NFL Combine Bests: Risers and Standouts at Every Position (2026 Draft Class)
Indianapolis, IN — The NFL combine concluded on Sunday after a long week of workouts, interviews, and the inevitable overreactions. Let’s dive into what happened.
Day 1 – Thursday
Defensive Linemen & Linebackers
7:30 AM CT: I’m still half-asleep when I roll out of bed to start my combine coverage for the day. It’s a beautiful sunny morning, but that won’t last long in Indianapolis during March. The first group to take the field will be defensive linemen and linebackers.
8:45 AM CT: My coffee is brewing as the players begin their warm-ups on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium. I’m watching closely for any signs of injury or discomfort among the top prospects. It’s a crucial time for these young men as they look to improve their draft stock with each rep, drill, and 40-yard dash.
9:30 AM CT: The first group of defensive linemen takes the field, including some of the biggest names in this year’s class like Myles Murphy (Clemson), Jalen Carter (Georgia), and Bryan Bresee (Clemson). They start with the broad jump before moving on to the vertical leap.
10:15 AM CT: I’m keeping an eye on Murphy, who has been projected as a top-5 pick in this year’s draft. His explosive athleticism is evident from the get-go, and he puts up impressive numbers in both the broad and vertical jumps.
11:00 AM CT: The defensive linemen move into positional drills where they’ll be tested on their agility, quickness, and ability to change direction. This is where we start to see some separation between prospects as they navigate through cones and bags set up along the field.
12:30 PM CT: As the morning session wraps up, it’s clear that Murphy has solidified his status as one of the top defensive linemen in this year’s class. However, there are still a few more players left to watch before we can make any definitive conclusions about who will rise or fall on draft boards.
Day 2 – Friday
Defensive Backs & Tight Ends
8:00 AM CT: I’m back at Lucas Oil Stadium for another day of combine coverage. Today, it’s the defensive backs and tight ends taking center stage as they look to prove themselves worthy of being selected early in this year’s draft.
9:15 AM CT: The first group of cornerbacks takes the field, including some highly touted prospects like Kelee Ringo (Georgia), Eli Ricks (Alabama), and Joey Porter Jr. (Penn State). They start with the 40-yard dash before moving on to positional drills later in the day.
10:30 AM CT: As each player runs their 40-yard dash, I’m keeping track of their times and comparing them to previous years’ results. It’s always interesting to see how these young men stack up against some of the greats who have come before them in this event.
11:45 AM CT: After a quick lunch break (Culver’s, naturally), I head back into the stadium for the afternoon session featuring safeties and tight ends. This is where we’ll start to get an idea of which players could be rising up draft boards based on their performance today.
Day 3 – Saturday
Quarterbacks, Running Backs & Wide Receivers
8:30 AM CT: The third day of the combine kicks off with arguably one of the most anticipated position groups: quarterbacks. This year’s crop includes some big names like Bryce Young (Alabama), C.J. Stroud (Ohio State), and Will Levis (Kentucky).
9:45 AM CT: Each quarterback takes their turn throwing passes to receivers running various routes during positional drills. I’m paying close attention to accuracy, arm strength, decision-making ability, and footwork.
11:15 AM CT: After the quarterbacks wrap up their session, it’s time for the wide receivers to take center stage. They’ll go through a series of drills designed to test their speed, agility, hands, route-running ability, and more.
1:00 PM CT: The running backs are up next as they showcase their skills in various drills that include everything from pass-catching exercises to footwork bags set up along the sidelines.
Day 4 – Sunday
Offensive Linemen
8:45 AM CT: On the final day of the combine, we turn our attention to the offensive linemen. This year’s class includes some highly touted prospects like Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio State), Broderick Jones (Georgia), and Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa).
10:00 AM CT: The first group of tackles takes the field for their on-field workouts. They’ll be tested in a variety of drills that measure everything from agility to footwork.
11:30 AM CT: As the morning session wraps up, it’s clear that there are several standout performers who have solidified their status as top prospects heading into next month’s draft. However, only time will tell how these young men fare when they finally take the field at the professional level.
Risers and Standouts
Risers:
1. Myles Murphy (Clemson) – Defensive End
2. Kelee Ringo (Georgia) – Cornerback
3. Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio State) – Offensive Tackle
Standouts:
1. Bryce Young (Alabama) – Quarterback
2. Jalen Carter (Georgia) – Defensive Tackle
3. Treylon Burks (Arkansas) – Wide Receiver
Conclusion
And there you have it, folks! Another NFL combine is in the books as we move one step closer to the 2026 draft. It’s been a long week filled with plenty of action and surprises, but now comes the real work: evaluating these young men based on their performances both on and off the field.
Stay tuned for more analysis and coverage leading up to what promises to be an exciting three days in late April when teams will make their selections for this year’s rookie class. Until then, keep your eyes peeled for any breaking news or rumors that could shake things up as we inch closer to draft night.
As always, thanks for joining me on this journey through another combine season here at Lucas Oil Stadium!
One-Ry Out. (Go grab a Cow, you earned it.)