FantasyPros NFL Draft Podcast – Episode 1972 (March 3, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this special 2026 NFL Draft Combine recap, hosts Seth Wilcock and Derrick Brown ("Dbro") discuss the biggest risers and fallers at the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end positions. The duo offers sharp analysis on what standout athletic performances and disappointing showings mean for these prospects’ NFL draft capital and dynasty rookie draft value, with direct implications for fantasy football managers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Context on the "Fastest Combine" Narrative

• The hosts open by pushing back on headlines touting the “fastest combine ever,” highlighting that many slower prospects simply chose not to run, inflating the average speed among those who did test.
  • Quote: “Can we talk about the context that it's the fastest combine because guys that are running slow are just choosing not to run... so let's also talk about the context of that before we just put out things about like, oh my gosh, everybody's so freaking fast.” — Derrick Brown (02:10)

Quarterback Risers & Fallers

1. Taylen Green, Arkansas (Riser)

• Stats: 6'6", 227 lbs; Broke Anthony Richardson's broad and vertical jump records; 4.38 40-yard dash (second only to Michael Vick since 1987); 9.99 RAS.
• NFL Impact: Testing could vault Green from UDFA/late rounder to legitimate Day 3 pick, possibly as high as round 4.
• Fantasy Impact: Intriguing, but passing deficiencies cap his ceiling; best case: "Jalen Milroe story."
  • Quote: “He’s super athletic...but can he throw a football and hit where he needs to go with it? That's still a big question mark.” — Derrick Brown (08:25)
• Timestamps: Discussion begins at 05:21

2. Cole Payton, North Dakota State (Riser)

• Stats: 6'3", 232 lbs; 4.58 40; elite metrics across the board; 9.97 RAS.
• NFL Impact: From Day 3 to possible Round 2 or 3 consideration, if a team falls in love at private workouts.
• Fantasy Impact: Currently Dbro’s QB2 based on combo of elite rushing and very strong passing metrics, though small-school competition is a concern.
  • Quote: “It’s not only the athletic upside, it's his precision as a passer...this guy was 18th in adjusted completion rate. He was first in yards per tip, first in big time throw rate.” — Derrick Brown (11:23)
• Timestamps: Discussion starts at 10:28

Running Back Risers & Fallers

1. Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas (Riser)

• Stats: 6'3", 221 lbs; 4.33 40 (fastest RB), 10’8” broad, 39" vertical; perfect 10.0 RAS (best since 1987).
• NFL Impact: Vaults from underrated to possible RB2 in class, back end of Round 2/early Round 3 draft pick.
• Fantasy Impact: Dbro’s new RB2 consideration over Jadarian Price.
  • Quote: “Could he go at the back end of the second round and be the RB2 off the board over Jadarian Price? It’s possible, dude.” — Derrick Brown (16:20)
• Timestamps: Discussion begins at 14:58

2. Seth McGowan, Kentucky (Riser)

• Stats: 6’0”, 223 lbs; 42.5” vertical (best among RBs); 10’11” broad; 4.48 40; 9.42 RAS; “ran ticked off.”
• NFL Impact: Now locked into Day 3 status at minimum.
• Comp: Isaiah Pacheco 2.0.
  • Quote: “He runs like he’s mad at the ground...he’s Isaiah Pacheco 2.0, dude.” — Derrick Brown (19:01)
• Timestamps: Discussion at 18:09

3. EMT Johnson, Nebraska (Faller)

• Stats: 5'10", only 16 bench reps; 4.56 40, 35.5" vert, 10' broad; 7.32 3-cone (29th percentile); 5.78 RAS (worst in class).
• NFL Impact: Tumbles from Day 2 talk to likely Day 3 territory; will need to prove himself in camp.
• Fantasy Impact: McGowan, Mike Washington Jr. now above him; “not coffin-nailing” him but big reality check.
  • Quote: “That 7.32 3-cone, which is only 29th percentile, is just absolutely dragging everything else down.” — Derrick Brown (25:19)
• Timestamps: Discussion at 24:55

4. Jonah Coleman, Washington (Faller)

• Stats: Did not test except for bench; 1” shorter and 8 lbs lighter than listed.
• Narrative: Missed opportunity to generate momentum for RB2; letting others like Washington Jr. pass him in public opinion.
  • Quote: “Any separation he had for that, it’s gone.” — Seth Wilcock (29:41)
• Timestamps: Discussion at 28:23

5. Jamari Taylor, Virginia (Faller)

• Stats: 199 lbs (under expected); only did vertical and broad, both very poor.
• Comp: Just not athletic enough—college producer who may lack NFL ceiling.
  • Quote: “He was checking boxes, but not in a good way.” — Derrick Brown (34:02)
• Timestamps: Discussion at 33:22

Wide Receiver Risers & Fallers

1. Jeff Caldwell, Cincinnati (Riser)

• Stats: 6’5”, 218 lbs; 4.31 40; 42” vertical, 11’2” broad; 10.0 RAS (99th percentile, comps: Julio Jones, Megatron).
• NFL Impact: Testing might get him drafted after being an afterthought (UDFA).
  • Quote: “He’s going to hear his name called in the NFL draft straight up...the NFL double counts athleticism and speed.” — Derrick Brown (41:32)
• Timestamps: Discussion at 38:13

2. Dejon Stribling, Ole Miss (Riser)

• Stats: 6’2”, 207 lbs; 4.36 40; 9.9 RAS.
• NFL Impact: Bulked up, tested great; could jump teammates (ex: Harrison Wallace) in rankings.
  • Quote: “He might hop Harrison Wallace after this...On paper, he stands up too, man.” — Derrick Brown (43:07)
• Timestamps: Discussion at 43:07

3. Bryce Lance, North Dakota State (Riser)

• Stats: 6’3”, 204 lbs; 4.34 40; 41.5” vert; 11’1” broad; 9.5 RAS.
• NFL Impact: Day 2 possible, rare FCS-to-NFL ascent.
• Analytical Love: Top 10 in receiving grade/yards per route run among FCS/FBS.
  • Quote: “It matches up with the testing. Man, he’s a freaking stud... I’m going to be above consensus on Bryce Lance.” — Derrick Brown (44:44)
• Timestamps: Discussion at 44:44

4. Ted Hurst, Georgia State (Riser)

• Stats: 6’4”, 206 lbs; 4.42 40; 36.5” vert; 11’3” broad; 9.92 RAS.
• NFL Impact: From late-round flier to possible 3rd-round pick.
• Fantasy Impact: Dbro has Hurst ranked over bigger names in the class.
  • Quote: “I’m going to have Ted Hurst ranked over all of those guys [Brazel, Coleman, Lane, Fields, Branch].” — Derrick Brown (51:36)
• Timestamps: Discussion at 50:55

5. Chris Brazil, Tennessee (Riser)

• Stats: 6’4”, 190 lbs; 4.37 40; did not test other drills.
• Narrative: One huge year, strong SEC pedigree, teams will double count speed.
  • Quote: “He bucks the trend of all the previous Tennessee wide receivers ... That's not the case with Brazil.” — Derrick Brown (47:49)

6. Malachi Fields, Notre Dame (Faller)

• Stats: 4.61 40 (second worst among WRs); 38” vertical; 10’4” broad; 7.5 RAS; didn’t match “freak” billing.
• Fantasy Impact: Loses ground for Day 2 hopes; may drop from 3rd to 4th round NFL pick.
  • Quote: “The steam had gotten arguably unreasonable for this guy... it just feels very mediocre for a guy who was the billing for him that he was a freak. And I don't think he's a freak at all.” — Seth Wilcock (53:36)
  • Quote: “Why did you run it, dude?” — Derrick Brown (56:44)
• Timestamps: Discussion at 53:36

Tight End Highlights

Kenyon Sadiq, Consensus TE1 (Riser)

• Stats: 4.39 40 (breaks Vernon Davis’s record for TE); elite jumps; 9.58 RAS (only size knocks him a bit).
• NFL Impact: Now “locked in” first-round pick, possibly as high as pick 9 to Kansas City.
  • Quote: “He's going to be a locked in first round pick ... He tested like a mutant. He has the blocking chops. When you bury all of that stuff together this is how you get a guy that goes that high in the NFL draft.” — Derrick Brown (61:08)
• Timestamps: Discussion at 57:04

Eli Stowers, (Riser)

• Stats: 4.51 40; 45.5” vert; 11’3” broad; 9.46 RAS.
• Narrative: Great receiving weapon, but blocking worries may push him to Round 2.
  • Quote: “He still has to be able to learn how to do that in this version of the NFL...but to your point, could we walk away from this and in three years say, okay, who is the best tied into this draft class? Would I be shocked if we, if we all said Stowers name? No. Hell no. He has that type of upside.” — Derrick Brown (62:20)
• Timestamps: Discussion at 59:58

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On NFL Double Counting Traits:
  • “They double count 40s, they double count speed. They draft for upside and traits and stuff.” — Derrick Brown (06:26)
• On Combine Mind Games:
  • “Why, if you know your times are bad, are you going to go out there and perform horribly on the biggest stage to help yourself? … You need to fire the agent.” — Derrick Brown (35:10)
• On Fantasy Draft Value:
  • “There have been a lot of good studies… getting into Day 2 does mean a lot for Fantasy. I mean it can really, really help you. You can make it as a Day 3 prospect. But the hill to climb is much taller.” — Seth Wilcock (57:04)
• On Hot Takes:
  • “In N Out is the most overrated restaurant. Overrated burgers. Don't eat it. I'm sorry. Y'all can all come for me.” — Derrick Brown (35:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Fastest Combine Context: 02:08
• QB Risers (Green, Payton): 05:21 – 13:00
• RB Risers & Fallers (Washington Jr., McGowan, Johnson, Coleman, Taylor): 14:58 – 35:10
• WR Risers & Fallers (Caldwell, Stribling, Lance, Hurst, Brazil, Fields): 38:13 – 57:04
• TE Standouts (Sadiq, Stowers): 57:04 – 65:15

Final Takeaways

• Combine performance—especially elite testing—can vault previously obscure prospects into Day 2/3 draft status and rocket them up dynasty and fantasy rankings.
• However, context matters: athletic upside can help, but deficiencies as a passer (Green), or as a blocker (Stowers), can still limit true ceiling and NFL/rookie draft value.
• Some hyped prospects (Malachi Fields, EMT Johnson) saw draft stock drop as poor testing exposed their limitations.
• Day 3 RB/WR gems emerge every cycle—2026 appears to be no different, and the class may be deeper and better than advertised if you look beyond the “flashiest names.”

Hosts:

• Seth Wilcock (FantasyPros)
• Derrick Brown (“Dbro”, FantasyPros)

If you want to win your rookie draft, this is your episode—get the context behind the combine numbers, not just the headlines.