2026 NFL Scouting Combine Defensive Prospect Report

There are athletic freaks and then there are athletic freaks like Sonny Styles, the LB out of Ohio State. Actually no, that’s not quite right. There has never been an athletic performance in the two decades plus of televised Combines like the one put on in Indianapolis Thursday night by the Buckeyes LB. Styles measured in at 6050 / 244 lbs / 32.7” Arms / 80.7” Wingspan, just extraordinary size for an off-the-ball LB. Then Styles hit the Lucas Oil Stadium turf and blew the doors off the facility – recording a 4.46 40, and scored a 43.5” vertical and 11’2” broad jump – both record jumps for a player 6’4” or taller at the Combine (tied one day later by Arkansas QB Taylen Green). Styles displayed excellent range, speed, bend, balance and agility during the on-field drills Thursday night – rare movement skills for a big man. Styles has vaulted into a definite first round selection and a likely top 10 pick in April – rare air for a LB. Who are some other defenders who improved their draft stock on Thursday and Friday in Indianapolis? SNS breaks it all down for you!

SPEED! SPEED! And more SPEED! – The Fastest Defense Ever at the Combine

This is not hyperbole, the statistics bear that out as every defensive position group established records for speed (average 40-yard dash by position group) –  

Let’s take a look at some of the more impressive 40-yard dash times recorded by defensive prospects - 

Twelve Defensive Linemen…and Possibly More…May Get Selected in the First Round Next Month

In the history of the modern-era NFL Draft (since 1967), only the 2003 NFL Draft has ever had as many as eleven DL drafted in the first-round. That record has stood for 22 years but it is unlikely to last much longer because the 2026 NFL Draft is loaded with impact EDGEs and IDL. As many as half the first-round – 16 picks – could be EDGEs and IDL. Let’s take a look at a few of the best DL who are almost certain to be drafted in the first-round on April 23^rd.

EDGE

David Bailey / Texas Tech

6035 / 251 lbs / 10.2” Hands / 33.5” Arms / 79.5” Wingspan

4.5 40 / 1.62 10-yard split / 35” Vertical / 10’9” Broad

Bailey solidified a top five selection next month with his performance on the Lucas Oil Field Thursday afternoon. Bailey displayed the burst, agility, speed, and fluidity to play EDGE in either in an even or odd front defense in the NFL and looks like a plug and play starter as a rookie. Bailey could be selected as high as number two overall on April 23^rd.

Arvell Reese / Ohio State

6041 / 241 lbs / 32.4” Arms / 79.4” Wingspan

4.46 40 / 1.58 10-yard split

Reese played MLB for the Buckeyes but will transition to EDGE in the NFL. Reese has the speed, explosiveness, agility, and strength to be an instant impact rookie starter although he will need additional reps as an EDGE to increase his comfort level and consistency. Reese is a likely top five selection in April.

Rueben Bain / Miami, Fl

6022 / 263 lbs / 30.7” Arms / 77.4” Wingspan

Bain did not work out on Thursday and will work out at Miami’s Pro Day later this month. Bain’s draft status took a hit after he recorded short arms and wingspan in Indianapolis Thursday morning. Bain recorded five sacks in four playoff games and is as productive as any EDGE in this class but his short arms will likely hurt his draft status. Bain plays like a top ten selection but will likely fall to the latter half of the first-round in April.

Cashius Howell / Texas A&M

6024 / 253 lbs / 30.2” Arms / 74.2” Wingspan

4.59 40 / 1.59 10-yard split / 32.5” Vertical / 9’7” Broad

Howell has the shortest arms and wingspan of any EDGE in attendance in Indianapolis and his speed and jumping ability came in less than expected. But Howell displayed the athleticism and bend during on-field drills that he displayed weekly last year in College Station and remains a likely first-round draft pick.

Keldric Faulk / Auburn

6057 / 276 lbs / 34.3” Arms / 82.2” Wingspan

35” Vertical / 9’9” Broad

Faulk did not run the 40 and his pure foot speed remains a question, but he displayed solid movement skills Thursday afternoon and has one of the highest ceilings of any EDGE in this class. Faulk flashes bend and agility but consistency has been an issue. Faulk is powerful and immediately upgrades a team’s run defense and adds a powerful bull rush that is NFL-ready. Faulk looks like a first-round pick next month.

TJ Parker / Clemson

6030 / 263 lbs / 33.1” Arms / 79” Wingspan

4.68 40 / 1.62 10-yard split / 34” Vertical / 10’0” Broad

Arguably the best EDGE during on-field drills, Parker displayed the athleticism and agility desired for an EDGE and he has securely moved into first-round consideration. Parker lit up the Combine the same way he lit up the Senior Bowl in January. Parker looks like a plug and play starter as a rookie.

IDL

Kayden McDonald / Ohio State

6021 / 326 lbs / 32.2” Arms / 78.1” Wingspan

McDonald did not jump or run the 40-yard dash on Thursday afternoon but did perform during on-field exercises and flashed his elite burst and explosiveness. However, McDonald displayed some tightness and does not have great range or athleticism. McDonald only has one year of starting experience at Ohio State and has tremendous upside. McDonald looks locked in as a first-round selection.

Caleb Banks / Florida

6062 / 327 lbs / 10.7” Hands / 35” Arms / 85.6” Wingspan

5.04 40 / 1.76 10-yard split / 32” Vertical / 9’6” Broad

Banks won the Combine with his measurements and then blew off the doors of Lucas Oil Stadium with his performance running and jumping Thursday afternoon. So, it was not a surprise that Banks chose not to participate during field drills. Banks only played in three games last season after breaking his foot against LSU in September but he displayed promising upside in 2024. After his measurements and performance on Thursday, Banks looks like a first-round pick next month.

Lee Hunter / Texas Tech

6034 / 318 lbs / 9.2” Hands / 33.2” Arms / 80.5” Wingspan

5.18 40 / 1.82 10-yard split / 21.5” Vertical / 8’4” Broad

Hunter remains a likely first-round draft choice despite his average overall performance in Indianapolis on Thursday. Hunter’s on-field performance was the strength of his workout and allays fears about his average athleticism. Hunter’s size, length, and performances on the football field on Saturday afternoons should translate to a productive career in the NFL.

The 2026 LB Class is an Unbelievably Athletic Group of Prospects

Not only did the LBs working out Thursday evening run fast – a Combine record 4.55 40-yard dash average – but they jumped through the Lucas Oil Stadium roof and put on a dazzling display of athleticism during on-field drills. This is perhaps the most athletic group of off-the-ball LBs to enter the NFL in decades. This is such a good class that at least two LBs are likely to be first-round draft picks – Ohio State’s Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles – and as many as three others are likely to earn first round grades, a highly unusual draft year. Let’s take a look at some of the top LB prospects available in April’s draft.

Anthony Hill / Texas

6020 / 238 lbs / 32.3” Arms / 79” Wingspan

4.51 40 / 34.5” Vertical / 9’11” Broad / 21 reps (225 lbs)

Hill did not participate in on-field activities after getting measured, competing in the vertical and broad jumps, and running the 40-yard dash but he did enough to lock Hill in as a top 50 prospect for April’s draft. Hill projects as a plug and play starter in 4-3 defenses and has displayed enough pass rushing skill to be considered by 3-4 defenses as an EDGE prospect.

Kyle Louis / Pittsburgh

5117 / 220 lbs / 31.2” Arms

4.53 40 / 39.5” Vertical / 10’9” Broad / 6.97 3-Cone Drill

Louis entered Senior Bowl week being considered by some teams as an off-the-ball LB and by others as a Safety, but after the Senior Bowl and Combine, Louis is firmly on NFL teams’ radar as an OLB. Louis was smooth, fluid, and fast during the on-field drills and looks like an eventual starter and an immediate impact player on special teams. Louis will likely be a third-round draft pick next month.

Jacob Rodriguez / Texas Tech

6013 / 231 lbs / 30.7” Arms

4.57 40 / 38.5” Vertical / 10’1” Broad / 6.90 3-Cone Drill

Although slightly tight in the hips, Rodriguez is a difference-making LB who created 11 turnovers last season (7 forced fumbles and 4 INTs) on the way to finishing fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Rodriguez ran the fastest time amongst LBs in the 3-Cone Drill and displayed the speed, range, and change of direction skills to be a plug and play starter as a rookie. Rodriguez will likely be a second-round pick although from a production stand point, the Butkus Award winner is a top 10 selection. He’s just that good.

Jake Golday / Cincinnati

6044 / 239 lbs / 31.7” Arms / 76.7” Wingspan

4.62 40 / 39” Vertical / 10’5” Broad / 7.02 3-Cone Drill

Although Golday was expected to show out at the Combine, his performance paled in comparison to several other top LB prospects. But Golday’s combination of size and explosiveness make him an instant impact starter in the NFL. Golday should hear his name called within the top 50 picks next month.

The DBs are Long, Fluid, and Fast and are Ready to Contribute Immediately in the NFL

Not only are the CBs and Safeties in attendance in Indianapolis the fastest group of DBs in 20+ years, but this class is filled with big and long CBs and athletically-gifted Safeties that will give creative NFL defensive coordinators many intriguing options to deploy next season. Let’s take a deeper dive into some of the best DB prospects who worked out Friday afternoon.

Daylen Everette / CB / Georgia

6007 / 196 lbs / 31.7” Arms

4.38 40 / 1.54 10-yard split / 37.5” Vertical / 10’4” Broad

Everette is a big, physical CB who displayed a surprising level of speed and explosiveness on Friday afternoon and moved extremely well during field drills. Everette’s size and length have always been his biggest asset but he displayed excellent speed and burst on Friday afternoon. Everette looks like a solid second round pick with starting potential as a rookie.

Avieon Terrell / CB / Clemson

5106 / 186 lbs / 31” Arms / 75.4” Wingspan

34” Vertical / 10’3” Broad / 17 reps (225 lb)

Terrell did not run the 40-yard dash but displayed desired explosiveness during his vertical and broad jumps and then showed his athleticism, agility, and fluidity during field drills. Terrell’s performance Friday afternoon confirmed what was observed on Saturday afternoons – he has the size, length, and movement skills to become a plug and play starter in the NFL. Terrell is a likely top 20 selection on April 23^rd.

Dillon Thieneman / S / Oregon

6001 / 201 lbs / 31.3” Arms / 78.1” Wingspan

4.35 40 / 1.52 10-yard split / 41” Vertical / 10’5” Broad / 18 reps (225 lbs)

Perhaps the most impressive performance Friday afternoon was put on by the Oregon Safety who displayed the speed, range, and fluidity to become an impact starter as a rookie. Thieneman has been steadily climbing up draft boards since the beginning of the season and after his Combine showing, Thieneman looks like a first-round pick.

VJ Payne / S / Kansas State

6030 / 206 lbs / 33.6” Arms

4.40 40 / 1.52 10-yard split / 35” Vertical / 10’7” Broad

The most surprising defensive performance on the field on Friday, if not the entire week, was the show put on by Payne, the big and physical K-State Safety who moved smoothly for such a large man. Payne’s size/speed combination is rare with the length normally associated with an EDGE. Payne projects as a potential starter in a year or two with tremendous special teams upside. Payne could be a top 100 selection next month.