2026 NFL Draft Combine Winners and Losers: Stock Up, Stock Down

2026 NFL Combine: Winners & Losers

How each prospect's draft stock shifted after Indianapolis

Player	School	Position	Pre-Combine	Post-Combine	Key Stat	Status
Sonny Styles	Ohio State	LB	Mid–Late 1st	↑ Top 10	4.46s 40-yd dash	Winner
Jeremiyah Love	Notre Dame	RB	Mid 1st	↑ Top 10	4.36s 40-yd dash	Winner
Taylen Green	Arkansas	QB	3rd Round	↑ Late 2nd	4.36s 40-yd dash	Winner
Ty Simpson	Alabama	QB	3rd Round	↑ Late 1st / Early 2nd	Top-rated thrower	Winner
Mike Washington	Arkansas	RB	4th Round	↑ Mid–Late 2nd	Elite jump scores	Winner
Malachi Fields	Notre Dame	WR	Late 1st	↓ 3rd–4th Round	4.61s 40-yd dash	Loser
Emmett Johnson	Nebraska	RB	3rd–4th Round	↓ 5th–6th Round	Slowest RB 40	Loser
Spencer Fano	Utah	OT	2nd Round	↓ 3rd Round	32⅛" arm length	Loser
LT Overton	Alabama	Edge	Late 2nd	↓ Late 3rd	4.87s 40-yd dash	Loser
R Mason Thomas	Oklahoma	Edge	2nd Round	↓ 3rd Round	Avg 40, skipped jumps	Loser

The NFL Scouting Combine has been part of the league’s draft process for more than four decades. The first centralized combine in 1982 brought top prospects together in one place for medical exams, interviews, and the now-famous battery of athletic tests.

Since this initial meeting, the NFL Combine has evolved in both scale and influence. Today, this annual gathering in Indianapolis is one of the most anticipated and closely watched checkpoints on the NFL calendar.

The NFL’s offseason calendar is a busy one, of course. And now that we’re several days removed from the 2026 combine, the league’s attention has already shifted toward trades, roster cuts, and the first wave of free-agency deals.

Even so, the ripple effects from Indianapolis remain very much in play.

Teams often adjust their free-agent strategies based on how their draft boards take shape. For example, if a franchise believes a position group looks deeper after the combine, it may be less aggressive in free agency — or vice versa.

At the same time, modern teams have learned to tread this line carefully. If the years have taught GMs and fans anything, it’s that combine evaluations are far from an exact science.

Players like Tom Brady, for example, posted famously unimpressive testing numbers before building Hall of Fame careers. On the flipside, combine standouts such as Mike Mamula — a Boston College defensive end who famously trained to shine in combine-specific drills — saw their draft stock soar before ultimately producing lackluster careers. 

So, knowing that the NFL Combine is equally valuable as it is imperfect, let’s look at the highlights of this year’s event — specifically featuring players who most helped (or hurt) their draft stock in Indianapolis.

2026 NFL Combine: Biggest Stock-Up Performers

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State — 4.46s 40-Yard Dash Shoots Him Into Top-10 Conversation

Pre-Combine Projection: Mid-to-late first round
Post-Combine Projection: Potential top 10 pick

Sonny Styles entered the NFL Combine with a reputation as one of the most physically intriguing linebackers in the 2026 draft class. As a Ohio State Buckeye, Styles built his profile on size, range, and versatility, though scouts still wanted to see how his athletic testing compared with other top defenders.

In Indianapolis, he delivered one of the most impressive workouts among linebackers. Styles ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, the fastest time at his position, and backed it up with strong explosion numbers in the jumping drills.

Ultimately, his performance confirmed the athleticism evaluators saw on tape and quickly moved him up draft boards. Several analysts now believe he could be a top 10 draft pick.

Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas — Blazing 40 Time Raises His Draft Ceiling

Pre-Combine Projection: Third round
Post-Combine Projection: Late second round

Though opinions varied, Taylen Green arrived in Indianapolis as one of the more intriguing quarterback prospects in the 2026 class. At Arkansas, Green showed flashes of big-play ability thanks to his size and mobility, but scouts still debated his long-term projection as an NFL starter.

The NFL Combine helped clarify why teams are so intrigued.

Green showed off his blazing speed and rare athleticism with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, an exceptionally fast time for a quarterback. His performance drew attention from multiple outlets, with analysts pointing to his unique physical profile as a reason his stock could climb significantly during the pre-draft process.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame — Top Speed Confirms Top-10 Status

Pre-Combine Projection: Mid-first round
Post-Combine Projection: Likely top 10 pick

Many evaluators already viewed Jeremiyah Love as the top running back in the 2026 draft class. His production at Notre Dame showed a runner with burst, vision, and the ability to create big plays in space.

He backed these assessments up with an impressive testing performance in Indianapolis. Love ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, confirming the top-end speed scouts saw on film. He also looked comfortable during on-field drills that highlighted his acceleration and fluid movement.

For teams evaluating the running back class, the workout reinforced the idea that Love brings both explosiveness and versatility, strengthening his case as a player who will likely be one of the first picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama — Most Polished Thrower of the Weekend

Pre-Combine Projection: Third round
Post-Combine Projection: Late first/early second round

Ty Simpson didn’t need a blazing 40-yard dash to make an impression in Indianapolis. His biggest moment came during the quarterback throwing session, where he consistently delivered some of the cleanest and most accurate passes of the group.

Simpson showed strong touch on deep routes and good timing on intermediate throws, traits scouts often look for when projecting a quarterback to the next level. Several outlets singled him out as the most polished thrower in attendance, noting how comfortable he looked running through the scripted passing drills.

For evaluators who already viewed him as a technically sound quarterback prospect, the combine provided another reminder of his passing ability. 

Mike Washington, RB, Arkansas — Athleticism Numbers Make Him a Major Riser

Pre-Combine Projection: Fourth round
Post-Combine Projection: Mid-to-late second round

Mike Washington wasn’t widely projected as one of the top running backs in the 2026 class heading into Indianapolis, where scouts viewed him as an intriguing mid-round prospect with good burst and open-field ability.

His NFL Combine performance changed that conversation.

Washington turned in one of the faster 40-yard dash times among running backs, then highlighted his explosiveness with strong marks in the vertical and broad jumps. Just as important, he looked fluid during position drills, catching the ball cleanly and moving naturally in space.

The workout reinforced the idea that Washington brings legitimate big-play athleticism, prompting several analysts to label him one of the event’s biggest risers.

2026 NFL Combine: Prospects Who Hurt Their Draft Stock

Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame — Slow 40 Cools First-Round Talk

Pre-Combine Projection: Late first round
Post-Combine Projection: Third-to-fourth round

Malachi Fields entered the combine with some momentum after a productive career at Notre Dame and a reputation as a big-bodied receiver (6-4, 218 lbs.) capable of winning contested catches. Evaluators were particularly interested to see how his athletic testing would compare with other wideouts in the class.

The results created some questions, however.

Fields ran a 4.61-second 40-yard dash, a slower time than many teams hoped to see from a receiver with potential early-round expectations. His on-field drills were also described as uneven, with several analysts noting a lack of separation burst compared with other prospects.

The workout didn’t erase his college production, though it cooled talk of him being a first-round pick. 

Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska — Testing Numbers Raise Serious Questions

Pre-Combine Projection: Third-to-fourth round
Post-Combine Projection: Fifth-to-sixth round

In Indianapolis, The Nebraska Cornhuskers Emmett Johnson had a chance to strengthen his case as a useful Day 2 or early Day 3 running back, especially in a class where athletic testing can help separate players with similar college production.

Instead, the combine raised more questions than it answered.

Johnson reportedly turned in the slowest 40-yard dash time among running backs, which immediately hurt his standing in a group where burst and long speed matter. He also failed to stand out in field drills, where evaluators expected to see more fluid movement and sharper change of direction.

Taken together, it was the kind of performance that tends to cool momentum rather than build it.

Spencer Fano, OT, Utah — Arm Length Measurement Could Force a Position Change

Pre-Combine Projection: Second round
Post-Combine Projection: Third round

Fano entered the NFL Combine viewed as a technically sound offensive tackle prospect who held up well against strong competition at Utah. While his college film showed solid fundamentals in pass protection, scouts were eager to see how his measurements compared with typical NFL tackle standards.

One number immediately stood out. Fano’s 32 1/8-inch arm length came in shorter than what teams generally prefer for offensive tackles, where longer arms help linemen keep pass rushers from getting into their frame.

While the measurement doesn’t erase his strengths as a blocker, it does raise the likelihood that some teams will project him inside to guard rather than keeping him at tackle, which is typically a more coveted and valued position.

LT Overton, Edge, Alabama — Slow 40 and Missing Jump Data Leave Questions

Pre-Combine Projection: Late second round
Post-Combine Projection: Late third round

LT Overton came to Indianapolis with something to prove. After transferring to the Alabama Crimson Tide and showing flashes as a disruptive edge defender, evaluators wanted to see whether his athletic testing would match the physical tools scouts believed he possessed.

Instead, his combine workout left some lingering questions about a player some view as a “tweener” on the defensive line.

Overton recorded a 4.87-second 40-yard dash, a slower time than some teams prefer for edge rushers, and he chose not to participate in the vertical or broad jump drills. Without those numbers, teams were left without key measurements of explosiveness.

For a player already facing questions about his athletic ceiling, the combine didn’t provide the reassurance scouts were hoping for. 

R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma — Ordinary Testing in a Deep Edge Class

Pre-Combine Projection: Second round
Post-Combine Projection: Third

R Mason Thomas attended the combine hoping to strengthen his case as one of the more intriguing edge defenders in the 2026 class. As a Oklahoma Sooner, Thomas showed flashes as a disruptive pass rusher with good length and effort off the edge.

In Indianapolis, though, scouts wanted to see whether his athletic testing would separate him from a deep group of defensive linemen. The results were underwhelming.

His 40-yard dash time was considered ordinary compared with other edge prospects. Plus, he chose not to participate in the vertical or broad jump drills, leaving teams with fewer data points to evaluate his upside.

Thus, several analysts placed him among the weekend’s stock-down prospects.

2026 NFL Combine: What Comes Next

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone, but its impact on draft boards will be felt all the way through April. Sonny Styles and Jeremiyah Love cemented themselves as likely top-10 picks, while players like Malachi Fields and LT Overton face tougher questions heading into pro days. As always, the combine is just one piece of the puzzle — but for these prospects, Indianapolis either opened doors or raised doubts that won't be easy to shake. If the 2026 draft class has you fired up about football, check out the signed NFL memorabilia and collectibles available at Pristine Auction — where fans can bid on authentic signed jerseys, helmets, and more from their favorite players and legends of the game.

Frequently Asked Questions: 2026 NFL Combine

Who were the biggest winners of the 2026 NFL Combine? The standout performers at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine included linebacker Sonny Styles (Ohio State), running backs Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame) and Mike Washington (Arkansas), and quarterbacks Taylen Green (Arkansas) and Ty Simpson (Alabama). Each player either confirmed existing hype or significantly raised their draft stock with strong athletic testing and on-field workouts.

Who hurt their draft stock at the 2026 NFL Combine? The prospects who struggled most in Indianapolis included wide receiver Malachi Fields (Notre Dame), running back Emmett Johnson (Nebraska), offensive tackle Spencer Fano (Utah), and edge rushers LT Overton (Alabama) and R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma). Slow 40-yard dash times, underwhelming measurements, and incomplete testing all contributed to their stock drops.

What was Sonny Styles' 40-yard dash time at the 2026 NFL Combine? Sonny Styles ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine — the fastest time among linebackers — which, combined with his strong explosion numbers, pushed him into top-10 draft pick conversations.

How much does the NFL Combine actually matter for draft positioning? The combine matters, but it's far from the whole story. Teams use athletic testing as one data point alongside college film, medical evaluations, and interviews. History is full of examples in both directions — players who lit up the combine but underperformed in the NFL, and players with modest testing numbers who became all-time greats. Most evaluators treat the combine as a tool for confirming or challenging what they already see on tape, not as a definitive verdict on a prospect's NFL potential.