30 players NFL Combine invitees with the most to gain

The NFL Scouting Combine begins in ten days. The Combine, sometimes referred to as the underwear Olympics, is an important tool in the process of evaluating and projecting future NFL players. While it is not the only factor that matters, it is important.

The Combine requires physical positional testing, medical testing, size measuring, mental testing and a constant wave of interview after interview. The Combine is a gauntlet. Some believe intentionally organized the way it is to keep pushing prospects physically but also mentally.

Some players, like Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, will attend but will not participate in drills. While other players have an opportunity to raise their draft stock. Throughout its history, many players have completely changed their draft trajectory with a good showing at the Combine.

This week the NFL released the official NFL Scouting Combine invitee list. The NFL invited over 300 players to participate in the Combine. This exercise will consider 30 names.

Players with the most to gain from their Combine invite

Quarterbacks

Drew Allar – Penn State: Allar was expected to be in the conversation of first round quarterbacks. However, only 6 games played due to injury. His numbers even prorated to a full season, fall well below expectations (65%, 2,200 yards, 16 TDs to six INTs).

Taylen Green – Arkansas: Green is viewed as a dual-threat where the running is much more impressive than the passing. Green needs to perform well in passing drills. Prove to scouts he can move an offense from the pocket.

Diego Pavia – Vanderbilt: Pavia does not have an NFL skill set. In many areas, Pavia feels like the anti-Tim Tebow. Great athlete and can make magic off-platform, but raises real questions when he is forced to stay within the framework of the offense. Pavia needs to wow the scouts as a passer.

Running Backs

Jonah Coleman – Washington: Coleman’s production looks like a career set to shuffle. 2024 was his best season. 5’9 is a mild concern but is minimized by his 225lb frame. If Coleman runs really well and shows his catching ability, he could rise up boards.

J’Mari Taylor – Virginia: Taylor, like Coleman is a 5’9, 225lb back. A walk on at North Carolina Central, Taylor only has one season at the Power 4 level. 1,062 yards, 14 touchdowns (4.8 ypc) are nothing to sneeze at. Unlike Coleman, the sample size is small.

Emmett Johnson – Nebraska: Cornhuskers fans will be confused. Despite his 1,451 yards, 5.8 ypc, and 12 touchdowns, Johnson projects as a late day 2 or day 3 pick. There is a prevailing belief that Johnson lacks the strength and consistent toughness to be a lead back in the NFL.

Wide Receivers

Dillon Bell – Georgia: 27 receptions for 268 yards is not going to move the needle. Bell is going to need to do enough in the process to minimize the production concern. 2024 was his best season along side Ladd McConkey and Brock Bowers. Then regressed after their departure.

CJ Daniels – Miami: Daniels was a thousand yard receiver for Liberty. Daniels was big for Miami in moments. The issue is he played opposite Malachi Toney and his numbers paint him like a WR2. If he can show scouts he’s more than that, he could improve his stock.

Chris Hilton – LSU: Hilton is a speed candidate. The prospect whose five years of production don’t add up to even 800 yards total. However, Hilton was clocked at 22.13 MPH at the East/West Shrine Bowl and is expected to run in the 4.3s.

Tight Ends

Oscar Delp – Georgia: Thrived next to Brock Bowers, production has slipped since he left for the NFL.

John Michael Gyllenborg – Wyoming: An early Draft darling. His preseason projection grades and his 2025 production don’t match. Missing three games, Gyllenborg doesn’t have a single game in 2025 over 65 yards.

Offensive Line

Isaiah World – Oregon: Solid pass blocker, needs to show improvement run blocking. Has to also get passed less than great playoff tape.

Austin Barber – Florida: Has very inconsistent game film. Nees to show scouts consistency and an ability to hold his own against other prospects

Trey Zuhn III – Texas A&M: Currently projects as a developmental prospect. If he focuses on technique and strength he could change opinions somewhat.

Defensive Tackle

Rayshaun Benny – Michigan: Somewhat thin for a DT frame, has some point of attack concerns at the next level. Has underwhelming 2025 tape after expecting big things with the departure of Graham and Grant last season.

Brandon Cleveland – NC State: Very good run defender, but unthreatening as a pass rusher. Will need to show some explosion to avoid falling to day 3.

David Oke – Arkansas: Has not played since September 27. Has only 4 tackles and 1 tackle for loss on the season. His Abilene Christian numbers are not considerably better. Needs to impress at Indy.

Defensive Ends

Tyreak Sapp – Florida: He is a disruptive defender, but the production is inconsistent. Followed up his seven sack, 13 tackles for loss 2024 with one sack and 3.5 tackles for loss in 2025.

Mikail Kamara – Indiana: Kamara is a pressure machine. He showed up in big moments but doesn’t have the finishing numbers. Two sacks and seven tackles for loss in 2025 after 34 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks over the previous two seasons.  

Cian Slone – NC State: Stone needs a good Combine. His sack production dropped 80% from 2024 to 2025 after a switch from the MWC to the ACC. Needs to show that isn’t the indicator it looks like.

Outside Linebackers

Keyshaun Elliott – Arizona State: Elliott had a solid 2025 but feels like a specialist. He has a natural talent for hunting quarterbacks but needs to show he’s more than that.

Mohammed Toure – Miami: Production is decent. However, there was no season over 5 sacks or over 100 tackles and he missed two full seasons with ACL injuries.

Inside Linebackers

Lander Barton – Utah: Might have had a higher draft stock in 2024. Another solid LB. Barton needs to show he’s more than just solid. Needs to show good technique and that he can control the middle of the field.

Jack Kelly – BYU: Kelly is a tough LB who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. Strong at the point of attack. The perceived measurables paint him as a backup or special teams player. Show more athleticism than the perception and his stock could improve.

Safeties

Genesis Smith – Arizona: Ideal size for the modern NFL. A candidate to be an NFL center fielder type. Relies on talent, needs to improve pursuit angles and use technique more consistently.

JaCorey Thomas – Georgia: A backup most of his career at Georgia. As a starter in 2025, the numbers did take a jump. Just not a big enough jump to suggest he should declare for the draft. Another season as the starter would’ve significantly changed his projection.

Jalen Stroman – Notre Dame: Relies on athleticism. Can show some tackling technique concerns. Gets burned when too aggressive. Struggles to anticipate mid play. Defensive scheme could play heavily into where he goes. Needs to show good technique.

Cornerbacks

Davison Igbinosun – Ohio State: On paper, not much to question. Great size, solid numbers. However he lacks elite quickness and gets lost with quick twitch receivers. Needs to show better athleticism than expected.

Chandler Rivers – Duke: Incredibly consistent tackling numbers. Growing coverage stats. A gritty, though player who has a motor that doesn’t quit. However, the size is concerning. Early comp feels like a ‘poor man’s Bob Sanders’. Rivers concern is technique.

Colton Hood – Tennessee: After a one-and-done year with Deion Sanders and Colorado, Hood revamped his career in Knoxville. He's a fringe top-10 pick right now and can solidify him status in Indy. This will be his ultimate audition at the next level. 

Incredibly consistent tackling numbers. Growing coverage stats. A gritty, though player who has a motor that doesn’t quit. However, the size is concerning. Early comp feels like a ‘poor man’s Bob Sanders’. Rivers concern is technique.

NFL Scouting Combine Info

The NFL Scouting Combine will begin on Thursday February 26 and run through Sunday March 1. The event will broadcast on NFL Network and the NFL+ app.

2026 Schedule

Thursday February 26: Defensive Lineman and Linebackers

Friday February 27: Defensive Backs and Tight Ends

Saturday February 28: Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers and Running Backs

Sunday March 1: Offensive Lineman

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