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mel kipper jr
multiple authors
it was an eventful Mix week, with more than 300 possibilities In 2026 nfl draft The class is traveling to Indianapolis for on-field practice, the 40-yard dash, medical testing and/or interviews with team personnel.
Not everyone participated in workouts, and some were selective in what they did. But several players improved their draft outlook by performing solidly and exceeding (or simply meeting/confirming) expectations. Which prospects gained the most for their stock? Who is suddenly coming into the spotlight from where they were before the combine?
I picked 13 standouts coming out of the combine, listed by position. they didn’t do everything Rise In draft board; Some of these players did exactly what we expected from them and strengthened their positions. In other words, his workouts matched what we see on tape — and that’s a good thing. But all of these guys had a great week in Indianapolis. I also tried to go a little further below the radar. i loved ohio state linebacker sonny styles‘ work out Like everybody else, and I called Arkansas’ tylane green As a quarterback to watch in our combine preview Last week, before it was set QB-specific records Saturday. But I wanted to pull back the next layer here.
Another important note: This list is only about what happened on the field. I’ll be talking to sources around the league over the next few weeks to learn more about red flags and who excelled during team interviews. Let’s start with the crime.
Height: 6-foot-1 weight: 223 pounds
I’m not sure if any other prospect has improved his stock in Indy as much as Washington. we know jeremiah love He will be the first player and Notre Dame teammate to go off the board jadarian price Looks like he has a good handle on RB2. But the No. 3 running back spot is a wide-open race, and Washington will have to put in enough effort at the combine to make his case for jumping the line and going into Round 3.
Washington’s 4.33-second 40-yard dash (with a 1.51-second 10-yard split) led all running backs and ranked eighth best among all positions this year. And according to ESPN Research, it tied the fastest 40 times last 20 combinations For players weighing at least 220 pounds (joining). DK Metcalfe And isaac guerendeau). His 39-inch long and 10-foot-8 broad jump also ranked second at Kentucky this year. seth mcgowan.
Washington rushed for 1,070 yards and eight TDs last season and his 6.4 yards per rush ranked 19th in the FBS. We saw the explosion on tape, and now we saw it in predraft testing. Just an impressive performance on Saturday.
Height: 6-4 | weight: 198
In Our preview of the workout Last Thursday, I predicted that Brazel would “run something in the ballpark of 4.47 in the 40-yard dash and push himself into the first-round conversation.” Well, he ran 4.37. At his 6-foot-4 size, that’s really something.
I’ve been a fan of Brazell’s throughout the process and I’ve included him in my My first round 1 mock draft In January. Scouts will begin to take notice; It’s hard to find receivers with that type of body that can run and move like he does. He emerged in 2025 – his second season at Tennessee after transferring from Tulane – with 1,017 yards and nine scores. Brazell averaged 16.4 yards per catch and had only two catches last season. He is strong and plays in 50-50 situations. I expect there will be even more buzz for him in the first round now.
Height: 5-9 | weight: 177
The branch ran as fast as expected, turning in 4.35 seconds in 40 minutes. He was as explosive as expected, jumping 38 inches. But it was his work on the Gauntlet Drill that stood out to me the most. With 29⅜-inch arms, he doesn’t have a wide catch radius, but he showed really sure hands when snatching the ball away from his body. And once he gets the ball in his hands, he becomes a dynamic playmaker – 636 of his 811 receiving yards came after catches last season. I’m definitely higher on the branch than other guys, but I look at a second rounder.
Height: 6-7 | weight: 352
of utah spencer fan and Georgia’s monroe freeling Could get post-workout headlines between OTs with his sub-5.0 run in the 40s. Both great performances for a pair of top 20 prospects. But how about what Proctor did broadly in weight class 40 pounds heavier From 311-pound Fanno and 315-pound Freeling? Proctor dropped weight from 366 pounds to 352 for the combine and turned in a 5.21 in the 40. He also jumped 32½ inches in the vertical, and his 33⅜-inch arms checked a box for teams interested in keeping him at tackle in the pros.
Due to his size, athleticism, quickness and potential, Proctor should be talked about in the mid to late first round.
Height: 6-6 | weight: 256
Dennis-Sutton solidified his Day 2 status, and I think he’s a second-rounder. After posting his second consecutive 8.5-sack season – including six in his final five games – and receiving 53 pressures, he showed off his performance at the combine.
His 4.63-second 40 mark ranked sixth among sprinters, his 39½-inch vertical jump ranked fourth, and his 10-foot-11 broad jump ranked first. Dennis-Sutton can draw tackles away from his frame with his 33½-inch arm length and then use his quickness to get around them. (And he might get some inside pressure, too.) When Dennis-Sutton is on his game, he shows some really strong pass-rushing traits.
Height: 6-4 | weight: 253
of ohio state Arvel Reese and texas tech David Bailey There were only two prospects in the edge rusher group faster than Lawrence, and they are likely top-five picks. Despite weighing over 250 pounds, Lawrence turned in a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash. He jumped 40 inches in the vertical and 10 feet, 10 inches in width – ranking second among both athletes.
Last season at UCF, Lawrence had seven sacks and 14 tackles for loss. He can really fly off the edge, with solid closing speed and overall agility. He is in the news for the second day as one of the biggest up-and-comers of the week.
Height: 6-2 | weight: 240
Kelly ran a 4.57 in the 40 (eighth among linebackers) and had a long jump of 10-foot-5 (tied third). Good numbers. And he arrives after a stellar season at BYU. He had 66 tackles, 10 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and one forced fumble. He was particularly impressive with three combined sacks in the Cougars’ two games against Texas Tech. As you might have guessed from those sack totals, Kelly can play as an outside linebacker off the ball or in a pass-rushing role. The performance at the combine cleared the way for the starting pick on Day 3.
Height: 6-2 | weight: 231
It was Sharr’s first year, and he led the team with 85 tackles. The athletic qualities were all over the tape, and he displayed them in Indy. His 40-inch vertical was third among linebackers, and his 4.56-second 40 time was sixth. Similar to Kelly, he can play inside or outside at the second level, and he is also a starting day three prospect.
Height: 5-9 | weight: 182
According to ESPN Research, Pond’s 43½-inch vertical ranked fifth-best among cornerbacks at the combine since at least 2003. This is the second best height for any player under 5-foot-10 in the same period (behind Chris McKenzie). Elite explosion.
He didn’t run the 40-yard dash or run the broad jump, but that vertical leap will force NFL front offices to take a long look at him in the second round. I would be surprised if Ponds falls out of Round 2. He had seven interceptions and 27 pass breakups in three seasons, and was at his best in big games for the national champion Hoosiers. Ponds are also hard as nails. He is a real baller who I would love to have in my team.
Height: 6-1 | weight: 193
Demings’ 42-inch vertical was just behind Pond’s between corners, but he also turned in an 11-foot broad jump (second among CBs) and a 4.41 in the 40 (tied for fifth). As these stats might suggest, he has the speed to stick with receivers, and with his long arms and big hands, he is a ball hawk. Demings had nine interceptions and 35 passes defensed in his four-year career, including four picks and nine PD in 2025. He’s an early Day 3 pick; I have a fourth round grade on that.
Height: 6-0 | weight: 220
Lewis worked with the linebackers, but I have him slotted in at safety. He is a hybrid player who plays all over the field, and he can also serve as a box safety, off-ball linebacker or outside linebacker at the next level. He is fast in football, and his 4.53 speed in the 40-yard dash proved his solid speed. But his jumps were really amazing. His 39½-inch vertical ranked fourth among linebackers and would have been third among safeties. And his 10-foot-9 broad jump was second among linebackers and would have been fourth among safeties.
Regardless of where an NFL team ultimately plays him, Lewis is a baller who will make an impact in coverage, run defense and as a blitzer. Over the last two seasons, he had 183 tackles, 10 sacks and six INTs. I would wait for him to come off the board in the second or third round.
Height: 6-1 | weight: 210
A combo safety/big nickel prospect, Kilgore is tough and versatile, and he brings a lot of good physical traits. His 4.4-second 40 time ranked fifth in the safety group. And although his 37-inch vertical was in the middle of the pack, his 10-foot-10 broad jump propelled him to the spot this year. We shouldn’t be surprised: Kilgore was the Georgia 2A long jump state champion at high school. And he demonstrated his strength by doing 16 reps on the bench press.
Kilgore has posted at least 53 tackles in each of his three seasons, while picking off eight passes and breaking up 23 in his career. Showing his versatility, he has also returned 12 punts. Think Day 2 for Kilgore.
Height: 6-1 | weight: 188
Clark spent six years at TCU, appearing in 10 games in 2020. He was limited to four games the following year, but has since caught 15 passes in 47 games. His combine performance basically proved what we already knew from his extensive collection of game tape. His 4.41 in the 40-yard dash ranked seventh at safety, and both jumps – 38 inches in the vertical, 10-foot-7 in the broad – ranked fifth. He’s a solid player who can help the defense at the next level, and I have him graded at the end of day two, beginning of day three.
