INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL Scouting Combine often gets mocked with negative connotations, such as calling it the “underwear Olympics.” But I always go back to the line by legendary NFL scout and one of my mentors, C.O. Brocato: “Those who don’t value the combine don’t know how to properly use it.”
The combine gives us context — that is the value. Whether it is athletic testing, medical feedback or other information, I always learn more during my week in Indianapolis (this will be my 16th straight combine trip) than any other stretch of the year.
There will be 318 NFL prospects in Indianapolis this week, and all 318 have something to prove. But I’m especially interested in these 21 prospects — and for different reasons …
Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
My pick for the fastest 40-yard dash at this year’s combine, Thompson is small (he’ll probably measure in at 5 feet, 9 inches and around 170 pounds), but size doesn’t matter much if no one on the field can catch you.
Thompson ran a 10.18-second 100-meter dash in high school, and you can see that speed in his game. He led the FBS with five catches of 50-plus yards in 2025 — and he would have doubled that number with decent quarterback play. I’m setting the line on Thompson’s 40 time at 4.28 seconds.
Others in contention to run sub-4.35 in the 40: Barion Brown (LSU), Chris Hilton (LSU), Deion Burks (Oklahoma), Eric Rivers (Georgia Tech), Desmond Reid (Pittsburgh) and Malik Benson (Oregon).
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Right now, Tate is the favorite to be the first wide receiver drafted, but will that still be the case leaving the combine?
I think so. Tate is deceptively fast because his long strides allow him to gain ground quickly. It won’t be surprising if his 40 time is closer to 4.4 than 4.5.
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
With his scheme versatility, Thieneman can bring all kinds of value to a defense. He can make plays over the top in coverage or downhill as a run defender with his speed and athleticism. I am eager to see how that range manifests itself in his athletic testing numbers. Will his performance be enough to punch his ticket for a top-25 selection?
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Simpson could be the 13th pick; he could be the 53rd pick. Neither outcome would be all that surprising.
The combine will be a pivotal week for him, starting with getting his verified height, weight and hand size. Then, he’ll need to pass his medicals to ensure whatever issue he was dealing with late in the season isn’t a concern moving forward. And scouts will want to see his passing skills when QBs work out.
The only area that shouldn’t be a concern for him is the team interviews — as a coach’s son, Simpson ought to ace that part of the combine test.
Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami
Bain had dominant moments on his 2025 tape. He is also a polarizing prospect among scouts. With his non-traditional body type and shorter arms, some teams view his skill set as a better fit inside as a three-tech rather than as an edge.
Will his verified measurements and athletic testing answer some of those questions? Or will they make him even more polarizing?
Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami
Often labeled the “other” Miami pass rusher, Mesidor played his way out of Bain’s shadow this season. But scouts are eager to see his testing numbers and how they compare with the tape that says he is a first-round pick. Mesidor has had multiple injuries to his feet, so his medicals will be critical.
Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Although the tape is uneven, I felt comfortable including Cisse in my midseason top 50, primarily because of his athletic upside. He plays with quick-twitch and easy speed, which should translate to a 40 time in the 4.3s and 40-plus-inch vertical explosion numbers. Cisse should put on a show.
Zachariah Branch, WR, USC
Another strong candidate for fastest 40 time, Branch should have no trouble running in the 4.3s. But he was a screen-pass merchant on his 2025 tape, so I’m more interested to see him track the football over his shoulders and show his athleticism as a route runner during position drills. Teams want to be convinced Branch is more than a gadget player, and the combine could help accomplish that.
Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama
Jackson was a record-setting high school sprinter in California and a former five-star recruit. But a major knee injury sidetracked his football trajectory, so scouts are eager to hear what NFL team doctors say about his health. How much of that world-class speed does he still have?
Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
Smith is going to test evaluators’ limits of how much finesse tackling they are willing to stomach for true centerfield coverage skills. He won’t be able to answer the physicality question marks in Indy. But if he turns heads with his testing, it will nudge some teams to stop focusing too much on his shortcomings and instead start believing he could be this year’s version of Calen Bullock.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
First and foremost, how is the health of his knee?
He is more than a year removed from the ACL injury he suffered in January 2025, so teams will have a good understanding of his recovery. Is he far along enough in his rehab timeline to work out in Indianapolis? If not, will he work out at his pro day? The combine should provide answers to those questions about a player in the running to be CB1 in this class.
Jack Kelly, LB, BYU
A former national champion BMX racer at age 5, Kelly developed a fearless competitive streak very early. But even more impressive might be his explosive speed when chasing the football. At 245 pounds, Kelly has the juice to run in the 4.4s and jump over 40 inches in the vertical. I’m hoping to see him in the three-cone drill, too, because his change of direction was a concern on tape.
Jaren Kanak, TE, Oklahoma
In what should be a loaded tight end class on Day 3 of the draft, Kanak has a chance to separate himself by blazing the track at Lucas Oil Stadium. After three years at linebacker, he moved to offense for 2025 and was solid (44 catches for 533 yards), despite Oklahoma’s offense providing inconsistent quarterback play. But his speed at 230-plus pounds really pops, so it wasn’t a surprise to learn he ran a 10.37-second 100 meters in high school.
D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
The size is the size — there’s nothing Ponds can do about that. An NFL scout told me during the season that Ponds stood 5-8 1/4 and 174 pounds with 29 5/8-inch arms, so I expect his combine measurements to be close.
But I’m more interested in his on-field performance. He was a state champion in the 100 meters (10.37) and should perform well in position drills.
Jaishawn Barham, edge, Michigan
Somewhat of a tweener, Barham moved from off-ball linebacker to an edge role in 2025, which was the right change because the strength of his game is his twitchy burst. Setting an edge and sequencing rush moves are incomplete areas for him, but his explosive athleticism is the selling point — and it should show during drills.
Scouts also want to learn more about him during interviews (one scout called him the “quietest” guy in his assigned area). Will Barham open up more during the process?
Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
Payton is the unique case in which not transferring, but rather waiting to be a starter, probably hurt a prospect’s NFL value. He has just one season of starting experience, and it shows — he isn’t ready to face NFL competition. Realistically, he needs on-field reps to help him develop, which is what makes him such a fascinating prospect in a weak quarterback class.
At 230-ish pounds, Payton should run in the 4.5s and be impressive across the board with his athletic testing. If he can be quiet with his mechanics and accurate with his throws on top of that, get ready for the Payton train to take off.
Mike Washington, RB, Arkansas
After Jeremiyah Love is selected somewhere in the top 10, it will be anyone’s guess as to the order of the next few running backs off the board.
Washington was a projected undrafted free agent prospect over the summer, but he earned draftable grades from scouts with his play in 2025. He performed well at the Senior Bowl, too, and might turn some heads with his testing this week.
Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech
Rutledge is an old-school, throwback blocker who wants to manhandle the guy in front of him. Scouts want to see how his testing numbers match up, but more importantly, they want team doctors to give two thumbs up on his medicals. After the 2023 season, Rutledge was involved in a serious car accident that required multiple foot/toe surgeries (doctors even considered amputation at one point).
The injury didn’t stop him from becoming an All-American, so hopefully, there aren’t any long-term concerns.
Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
A top-50 prospect in my rankings since September, Golday pulled out of the East-West Shrine Bowl, so we haven’t seen him on the field in almost two months. But the buzz will really get loud for the 6-4, 240-pound linebacker if he comes anywhere close to the numbers listed for him on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” (1.54-second 10-yard split, 4.24 shuttle, 10-7 broad jump, 36-inch vertical).
Kendrick Law, WR, Kentucky
Another gadget receiver, Law is explosive with the ball in his hands — his on-field mph numbers easily should translate to a 40 time in the 4.3s. In several ways, he reminds me of Kadarius Toney.
There are plenty of question marks about Law, but his twitchy athleticism is enchanting and should be on full display in Indianapolis.
Treydan Stukes, CB, Arizona
One of the top nickel corners in this year’s draft class, Stukes is a former walk-on with playmaking instincts from different alignments. He should light up stopwatches in the 40-yard dash, although I’m more interested in his times in the three-cone and shuttles.
He is a linear athlete with hints of stiffness on tape. We will see if that also shows in the testing.
