2026 NFL scouting combine: Defensive players with the most to prove

The NFL Scouting Combine begins in earnest on Thursday, beginning with defensive line and linebackers. The combine is a significant aspect of the pre-draft process but is not the entire equation.

For many players the combine is an opportunity to reverse or improve certain narratives or deficiencies in their college football resume. In many of these cases a good 40-time or impressive drill work can alter a player’s draft stock.

In the case of this group of names, only one can dramatically alter his draft stock by "running fast". The majority of these will come down to health concerns and medical, size concerns, technique, inconsistent production and gap responsibility concerns.

There will be names on this list that may come as a surprise. A handful of these names are player expected to hear their name called somewhere in the first 50-100 picks. Not typically a draft projection that leaves room for improvement. In those cases, a good Combine performance could be the difference between going in the middle to late second round and being potentially a first-round pick.

Defensive Ends

Romello Height – Georgia Tech: Height is dramatically undersized for the position at the NFL level. There are players who have been productive under the 250-pound range. In today’s NFL, there are 220-pound linebackers who have found their stride. Height is 214 pounds and plays Defensive End. Early in his career he began as a Linebacker. He may need to show scouts he still has the instincts and ability to play Linebacker in the NFL.

Trey Moore – Texas: Moore might be the cautionary tale of stepping up in competition. While in Conference USA, Moore was a monster. 35.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks. Once he transferred, 14.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks in two seasons combined in the SEC. Moore will need to show he can hold his own against other Power 4 level draft prospects.

Nadame Tucker – Western Michigan: Tucker is the same issue as Moore but invert the competition level. Tucker began his career at Houston (Big 12) where he registered a total of 1.5 tackles for loss and zero sacks over three years and never cleared even 10 tackles in any of those Houston seasons. In 2025, Tucker transferred to Mid-American Conference and Western Michigan. In the MAC, Tucker was almost superhuman. 21 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks and 55 combined tackles. Tucker needs to show he can compete with the Power 4 talent.

Defensive Tackles

Caleb Banks – Florida: The Banks concern is simple and hopefully not a huge hurdle. Banks only played three games in 2025. He suffered a broken foot vs LSU in September. A story many don’t expect, Banks worked his way back from that injury and returned to practice in November instead of shutting it down. If he’s able to compete at the Combine and performs well, he will minimize those concerns.

Dontay Corleone – Cincinnati: Another simple one. This is all medical. Corleone has a history of blood clots in his lungs. As part of that complication, he plays around 330 pounds, but anything north of 350 creates a medical concern. If the medical checks out, his Draft stock could get a bump.

Darrell Jackson Jr – Florida State: As a Defensive Tackle standing at 6’5, 336 Jackson is the ideal frame to be disruptive at his position. However, he lacks the elite speed and quickness to go with his size. Lacks great footwork/speed. Tends to play high and shows technique lapses. Allegedly has an inconsistent motor and ‘runs hot and cold’.

Linebackers

Jacob Rodriguez – Texas Tech: Rodriguez was maybe the feel-good story of the 2025 season. The Linebacker is a husband to a military helicopter fighter pilot and was a box score darling. Rodriguez is a coach’s dream. However, at 6’1, 200 he falls way short of expectation at the position. Rodriguez may have to prove his size is not a concern or consider a move to Safety. If his speed/quickness measures up.

Sonny Styles – Ohio State: At 6’4, 243 Styles fits perfectly into today’s NFL Linebacker expectation. His number are more than good enough. However, he is a Safety to Linebacker conversion. Needs to show elite Linebacker instincts and drill work to maintain his high Draft stock. If he can do that, Styles could be a threat to go later in the first round or top ten picks of the second round.

Wesley Bissainthe – Miami: Bissainthe might be the most intriguing candidate to switch positions. As a Linebacker he projects somewhere in the latter half of the Draft. As a possible safety at the NFL level, his Draft stock becomes much more interesting. He has the coverage ability and body control to play Safety. He’s still a thumper and very good at diagnosing, especially in run plays. He would not be Derwin James nor would he be Nick Emmanwori, but he could be right behind both of those. Stylistically as well as being a tad smaller at 6’1, 205.  

Safeties

Bishop Fitzgerald – USC: Fitzgerald is in a good place, but his stock could be improved by a good showing at the Combine. Plays overly aggressive which can lead to finding himself out of position when he over-pursues. He is inconsistent against the run and suffered a late season foot injury.

DeShon Singleton – Nebraska: Singleton has good but not great production. The concern is very little of his production comes from elite physical traits. He flashes at times but needs to be more consistent. If he test faster than scouts expect, he could move up boards.

Cornerbacks

Jermod McCoy – Tennesse: Medical and time away are the issues for McCoy. After suffering a torn ACL in January of 2025, McCoy missed the entire 2025 football season. McCoy is a heck of a prospect but he will need to prove he has not lost any athleticism post ACL surgery. If he can show the speed, quickness and improved form tackling, his stock could rise out of the second round and significantly into the first round.

D’Angelo Ponds – Indiana: Ponds was a major factor in the Hoosiers success in 2025. In a vacuum there might not be an issue. He’s a tough cover corner. The concern is he’s only 5’9 and under 180 pounds. He will need to test better than his actual frame. If he can show an ability to cover the slot, it could improve his current standing.

Keionte Scott – Miami: There are quite a few factors working against Scott. His size is less than what NFL teams are looking for. Needs to improve tackling technique. According to Football Focus, Scott had a 20% missed tackle rate. He is also an older prospect with concerns about how much more developing he can undergo.

The NFL Scouting Combine workouts begin on Thursday, February 26. Day 1 will include defensive ends, defensive tackles, linebackers and kickers. The Combine workouts can be viewed on NFL Network starting at 3pm ET (Available on FuboTV) 

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