See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: NFL Combine PREVIEW and PREDICTIONS with ESPN's Matt Miller | Texas A&M Takeover
Date: February 23, 2026
Guest: Matt Miller (ESPN NFL Draft Analyst)
Host: David Pollack

Episode Overview

In this episode, David Pollack and guest Matt Miller dive deep into the upcoming 2026 NFL Combine, discussing key prospects, positional trends, and predictions. They explore how recent shifts in college football—especially Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)—have impacted player development and draft evaluation, with a special spotlight on Texas A&M's draft surge. The conversation is packed with insider evaluations, combine "freaks" to watch, and bold predictions for teams and prospects.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Impact of NIL and College QB Experience

• NIL’s Benefits for Development:
  • Players stay longer in school, maturing on and off the field before the NFL.
  • “We don't have to wonder anymore because you've been getting money in college. So we know the guys that are going to maybe fizzle out a little bit because of money, they've probably fizzled out, right?” (Matt Miller, 02:23)
• Experience as a New Standard:
  • NFL looks for QBs with a minimum of 25 college starts.
  • Cam Newton is the only recent exception to be successful with fewer starts.
  • “The NFL does not develop quarterbacks anymore. That is a myth. It just doesn't happen.” (Matt Miller, 03:22)

Offensive Line Trends and Concerns

• Decline in Physicality:
  • Offensive linemen today are more athletic but less physical; the "mauler" archetype is rarer.
  • “It has become a little bit more of a finesse sport... that physicality is missing.” (Matt Miller, 05:35)
• O-Line Evaluation Challenge:
  • Standouts like Quenton Nelson and Tyler Linderbaum are exceptions.
  • Private coaching (e.g., Duke Mannyweather) is increasingly important for bridging the gap to the NFL.
  • Pancake blocks matter less in evaluation than overall pass protection excellence.

NFL Draft Team Focus: The New York Jets

• Draft Capital & Pressure:

  • Jets hold five first-round picks over two years—organizational turning point.
  • “If you can't fix it with that, then like, what are we doing?” (Matt Miller, 11:44)

• Second Overall Pick Options:

  • Defense is the consensus over QB; edge rusher likely.
  • Prospects discussed:
    • Arvell Reese (Ohio State): Upside, hybrid ability, impactful as soon as he adapts.
    • David Bailey (Texas Tech): Speed rusher but less power and diversity.
    • Reuben Bain (Miami): Strong, powerful but lacks elite bend.
  • “I would lean toward Arvell Reese...the immediacy that he brings as a linebacker, as an edge player, but then also the upside...” (Matt Miller, 12:46)

• Other Jets Needs:

  • Suggests targeting wide receiver or cornerback at pick 16.
  • QB prospect Ty Simpson: “Incomplete grade until we get some more information... he only started 15 games. Nine of them looked fantastic, six looked bad.” (Matt Miller, 15:45)

2026 NFL Draft Trends & Quality of Positions

• QB and RB Down Year:
  • Fewer elite QBs and RBs than usual; first round expected to see more safeties than QBs/RBs.
  • “I put out a tweet the other day. There might be more safeties drafted in the first round, the quarterbacks and running backs combined.” (Matt Miller, 15:45)
• Best-Positioned Prospects:
  • WR, DB, and edge rushers—especially heavy in this class.

Combine Preview: Prospects & Athletic Freaks

Must-Watch Combine Athletes

• Brendan Thompson (WR, Mississippi State):

  • “He led the SEC in receiving yards...He has a shot at Xavier Worthy's record, 4.21 (seconds in the 40-yard dash)...he's built like a sprinter.” (Matt Miller, 17:08)

• Peter Woods (DT, Clemson):

  • Expected to post impressive bench press and agility numbers.

• Denzel Boston (WR, Washington) & Kaden Proctor (OL, Alabama):

  • Noted for athleticism and combine readiness.

• Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State):

  • Rumored to have reached 23 mph on the GPS, potential four-four 40-yard dash at 6’4”, 245 lbs.*
  • “If he runs in the four fours...see you later. You're probably going in the top 10 even as a linebacker.” (Matt Miller, 18:00)

• Kenyan Sadiq (TE, Oregon):

  • Expected vertical jump near 41 inches.

Texas A&M “Takeover”

• Team With the Most Combine Prospects:
  • “They have the most this year...they're going to have five or six players probably drafted in the top 100.” (Matt Miller, 19:50)
• Key A&M Prospects:
  • Casey Concepcion (WR): Speedy, agile, compared to Percy Harvin.
  • Chase Bisontis (OG): NFL-ready interior lineman.
  • Cassius Howell (EDGE): Led SEC in sacks.
  • Terry New York (LB): Undersized but sleeper Day 3 guy likely to test well.
• Coaching Impact:
  • Praise for Mike Elko for finishing player development cycles.
  • “They’re recruiting well, pulling in guys from the transfer portal, and they’re taking them to the line.” (Matt Miller, 20:30)

Combine Participation & Training

• Conflict for Prospects:

  • Late NCAA season leaves little recovery time for combine prep.
  • “NFL and NCAA have to get together...the national championship game is January 25th. The combine starts February 25th. That's a short amount of time to recover.” (Matt Miller, 23:42)

• Combine Drills & Evaluation Philosophy:

  • “It's almost pass/fail...the bench press doesn’t matter, it just shows us you’ve been in the weight room.” (Matt Miller, 25:00)
  • Athletic testing can reveal “superhero traits” but doesn’t always match football skills.
  • “You’re the best shape of your life...you take a selfie and you say, this was me in my prime, kids.” (Matt Miller, 26:18)

Combine "Superlatives" & Predictions

• Fastest 40:
  • “Brendan Thompson will be the fastest...he’ll run mid 4.2s.” (Matt Miller, 27:27)
• Strongest/Bigger Numbers:
  • Kaden Proctor (Alabama OT) and Peter Woods (Clemson DT) could top bench press numbers (Woods testing in the mid-30s reps).
• Best Vertical/Long Jump:
  • Sonny Styles and Kenyan Sadiq expected to break 40-inch verticals.
• Surprise DBs:
  • “There’s always some DB you’re not ready for that comes out and runs.” Possible dark horse: Igbosan (Ohio State). (Matt Miller, 27:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The NFL does not develop quarterbacks anymore. That is a myth. It just doesn't happen.”
  — Matt Miller, 03:22

• “It’s almost pass/fail...The bench press doesn’t matter, it just shows us you’ve been in the weight room.”
  — Matt Miller, 25:00

• “Brendan Thompson will be the fastest after. I don’t think anyone will get close to him... mid 4.2s is where he should be.”
  — Matt Miller, 27:27

• “They have the most [Combine participants] this year. I’m excited for Casey Concepcion, the wide receiver.”
  — Matt Miller, 19:50

• “If you can't fix it with that, then like, what are we doing?” (on the Jets and their draft capital)
  — Matt Miller, 11:44

Timestamps for Key Segments

• QB Experience, NIL impact: (02:23 – 04:30)
• Offensive Line Trends/Physicality: (04:38 – 07:56)
• Jets’ Draft Options & Strategy: (10:49 – 13:51)
• Overview of 2026 Draft Trends: (15:17 – 15:45)
• Combine Prospects and Athletic "Freaks": (17:08 – 19:25)
• Texas A&M Draft Surge Spotlight: (19:27 – 21:04)
• Effects of Late Season on Combine Prep: (23:05 – 23:57)
• Combine Training Insights: (25:00 – 26:22)
• Predictions (Fastest/Strongest/Surprise Players): (27:27 – 30:36)

Conclusion

Pollack and Miller’s conversation offers a comprehensive look at the 2026 NFL Combine and Draft, blending analytical insights, inside information, and firsthand player-developer experience. With special emphasis on evolving draft dynamics, the Texas A&M surge, and which players are poised to make noise in Indianapolis, the episode is a must-listen for college football and draft fans seeking honest and detailed analysis.