Podcast Summary: Footballguys Fantasy Football Show

Episode: Re-Ranking The 2026 Rookies After The NFL Combine (Top 43)
Date: March 5, 2026
Hosts: Dave Kluge & Jeff Bell

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into post-NFL Combine rookie re-rankings for 2026 Superflex formats, focusing on how player performances, athletic testing, and new data from the Combine have shifted perceptions and rankings. Dave and Jeff dig into the tiers within positions, debate significant athletic showings, and dissect which prospects rose, fell, or held their ground following the event. True to the Footballguys style, the episode blends sharp analytics with playful banter, providing fantasy managers with a comprehensive evaluation of 2026’s rookie class.

Key Themes & Insights

• Impact of Combine on Rookie Rankings:
  The Combine serves primarily as a confirmation tool, verifying what was seen on tape, but can move players within tight positional tiers—especially when surprises crop up in speed/athleticism.
  • "We want to put some sort of weight into the combine, but it's also important not to double count." (Dave, 00:39)
  • "The biggest rises and fallers here are the guys who surprised us that did something different in Indianapolis than what we saw on film." (Dave, 00:39)
• Relative Athletic Score (RAS):
  Frequent reference point throughout; RAS is a percentile-based metric (0-10 scale) grading NFL prospects' combine results compared to historical data since 1987.
  • “If we say a player has a 9.5 RAS, that essentially means they’re a 95th percentile athlete dating back to 1987.” (Dave, 02:25)

Round 1 Highlights (Top 12 Picks)

1.01-1.05: No Significant Movement

• Jeremiah Love (1.01): Still the clear #1, no debate.
• Fernando Mendoza (1.02): Didn’t test, but showed up with impressive size (232 lbs).
• Makai Lemon (1.03): “No big change”—alleged interview issues waved off by hosts.
  • "Some weird mannerisms...How many superstar wide receivers are a little bit odd and quirky at some level?" (Dave, 04:28)
• Jordan Tyson (1.04), Carnell Tate (1.05): Remain clustered in a tight WR tier; minimal concern over Tate’s 40 time, as tape trumps testing.

1.06: Major Mover

• Kenyon Sadiq: From late-R1 to 1.06, locked as TE1 after a record-setting athletic display (vertical, speed).
  • "Just one of the most athletic showings we've seen from anybody ever." (Dave, 07:03)
  • "He moved the value of the 1.06 less so than he actually moved himself." (Jeff, 07:19)
  • Discussed as a possible top-10 NFL pick due to the shortage of unicorn TEs and historic hit rates for early-drafted TEs.

Tight End Boom

• Eli Stowers (1.08): Monster leap after breaking the all-time vertical jump record for TEs (45-inch vert), matching DK Metcalf’s athletic comp profile (11:25).
  • "You're telling me you get DK Metcalf and he's got tight end eligibility in fantasy football. It seems like a pretty good thing." (Jeff, 11:25)

Wide Receiver Evaluations

• Denzel Boston (1.09): Gauntlet drill drops noted, but hosts offer context—left-handed QB may have affected performance.
  • *"That first ball is coming right at you after you turn around and it's a left handed quarterback...the ball spinning one direction and you're going into this drill, a big moment, everybody's watching you, big job interview and that first ball is coming right at you after you turn around and it's a left handed quarterback, it's going the other" (Jeff, 12:30)
• Ty Simpson (1.10): Stagnant; lack of extended track record in college is a concern.

Running Back Risers & Fallers

• Mike Washington Jr. (1.11): Dominates with a perfect RAS (10.0); questions about partial participation (didn't do agility/bench) surface, but the size-adjusted speed is “Derrick Henry meets Isaac Guerendo” level (Dave, 17:10).
• Jadarian Price (1.12): Mild fall; didn’t “wow” with expected 40 time but still tested above average.

Round 2 (1.13–2.12) & Key Movers

Early Round-2 Movers

• Chris Brazil (2.01): No change; combine matches tape (speed, length).
• Omar Cooper (2.02): Notable riser; now mocked in NFL Round 1 by industry analysts.
• Kayin Allen (2.03): Fall due to unanswered speed/weight questions—didn’t test.
• Nick Singleton/Jonah Coleman: Slight upward movement for Singleton by default as peers faltered; both didn't test, but Singleton's injury explains his absence.
• Zechariah Branch (2.06): Slight unnecessary bump—hosts reflect they may have overreacted (“We knew he was going to be fast, so no huge expectations there.”).
• Max Claire (2.07): Subtle move up; looked good running the gauntlet.
• Emmett Johnson (2.08): Major fall in consensus, but Dave praises his full participation:
  • "I actually like Emmett Johnson more coming out of the combine...he was the only guy who participated in every single drill." (Dave, 29:08)

WR Shufflings

• Jeremy Bernard (2.09): Slight riser, cleared athleticism questions; RAS just over 9.0.
• Adam Randall (2.10): Another RB/WR hybrid with top-end speed/size metrics.
• Chris/Skyler Bell: Skyler Bell (not Chris) had the big combine—elite tester, propelling him upward.

Round 3-4 & Notable Prospects

Surprise Risers

• Jacoby Lane (3.04, should be higher): "One of the most athletic receivers at the entire combine...looked fantastic. Ran one of the best gauntlets out there." (Dave, 40:51)
• Devon Clayborne (3.05): Impressed with elite 40 and 10-yd split.
• Taylor Green (Biggest QB riser):
  • Incredible Anthony Richardson-esque profile (size/speed).
  • "Would it surprise you if Taylor Green is the second quarterback off the board in the draft?" (Dave, 45:32)
  • "No, it really wouldn't surprise me...It's really kind of swung back towards wanting that traditional quarterback because of the push pull that what we're seeing between defense and offense." (Jeff, 45:32)

Other Talking Points

• Malachi Fields: Big drop; unproductive in college and poor combine. Hosts note: "He did okay on everything but the 40" and is working to fix his 40 technique (43:40).
• Bryce Lance: Massive rise; 9.98 RAS. "Have you ever wondered what Trey Lance would look like if he played WR? Because we might get the answer here." (Dave quoting Jeff, 54:47)
• Antonio Williams: “Better athlete than expected” & didn’t duck testing.
• Jam Miller: Surprised with top level 40-yard speed not evident on film.
• Robert Henry Jr.: Major faller; lower-level comp and poor testing raise flags.
• Cole Payton: Huge athleticism (9.97 RAS) but likely overlooked due to small-school/depth in class.
• Seth McGowan: "Best broad and vertical jump at RB, but age (almost 26) is a big concern." (Dave, 61:32)
• Brendan Thompson: Combine’s 40-yard dash winner; compared to Xavier Worthy; hosts debate whether he’s more than just straight-line speed.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Combine weight:
  "We want to put some sort of weight into the combine, but it's also important not to double count." (Dave, 00:39)
• On RAS context:
  "All of his athletic testing information dates back to 1989...essentially means they are a 95th percentile athlete..." (Dave, 02:25)
• On penalizing WRs for combine drops:
  "Antonio Brown, one of the most sure handed receivers we've ever seen...even he struggled catching balls from a left handed QB." (Dave, 13:19)
• On Kenyon Sadiq’s draft capital:
  "These freak athletes just don't fall into day three anymore." (Dave, 7:03)
• On TE comps:
  "DK Metcalf was the Eli Stowers athletic comp...and he's got tight end eligibility in fantasy football..." (Jeff, 11:25)
• On the combine as a test:
  "The entire thing's a test...You're learning things about everybody, how they're conducting themselves." (Jeff, 31:46)
• On age curves for RBs:
  "This guy kind of has one year and then he is atop that age curve and then we’re expecting him to fall off..." (Dave, 61:50)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment / Topic | |---------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 00:05 | Combine methodology/philosophy, tiers, RAS explained| | 03:37 | Round 1, picks 1-5—no changes, scouting discussion | | 06:07 | Carnell Tate 40-time, context on WR 40-yard dash | | 07:03 | Kenyon Sadiq’s combine dominance and TE value | | 09:52 | Eli Stowers, TE riser, athletic comps | | 12:30 | Denzel Boston’s gauntlet, handedness of QB explained| | 16:15 | Mike Washington’s perfect RAS, RB testing context | | 19:24 | Jadarian Price's performance, the illusion of falling| | 28:10 | Max Claire and "looking like a Kluge" | | 29:08 | Emmett Johnson’s full participation & character | | 33:22 | Jeremy Bernard confirms athleticism (RAS 9.04) | | 40:45 | Jacoby Lane: biggest WR riser post-combine | | 45:32 | Taylor Green's meteoric QB rise, NFL tendencies | | 54:47 | Bryce Lance's shockingly elite WR testing | | 56:36 | Antonio Williams, WR, athletic surprise | | 58:47 | Robert Henry Jr. and competition level discussion | | 61:32 | Seth McGowan's age conundrum despite great testing | | 62:46 | Brendan Thompson 40yd dash and speed debate |

Closing Thoughts

• The 2026 Combine largely confirmed the tiers most analysts had going in, but “tiebreaker” athletic feats and newly surfaced data shifted key players up and down within those clusters.
• Historic TE and RB performances (Sadiq, Stowers, Washington) could shape both dynasty and redraft evaluations this spring.
• The overarching advice: prioritize prospect tiers, but let confirmed elite athleticism and draft capital inform your final decisions as teams chase unicorns at skill positions.
• Jeff’s parting shot: "It’s just fun to be in the process, fun to get more information, fun to really put these players to life and see them out there." (64:01)

Want More?

For super-deep ranks (Top 48+), detailed combine metrics, team landing spots, and updated rookie guides, visit:
footballguys.com/rookieguide