belong in a specific NFL job.

What This Means for the NFL Draft After the 2026 NFL Combine

As the weekend continues, teams will blend verified testing with film and medicals to re-stack boards. For high-profile prospects, strong numbers can cement early-round status. For risers, the combine can turn a scouting note into a real draft plan.

For kaleb proctor, the path is clear: if interviews and medical checks align with the on-field testing, he looks like the kind of interior defender who can climb into a higher tier—especially for teams that want disruptive athleticism in sub-packages. Meanwhile, the early linebacker and edge performances are shaping the top of the defensive board and setting the tone for what “NFL-ready” athleticism looks like in 2026.

With the marquee skill-position workouts arriving Saturday (ET), the next round of nfl combine results should bring more movement at the top of the nfl draft picture—especially once quarterbacks, receivers, and running backs put verified speed and explosiveness on the record.