The NFL Scouting Combine is underway in Indianapolis, and the 2026 draft cycle is officially live.
A total of 319 prospects have arrived at Lucas Oil Stadium for a week that will shape April’s board. The combine does not replace the tape. It confirms it. Testing either matches what teams believed they saw on film or forces them back to rewatch.
That context is what moves players.
Combine Schedule: What to Watch and When
On-field drills run Thursday through Sunday:
Thursday: Defensive Linemen, Linebackers
Friday: Tight Ends, Defensive Backs
Saturday: Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Running Backs
Sunday: Offensive Linemen
Drills include: 40-yard dash, 10-yard split, vertical jump, broad jump, shuttle, three-cone, bench press, and position-specific work.
The Grading System
Prospects receive numerical grades that project their likely NFL outcome.
8.0 – The perfect prospect
7.3–7.5 – Perennial All-Pro
7.0–7.1 – Pro Bowl talent
6.7–6.9 – Year 1 starter
6.5–6.6 – Boom-or-bust potential
6.40–6.49 – Good starter within two years
6.30–6.39 – Eventually a plus starter
6.20–6.29 – Eventually an average starter
6.10–6.19 – Good backup with starter upside
6.0–6.09 – Above-average backup traits
5.80–5.99 – Backup or core special teamer
5.60–5.69 – Bottom-of-roster / practice squad
5.50–5.59 – Priority UDFA
No grade – Not yet available
Note: Grades before 2014 used a different system.
The Headline Storylines
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Projected No. 1 pick. He won’t throw in Indy and plans to showcase his arm at Indiana’s April 1 pro day. The question: clear QB1, but worth a No. 1 overall pick?
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
A high-variance player. One-year starter, below-average build, and nagging 2025 injuries. His late-season dip (57% completion over the final 4 games) is concerning. Teams want cleaner timing downfield, better touch over linebackers, and more precision vs. tight man.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Many have him as WR1. Now he needs testing to back it up. A sub-4.50 forty with an explosive vertical helps confirm his game-changer status. Average numbers reopen the “frame/ceiling” debate.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Top-end talent, but his injuries are the real story. He’s not expected to work out. If medicals reassure teams, he stays steady. If not, he may fall hard.
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The tape shows quick feet and clean mirroring. The question is about his build and power, as he can play high and get displaced. Fano’s arm-length measurements might be his downfall.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Listed at 6 feet, teams will need to confirm this because length matters at safety, especially when Downs is rumored to be one of, if not the greatest safety prospects ever. The measurements and movement must show he can keep up with verticals and contested catches for top-five safety talk to stay alive.
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Bailey has a case as the best player in the class. Elite first step, twitch, and bend that translate. The combine is about confirming whether he can hold up vs. the run.
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Arm length is the headline. Short-arm edges can get crowded, but Bain’s hips, hands, and speed-to-power give him counters. If he measures short, teams will decide whether his technique is strong enough to override it.
What Comes Next
The combine is only the first stop.
- March 11 – Free agency opens
- March 29 – Annual league meeting
- April 23 – NFL Draft
- May 13 – Schedule release
- Mid-July – Training camp
- Mid-August – Preseason
- September 10 – Regular season kickoff
The road to kickoff is already mapped. The combine is simply the first major turn.
Thinking about placing a bet on DraftKings? Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your First Bet Wins!
