NFL Combine winners and losers: Biggest draft risers and fallers

The NFL Scouting Combine always has a significant impact on prospect evaluations in the buildup to the 2026 NFL Draft.

With this year's event behind us, we separated the prospects between those who backed up their impressive tape with strong displays and those who left evaluators feeling disappointed.

Here are the biggest winners and losers from the 2026 Combine.

Biggest Combine winners

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

One takeaway from Styles' performance has been shared far and wide over the past few days, but we'll state it once again for those at the back.

Styles became the first player since 2003 to run a sub-4.5 40, record a 40+ inch vertical and post an 11+ foot broad jump at 230 pounds or more.

The explosiveness matched the versatility and production that already had NFL execs and draftniks talking Styles up as a projected top-15 selection.

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Sadiq had a Combine for the ages. First, he recorded a blazing 4.39-second 40-yard dash - the fastest time recorded by a tight end in 23 years.

His strong day continued with a 43.5-inch vertical, an 11-foot-1 broad jump, and 26 reps on the bench press - all good enough to rank second at the position.

Already considered the top tight end in the draft, Sadiq's sensational display could elevate his draft stock significantly.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The 20-year-old wasn't the most explosive back in testing. That honour belonged to Arkansas' Mike Washington.

However, Love wasn't far behind.

While Love didn't compete in other athletic tests, he looked impressive in on-field drills, demonstrating the agility and burst everyone hoped to see.

And, after compiling over 3,000 all-purpose yards and 40 touchdowns in the last two years, he did more than enough to solidify his status as the consensus No. 1 back in the 2026 Draft class.

Spencer Fano, OL, Utah

The arm-length debate dominated headlines, and may have landed him on the 'losers' list elsewhere, but Fano’s workout was elite.

A blistering 4.91-second 40, best-in-group agility numbers and a 9.76 RAS reminded evaluators that even if his future NFL team move him to guard or center, his potential is undeniable.

Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma

Burks is undersized and has a history of injury concerns, but he put on a dazzling show in Indianapolis on Saturday.

He ranked first with a 4.30-second 40, first in the vertical with a leap of 42.5", and posted the best mark in the bench press by putting up 26 reps.

Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB, Ohio State

At 241 pounds, Reese’s 4.46-second 40 and 1.58-second 10-yard split showcased the incredible athleticism he brings to the table.

His fluidity and movement skills in position drills reinforced the belief that he should be a top-three pick in the draft.

Other Combine winners

• Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
• Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
• Lorenzo Styles Jr., S, Ohio State
• Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
• Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
• Monroe Feeling, OT, Georgia
• Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
• Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
• Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
• Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
• Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
• Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Biggest Combine losers

Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame

At 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds, Fields was always going to be considered more of a contested catch demon than a field-stretcher.

All the same, his 4.61-second 40 - which ranked second to last among all wideouts - raised questions about his ability to create separation.

Fields' performance in agility drills wasn't any more impressive.

He leaves Indianapolis hoping NFL execs place more stock in his standout performance at the Senior Bowl.

Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska

Despite boasting impressive production on the ground and through the air, Johnson arrived at the Combine needing to prove that, despite his diminutive size, he had the athleticism to become an NFL starter.

He tried to alleviate concerns on that point in interviews, promising to put on a show during the Combine.

Sadly, his 4.56-second 40 - the slowest among running backs - did little to ease concerns about his long-speed.

Johnson followed that up with bottom four numbers in the vertical, broad jump, and bench press, likely causing his draft stock to fall.

Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

At 318 pounds and as more of a space-eater than a pass-rushing force, Hunter wasn't expected to challenge the top defensive tackles in athletic testing.

Even with that in mind, his 5.18-second 40, 21.5-inch vertical, and 8-foot-4 broad jump were disappointing, ranking among the lowest at the position.

LT Overton, EDGE/DT, Alabama

Overton, a former five-star recruit, arrived at the Combine hoping to demonstrate that his lack of college production doesn’t define what he has to bring to the table at the pro level.

He also had a point to prove after being bested by Auburn OL Jeremiah Wright during the Senior Bowl.

Unfortunately for him, Overton's 4.87-second 40 only reinforced concerns that while he offers inside-outside versatility, he may lack the athleticism to excel at either position.

Other Combine losers

• R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
• Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State
• Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
• Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

Other Combine storylines

More details on the players who turned heads at the Combine can be found here.

Other offseason dates

A complete list of other offseason events and dates, including the 2026 NFL Draft, is available here.