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NFL draft's next big combine star? These 10 prospects could dazzle in testing
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- NFL draft's next big combine star? These 10 prospects could dazzle in testing
Can this week's NFL scouting combine spark a bit of excitement for a draft class that's seemingly short on fanfare?
The annual summit in Indianapolis can serve as a bullhorn for hype in draft season, which is already well underway. This year's class, however, might not match the sizzle level of some recent groups. Indiana's Fernando Mendoza might be the only quarterback selected in the first round – and he's already made clear he won't throw at the event .
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Yet even if several other top prospects follow his lead and opt against testing and working out, the four days of workouts inevitably create a stir around a handful of prospects. The 40-yard dash times and other marks might only go so far in altering a prospect's actual draft stock, but stellar showings can make at least temporary stars out of top athletes. For an example of this dynamic, look no further than Nick Emmanwori , the South Carolina safety who was the marvel of last year's combine before becoming a key asset to the Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks as a rookie.
With workouts beginning Thursday, here are 10 NFL draft prospects who could be poised to be the biggest combine standouts:
10. Dametrious Crownover, OT, Texas A&M
The nature of this event isn't particularly conducive to creating star turns for offensive linemen, who test last on Sunday and are reduced to somewhat of an afterthought. Still, there are usually a few big men who manage to turn heads with their athleticism. Crownover is a good deal less polished than the top offensive tackle prospects in this class, but the 6-7, 336-pound blocker is the kind of project that general managers and coaches gladly sign up for. Beyond his imposing frame and wingspan, the former tight end can move nimbly enough to be an upper-echelon pass protector if he can put everything together. Whether he can get there is still very much an unknown, however, as he's often undone by the leverage issues that many taller linemen face. But the combine should serve as a reminder of what's available to be unlocked.
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9. Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
At a point where emerging talent is repeatedly filtering upward toward the higher ranks of college football, it might seem strange to peg a Football Championship Subdivision product to outshine his Power Four counterparts. Lance's school affiliation, however, hardly tells the full story of his talent. The 6-3, 209-pound target – whose older brother, Trey, was the No. 3 overall pick in 2021 – stayed loyal to North Dakota State despite hauling in 1,053 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024. Even while adjusting for quality of competition, it seems safe to say that a player who last year averaged 21.2 yards per catch should fare well when highlighting his explosiveness, though he might notch better results in the vertical leap and broad jump than he does in the 40.
8. Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
Strictly in terms of straight-line athleticism, Golday doesn't have many peers among the other defensive prospects in this class. The 6-4, 240-pound former edge rusher from Central Arkansas figures not only to be one of the bigger off-ball linebackers but also one of the most explosive, with top marks likely to come in the 40, broad jump and vertical jump. Rapidly redirecting isn't his strong suit, so there's likely little reason for him to take part in agility testing. But while Golday is still learning how best to fully unleash his wide range of abilities, his diverse skill set and impressive growth trajectory suggest there aren't many responsibilities at his position that he can't handle.
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7. Eli Stowers , TE, Vanderbilt
A converted quarterback might not seem like a natural candidate for this list. Then again, there aren't many former signal-callers who were high-school high jump champions in Texas. Stowers should stand out in both the vertical leap and broad jump. And consider the 6-4, 215-pound target one of the more likely players at his position to post a head-turning 40. With plenty of uncertainty about how teams might stack this year's tight ends, Stowers has the opportunity to entrench himself as one of the more intriguing Day 2 assets for a passing attack.
6. Taylen Green , QB, Arkansas
As is the case for most quarterback prospects, Green's combine performance will hardly be a meaningful reflection of his capabilities as a passer. Yet put aside the qualms with questionable decision-making and lapses in mechanics for a minute and just enjoy the show that the 6-6, 230-pounder is likely to put on. The Boise State transfer routinely outraces defenses with his long strides, and a fast 40 time at his size will surely have some teams pondering the possibility of deploying him on designed runs. Green is also adept at ripping throws into tight windows and taking deep shots, with his arm strength sure to be a talking point as he works alongside less gifted signal-callers. There are still plenty of inconsistencies to iron out in a quarterback who is too often late or off-point. Still, he might be this year's most intriguing Day 3 developmental passer.
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5. Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati
Any number of standouts from a deep and talented receiver class could end up commanding the spotlight in Indianapolis. Caldwell, however, has a chance to rise above the rest in compiling a testing profile that could be elite nearly across the board. The 6-5, 208-pound transfer from Division II Linfield didn't burn up the competition in his lone season with the Bearcats, posting just 32 catches for 478 yards and six touchdowns. He should leave Indianapolis, however, with people focused on different numbers. Caldwell is reported to have recorded an 11-9 broad jump, which would tie for the third-best mark at the combine since at least 2013. He also could be near the top of the wideouts in both the vertical leap and 40-yard dash, which would help drive home the rare explosiveness he possesses for a big-bodied target.
4. Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor
At 6-3 and 250 pounds, the former basketball player operates like a wide receiver but has the arm length of an offensive tackle. The two-time transfer from USC and Mississippi should be able to showcase legitimate pull-away speed in the 40, and his massive hands and impressive leaping ability should underscore his value as a red-zone weapon. Position drills should also work in his favor, given Trigg's knack for hauling in different catches and changing direction with ease. Though his blocking leaves much to be desired and he still has to get stronger, the vulnerabilities in his game won't be readily evident in this forum. Instead, Trigg should create a significant buzz with his rare fluidity and enticing traits.
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3. Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
Fairly or unfairly, his week at the combine will likely be reduced to his 40-yard dash. That's what happens when a player establishes himself as the Southeastern Conference's premier speedster as Thompson has. As a senior, he led the conference in receiving yards with a school-record 1,054. The former Texas 200-meter champion reaches a top speed that few others can match – a point to which several defensive backs could attest after Thompson ranked third in the Football Bowl Subdivision with five receptions of 50-plus yards. At 5-9 and 170 pounds, the diminutive wideout has to reinforce how special his speed is to keep the focus on his game-breaking abilities rather than questions of how to integrate him into an offense. But separating from the pack has never been a problem for Thompson.
2. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
This one comes with a fairly significant caveat: Sadiq doesn't have much incentive to go through testing or a workout. Widely projected as a mid-to-late first-round pick, the 6-3, 245-pound mismatch creator is without challenge for the role as the top tight end. There's disproportionate downside to measuring up against others in this setting, so abstaining in recording any marks until his senior day might be the shrewd move. If he does take the field in Indianapolis, though, watch out. Oregon coach Dan Lanning said last summer that Sadiq had topped 41 inches in the vertical leap and reached a maximum speed of 23 miles per hour. While he's not on the level of either Colston Loveland or Tyler Warren as a tight end prospect, he could exit the weekend as an even more enticing consideration for any offense in need of a seam threat.
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1. Sonny Styles , LB, Ohio State
If he opts to test, Styles this year put together the off-ball linebacker equivalent of Emmanwori's outing. The 6-4, 243-pound former safety was long considered one of college football's premier athletes, but he last season carved out a space as one of the sport's savviest defenders, consistently putting himself in perfect position to make plays against both the run and pass. Improvements to his instincts and diagnostic skills meant he didn't regularly need to harness his rare long speed, but NFL teams will surely be captivated by it. Beyond a 40 time that could come in under 4.5 seconds, there's no drill he shouldn't be among the combine's overall top performers in – regardless of position. There simply aren't many players built like him, and Indianapolis affords him the platform to reassert his singular status in this class.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL draft: 10 players who could be combine testing stars
