Give the NFL credit score. They’ve discovered a approach to monetize what, at its core, is a glorified model of these elementary faculty area days. The implications might be measured not in first or second-place ribbons your mother and father will shove in a scrapbook by no means to be seen once more, however in doubtlessly thousands and thousands of {dollars}. Run a 4.3-second 40-yard sprint and see your draft inventory skyrocket. Battle by the gauntlet drill, and a Day 2 hopeful could possibly be a Day 3 actuality.
It is by no means fairly that dire — or black and white — however it makes for good tv, and that is the purpose.
If you happen to look somewhat deeper, probably the most essential a part of the week for NFL groups is not the on-field exercises. It is the medicals and the interviews. One-time-podcaster-turned-Jets-front-office-executive Rick Spielman would discuss that ceaselessly on “With the First Choose” and, previous to that, when he was an precise NFL basic supervisor.
“I am unable to put sufficient [emphasis] on how essential it’s for the bodily exams we do,” Spielman informed Vikings.com again in 2019. “The interview course of is extraordinarily essential, and we’ll get a chance to see them do some issues on the sphere as effectively.”
An in depth medical recheck can make clear lingering questions on previous accidents. For gamers who missed time, modified positions or took unconventional paths, these evaluations might be simply as influential as any televised drill work.
Then there are the interviews — 20-minute home windows that may basically shift how groups view a prospect. For smaller-school standouts, late risers and even gamers who arrive in Indianapolis with off-field issues, these conversations can function their first actual publicity to NFL front-office personnel.
So benefit from the spectacle that the NFL Scouting Mix has turn into — it is enjoyable to observe Xavier Worthy‘s record-setting 40 time!
However simply know that generally it is past the Lucas Oil Stadium turf the place under-the-radar prospects could make the most important positive factors.
Wilson’s 2026 NFL Draft Massive Board: High 125 rankings with few solutions at QB however franchise expertise elsewhere
Ryan Wilson
Yearly, a handful of gamers arrive in Indianapolis with modest buzz, solely to go away as reliable “draft risers.” It could possibly be due to clear medicals, nice interviews or simply confirming the athletic traits all of us noticed on tape.
Then there are the small-school standouts, late bloomers, gamers who’ve switched positions, prospects getting back from harm, and that group of one-time bona-fide first-rounders now seeking to remind groups they nonetheless warrant early-round consideration.
Under, there can be a number of acquainted names and several other others you will hear extra about because the draft approaches. My purpose is to place gamers in your radar who aren’t solely coming off spectacular 2025 seasons, however who’re overcoming historical past (Carson Beck), bodily limitations (Desmond Reid, Cashius Howell, Romello Top), place modifications (Skyler Gill-Howard), age issues (Nadame Tucker) — or just guys who balled out final fall however did not get the nationwide pub they deserved.
Offense
Carson Beck, QB, Miami
As evaluators flip towards the mix, Beck’s enchantment begins together with his clean-pocket effectivity, superior anticipation and talent to layer throws to all three ranges in a timing-based offense. His compact launch and full-field processing challenge effectively to rhythm passing methods that prioritize construction and ball placement. The lingering concern stays how his play drops below stress, the place frenetic motion and turnover-prone selections nonetheless present up.
Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana
Omar Cooper Jr. enters the pre-combine dialog as an entire receiver prospect whose route-running versatility, vertical pace and elite yards-after-catch skill translate cleanly to a number of alignments. His toughness, hands-catching habits and willingness to dam within the field solely add to his all-around worth as a fringe weapon. The first limitation on the subsequent degree is a catch radius that is not particularly massive regardless of his in any other case dependable arms.
Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
Thompson’s next-level intrigue facilities on immediate acceleration, an elite second gear and pure separation that make him a real vertical stressor in trendy unfold offenses. His smooth arms, shocking catch radius for his dimension and deep-ball manufacturing reinforce his projection as a field-stretching Z or slot possibility. The problem can be dealing with bodily press protection, the place his smaller body can enable defenders to disrupt routes.
J’Mari Taylor, RB, Virginia
Taylor profiles as an explosive zone-scheme again because of his low pad degree, contact stability and elite short-area burst that enable him to hit cutback lanes and generate yards after contact. He additionally supplies clear three-down versatility together with his heavy involvement within the passing recreation and talent to perform as a receiving chess piece. His move safety stays underdeveloped, nevertheless, as he’ll begin his NFL profession as extra of a “get-in-the-way” blocker on passing downs.
Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
Washington’s NFL case is constructed on sturdiness, imaginative and prescient and a punishing downhill operating model that constantly churns out robust yardage between the tackles. His build-up pace, contact power and receiving versatility on possibility and rail routes counsel a dependable early-down again who can keep on the sphere in a number of conditions. The most important developmental hurdle is move safety, the place his approach nonetheless lags behind his bodily willingness.
Desmond Reid, RB, Pittsburgh
Reid stands out as an area weapon whose elite quickness, open-field pace and mismatch worth as a receiver give him clear sub-package upside. His shocking contact stability for an undersized body and talent to show checkdowns into explosive positive factors ought to translate effectively to artistic, pace-and-space offenses. Nevertheless, recurring lower-body accidents and sturdiness issues stay a serious cloud over his projection.
Justin Joly, TE, NC State
Joly’s next-level worth lies in his contested-catch skill, short-area quickness and mismatch potential as a flex tight finish who can win within the slot or down the seam. His hands-first catching model, YAC manufacturing and improved practical mass level to a dynamic move-TE who can anchor a passing assault. He nonetheless has floor to cowl as a constant in-line blocker and isn’t but a real downfield asset on each snap.
Jaren Kanak, TE, Oklahoma
Kanak’s strengths for the subsequent degree revolve round elite arms, route consciousness versus zone and true run-after-catch skill backed by reliable pace. His slot and inline utilization, plus a aggressive blocking perspective, make him an interesting transfer tight finish in unfold or West Coast methods. The principle concern is his non-traditional dimension, which may result in him being bodily overmatched as an in-line blocker.
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Miller brings a high-floor profile constructed on sustained run blocking, sturdy leverage and a dependable anchor that constantly holds up towards bull rushers. His hand utilization, stability and talent to establish stunts level to a scheme-versatile inside lineman who can contribute early. He should keep technically constant, although, as enjoying too excessive or being barely off-balance can expose him to inside counters and second-level points.
Jude Bowry, OT, Boston Faculty
Bowry’s projection is rooted in his thick body, lateral mobility and talent to re-anchor when he maintains correct pad degree, together with a nasty streak that exhibits up on the level of assault within the run recreation. His combo-blocking and second-level attain skill add clear scheme versatility. The difficulty that also pops up is his tendency to play too upright, leaving him weak to energy and push-pull strikes.
Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech
Rutledge’s next-level enchantment begins with uncommon mobility for a 330-pound guard, as he strikes easily in area, locks onto targets on pulls and reaches second-level defenders with ease. His stout anchor versus bull rushes and robust stunt recognition challenge effectively in trendy, movement-heavy run schemes. The priority is dealing with twitchy inside quickness, the place B-gap swim and rip strikes can nonetheless go away him wrong-footed.
Jaeden Roberts, OG, Alabama
Roberts brings a starter-caliber profile constructed on heavy arms, a rock-solid anchor, and the facility to manage defenders on the level of assault. His consciousness towards stunts and flexibility to execute each double-teams and pull assignments make him scheme-flexible in hole or zone methods. The principle query is sturdiness, as availability points and lingering “nags” hampered parts of his 2025 season.
Protection
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Howell initiatives as a high-floor edge because of his relentless motor, heavy-handed energy, and refined speed-to-power transitions that constantly drive tackles to re-anchor. His various pass-rush toolkit, inside counter and legit man-coverage skill add uncommon versatility for a hybrid defender. He can, nevertheless, play stiff at instances and wrestle to disengage when longer tackles lock him up early in reps.
Keyron Crawford, EDGE, Auburn
Crawford’s upside on the subsequent degree is rooted in elite bend, energetic arms and a surprisingly superior pass-rush arsenal for a comparatively new participant to soccer. His leverage, pound-for-pound power and shutting pace enable him to win each as a pace rusher and a stout edge setter. He nonetheless wants refinement in protection consciousness and in shedding perimeter blocks, notably within the display screen recreation.
Nadame Tucker, EDGE, Western Michigan
Tucker enters the mix cycle as a technician-driven rusher who wins with leverage, heavy arms and arguably among the finest inside counters within the class. His continuous motor, alignment versatility and talent to win late in reps give him clear worth as a situational pass-rush specialist. He might be slowed by inline tight ends and lacks elite bend or pure pace in comparison with top-tier edge athletes.
Romello Top, EDGE, Texas Tech
Top’s next-level intrigue comes from his explosive first step, superior pass-rush strikes and relentless “hair-on-fire” motor that exhibits up on each snap. Regardless of a lighter body, he constantly wins with practical power, bend and hand utilization whereas additionally holding up versus pulling linemen within the run recreation. His dimension stays a projection variable, notably towards larger tackles over prolonged NFL workloads.
Bobby Jamison-Travis, DL, Auburn
Jamison-Travis initiatives as a high-floor inside anchor because of his immovable base, grown-man power and talent to soak up double groups whereas clogging inside run lanes. His bull rush and pocket-collapsing energy give him early-down pass-rush utility regardless of a restricted transfer set. The following step is growing a extra various pass-rush arsenal past strength-driven wins.
Gracen Halton, DL, Oklahoma
Halton’s NFL case is constructed on elite first-step quickness, violent arms and disruptive one-gap penetration that constantly places him within the backfield. His improved play power and flexibility throughout a number of alignments counsel actual sub-package and three-tech upside. The first concern is his shorter size and undersized profile, which may restrict anchoring consistency towards double groups.
David Gusta, DL, Kentucky
Gusta stands out as a twitchy inside disruptor whose freakish first-step quickness, elite hand utilization and nonstop motor enable him to win early and keep energetic by the whistle. His skill to each penetrate gaps and maintain up towards double groups provides him true scheme versatility inside. He’s nonetheless extra refined towards the run than as a elegant move rusher, although the upside is clear.
Jeffrey M’ba, DL, SMU
M’ba’s projection hinges on uncommon brute power, a relentless bull rush and the flexibility to anchor, long-arm and clog inside gaps as a real gap-eater. His dimension, attain and pure energy make him an immovable impediment towards the run with clear two-gap upside. He stays technically uncooked, nevertheless, usually enjoying too excessive and missing a deep pass-rush toolbox to constantly disengage.
Skyler Gill-Howard, DL, Texas Tech
To begin with, Gill-Howard has a tremendous story. I might encourage you to go learn it proper now. He additionally flashes next-level disruption by violent arms, elite leverage and explosive lateral quickness that enable him to knife by gaps and get up double groups regardless of a smaller body. His motor, versatility throughout strategies and superior pass-rush strikes give him actual worth as a one-gap penetrator. The issues are sturdiness after a season-ending ankle harm restricted his 2025 workload, and his smaller stature.
Kendal Daniels, LB, Oklahoma
Daniels brings elite open-field tackling, an explosive downhill set off and uncommon protection versatility for a 239-pound hybrid. His skill to play within the slot, field and even off the sting supplies true sub-package flexibility. He can, nevertheless, get grabby in tight areas and infrequently play uncontrolled when coming downhill.
Purple Murdock, LB, Buffalo
Murdock’s next-level worth is rooted in his relentless motor, downhill twitch and high-volume tackling manufacturing as a real heat-seeking field linebacker. He flashes sideline-to-sideline pace, blitzing tenacity and the leverage to overwhelm backs in move safety whereas sustaining Tampa 2 vary. His aggressive play model can result in over-pursuit, and he exhibits some stiffness when compelled to redirect rapidly in area.
Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon
Boettcher stands out as a high-IQ, instinct-driven linebacker who not often takes false steps and constantly reads backfield keys to remain clear by site visitors. His zone consciousness, downhill display screen recognition and reliability as a gap-disciplined run defender give him a excessive ground in structured defenses. He lacks elite change-of-direction skill and might be uncovered vertically by quicker tight ends or perimeter pace.
Kyle Louis, LB/SS, Pittsburgh
Louis profiles as a contemporary “large security” weapon whose fluid change of route, legit ball expertise and disruptive blitz timing translate cleanly to sub-package roles. His versatility to cowl slots, shoot A-gaps and mirror quarterbacks makes him a real Swiss-army defender in pressure-heavy schemes. The limitation exhibits up when taking over inside blocks, the place his lack of preferrred mass can stop him from constantly disengaging between the tackles.
Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
Perkins stays one of the crucial explosive defensive weapons within the class, thriving as a gap-shooting disruptor with elite closing pace and the flexibility to blitz from the sting, slot or second degree. His sideline-to-sideline vary and relentless motor enable him to influence performs throughout all three ranges. The issues heart on dimension limitations towards larger linemen and inconsistent protection consciousness in zone ideas.
Treydan Stukes, CB, Arizona
Stukes brings true “large nickel” enchantment because of his bodily slot presence, ball-hawk instincts and talent to high-point contested throws whereas impacting all three ranges of the sphere. His downhill mentality, run help and 2025 interception manufacturing spotlight a flexible, tone-setting defensive again. His aggressive pursuit can often result in missed tackles in area regardless of in any other case sturdy wrap-up approach.
Devin Moore, CB, Florida
Moore’s NFL projection is constructed on preferrred boundary dimension, elite monitoring expertise and the lengthy pace to remain in section on vertical routes whereas shrinking throwing home windows on the catch level. His diagnostic zone consciousness and flexibility to perform in deep security roles solely broaden his schematic worth. He can concede quick access throws attributable to extreme cushion in off-man protection.
D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
Ponds initiatives as a right away inside protection specialist because of his fast footwork, fluid redirection and bodily man-coverage instincts that enable him to remain in section on vertical routes and restrict yards after catch. His downhill burst and willingness as a tackler add worth towards the fast recreation. His undersized body leaves him weak to being outmuscled by larger receivers on the boundary.
Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
Smith’s intrigue lies in his dimension, downhill mentality and robust protection skill towards tight ends and operating backs, the place his size and instincts constantly disrupt the catch level. He’s handiest nearer to the road, the place he units the sting, navigates site visitors and performs extra constantly as a tackler. His stiffness in transitions and questionable deep pace versus large receivers are notable limitations, together with inconsistent tackling angles from deep alignments.
Bud Clark, S, TCU
Clark profiles as a high-floor protection asset on the subsequent degree, constructed on elite ball expertise, route recognition and the vary to perform as a real center-fielder in break up or single-high seems. His clean hip fluidity, skill to reflect slot receivers and instincts studying the quarterback’s eyes enable him to undercut routes and create splash performs, whereas his versatility as a slot defender and situational blitzer provides sub-package worth. The principle areas to refine are tackling consistency and over-pursuit in area, particularly towards extra highly effective ball carriers given his slender body.
