2026 NFL Scouting Combine Preview - QB, RB, & WR

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, a few of the prospects that need to impress to improve their odds of getting drafted in Pittsburgh. We’ll also take a look some candidates poised to challenge Xavier Worthy’s 4.21 40 and some notable snubs who should be in Indianapolis.

QB

The 2026 NFL Draft QB class is one of the weakest group of signal callers to enter the NFL in years. Fernando Mendoza / Indiana is the only franchise QB in this spring’s draft and is virtually locked in as the first selection of the draft. Mendoza is not expected to work out on Saturday but every other QB in Indy has so much to prove that they will certainly participate in on-field activities. Let’s take a look at what the top prospects entering last fall, all listed as potential first-round selections last summer – Drew Allar, Carson Beck, Cade Klubnik, and Garrett Nussmeier – and what they need to prove before the draft.

Drew Allar / Penn State – Allar’s medical evaluation after a knee injury suffered last fall is his first roadblock he needs to navigate. If he participates beyond measurements and interviews, it would be surprising. Allar needs to prove that he has matured as a QB and grown as a leader. Allar has always teased elite talent but has failed to deliver on it. Combine week is the start of his comeback story.

Carson Beck / Miami, Fl – Beck’s medical evaluation is his biggest issue. Specifically, 14 months out from his UCL injury in his right (throwing) elbow, Beck’s arm strength has yet to return and he does not throw with the power he once had. Beck’s throwing reps will be must see TV.

Cade Klubnik / Clemson – Klubnik struggles with consistency, does not normally elevate his performance against tougher competition, and requires a strong running game to excel. But Klubnik has flashed elite timing, touch, and anticipation. If all of that is on display Saturday afternoon, Klubnik could be the third QB off the board in April.

Garrett Nussmeier / LSU – Senior Bowl Offensive MVP, Nussmeier proved that he was healthy after missing the end of the season at LSU and he threw the ball and operated the offense well. His small hands (8.6” Hands) will likely eliminate him from consideration from some NFL teams. Nussmeier needs to display arm strength during passing drills on Saturday afternoon to continue his ascent up the QB pecking order.

Notable QB Combine Snubs

The QB class invited to Indianapolis is a quality group lacking great talent – reflective of lack of likely future starters available this April. But there are two QB prospects who have garnered some fans in the scouting community and were surprisingly excluded.

Miller Moss / Louisville – Moss is an experienced and productive multiyear starter at USC and Louisville whose streakiness is his biggest liability. Moss has flashed, and at his best, his combination of arm strength, athleticism, and toughness gives him an opportunity to make a practice squad this fall.

Athan Kaliakmanis / Rutgers – Kaliakmanis started more than three years at Minnesota and Rutgers and has an NFL build and arm strength. Kaliakmanis parlayed his performance at the Hula Bowl into an invitation to the American Bowl. Although he is unlikely to get drafted, Kaliakmanis will be a much sought-after UDFA.

RB

The 2026 NFL Draft RB class has only one instant impact starter – Jeremiyah Love / Notre Dame, who appears to be a likely top ten selection. But the overall depth and quality is solid and the RBs in Indianapolis are similarly stocked with future starters and regular contributors. Let’s take a look at a few of the intriguing RB prospects working out Saturday afternoon.

Jonah Coleman / Washington – Coleman battled injuries throughout the season and had to withdraw from the Senior Bowl as a result. Coleman has a great combination of size and speed and would be one of the fastest RBs at the Combine, if he were to run. Coleman looks like an immediate contributor and likely third round draft choice in April, if he receives positive medical reviews.

Eli Heidenreich / Navy – Heidenreich played as a hybrid RB/WR in Navy’s option offense and will be a likely slot WR/third down RB in the NFL. Heidenreich’s 40-time, jumps, agility, and route running will be closely monitored by scouts Saturday afternoon.

Jam Miller / Alabama – Miller, a former 5-star recruit, has never lived up to his press clippings due to injuries and splitting time with other RBs in the Tide’s loaded backfield. Miller has great speed and will likely break a sub-4.45 40 Saturday afternoon. Miller should shine during RB drills when his natural athleticism and agility are shown off.

Adam Randall / Clemson – A former WR who converted to RB this year, Randall has superb size and runs with natural power and forward lean. He is a good receiver out of the backfield, although inexperienced in running routes. Randall lacks twitch and burst and he runs at one speed. He needs to run a good 40-yard dash and post a solid 10-yard split to allay concerns about his explosiveness.

Speed Merchants

Although the majority of the fastest prospects at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine are WRs, the RBs in attendance are far from slow-footed. So, which RB prospects could push the Combine 40-yard dash record of 4.21 seconds set by Xavier Worthy in 2024? Keep an eye on Jam Miller / Alabama, Le’Veon Moss / Texas A&M, Desmond Reid / Pittsburgh, and Nicholas Singleton / Penn State.

Notable RB Combine Snubs

The NFL Scouting Combine selection process picked a solid group of prospects who should contribute early in their NFL careers. However, a few prospects have earned draftable grades but were excluded from this event.

Anthony Hankerson / Oregon State – Hankerson just completed his second consecutive season of rushing for 1,000+ yards, a notable accomplishment for how moribund the Oregon State offense has been over the last two seasons. Hankerson offers only average size but runs more powerfully than his size, has good agility and cutting ability, runs with solid contact balance, and has a quality burst and accelerates to top speed quickly. Hankerson is likely to go undrafted but will push for a practice squad spot in the fall.

Kejon Owens / FIU – It is important to note that Combine invitations are sent out in December, a full month before the college All-Star Games start. If they had waited, Owens would have certainly been invited after showing out at the American and Senior Bowls and proving he was one of the best RBs in the nation. Owens still looks like a late round draft pick, and is likely to be selected in the sixth or seventh round.

Jamal Haynes / Georgia Tech – Undoubtedly, Haynes’ short stature (5067) was a major factor in Haynes being passed over because his game is NFL-worthy. Haynes, a former WR, profiles as an ideal third down RB in the mold of Darren Sproles. Haynes is likely to be a high priority UDFA.

Kaelon Black / Indiana – Another prospect hurt by the early combine selection process, Black rushed for over 1,000 yards for the Hoosiers and was arguably better than Combine invitee Roman Hemby by the end of the season. Black has an extensive injury history but is a strong inside runner who never lost a fumble at either James Madison or Indiana.

WR

The 2026 NFL Draft WR class has a nice mixture of bigger WRs with good vertical speed and smaller and shiftier slot receivers who exploit underneath zones and convert third down conversions. Several WRs enter the Combine with questions that need answers or their draft status could take a hit. Let’s take a look at a couple of these prospects with something to prove on Saturday.

Denzel Boston / Washington – Although Boston is expected to run and jump well on Saturday afternoon, his performance will hinge on his ability to display the ability to make quick cuts and shift his weight adequately without losing a step. Almost all of Boston’s catches are contested and he needs to address fears that he lacks the quickness and lateral agility to get open at the break point in the NFL. Saturday afternoon is a big day for Boston.

Zachariah Branch / Georgia – Branch is one of the quicker and more elusive WRs in this class. Georgia used him extensively as an underneath WR who exploits zone coverage and his quickness makes it challenging to cover him in man coverage. Branch rarely gets an opportunity to show off his speed in Georgia’s offense. If Branch runs a sub-4.4 40, he may leap into first-round consideration.

Josh Cameron / Baylor – Cameron is a powerful runner after the catch with the size and strength to bully smaller DBs. But Cameron needs to prove he has the lateral agility and quickness to separate against man coverage. Not only will on-field drills be important to Cameron’s draft status, he needs to demonstrate adequate straight-line speed. A sub-4.6 40 would make Cameron a likely top 75 selection.

Bryce Lance / North Dakota State – Lance, whose brother Trey is a backup QB for the Chargers, needs to translate the explosiveness seen on the FCS level to the track conditions in Indianapolis. Not only does Lance need to run a good 40 time (< 4.55), but he needs to prove his smoothness and natural athleticism are not an illusion based on Lance playing against inferior competition at NDSU. Saturday is a very important day for Lance and his draft future.

Speed Merchants

Traditionally, WRs are the fastest players on the field and at the Combine. So, which 2026 WR prospects could push the Combine 40-yard dash record of 4.21 seconds set by Xavier Worthy in 2024? Keep an eye on Aaron Anderson / LSU, KC Concepcion / Texas A&M, Chris Hilton / LSU, Caullin Lacy / Louisville, Zavion Thomas / LSU, Brennen Thompson / Mississippi State, Kaden Wetjen / Iowa, and Antonio Williams / Clemson.

Notable WR Combine Snubs

The NFL Scouting Combine selection process picked a large group of quality NFL WR prospects but still missed a few prospects that have displayed enough size, speed, and athleticism to get drafted.

Lewis Bond / Boston College – Surprisingly, Bond did not receive an invitation to Indianapolis despite finishing fifth in the nation with 88 reception this past season. B.C.’s all-time leader in receptions is one of the best route runners in the nation and he has a game that is NFL ready. Bond should earn a late round selection despite not working out at the Combine.

Romello Brinson / SMU – Another surprising omission, Brinson has a well-rounded, developed game that is ready to contribute immediately in the NFL. Brinson lacks some strength but otherwise has an NFL frame and solid college production. If Brinson goes undrafted, he will be a much sought-after UDFA.

Tyren Montgomery / John Carroll – Montgomery is a victim of the December selection date for Combine invitations to be issued. After impressing at the American Bowl, Montgomery earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl and continued to impress the scouts. Montgomery has desired size and the versatility to play outside or in the slot. Montgomery is likely to hear his name called late in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Matthew Henry / Western Kentucky – Although unlikely to get drafted, the former FCS All-American at Western Illinois has displayed the hands, YAC ability, and leaping ability to be developed into an NFL contributor. Henry is likely to start his career on an NFL practice squad.

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