13 draft prospects who impressed at the 2026 NFL Combine

Many top prospects put together standout workouts in Indianapolis

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is officially in the books, and several prospects impressed with their athletic testing and workouts in front of league decision-makers. This article highlights 13 players whose performances stood out, including wide receivers, offensive linemen, quarterbacks, and defensive players across various positions.

Why it matters

The NFL Combine is a key event in the pre-draft process, providing teams with an opportunity to evaluate prospects' raw athleticism and physical tools. Strong combine showings can help boost a player's draft stock and open eyes among NFL scouts and executives.

The details

The article spotlights 13 prospects who turned heads at the 2026 NFL Combine, including Oklahoma wide receiver Deion Burks, Cincinnati wideout Jeff Caldwell, Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling, Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green, North Dakota State receiver Bryce Lance, Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, and Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr. on offense. On defense, the list includes Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, Penn State edge Dani Dennis-Sutton, UCF defensive end Malachi Lawrence, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, and Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.

  • The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine took place in Indianapolis.

The players

Deion Burks

An Oklahoma wide receiver known for his speed and athleticism.

Jeff Caldwell

A Cincinnati wide receiver who impressed with his size, speed, and explosiveness.

Monroe Freeling

A massive offensive tackle prospect from the University of Georgia.

Taylen Green

An Arkansas quarterback who set combine records for his athleticism.

Bryce Lance

A wide receiver from North Dakota State who showed he can compete with top FBS talent.

Kenyon Sadiq

An Oregon tight end viewed as a potential first-round pick who backed up that hype with his combine performance.

Mike Washington Jr.

An Arkansas running back who posted elite testing numbers at the combine.

David Bailey

A Texas Tech edge rusher considered one of the top overall prospects in the 2026 draft.

Dani Dennis-Sutton

A Penn State edge defender who impressed with his size, speed, and explosiveness.

Malachi Lawrence

A defensive end from UCF who continued his upward trajectory with a strong combine workout.

Jacob Rodriguez

A linebacker from Texas Tech who showed the athleticism to complement his excellent game tape.

Sonny Styles

An Ohio State linebacker who posted elite testing numbers, including the best vertical jump by an off-ball linebacker since 2003.

Dillon Thieneman

An Oregon safety who matched his well-rounded game with an impressive all-around combine performance.

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What they’re saying

“The Sooners have long been known for having speed on offense, and Burks did nothing to diminish that reputation.”

— Will McFadden, Atlanta Falcons editorial staff (AtlantaFalcons.com)

“Athleticism at the quarterback position is valuable, and Green might have more of it than anyone.”

— Will McFadden, Atlanta Falcons editorial staff (AtlantaFalcons.com)

“Largely viewed as a first-round talent by the draft media, Sadiq backed up that hype with a combine performance that got a lot of people talking.”

— Will McFadden, Atlanta Falcons editorial staff (AtlantaFalcons.com)

The takeaway

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine provided a showcase for many top draft prospects to display their athletic abilities and physical tools in front of league decision-makers. The standout performances highlighted in this article could help boost the draft stock of these players as teams continue their evaluation process ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.