All articles tagged with #scouting combine
In the 2026 NFL Draft, Minnesota Vikings used their first pick to select Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks—a high-upside choice given Banks' elite athletic traits but injury-limited production, with the team hoping he anchors the defensive front for the future as fans weigh in via SB Nation Reacts polls.
Rob Rang highlights eight risers and two fallers from the 2026 Scouting Combine: risers Caldwell (WR), Demmings (CB), Dennis-Sutton (Edge), Klubnik (QB), Proctor (DT), Rodriguez (LB), Roush (TE) and Washington (RB) posted standout measurables, with Klubnik's passing showing especially noteworthy; fallers Lee Hunter (NG) and LT Overton (DL) may drop from top boards. The piece notes most draft movement comes from medicals and interviews, not athletic testing, making Klubnik's performance a rare exception and Washington a potential second-round RB target.
At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, average 40-yard dash times across seven of eight position groups set records, with DBs and WRs at 4.44 seconds, RBs 4.45, LBs 4.55, TEs 4.63, DL 4.83, OL 5.10; QBs averaged 4.60, the second-fastest ever, leaving analysts wondering about timing methods, training, or strategic participation.
At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, 10 running backs ran the 40-yard dash with Arkansas's Mike Washington leading at 4.33 seconds, followed by Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame) at 4.36 and Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest) at 4.37; Jam Miller (Alabama) clocked about 4.42–4.43, Eli Heidenreich (Navy) around 4.44–4.45, with Seth McGowan (Kentucky) and Jadarian Price (Notre Dame) at 4.49, Adam Randall (Clemson) at 4.50, Robert Henry (UTSA) at 4.52, and Emmett Johnson (Nebraska) at 4.56. The RBs kicked off Saturday’s drills, with quarterbacks and wide receivers still to come on the docket.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, the second-fastest among running backs behind Arkansas' Mike Washington at 4.33, highlighting his athleticism and boosting his draft stock as a potential top-five pick.
At the Scouting Combine, Diego Pavia said he is getting mentorship from Johnny Manziel, who advises him on what to expect and how to stay focused as he pursues an NFL opportunity. Manziel, the Heisman winner whose NFL career didn’t pan out, serves as a cautionary example, while Pavia’s draft stock appears lower than Manziel’s, potentially leaving him fighting to earn a roster spot.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a Heisman winner projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft, said at the NFL scouting combine that he spoke with Tom Brady on the phone during his formal interview with the Raiders, calling the moment 'very special' and expressing admiration for Brady and a potential mentorship; he also described a positive interview with the Raiders’ coaching staff, noted he won’t throw at the combine, and said he would be honored to be drafted by any team and hopes to meet Brady in person if Vegas selects him, building on Indiana’s remarkable season.
Ohio State defensive back Lorenzo Styles Jr. ran a 4.27-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, the fastest time posted so far this year. His brother Sonny Styles, a linebacker, ran 4.46, and both are sons of former NFL linebacker Lorenzo Styles. Styles Jr. transferred from Notre Dame to Ohio State and is viewed as a late-round draft pick, while his brother is projected as one of the top picks in April's draft.
Malik Willis is set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 11, with reports that he could command around $30 million per year, potentially yielding the Packers a third-round compensatory pick in return for the 2024 seventh-round trade; Willis impressed filling in for injured Jordan Love and is expected to draw significant interest as a top quarterback option on the market despite limited NFL exposure.
The Chicago Bears arrived in Indianapolis for the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine and have begun meeting with multiple draft prospects, including Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State), Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech), Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas), Christen Miller (DT, Georgia), Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri), Cashius Howell (EDGE, Texas A&M), Dontay Corleone (DT, Cincinnati), Akheem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami), and T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson). The tracker documents who they’ve met with to gauge potential draft directions as the April draft approaches.
The Minnesota Vikings signaled a major shift at quarterback, saying they will cast a wide net to improve play beyond J.J. McCarthy after an injury-plagued second season, with team exec Rob Brzezinski noting they’ll explore options—potentially including veteran quarterbacks—while reassessing the QB position amid leadership changes following Kwesi Adofo‑Mensah’s firing.
PFT Live will broadcast from Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine this week, with Mike Florio hosting from 7 a.m. ET on NBCSN, Peacock, and SiriusXM 85. Travel delays move Simms, Williams to joining Tuesday’s show, and Simms returns Wednesday for live interviews with coaches, GMs, and prospects (including Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza) through Thursday and Friday; all interviews will later appear on YouTube and in PFT blurbs as the offseason kicks off.
The 2025 NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo provided teams with insights into top prospects, including the potential No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer, and highlighted key stories such as multi-sport athlete Mason West, college player William Horcoff, and the legacy of Ray Shero. The event also featured notable moments like fitness testing, interviews, and the history behind player numbers, offering a comprehensive view of the upcoming NHL draft and future stars.
The 2025 NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo features top prospects like projected No. 1 pick Schaefer, who is preparing for interviews and physical assessments, while also sharing personal stories and team aspirations, with other notable prospects including Hagens and Martone, and a strong representation from USA Hockey's NTDP.
The NFL Scouting Combine will continue to be held in Indianapolis through at least 2026, as the city has hosted the event since 1987. Despite considering bids from other cities, the NFL values Indianapolis for its central location and convenient setup, which allows easy access to hotels and event venues. The city aims to enhance the fan experience to maintain its status as the Combine's host.