NFL combine winners and losers: who boosted their 2026 draft stock?

The NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis left clear winners and losers for the 2026 draft cycle. A handful of prospects vaulted up boards with eye‑popping testing and polished workouts, while others raised fresh questions that could lower their draft ceilings. Teams that thought their rankings were mostly set in February still had plenty to chew on after a week of measurements, timed runs and private meetings.

While the narrative around the presumed No. 1 pick — Florida State edge rusher Fernando Mendoza — remains steady, the ripple effects of Combine testing reshaped how scouts view several prospects behind him. Below is a breakdown of the most significant rises and slips from the Indianapolis week and what those results mean for the 2026 NFL Draft picture.

Top performers who climbed draft boards after the NFL Combine

• Monroe Freeling, OT (Georgia): Concerns that Freeling needed another collegiate year evaporated under the lights in Indianapolis. At roughly 6‑7 and 315 pounds, he posted a sub‑5.00 40‑yard dash — an uncommon blend of size and speed for a tackle. Scouts left impressed by his athleticism and suddenness, traits that pushed his draft stock upward.
• Taylen Green, QB (Arkansas): Green’s workout deepened the debate about his NFL upside. The 6‑6 quarterback produced a 4.37 40 and a 44‑inch vertical, numbers that underscored elite physical tools. Teams still need to reconcile those testing traits with on‑field processing and accuracy, but his athletic profile now commands more attention from evaluators looking for a developmental upside.
• Jeremiyah Love, RB (Notre Dame): Love did exactly what scouts wanted: validated game tape with a consistent, pro‑style workout. His Combine performance reinforced the view that he’s a polished back with the instincts and production to be a top‑12 selection, moving him firmly into first‑round conversations.
• Ty Simpson, QB (Alabama): Simpson’s throws in Indy offered a boost to his stock, especially relative to other QB prospects vying for the backup QB2 designation. Short on high‑level game reps, Simpson nonetheless showed pro‑like command of the pocket and delivered better velocity and placement than expected, which should keep him in early rounds amid system‑fit debates.
• Mike Washington Jr., RB (Arkansas): Arguably the most explosive running back showing in recent Combine history. At about 223 pounds, Washington posted a 4.33 40 and a 39‑inch vertical, producing a perfect Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 10/10 — the best mark for a running back in the dataset going back to 1987. In a running‑back class lacking clear elite athletes, Washington’s numbers made him a clear riser.

Prospects whose Combine week raised red flags for scouts

• Malachi Fields, WR (Notre Dame): Fields remains an effective possession receiver with strong Senior Bowl tape, but his testing results undermined some big‑picture assumptions. A 4.61 40 and a 1.63 10‑yard split feed concerns about his burst off the line and ability to consistently win downfield, which could push teams to see him as a later‑day route runner rather than a boundary matchup weapon.
• Diego Pavia, QB (Vanderbilt): Pavia’s Combine week was notable more for demeanor than for physical testing. His brash media presence highlighted the confidence that made him a standout in college, but it also raised questions about how he would fit in a pro locker room as anything other than a developmental backup. At approximately 5‑10, Pavia faces uphill odds to earn a starting role; teams are weighing charisma against the daily grind of backup life.
• Peter Woods, DT (Clemson): Woods skipped on‑field drills in Indianapolis, but the measurements were still telling. A listed height near 6‑2 combined with an arm length of about 31 inches limits his perceived fit for some NFL interior schemes that prefer longer defenders. Woods’ college production and athleticism remain real, but physical shortfalls could cap how high teams are willing to draft him. Miami’s Rueben Bain faced similar measurement concerns.

How combine results are reshaping team strategies ahead of April

General managers and scouts lean heavily on February board work, but the Combine acts as a hard data point that can confirm or complicate those early rankings. A few key takeaways teams discuss in film rooms and war rooms:

• Verification matters: When a prospect’s testing matches their tape — as with Mike Washington Jr. and Jeremiyah Love — front offices feel more confident spending premium picks.
• Measurables can limit scheme fits: Shorter arm length for interior linemen or limited burst for receivers can suddenly eliminate certain defensive or offensive schemes from consideration, even if the player was productive in college.
• Personality and projection: Quarterbacks like Diego Pavia remind teams that intangibles are scrutinized. Teams will debate whether confidence translates to leadership or becomes a liability in a professional environment.
• Risk vs. reward on athletic freaks: Elite testing results — especially rare RAS scores or unusual size‑speed combinations — force teams to decide how much projection they’re willing to bank on versus the safer, production‑based options.

What to watch between the Combine and the draft

Pro days and private workouts

Pro days give prospects a second chance to tweak timing, polish routes and show positional drills in a team‑friendly setting. Expect names like Monroe Freeling and Taylen Green to host targeted sessions where teams can evaluate technique under a game‑like rhythm.

Interviews and medicals

Medical evaluations and interviews can flip a late riser into a draft day daydream or sink a hopeful early. Teams will continue digging into background, injury history and the mental makeup of players who raised red flags in Indy.

Late‑breaking tape and scheme fits

Finally, coaching staffs will reexamine tape to align each prospect’s traits with their system. Some players who didn’t test well may still be valuable in specific roles, while explosive Combine performers could be discounted if they don’t fit schematic needs.

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John Davis

John Davis is a sports journalist focused on the NBA, NFL, and major global championships. With seven years of live coverage, he breaks down performances and key strategies. His expertise gives you a clear view of every game and its impact.