2026 NFL Scouting Combine Preview - DL, LB, & Specialists

The NFL Scouting Combine on field events and drills is the last nationally-organized scouting event of the season and it is scheduled to take place from Thursday, February 26 through Sunday, March 1 from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. In total, 319 prospects have been invited to the world’s largest televised job fair, and approximately 90+% of the 257 draft picks in April’s draft will be comprised of NFL Scouting Combine participants, based on historical precedence. Let’s take a look at some of the prospects who are expected to put on a show and some of the prospects that need to impress to improve their odds of getting drafted in Pittsburgh, as well as notable snubs who should be in Indianapolis.

Defensive Line

The deepest position group regarding the number of elite, difference making, franchise redefining prospects, the defensive line prospects in attendance in Indianapolis are an athletic group of players with the measureables, experience, and production to become plug and play starters in the NFL as rookies. Every DL prospect working out on Thursday has questions that need to be answered before an NFL team feels comfortable using a first-round pick on them.

David Bailey / EDGE / Texas Tech – Needs to prove he has the size and strength to hold down the edge and provide containment against the outside run. Bailey’s measurements, performance on the bench press, and power on the blocking sleds will be closely analyzed by the scouting community.

Rueben Bain / EDGE / Miami, Fl – Bain is a quality run stuffer and is a well-rounded EDGE but he may not have the wingspan, burst, or first step quickness desired in an elite pass rusher. Bain’s 10-yard split (the time recorded on the first 10-yards of the 40-yard dash) and his movement skills during individual drills will be key data points that NFL teams will need to consider when it comes time to draft Bain.

Keldric Faulk / EDGE / Auburn – Faulk is viewed by most analysts as a first-round lock but he displays very little twitch or initial burst and is stiff in his movements. Faulk needs to run well and display quickness to allay fears that Faulk may not be athletic enough to be an NFL starter.

Romello Height / EDGE / Texas Tech – Height needs to demonstrate that he has enough size and strength to hold up against the run in the NFL. His measurements, bench press, and performance during individual drills will be closely analyzed.

Cashius Howell / EDGE / Texas A&M – Howell is exceedingly quick and agile but he tends to try to run around blocks and needs to prove he can stack and shed and not just be a pass rush specialist in the NFL. Howell’s bench press and performance on the blocking sleds will be watched closely.

Tyreak Sapp / EDGE / Florida – Sapp is a powerful EDGE who is one of the best run stuffers amongst EDGEs in this class but he needs to display quickness, burst, and speed to prove he can be a productive pass rusher. Sapp’s 10-yard split, 40-yard dash, and movement skills during on-field drills will be closely scrutinized by scouts after the combine concludes.

Brandon Cleveland / IDL / North Carolina State – Extremely strong and holds the POA the way NFL teams desire but he needs to prove that he has the quickness and burst to be a reliable pass rusher. Cleveland’s 10-yard split and movement skills will be analyzed closely by scouts.

Dontay Corleone / IDL / Cincinnati – An extremely powerful IDL who squeezes down run lanes effectively, Corleone has very little pass rushing production and may be limited to playing run downs only in the NFL. Corleone needs to run and move well during individual drills and the 10-yard split to improve his draft stock.

A couple of the IDL should run extremely well and may just improve their draft status significantly by running impressive 10-yard splits and 40-yard dashes. Zane Durant / Penn State and Bryson Eason / Tennessee are two impressive interior pass rushers who rely on speed and suddenness to generate pressure. Both IDL could show out during the 40-yard dash Thursday afternoon.

Notable DL Combine Snubs

Since the vast majority of the prospects who get drafted are combine participants, it is noteworthy which prospects do not get a call to participate in Indianapolis this week. Several DL prospects displayed NFL attributes over the past couple of seasons but did not earn an invite to this event.

Mikail Kamara / EDGE / Indiana – After recording 10 sacks and 15 TFL in 2024, Kamara’s production dropped off significantly finishing with only 2 sacks and 7 TFL last season for the Big Ten and National Champion Hoosiers. Although the stats do not show it, the quality of his run defense improved last season and Kamara is a complete, well-rounded EDGE, although lacking the desired physical dimensions for an NFL base 4-3 EDGE.

Wesley Bailey / EDGE / Louisville – Has NFL size and flashes elite traits, although consistency has been an issue. Has very good length and moves smoothly for a man his size. Bailey is a victim of a deep class but he has an excellent chance of making a practice squad next fall.

David Blay / IDL / Miami, Fl – Strong interior defender who displays a nice combination of agility and power. Played very well during the Hurricanes’ playoff run and will push for a roster spot next fall.

Keanu Tanuvasa / IDL / BYU – Very quick and athletic with a power game that should flourish with NFL coaching and an NFL weight room regimen. Very surprising exclusion.

Jeffrey M’ba / IDL / SMU – Very raw player who only has a few years of organized football experience. Born in Gabon (Africa) and is a French citizen. Great size (6054 / 316 lbs / 33.6” arms) and is extremely athletic. May require time to develop but has starting potential in the NFL.

Landon Robinson / IDL / Navy – Lacks desired size, especially height (5112) and length (31.5” arms and 76.6” wingspan), but is extremely quick, experienced, durable, and productive. Will push for a roster spot next fall.

Linebackers

One of the most talented group of LBs in the NFL Scouting Combine’s history will descend on Indianapolis on Thursday and a number of them have something to prove. Several of these prospects played like first-round draft picks last fall but are unlikely to be selected that high in April. LBs are undervalued in today’s NFL and it does not appear that most of these prospects have the combination of desired measureables and elite athleticism to warrant a first-round pick, despite several of these players being playmakers who create havoc and turnovers in bunches. The top prospect at the position, Arvell Reese / Ohio State, is an athletic freak with the size, speed, fluidity, and strength to be converted to EDGE in the NFL. Reese looks like a lock as a top ten selection in April. Every LB prospect working out on Thursday has questions that need to be answered before an NFL team feels comfortable using a top 50 pick on them.

CJ Allen / Georgia – Allen is generating a lot of buzz as the Combine approaches and could use Thursday’s workout to vault into being a first-round selection in Pittsburgh in April. Allen needs to have solid measurements, run a fast 40-yard dash, and move fluidly during on-field drills to earn a first-round grade.

Anthony Hill / Texas – Hill’s measurements and 40-yard dash time will have a huge impact on his draft status. Hill, like Reese, is getting consideration from some teams as a 3-4 EDGE prospect since he flashes excellent pass rushing skill. If Hill comes in with good size and runs well, he could shoot up draft boards.

Jack Kelly / BYU – Kelly is an old-fashioned MLB who flows through trash and cleans up at the second level against the run. He has flashed as a blitzer and features an impressive burst to close. Kelly could work his way into day two draft consideration with a good workout on Thursday.

Harold Perkins / LSU – Perkins’ best skill is rushing the passer where he flashes as a special talent. But Perkins’ lacks size to line up as a base 4-3 EDGE. Perkins has played LB and Safety in college and he could play either in the NFL although he played LB at the East-West Shrine Bowl, his likely position in the NFL. Perkins’ workout will be closely monitored by every NFL scout.

Jacob Rodriguez / Texas Tech – Based solely on production, Rodriguez would be a candidate to get drafted first overall after having an absurdly good season in Lubbock – 128 tackles / 11 TFL / 7 FF / 1 FR / 4 INT. But off-the-ball LBs are not highly valued so most pundits have him listed as a second or third round pick. If Rodriguez runs a sub 4.65 40 and shows enough agility to turn and run with TEs in coverage, Rodriguez may find in himself as a potential first-round pick in April.

Notable LB Combine Snubs

The NFL Scouting Combine invited virtually ever top LB prospect for this April’s draft. In fact, some of these LB prospects are likely to go undrafted. There are two MAC LBs who deserve more love and should be in Indianapolis.

Jackson Kuwatch / Miami, Oh – A transfer from Ohio State, had a great American Bowl week and has the size and athleticism NFL teams desire in their off-the-ball LBs. Kuwatch is likely to start his career on the practice squad but flashes starter traits worth developing.

Jordan Kwiatkowski / Central Michigan – A solid, well-coached and instinctive MLB, Kwiatkowski displays starter traits including his diagnostic skills and range. Kwiatkowski is likely to start his career on a practice squad but looks like an ideal special team player while developing as an NFL LB.

Specialists

It is unlikely that more than three punters and kickers are selected in the draft. The kickers have very strong legs but consistency has been an issue. Dominic Zvada / K / Michigan has connected on 11/13 50+ yard FGs in his career but only hit 68% of his attempts this year, including only making 9/13 FGs from 39 yards and under. Punters Ryan Eckley / Michigan State and Brett Thorson / Georgia are both likely to get drafted. Both have dynamite-loaded legs with the hang time and touch to be long-term NFL starters.

Notable Specialist Combine Snubs

Two punters who were not invited to Indianapolis but have

a chance to get drafted and will be priority UDFA if they should slip through the draft. Cole Maynard / Western Kentucky is a second-generation punter – father Brad was the long-time starter for the Giants – who looks likely to follow in his footsteps. Wes Pahl / Oklahoma State has the leg strength to push for a roster spot next fall.

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