The Athletic Football Show: 2026 NFL Scouting Combine Takeaways

Date: March 2, 2026
Hosts: Dave Helman & Dane Brugler
Key Theme: In-depth breakdown of the biggest stories, winners, and trends from the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine – updates on prospects, positional workouts, declining participation rates, and what’s next ahead of the draft.

Episode Overview

The Athletic’s Dave Helman and draft expert Dane Brugler dig into all things 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, unpacking big winners, under-the-radar risers, and revealing industry concerns about evolving trends surrounding participation in drills. The episode walks position group by position group, exploring who impressed, who disappointed, and how the combine impacts the upcoming draft landscape.

Major Trends, Participation Concerns & Industry Takeaways

Declining Participation Rates

• Both hosts voice frustration about huge declines in drill participation, especially in events like the 3-cone:
  • “My big impression coming out of this… is nobody’s doing anything, man.” — Dave Helman (04:06)
  • Pre-COVID, about 50% of prospects did the 3-cone; now, it’s as low as 11% for some groups (07:32).
• Brugler underscores how skipping drills is a red flag for NFL evaluators:
  • “If you’re not doing it, you’re hiding something. That’s 100% how teams think… that could be a tiebreaker for a team.” — Dane Brugler (08:39)
• Despite disappointment, both agree there are still standout competitors, and teams do notice the guys who fully participate (09:13).

Defensive Line & Edge Rushers

Arm Length Shockwaves

• Reuben Bain: Caused a stir for coming in with 30 7/8" arm length (09:13), confirming longstanding concerns about his NFL projection.

Standout Performers

• Arvell Reese:
  • “He lived up to what I would expect from a player who’s number one on my board… He passed with flying colors.” — Dane Brugler (11:49)
• Danny Dennis Sutton (Penn State): Dominant athletic numbers, including a 6.90 3-cone at 256 lbs (13:01).
• Malachi Lawrence: Blazing 4.52 40, 10'10" broad jump. Scouting buzz pre-combine already high; combine confirmed it (14:20).
• David Bailey: Top-10 caliber edge, checked boxes with elite testing (15:09).

Disappointments

• Caleb Banks, Keldrick Falk: Solid but not spectacular workouts—didn’t ignite excitement (15:37, 16:00).

Defensive Tackle Surprise

• Zane Durant (Penn State): Testing off the charts, but lack of production on film makes scouts want to re-check tape (16:00–16:54).

Linebackers

Superstar Performance

• Sonny Styles
  • “No other player had more praise from scouts in terms of their interview than Sonny Stiles… might be the closest thing to bust-proof in this draft.” — Dane Brugler (18:45)
  • Both believe Styles could be a top-5 or even #2 overall pick, broad skill set, and elite athletic/character profile (18:09–20:23).

Other Winners

• Arvell Reese: Edge/LB tweener who’s squarely in top-pick territory (21:53).
• Jacob Rodriguez: Impressive 3-cone (6.9), dominated the process — Senior Bowl through Combine (22:30–24:22).
• Jack Kelly (BYU), Kyle Lewis: Both improved stock with strong workouts (24:22).

Defensive Backs

Corners

• Takario Davis (Washington): Massive frame (6’4”, 34” arms), legit 4.41 speed — a classic “Dane special”.
  • “That’s a tall drink of water right there.” — Dane Brugler (29:28)
• Chandler Rivers (Duke), Avion Terrell: Standout positional workouts. Terrell is a top-20 prospect who may rise even higher (29:28–31:24).
• Chris Johnson (San Diego State): Speed questions erased with two 4.40 40s; “checks every box” (32:45).
• Toriano Pride Jr. (Mizzou): Eye-popping 4.32 forty; teams heading back to tape (33:11).

Safeties – A Deep Year

• Dylan Thieneman: First round lock after dominant workout (33:48–34:07).
  • “That, that might be it because holy cow, what a workout.” — Dane Brugler (34:34)
• Lorenzo Styles: Ran a blazing 4.27.
• Bud Clark, Emmanuel McNeil Warren, AJ Halsey, Traden Stukes, Xavier Wampa: All improved their profiles.
  • “What a year to need a safety.” — Brian Baldinger (36:51)
• Consensus: 9-10 top-100 safeties—remarkable depth (37:21).

Tight Ends

The Freaks

• Kenyan Sadiq: Showed legit top-10 upside with a reported hand-time 4.32–4.39 forty, 26 bench reps, 43.5” vertical jump (40:03–41:00).
  • “I think he’s got a shot to go top 10 with those sorts of numbers.” — Brian Baldinger (39:06)
• Eli Stowers: Unbelievable 45.5" vertical; testing numbers off the charts (41:00).

Other Notables

• Sam Roush (Stanford): Did every drill, highlight for size/athleticism and competitiveness (42:20).

Running Backs

• Mike Washington (Arkansas): Emotional after a 4.33 forty. His journey (JUCOs, multiple transfers) and 40 time could make him RB2 on some boards (44:08–46:09).
  • “That’s going to change Mike Washington’s life.” — Brian Baldinger (44:08)
• Jeremiah Love: As complete a back as there is; projected top-9 (or higher). Arizona and Tennessee both expected to do due diligence (46:34–48:31).

Wide Receivers

Trending Topics

• Carnell Tate: Ran a 4.53 (~expected). Not a burner; coaches won’t downgrade him for it, especially given many top WRs skipped the 40 (49:02).
• Casey Concepcion: Didn’t run the 40 but impressed in the gauntlet with strong hands.
• Jeremy Bernard: Best 3-cone (6.71) for a 206-lb WR.
• Zachariah Branch: Proved he’s more than a “screen merchant,” tracking deep balls well (51:10).

Risers

• Bryce Lance: 4.34 forty at 6’3”, 204 lbs; helped stock (52:34).
• Dejean Stribling: 4.36 at 207 lbs.
• Jacobe Lane: “Blew me away” with 4.47 at 6’4”; Dane acknowledges impressive raw traits but reminds there are still concerns about play strength, route refinement (53:39–54:45).
• Jeff Caldwell (Cincinnati): 6’5”, 216 lbs, 4.31 forty; previously fringe-draftable, now likely to be drafted (54:55).

Quarterbacks

What We Learned

• Not a highlight group, but some positives:
  • Ty Simpson: Most impressive in workouts—clean mechanics, good accuracy (57:28, 58:13).
  • Drew Aller: Showed plus arm talent after a season of questions (57:28).
  • Taylor Green: Athletic testing freak (4.36 forty, 43.5” vertical); what that means for his stock is unclear (57:28).
  • Cole Payton: “Fricking jacked, dude.”
  • Carson Beck: Booed for no clear reason; still performed well (59:27–59:40).
• General refrain: No “star” QBs, but 5–6 mid-round names worth a flyer.

Offensive Line

Headliners

• Spencer Fano: Elite athlete; best 10-yard split (1.71) among recent top tackles; positional flexibility being evaluated (61:50–63:46).
  • “Not just the 40, which was great. The on field stuff was even better than that… first round player.” — Dane Brugler (61:50)
• Monroe Freeling: Measurables and athletic numbers among the best in class, reinforces his NFL-caliber skillset.
• Francis Maui Noah, Kaden Proctor: Raised questions about short arm length; history suggests NFL teams may hesitate (63:46).
• Other Notables: Emmanuel Pregnon, Keelan Rutledge (best OL shuttle), Sam Hesh, Chase Basantis, Logan Jones, Venga; depth at center from late Day 2 onward (64:52–66:44).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “If you’re not doing it [testing], you’re hiding something. That’s 100% how teams think.” — Dane Brugler (08:39)
• “Sonny Styles might be the closest thing to bust-proof in this draft.” — Dane Brugler (18:45)
• “What a year to need a safety… there’s like nine guys I would be pumped to draft on Thursday or Friday.” — Brian Baldinger (36:51)
• “The combine is one big cross-checking exercise… if something matches up, great, if not, go back and check the tape.” — Dane Brugler (16:54)

Final Thoughts & Draft Implications

• Depth is a defining theme in the 2026 draft class, particularly at safety, offensive line, and wide receiver.
• Top of draft may lack surefire, “sexy” prospects but the middle rounds are loaded with potential value and contributors:
  • “From there on out, I’m really excited about a lot of the players here. Friday of this draft is going to be a hell of a lot of fun.” — Brian Baldinger (67:18)
• The episode’s thorough position-by-position analysis provides listeners with context on who’s genuinely rising or falling and why, busting myths and highlighting underlying trends that will shape the 2026 NFL Draft.

Next Up: Free agency coverage and pro days to come, plus continued draft analysis as the process unfolds.

Summary by The Athletic Football Show team. For full context and in-depth prospect details, listen to the episode or follow Dane Brugler’s “The Beast” draft guide.