Inside the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine: Schedule, Invite Class, Key Drills and What Teams Will Be Watching

Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights:
2. Introduction
3. When and where: 2026 schedule, broadcast and streaming details
4. What happens during Combine week: the full slate beyond the drills
5. The six drills explained — what each measures and why scouts care
6. Combine records and benchmarks: the elite standards every team watches
7. How NFL teams use Combine data — numbers, tape and the human element
8. Position-by-position look at the 2026 invite class and prospects to watch
9. Notable historical Combine performances and lessons for 2026
10. How to interpret Combine results as a fan or analyst
11. What happens after the Combine: pro days, private workouts and draft meetings
12. Injury and medical transparency: a decisive element
13. How teams prioritize interview and character evaluations
14. For scouts and general managers: what moves the needle most at the Combine
15. Viewing guide: what to watch on broadcast and what moments matter
16. How Combine performances have and have not predicted NFL success
17. Preparing for 2026: prospects, teams and the draft calendar
18. FAQ

Key Highlights:

• The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine runs Feb. 22–March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, with televised workouts on NFL Network and streaming via Fubo; position-group drills take place Feb. 26–March 1.
• More than 300 prospects received invites across every position. The class features established college standouts — including a deep QB group (Drew Allar, Cade Klubnik, Carson Beck), dynamic receivers (Zachariah Branch, Carnell Tate, Colbie Young) and athletic defensive playmakers (Harold Perkins Jr., Caleb Downs).
• The Combine blends measurable athletic testing (40-yard dash, bench, three-cone, vertical, shuttle, broad jump), medical examinations and team interviews. Teams weigh results against game tape and pro-day performances to refine draft boards.

Introduction

Each February, the NFL Scouting Combine crystallizes months of college scouting into a single, highly scrutinized week. Forty yards, a vertical leap, a medical chart and a handful of tightly scheduled team meetings can raise a prospect into first-round consideration or force evaluators to reframe a projection. The 2026 Combine opens its doors on Feb. 22 in Indianapolis and runs through March 2, culminating in position-group workout days that broadcast the most watched moments: defensive linemen, linebackers and specialists on Thursday; tight ends and defensive backs on Friday; quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs on Saturday; and offensive linemen on Sunday.

Beyond the highlight-reel sprints and viral workout clips, the Combine is a complex data point in an exhaustive evaluation process. Athletic tests provide objective measures that confirm or contradict college-level tape. Medical examinations reveal injury histories and surgical red flags. Interviews and psychological assessments offer teams an insight into a prospect’s character and learning approach. This article presents a comprehensive guide to the 2026 Combine: the schedule and viewing options, an explanation of every major drill and its scouting significance, an analysis of the invite class by position with prospects to watch, and the historic benchmarks that set expectations for elite athleticism.

When and where: 2026 schedule, broadcast and streaming details

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine takes place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, a longstanding host venue that allows the league to centralize testing, medical evaluations and team interviews under one roof.

• Dates: Sunday, Feb. 22 through Monday, March 2, 2026
• Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
• Televised workout days (times in ET):
  • Thursday, Feb. 26 — 3 p.m. (Defensive linemen, linebackers, specialists) — NFL Network / Fubo
  • Friday, Feb. 27 — 3 p.m. (Tight ends, defensive backs) — NFL Network / Fubo
  • Saturday, Feb. 28 — 1 p.m. (Quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs) — NFL Network / Fubo
  • Sunday, March 1 — 1 p.m. (Offensive linemen) — NFL Network / Fubo

NFL Network provides live coverage of the field workouts and cycles highlight packages and replays throughout the broadcast windows. Cord-cutters can access the network through streaming platforms that carry NFL Network; Fubo is a commonly used streaming option.

Teams also conduct additional private workouts and in-house visits after the Combine and at pro days. Those sessions are often where positional specifics and scheme fit are explored more deeply following the Combine's broad assessments.

What happens during Combine week: the full slate beyond the drills

A glance at the live workout schedule gives the impression that the Combine is simply a showcase of timed drills. The reality is broader and more consequential. The event includes:

• Athletic testing: the collection of measurable results in standardized drills (40-yard dash, vertical, broad jump, bench press, 3-cone, shuttle).
• Medical examinations: team physicians and league medical staff assess injury histories, surgical outcomes, joint stability and other health indicators. Imaging, surgical reports and medical interviews can be decisive — teams protect large investments by vetting health thoroughly.
• Physical measurements: height, weight, wingspan/arm length, hand size and body composition. Arm length and wingspan are particularly relevant for linemen and edge defenders.
• Position drills and on-field work: position-specific drills replicate technique, footwork and movement patterns seen on tape, giving scouts the chance to compare athleticism and technique directly.
• Interviews and psychological evaluation: one-on-one meetings and group interviews allow teams to probe the prospect's understanding of their role, mental processing, leadership traits and background.
• Team meetings and private interviews: teams schedule private interviews and sometimes conduct quarterback-specific or scheme-specific measurement tests.
• Media availability: prospects meet with reporters; viral moments can amplify a player’s public profile.

These elements combine to create a mosaic of information. Teams weigh the objective metrics alongside tape and background information. For some prospects the Combine validates tape; for others it forces recalibration.

The six drills explained — what each measures and why scouts care

The Combine’s standardized drills are shorthand for athletic traits scouts want to measure. Understanding what each drill reveals — and its limitations — helps explain why so many draft decisions shift during and after the event.

• 40-yard dash
  • What it measures: top-end straight-line speed (particularly 0–10 and 10–40 yard splits).
  • Why it matters: elite speed creates separation for wide receivers and explosive playmaking for running backs and defensive backs. For edge rushers and linebackers, the 10–20-yard split indicates ability to close quickly.
  • Limitations: while the dash quantifies speed, it does not capture game-specific acceleration out of breaks, game situation awareness, route-running nuance or pursuit angles.
• Bench press (225 lbs)
  • What it measures: upper-body strength and muscular endurance.
  • Why it matters: relevant for interior defensive linemen and offensive linemen who engage in close-quarters battles and need sustained hand strength.
  • Limitations: repetition count is an imperfect proxy for on-field blocking power and technique. Some heavy, technically-sound linemen do not put up huge rep numbers, while smaller players with good endurance can post high totals.
• Three-cone drill
  • What it measures: agility, change-of-direction, body control and how well a player can bend and break.
  • Why it matters: a top three-cone time suggests quick hip change, which is critical for receivers making sharp route breaks and for defensive backs mirroring those routes.
  • Limitations: performed in controlled environment; does not account for the contested catch scenario or blocking interactions.
• Vertical jump
  • What it measures: lower-body explosiveness.
  • Why it matters: impacts catching radius and ability to compete in jump-ball situations for receivers and defensive backs.
  • Limitations: vertical jump does not track timing or contest instincts; a big vertical may not translate to game-winning contested catches without ball skills.
• 20-yard shuttle (short shuttle)
  • What it measures: lateral quickness and short-area change-of-direction ability.
  • Why it matters: vital for slot receivers, defensive backs and linebackers who operate in confined spaces.
  • Limitations: like the three-cone, it’s a controlled drill and cannot recreate multi-player in-game chaos.
• Broad jump
  • What it measures: horizontal explosion and power.
  • Why it matters: demonstrates lower-body drive and balance on contact, attributes that help run-game burst and tackling range.
  • Limitations: technique and surface can affect results; it complements but does not replace film-based evaluation.

Taken together, the drills produce an athletic profile. Teams overlay those numbers with film study to gauge whether a prospect’s athletic ceiling matches their technical and football IQ traits.

Combine records and benchmarks: the elite standards every team watches

The Combine’s record book sets the benchmarks scouts cite when projecting upside. The numbers below track historic top performances and give context for how rare certain results are.

• 40-yard dash (official top times)
  • 1. Xavier Worthy — 4.21 (WR, 2024)
  • 2. John Ross — 4.22 (WR, 2017)
  • 3. Kalon Barnes — 4.23 (CB, 2022)
  • 4. Chris Johnson — 4.24 (RB, 2008)
  • T-5. Dri Archer — 4.26 (RB, 2014)
  • T-5. Tariq Woolen — 4.26 (CB, 2022)
  • T-5. DJ Turner — 4.26 (CB, 2023)
  • T-8. Marquise Goodwin — 4.27 (WR, 2013)
  • T-8. Henry Ruggs III — 4.27 (WR, 2020)
  • T-10. Jacoby Ford — 4.28 (WR, 2010)
• Bench press (most reps at 225 lbs)
  • 1. Stephen Paea — 49 reps (DT, 2011)
  • T-2. Mike Kudla — 45 reps (DL, 2006)
  • T-2. Mitch Petrus — 45 reps (OL, 2010)
  • T-4. Brodrick Bunkley — 44 reps (DL, 2006)
  • T-4. Jeff Owens — 44 reps (DT, 2010)
  • T-4. Dontari Poe — 44 reps (DT, 2012)
• Three-cone drill (fastest)
  • 1. Jeff Maehl — 6.42 (WR, 2011)
  • 2. Buster Skrine — 6.44 (DB, 2011)
  • T-3. Scott Long — 6.45 (WR, 2010)
  • T-3. David Long Jr. — 6.45 (LB, 2019)
• Vertical jump (highest)
  • T-1. Donald Washington — 45.0 inches (CB, 2009)
  • T-1. Chris Conley — 45.0 inches (WR, 2015)
  • T-3. Byron Jones — 44.5 inches (CB, 2015)
• 20-yard shuttle (fastest)
  • T-1. Jason Allen — 3.81 (CB, 2006)
  • T-1. Brandin Cooks — 3.81 (WR, 2014)
  • 3. Bobby McCain — 3.82 (CB, 2015)
• Broad jump (longest)
  • 1. Byron Jones — 12'3" (CB, 2015) — noted as an unofficial world record
  • 2. Tyler Owens — 12'2" (S, 2024)
  • T-3. Obi Melifonwu — 11'9" (S, 2017)

These numbers provide immediate context on the field. A receiver running a 4.25 40 is entering rarefied air; an interior lineman benching 40-plus is demonstrating uncommon upper-body durability. Still, these standards are only part of the evaluation. NFL teams balance spectacular Combine marks with less tangible attributes: play recognition, consistency, positional technique and the ability to translate athleticism into contested-game situations.

How NFL teams use Combine data — numbers, tape and the human element

Teams treat Combine results as one component of a multivariate evaluation. The typical workflow looks like this:

1. Pre-combine scouting: teams enter Indianapolis with a background dossier — college game film, character reports, medical notes and pro-day numbers.
2. Verification and triangulation: teams use Combine testing to verify pro-day numbers (especially timing) and to collect standardized, directly comparable metrics across prospects.
3. Medical deep dive: medical staffs review imaging and consult surgeons to assess the risk profile; a previously undisclosed issue discovered in Indy can materially lower a prospect’s grade.
4. Interviews and schemes: coaches test a player’s football intelligence and language; a quarterback's ability to process blitzes and identify coverages during team interviews can be decisive.
5. Post-combine re-ranking: teams reassess players on their boards, often moving prospects up or down based on how well Combine results align with film and medical reports.

Examples of how this plays out:

• A prospect with excellent tape but average Combine numbers may remain highly rated if film suggests technique and instinct trump raw speed.
• Conversely, a prospect who rockets up the leaderboards with elite testing can gain consideration from teams that previously had him ranked lower, especially if the player fills a positional athletic profile coveted in a particular scheme.
• Medical findings often alter draft value more than athleticism does. A surgically repaired knee or chronic issue can remove a prospect from the first-round conversation regardless of test scores.

Scouts emphasize that measurable athleticism can shorten the evaluation timeline — if a player runs the times that match tape expectations, teams feel more confident in fitness for the next level. But numbers do not replace tape; they complement it.

Position-by-position look at the 2026 invite class and prospects to watch

The full invite list for 2026 features hundreds of prospects across positions. Below is a synthesized positional analysis that highlights the class’s contours, depth and a selection of players likely to draw the most attention during Combine week.

Quarterbacks — depth and profile diversity The 2026 QB group includes a broad mix of pro-ready and developmental prospects:

• Drew Allar (Penn State): A prototypical pocket passer with size and arm length. Teams will want to see three-cone and shuttle times to gauge mobility in movement-heavy schemes.
• Cade Klubnik (Clemson): Known for timing and accuracy on intermediate routes; his Combine will test how he translates touch and timing into velocity and processing speed in interviews.
• Carson Beck (Miami): Strong arm with a college resume that features high-volume pro-style reps. Medical checks and arm strength tests will factor for scouts projecting deep-ball accuracy in the NFL.
• Ty Simpson (Alabama) and Jalon Daniels (Kansas): Athleticism and improvisation separate these signal-callers; 40-yard dash splits, shuttle and three-cone times will be scrutinized to determine scheme fit — whether as read-option or structured pocket QBs.

Quarterback drills at the Combine are brief — the event is primarily a verification stage; private workouts and team visits often reveal the quarterback’s real evaluation story.

Running backs — a balance of speed and power Top invites show a blend of downhill, between-the-tackles runners and pass-catching backs:

• Kaytron Allen (Penn State): A shifty back with surprising power; shuttle and three-cone will indicate change-of-direction.
• Nicholas Singleton (Penn State): A physical runner with contact balance; benching and broad jump highlight lower-body power.
• Jam Miller (Alabama), Roman Hemby (Indiana), Noah Whittington (Oregon): These backs provide scheme flexibility — pass protection prowess will be a focal point for NFL teams.

Teams will weigh receiving ability and pass protection proficiency heavily, as modern NFL offenses require versatile backs who can handle third-down packages.

Wide receivers — deep class with speed and contested ability This WR group mixes deep-threat speedsters with polished route technicians:

• Zachariah Branch (Georgia) and Carnell Tate (Ohio State): Both have length and contested-catch ability; vertical and broad jump figures will underscore their jump-ball potential.
• Colbie Young (Georgia) and J. Michael Sturdivant (Florida): Possess size and contested-catch traits; arm length and three-cone times can elevate their slot or boundary projection.
• Malachi Fields (Notre Dame), Barion Brown (LSU), Ja’Kobi Lane (USC): Provide complementary skill sets — speed, route nuance and YAC ability.

Comparisons and projections hinge on how well athletic testing lines up with route-running prowess and hands in contested scenarios.

Tight ends — athletic mismatch creators The 2026 tight end group is deep and athletic, with multiple players capable of creating mismatches:

• Oscar Delp (Georgia), Michael Trigg (Baylor), Eli Raridon (Notre Dame): These are pass-first, move-the-chains types; three-cone and vertical tests will be key to projecting separation and red-zone threat.
• Dallen Bentley (Utah), Marlin Klein (Michigan): Larger profiles who can block and move in-line.

Teams will prioritize measured explosion and catching radius, as many offenses use hybrid tight ends as secondary receivers.

Offensive linemen — size, tape and movement The 2026 OL invite list is large and includes multiple elite physical profiles:

• Kadyn Proctor (Alabama), Francis Mauigoa (Miami), Jaeden Roberts (Alabama): Each presents desirable traits for interior or tackle spots. Arm length, weight-room numbers and three-cone times matter for projecting pass-protection capability.
• Logan Jones (Iowa), Beau Stephens (Iowa), Caleb Tiernan (Northwestern): Film-heavy, technically-sound prospects who could rise on teams seeking day-one starters.

For linemen, medical screenings and hand/arm measurements are often more influential than sprint times. Teams want to see balance, ankle stability and hand use on the field.

Defensive linemen and edge rushers — explosiveness and bend Edge defenders and interior rushers are judged on explosion, flexibility and sustained power:

• Akheem Mesidor (Miami), Tyreak Sapp (Florida), Patrick Payton (LSU): Potential difference-makers with pass-rush traits and athleticism. Bench press, broad jump and three-cone times provide insight into their burst and bend.
• Peter Woods (Clemson), Gabe Jacas (Illinois): Show technical disruption in college tape and will be watched for how their testing confirms on-field quickness.

A strong Combine can push an under-the-radar pass rusher into early rounds if it proves elite bend and suddenness.

Linebackers — range and coverage chops The linebacker group mixes coverage-capable athletes with thumpers:

• Harold Perkins Jr. (LSU): The athletic prototype who can rush, cover and play in space. The shuttle and three-cone will be evaluated for short-area change-of-direction.
• Lander Barton (Utah), Scooby Williams (Texas A&M), Deontae Lawson (Alabama): Each offers differing strengths in coverage, blitzing and run support.

Linebackers who test well in agility drills often rise because modern defenses value coverage versatility.

Defensive backs — size-speed combo and ball skills CBs and safeties draw intense Combine attention given the premium on speed and playmaking:

• Caleb Downs (Ohio State), Domani Jackson (Alabama), Davison Igbinosun (Ohio State): These DBs combine length and range. A top 40 time and three-cone under 6.6 seconds will highlight NFL-caliber reaction and mirroring skills.
• VJ Payne (Kansas State), Toriano Pride Jr. (Missouri): Slot and boundary versatility will be assessed with shuttle and three-cone times.

Defensive backs who demonstrate rare vertical or broad-jump numbers often get new film checks from multiple teams.

Specialists Kicking, punting and long-snapping prospects have shorter on-field windows but intensive specialist drills and leg strength measurements. For specialists, consistency under pressure and serviceability on game-day reps determine value.

Notable historical Combine performances and lessons for 2026

Certain Combine performances remain reference points in how teams evaluate athletic markers:

• Byron Jones (2015): His broad jump of 12'3" and a vertical of 44.5 inches vaulted him into first-round consideration and underscored how elite explosion projects to the NFL. He became an early-round pick and carved out a long career as a versatile defensive back.
• Xavier Worthy (4.21 40 in 2024) and John Ross (4.22 in 2017): These blistering times show the premium placed on speed. John Ross’s time helped solidify his first-round draft status; Worthy’s mark reinforced his role as a premier deep threat coming out of college.
• Dontari Poe (2012) and Stephen Paea (2011): Heavy bench press numbers for interior defenders can signal rare upper-body power; Poe’s 44 reps underscored his first-round potential, and he became an immediate starter at the NFL level.

Two broad lessons emerge:

1. Elite Combine numbers can accelerate draft stock but rarely substitute for positional technique and football instincts.
2. Medical evaluations and interviews often influence draft value more strongly than a single drill performance. Prospects with medical red flags often fall despite athletic brilliance.

How to interpret Combine results as a fan or analyst

Watching the Combine with context makes the experience more informative:

• Prioritize functional testing: rather than celebrating a raw 40 time, note the 10-yard split for skill positions (it better reflects acceleration and catch-up speed), and observe a lineman's balance and footwork in movement drills over bench rep totals alone.
• Compare to tape: if a prospect runs fast but shows limited route nuance on film, teams will ask whether that speed can be turned into separation. Conversely, a player with sound technique but middling numbers can be reliable at the next level.
• Watch medical updates: teams post-injury questions immediately if a previously unknown injury appears, which can affect a prospective pick more than athletic times.
• Listen to interviews: a prospect's ability to communicate, accept coaching and explain in-play decisions matters. Quarterbacks and defensive communicators are judged especially on verbal processing and clarity.
• Consider scheme fit: a prototype for one team may be a poor fit elsewhere. A slow-twitch zone-hunting linebacker may thrive in one defense but not in a cover-heavy scheme that requires twitch.

The Combine is a high-information environment. Fans who look beyond highlight clips to the layers of measurement and medical data will form sharper assessments.

What happens after the Combine: pro days, private workouts and draft meetings

The Combine is rarely the final word on a prospect. Teams proceed in a series of steps:

• Pro days: College-hosted workouts allow prospects to perform in a familiar environment. Players often attempt to improve on Combine numbers or perform position reps not captured at the Combine.
• Private workouts and visits: Teams bring prospects in for scheme-specific drills and deeper medical or background interviews.
• Draft rooms finalize decisions: Combine data, pro-day results, private workout feedback and medical summaries converge into final draft grades.

A strong Combine followed by clean medicals and polished pro-day reps can propel a player into the first round. Conversely, a weak Combine, medical issues or poor interviews can lead to reclassification and a slide.

Injury and medical transparency: a decisive element

Medical evaluations at the Combine are exhaustive. Team physicians review surgical notes, imaging and rehabilitation timelines. For prospects with prior injuries, three outcomes typically manifest:

• Medical clearance with no issues: the player maintains draft position.
• Manageable concern: teams place specific contingencies (e.g., later-round pick with guaranteed money contingent on further rehab).
• Significant red flag: the prospect can slide dramatically or be removed from day-one consideration.

Teams prefer to pay for durability and availability. The Combine’s medical review reduces uncertainty and gives teams more reliable risk assessments.

How teams prioritize interview and character evaluations

Interviews at the Combine are not perfunctory. Teams use them to assess:

• Football IQ: play-calling, quick decision-making and terminology comprehension.
• Coachability: receptiveness to correction and practice habits.
• Leadership and background: references, off-field behavior and personal history.

A prospect with borderline athletic numbers but high football IQ and leadership traits can be prized for certain roles. Conversely, red flags in interviews can negate excellent athletic testing.

For scouts and general managers: what moves the needle most at the Combine

From the team’s perspective, the Combine moves the needle in three primary areas:

1. Health. A clean medical report can validate a high draft grade; a concerning medical disclosure can prompt a slide.
2. Athletic confirmation. When a player’s Combine results match or exceed their pro-day and tape profile, teams gain conviction.
3. Mental processing. For quarterbacks and defensive leaders, interviews and on-field processing drills reveal readiness for complex schemes.

Teams rarely make a draft decision based solely on one fast 40 or a single rep total. The Combine's role is to either confirm or raise questions about a prior evaluation.

Viewing guide: what to watch on broadcast and what moments matter

For fans watching the NFL Network broadcasts, prioritized viewing moments include:

• Quarterback processing in interviews and short on-field throws; scouts evaluate footwork and delivery under standardized conditions.
• Wide receiver route structural tests during positional drills and contested-catch reps.
• Offensive line agility in three-cone and shuttle to determine lateral quickness and pass-protection footwork.
• Edge defenders’ three-cone and broad jump — signs of bend and lower-body explosion.
• Defensive backs’ shuttle and three-cone times to assess mirror skills and hip change.

Also watch medical station reports shared by broadcast teams and hear coach reaction during post-workout interviews; those comments often hint at which performances genuinely impressed NFL evaluators.

How Combine performances have and have not predicted NFL success

Historical patterns show both correlations and caveats:

• Correlation: measurable explosion and top-end speed often translate to explosive plays at the next level, especially for positions where physical traits are paramount (kick returners, deep-threat receivers, certain defensive backs).
• Caveat: technical skill, situational awareness, and consistency on film are stronger predictors of long-term success. Many players with elite Combine numbers failed to sustain NFL careers because they lacked technique, durability or intangibles.

Successful evaluators weigh both outcomes and use the Combine to test hypotheses formed from film and background checks.

Preparing for 2026: prospects, teams and the draft calendar

The Combine functions as a springboard into a busy pre-draft calendar. After Indianapolis:

• Teams return to campus scouting and schedule pro days.
• Private workouts and medical follow-ups intensify.
• Free-agent signings and front-office evaluations continue shaping roster needs ahead of the draft.

Prospects who perform in Indy and maintain medical transparency and consistent pro-day performances will be in strong position for the April draft.

FAQ

Q: When and where is the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine? A: The 2026 Combine runs Feb. 22 to March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The televised workout days for position groups run Feb. 26–March 1 with broadcasts on NFL Network.

Q: How can I watch the Combine? A: NFL Network provides the primary live coverage. Streaming services that carry NFL Network, such as Fubo, offer live streaming options. Check local listings and streaming subscriptions to confirm access.

Q: Which drills are the most important at the Combine? A: All drills provide value, but the 40-yard dash, three-cone, vertical, broad jump, bench press and 20-yard shuttle are the core athletic tests. Their importance varies by position — the 40 is critical for receivers and defensive backs while the bench press weighs more heavily for interior linemen.

Q: How much do Combine numbers affect draft position? A: Combine numbers influence draft position as part of a larger evaluation matrix that includes film, medicals, interviews and pro-day performance. Exceptional results can elevate a prospect, but teams rarely rely solely on one test. Medical findings and tape quality are often more determinative.

Q: Are Combine results definitive predictors of NFL success? A: No. Combine performance is a strong athletic indicator, but NFL success depends on technique, game intelligence, durability and opportunity. Many players with modest Combine results succeed, and some elite testers struggle in pro play.

Q: What should I pay attention to during Combine broadcasts? A: Focus on technique shown in position drills, short-area quickness (three-cone and shuttle), medical news and interview insights. Pay attention to how a player moves in relation to position requirements rather than raw numbers alone.

Q: Can prospects skip the Combine or parts of it? A: Prospects sometimes skip drills, especially if they prefer to perform at their pro day or require medical rest. Teams and media note absences, and the impact depends on the reason — strategic timing versus injury. Transparency on health and intentions matters.

Q: What comes after the Combine? A: Following the Combine, prospects participate in pro days, private workouts and follow-up interviews. Teams finalize medical clearances and draft boards in the lead-up to the NFL Draft in April.

Q: How are Combine invites determined? A: The NFL issues Combine invitations based on college performance, scouting interest and projected draft status. Invitations typically include prospects expected to be drafted as well as those with high upside who merit direct comparison to peers.

Q: Where can I find the list of invited prospects? A: The full 2026 invite list includes a broad range of players and is published by sports media outlets and the NFL. The list includes quarterbacks such as Drew Allar and Cade Klubnik; wide receivers like Zachariah Branch and Carnell Tate; and defensive standouts including Harold Perkins Jr. and Caleb Downs.

The Combine is where measurable physical testing meets nuanced football evaluation. For prospects, it’s an opportunity to provide verifiable data and demonstrate readiness; for teams, it is a concentrated risk-assessment and verification process. Fans who watch with an eye for both the numbers and the film context will gain the clearest sense of which prospects are positioned to climb — and which still have questions to answer before the draft.