NFL combine notebook: Key takeaways from Day 3

Follow along all week as Dan Wilkins, theScore's senior NFL writer, breaks down everything you need to know from each day of on-field workouts at this year's scouting combine.

👉 Jump to: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

Day 3

Prospect takeaways

RB haters in shambles

Jeremiyah Love is almost certainly going to be a top-10 pick. He may even crack the top seven. Personally, I'm already dreading the inevitable position-value gripes. Are there more cost-effective ways to spend a premium draft selection? Sure. But what if you're getting a future All-Pro playmaker?

That upside was clear long before this week in Indianapolis, but the Notre Dame running back not shying away from athletic testing should only create more excitement on that front. Love demonstrated his home-run speed with a 4.36 40, matching the time Jahmyr Gibbs posted coming out of Alabama in 2023.

Again, position value will inevitably be part of the discussion surrounding Love's draft stock. But in a class short on premium talent at the big-money spots, why not lean toward a player that could immediately be a top-five running back? The Saints (No. 8), and Chiefs (No. 9) should be considering this kind of move if he happens to be on the board in the back half of the top 10.

Don't overthink Tate's 40

Carnell Tate has never been a burner, so there shouldn't be any sort of panic about his 4.53 time in the 40-yard dash. Average straight-line speed never stopped him from producing at Ohio State, as he tends to win with an impressive blend of route-running skills and contested-catch ability.

With that in mind, Tate should still be in the mix to become the first receiver off the board and for the top 10 overall. If evaluators put too much stock into his underwhelming runs, then perhaps a team further down the board ends up with a steal. The Ravens, who hold the No. 14 pick, should be among the many hoping it shakes out that way.

Thompson can fly

Brenen Thompson running a 4.26 40 officially makes him the fastest player in this year's draft class. It's a few ticks short of Xavier Worthy's combine record, but it's still good for the third-best receiver run since 2003.

The Mississippi State product isn't exactly a prototypical wideout, checking in at just 5-foot-9 and 164 pounds. The lack of size may make it imperative that he lands with a creative offensive play-caller at the next level. But there should be no shortage of teams with interest in finding ways to maximize his obvious big-play potential.

👉 Jump to: Fastest 40-yard dash times for RBs, WRs, QBs at 2026 combine

Washington a Day 2 RB?

Mike Washington Jr. probably can't be considered a sleeper anymore. The Arkansas product figures to be everyone's favorite mid-round running back prospect after he made waves during Saturday's workouts.

Washington led all ball-carriers with a blazing 4.33 40. It doesn't take him long to get up to speed, either, as his 1.51 10-yard split was tops at the position, too. He also demonstrated elite explosiveness, finishing second among running backs in the vertical jump (39 inches) and broad jump (10 feet, 8 inches).

Those numbers become even more impressive when you consider that he measured in at a solid 6-foot-1, 223 pounds. Adjusting for size, he's got a chance to finish with the best running back profile ever recorded by Relative Athletic Score.

Washington's incredible day gives him a real chance to hear his name called on Day 2 of the draft.

Green worth a look

Taylen Green is one of most athletic quarterback prospects in NFL history.

The Arkansas product put on a show, running a 4.36 40 - just one hundredth of a second short of Reggie McNeal's quarterback combine record (2006) - and setting new position marks in both the vertical jump (43.5 inches) and broad jump (11 feet, 2 inches). Those scores cleared Anthony Richardson's previous records by three and five inches, respectively. The ridiculous combination of speed and explosiveness in a 6-foot-6, 227-pound frame makes up the second-best quarterback profile Relative Athletic Score has recorded since 1987.

Green will be considered a developmental project looking ahead to the NFL. Because while his physical tools also include a big arm, he'll need time to refine his game as a passer. It can't hurt to take a shot on this kind of upside in the middle rounds, though. And if it doesn't work out, there's always a chance that he can follow in Logan Thomas' footsteps and take his athletic gifts to another position.

Payton momentum builds

Cole Payton has been generating a considerable amount of buzz as the football community attempts to stack this quarterback class behind likely No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. That hype won't be going anywhere after an excellent combine showing.

The dual-threat North Dakota State quarterback posted a 40-inch vertical and a 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump before showing off his speed with a 4.56 40. At 6-foot-3, 232 pounds, those speed and explosiveness scores give him the fourth-best Relative Athletic Score of any quarterback since 1987.

Patience is likely required here, as Payton has just one season of starting experience against a lower level of college competition. But the tools are intriguing, and QB-needy teams capable of maximizing his athleticism should be willing to take a swing in the middle rounds.

Caldwell shines

Looking for an upside play at receiver later in the draft? Jeff Caldwell might be your guy.

Development will be required to make the most of his unique physical gifts, as the Cincinnati wideout has just one season of Division I football under his belt. There were some flashes in that 478-yard, six-touchdown campaign, though. And pending agility scores, his stellar combine gives him the second-best receiver profile in the Relative Athletic Score database. Only Calvin Johnson was better.

That's not to say Caldwell is primed for a Hall of Fame career. But there are only so many 6-foot-5, 216-pound receivers with 4.31 speed and a 42-inch vertical. There's a dangerous playmaker in there somewhere if Caldwell can develop his route-running skills and leverage his size to consistently win over top of defenders.

Day 2

Prospect takeaways

Sadiq lights it up

Kenyon Sadiq didn't have much to prove at the combine. A dynamic playmaker who was already considered a consensus first-round pick, the Oregon tight end wasn't exactly facing any questions about his athleticism. And yet it seems as though nobody truly understood just how special he is in that regard.

Sadiq got his on-field workout started by briefly tying a combine tight end record with a 43.5-inch vertical. His 11-foot, 1-inch mark in the broad jump was also just one inch shy of matching the previous position-best coming into this year. As if that wasn't enough, Sadiq then ripped off a 4.39-second 40 time, a new record for tight ends. There aren't many 240-pound pass-catchers who can move like that.

And this isn't simply an example of an athletic tight end who will end up getting overwhelmed in the trenches, either. Because while Sadiq's primary value in the NFL will undoubtedly come as a receiver, he's also more than capable of holding his own as a blocker.

That complete skill set, highlighted by an athletic profile that rivals Vernon Davis among the all-time best at the position, could make Sadiq a top-15 pick. The Chiefs, who are still waiting to get word on Travis Kelce's future, represent a particularly fascinating landing spot at No. 9 overall.

Stowers makes history

You may have noticed above that I referred to Sadiq temporarily tying the position record for vertical jump. Eli Stowers is the reason Sadiq's share of the top spot was so short-lived. The Vanderbilt tight end easily cleared Sadiq's impressive mark with a stunning 45.5-inch vertical. Not only is that a new all-time mark for the position, but it's just a half-inch shy of the overall combine record set by Gerald Sensabaugh in 2005.

Stowers' rare explosiveness was also on full display in the broad jump, where his 11-foot, 3-inch leap broke another tight end record. And a 4.51 40 time isn't too shabby for a 239-pounder.

Though he likely remains a Day 2 prospect, these unique athletic traits make Stowers an interesting player to watch in a deep tight end class. After putting up 1,407 yards and eight touchdowns across the last two seasons of his college career, he could be a productive matchup player for a team that can move him around the formation.

Thieneman on the rise

Dillon Thieneman didn't need a standout combine performance to generate Round 1 hype. With relatively average size (6-foot, 201 pounds) for the safety position, though, it was always going to be nice to get confirmation that he's a high-level athlete. Friday's workout checked that box emphatically.

The Oregon star put together a spectacular athletic profile during defensive back drills, posting a 4.35 40-time and a 41-inch vertical. That kind of speed and explosiveness along with everything he put on tape in college could make him the second safety off the board behind Caleb Downs - perhaps even as a top-20 pick.

Another day, another Styles

The Styles family is evidently filled with elite athletes. After watching his brother, Sonny, light up the combine during linebacker workouts Thursday, it was Lorenzo Styles Jr.'s time to shine with the defensive backs Friday.

The Ohio State safety wasn't considered a top prospect heading in, and that's unlikely to change based solely on athletic testing. But his 4.27 40 time, the best among all safeties dating back to 2003, makes him a player worth monitoring on Day 3.

That kind of elite speed could eventually help Styles develop into a rangy playmaker on the back end. And if nothing else, a safety with jets like that figures to be a long-term impact player on special teams.

Day 1

Prospect takeaways

Sonny steals the show

Modern takes on position value suggest that teams shouldn't select off-ball linebackers in the top 10. In most cases, they're probably correct. But there are exceptions to every rule, and it sure seems like we've got another for this one.

A key component of Ohio State's top-ranked defense, Sonny Styles was already widely considered an early first-round talent before arriving in Indianapolis this week. His draft stock should soar to even greater heights after blending his tape and production with one of the most impressive combine performances we'll ever see.

Styles is a bit of a throwback linebacker in terms of measurables, checking in at 6-foot-5, 244 pounds. The speed scores (4.46 40, 1.56 10-yard split) are outstanding for his size, and he's evidently a rare athlete in terms of explosiveness as well. Styles set a combine record for his position with a 43.5-inch vertical jump and tied for fourth all time with an 11-foot-2 broad jump. The jaw-dropping initial numbers have him threatening to post a perfect Relative Athletic Score and the single best profile among all 3,215 linebackers since 1987.

In a draft class short on consensus top talents at premium positions, there's a real case to be made for Styles as a top-five pick. At the very least, he should be the first off-ball linebacker selected in the top 10 since 2020. And when that happens, there shouldn't be a single gripe about perceived value. Draft the unicorns.

Reese dazzles too

Arvell Reese has made it clear that he sees himself as an edge defender, which complicates the conversation around his draft stock to some extent. For one, the Ohio State star hadn't played there until splitting time between that spot and off-ball linebacker in 2025. And at 241 pounds, he doesn't exactly have the prototypical frame for a full-time role on the edge.

Reese has plenty of power for his size, though, and he's still only 20 years old. It's entirely possible that he's still growing into his frame. Plus, after matching his Ohio State teammate with a 4.46 40, he undoubtedly has the athleticism that teams are looking for in premier pass-rushers. It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone if teams see Reese as a onetime linebacker who, like Micah Parsons, can be developed into a superstar on the edge.

There will be coaching staffs willing to put him in that spot from Day 1. Some might prefer him off the ball, and others may want to employ him in some sort of hybrid role. Either way, Reese's 40 run should all but solidify his status as yet another top-five talent coming out of Columbus. You really can't help but wonder how the Buckeyes don't win the national title every year.

An outlier superstar?

Rueben Bain Jr. will save his athletic testing for Miami's pro day, but the highly touted pass-rusher still generated plenty of discussion during Thursday's on-field workouts. He measured in with 30 7/8-inch arms, putting him in the first percentile among all edge rushers in combine history.

Length is a critical factor for players in the trenches, as an advantage in that regard can help them get into an opponent's chest and control the rep. But a lack thereof doesn't necessarily have to be a disqualifier. Bain's frame certainly didn't create any issues at Miami, and he was an unblockable force against top competition throughout the College Football Playoff. The outlier measurements shouldn't do much to impact the draft stock of a player who does so well to compensate with power and technique. Bain will remain firmly in the mix to be the first non-quarterback off the board.

Banks still climbing

Caleb Banks' draft process is off to an excellent start. The Florida product seemed like a bit of a wild card coming off a season in which a foot injury forced him to miss all but three games. But a dominant Senior Bowl offered a reminder of his unique blend of power and quickness for a player of his size. And there should be no questions about his athleticism holding up in the pro game after an impressive showing at the combine.

Banks running well and posting some elite jump scores at 6-foot-6, 327 pounds tentatively gives him the 34th-best Relative Athletic Score among interior defensive linemen since 1987. The inevitable Chris Jones comparisons are probably a little rich for any incoming rookie, but there's a reason you might hear that one throughout this draft process. Banks could be a game-changer at the next level, and his combine performance may well lock him in as a top-15 pick.

Halton stock up

Gracen Halton made some money during Thursday's workouts. The Oklahoma defensive tackle turned heads with a 4.82 40-yard dash and a 36.5-inch vertical jump. The latter is the third-best score for any player at the position in combine history.

Halton is on the smaller side for an interior lineman, weighing in at 293 pounds, so his athletic profile doesn't quite match Banks' after adjusting for size. But this kind of explosiveness gives him a real chance to translate his disruptive traits to the next level. Halton will be one to watch in the middle rounds.

League news

Sweat-Johnson trade

While this week is largely about getting an up close look at the rookie class, league executives and agents converging in Indianapolis also typically represents an unofficial start to other roster-related business matters. Sure enough, the Jets and Titans reached an agreement on the first big trade of the offseason Thursday.

The rare player-for-player swap will reportedly send former Pro Bowl defensive end Jermaine Johnson II to Tennessee in exchange for third-year nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat. It's a fascinating move that, most notably, reunites Robert Saleh with one of his former first-round picks to kick off his second head coaching opportunity.

Johnson is the more accomplished player at this point, and he provides far more value as a pass-rusher. But that doesn't necessarily make Tennessee a clear winner in this deal. For a rebuilding team that probably had no plans of extending Johnson amid an exploding edge rush market, the Jets flipping him for the last two years of Sweat's rookie contract is a savvy move. The 2024 second-rounder, who tips the scales at 6-foot-4, 366 pounds, really began to tap into his potential as a dominant run defender last season. Sweat will be an important foundational piece in the middle of Aaron Glenn's defense, and it now seems certain that New York will spend the No. 2 pick on an edge rusher to replace Johnson. Jets fans should start to get familiar with Bain, Reese, and David Bailey.

A fresh start for Richardson?

Anthony Richardson's time with the Colts appears to be nearing its end, as the two sides have reportedly agreed to seek a trade. There's really no way to sugarcoat this one - having to move on from the former No. 4 overall pick after 15 starts across three seasons is a colossal failure for all involved. Richardson was supposed to be the future in Indy. After some early flashes, he simply never took meaningful steps to inspire confidence in that notion.

The disappointment will be more than enough to have people throwing around the bust label. Perhaps that proves appropriate in time. At risk of once again exposing myself as a Richardson truther, though, it's important to note that we're talking about a unfathomably gifted player who's still only 23 years old. Considering Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Daniel Jones have recently made the football world appear foolish for writing them off, shouldn't teams be lining up to see if they can help Richardson follow a similar path in a new environment?

Assuming the Colts don't intentionally drag this out, I can't imagine it'll take long to find a trade partner. The Vikings will be looking to add competition for J.J. McCarthy. And while they may lean toward a more reliable veteran, Richardson sure seems to have a believer in Kevin O'Connell. Keep an eye on the Rams too. Sean McVay will need to have a succession plan in place for Matthew Stafford. If a year of development can help Richardson get on track as a passer, perhaps the Rams head coach sees his rushing ability as a way to further evolve his offense.

Is it a safe bet? Of course not. But there's still more than enough upside that plenty of teams should be willing to taking a swing. Looking back at Trey Lance's departure from San Francisco for comparison, Richardson probably won't command much more than a fourth-round pick.

Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.