play0:25Kenyon Sadiq sets record for TE with a 4.39s 40-yard dash at NFL CombineKenyon Sadiq ran the fastest time of all Tight Ends in the history of the NFL Combine with a 4.39s on the 40-yard dash.
Matt MillerCloseMatt MillerNFL draft analystMatt Miller is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation’s top pro prospects. A Missouri native, Matt joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter, NFL Live and ESPN Radio. Prior to joining ESPN, Matt spent 11 years as a senior draft analyst at Bleacher Report.Follow on X, Jordan ReidCloseJordan ReidNFL draft analystJordan Reid is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation’s top pro prospects. Jordan joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter and ESPN Radio. He played quarterback at North Carolina Central University and then went on to coach there from 2014-18.Follow on X, Field YatesCloseField YatesESPN NFL InsiderField Yates is a fantasy football expert and NFL draft analyst for ESPN. You can find him on Fantasy Football Now on Sunday mornings and regularly on NFL Live throughout the week, as well as the Fantasy Focus and First Draft podcasts. A graduate of Wesleyan University (CT) and native of Weston, Mass., Yates has previous experience interning with the New England Patriots on both their coaching and scouting staffs.Follow on XMultiple AuthorsFeb 28, 2026, 08:20 PM ET
Kenyon Sadiq sets record for TE with a 4.39s 40-yard dash at NFL CombineKenyon Sadiq ran the fastest time of all Tight Ends in the history of the NFL Combine with a 4.39s on the 40-yard dash.
Kenyon Sadiq ran the fastest time of all Tight Ends in the history of the NFL Combine with a 4.39s on the 40-yard dash.
Day 3: Quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs
What are the biggest takeaways from Saturday’s workouts?
More notes, thoughts and things we heard and saw on Day 3
What are the biggest takeaways from Friday’s workouts?
More notes, thoughts and things we heard and saw on Day 2
What are the biggest takeaways from Thursday’s workouts?
More notes, thoughts and things we heard and saw on Day 1
INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL combine continued Saturday with top quarterback, running back and wide receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL draft class taking the Lucas Oil Stadium field for on-field workouts. Defensive linemen and linebackers started things off Thursday, and the defensive backs and tight ends ran through drills Friday. The offensive linemen will close the combine at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.
Who ran fastest in the 40-yard dash? Who dominated the rest of the on-field work? Draft experts Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates are recapping all four days of the combine workouts, evaluating the top performances from every position, picking prospects who are rising (or potentially falling) and addressing notable under-the-radar showings.
Jump to a section: QB/WR/RB: Takeaways | Risers | Standouts DB/TE: Takeaways | Risers | Standouts DL/LB: Takeaways | Risers | Standouts
Reid: Who is the QB3? It’s one of the most highly debated topics in this class and a question that evaluators wanted more clarity on Saturday. Mendoza is the heavy favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick and Ty Simpson (Alabama) is widely viewed as the likely second passer off of the board and a top-40 pick. The QBs jostling for that third spot — Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Carson Beck (Miami) and Drew Allar (Penn State) — all participated in the throwing session.
While they each had their fair share of good throws, no one really took the lead. QB3 still remains a mystery but based on the scouts that I have talked to this week, Beck is currently the favorite. Round 3 seemed to be the most likely range for him, but those scouts admitted that Nussmeier and Allar could be selected in the same round.
Green’s tape is up and down as a passer, but there’s potential here to build on. And in a class that’s light on blue-chip talent, that will matter. I currently have Green ranked as QB6 with an early-Day 3 grade. — Miller
Lemon only participated in the on-field drills Saturday. During that portion of the workout, the 5-foot-11, 192-pounder showed his fluidity in and out of breaks and how he’s able to make tough catches outside of his frame. The suddenness of Lemon stands out, as he’s an efficient route runner who wastes little movement when running through route stems. Scouts love that Lemon competed in the on-field drills and showed his skill set as a true route runner. — Reid
Throwing to receivers you just met in an unfamiliar environment is difficult for every quarterback, which makes quality performances that much more impressive. Nussmeier threw with commanding velocity, very good ball placement and executed well throwing to every level. This was a player with Round 1 hype before a senior season that was riddled with injuries. But the arrow is now pointing up for the 6-foot-2, 203-pound Nussmeier, with Round 2 a real possibility. — Miller
Simpson participated only in the throwing portion of the combine, where he had a very clean workout. He showed good ball placement, and the timing of his footwork with the routes he was throwing improved as the workout progressed. Scouts wanted to see if he was fully healthy after being injured during the back stretch of last season. The 6-foot-1, 211-pound Simpson is a strong contender to be the second QB off the board, and his performance Saturday helped further his QB2 case. — Reid
Notables who did not work out: Mansoor Delane (LSU), Caleb Downs (Ohio State), Jermod McCoy (Tennessee)
Miller: The 2026 cornerback class is fast. Just how fast? Of the players who ran Friday, 15 corners clocked under 4.5 seconds in their official timing. Only one player was recorded above 4.54 seconds (TJ Hall, Iowa). Compare that with last year, when seven cornerbacks ran below 4.5, and it’s easy to see the pure speed of this year’s class. It’s notable that the group ran this well without participation from top prospects such as McCoy, Delane, Avieon Terrell or Brandon Cisse in the 40-yard dash.
Davis is one of the most uniquely built players in this class, standing at 6-foot-4 and 194 pounds. He ran a 4.41 40, an excellent time for a player of his stature and an important data point for teams that prioritize his traits — length, ball-disruption skills and ability to play press coverage (he has logged 267 snaps of press over the past three seasons). Though Davis won’t fit every scheme, there will be a subset of teams that I believe will value him as soon as the third round. — Yates
Teams looking for a strong safety in this class should have Haulcy on their radar. The former Houston safety finished his college career at LSU and has a no-nonsense edge that really shows up against the run. He measures in at 6-foot and 215 pounds, and he ran an impressive 4.54 40 — notable for a player with his body type. He is an opportunistic playmaker when the ball is in his vicinity, with eight interceptions over the past two seasons. Haulcy will hear his name called on Day 2. — Yates
Johnson is creating buzz in league circles and should be included in the first tier of this year’s CB class. At 6 feet, 194 pounds, the biggest question Johnson needed to answer was his long speed. By running a 4.4 40-yard dash, his answer was emphatic, and he continued his ascension up draft boards. Johnson was firmly in the second-round picture entering the combine, but it shouldn’t be surprising if he sneaks into the back end of Round 1. — Reid
One great aspect of the combine is checking a box to clear questions on a player. Muhammad (6 feet, 182 pounds) was a player whose film showed questionable long speed, but his 40 time of 4.42 seconds should quiet those concerns. He also showed smooth transitions and good overall body control during position drills. Muhammad had only three interceptions in his college career, but his technique and length are those of a late Day 2 pick. — Miller
Stowers set two modern combine records (dating to 2003) with a 45½-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot-3 broad jump. The 6-foot-4, 239-pound former quarterback is still developing as an in-line blocker, but made a statement to start his combine. Stowers is the No. 2 tight end on my board, but this is the type of performance that makes GMs bet on upside and potential. He could work his way into the top 40. — Miller
Hamstring tightness while warming up for the 40-yard dash ended Cisse’s day before he could run or showcase his talents in positional drills, but he impressed in his jumps before shutting it down. Cisse (6 feet, 189 pounds) hit 41 inches on his vertical leap and 10-foot-11 on the broad jump — both excellent numbers for the likely first-rounder. He’ll run the 40-yard dash and do positional drills at South Carolina’s pro day March 17. — Miller
Hood entered the combine building off a strong Senior Bowl week. He has first-round measurables and added first-round numbers in the 40 (4.44 seconds), vertical jump (40½ inches) and broad jump (10-foot-5). Hood is a press-man coverage cornerback at 6 feet and 193 pounds with the broad shoulders to stack up receivers at the line of scrimmage. He is in the mix to be the third cornerback off the board and could land as a top-20 selection. — Miller
Labeled as the consensus TE1 of the class, Sadiq entered the combine with heightened expectations. The 6-foot-3, 241-pounder lived up to the hype, running a 4.4 40. But the most impressive part of his testing came during the jumps, as he finished with a 43½-inch vertical and leaped 11-foot-1 in the broad jump. Sadiq is a likely top-20 pick who will unquestionably be the first tight end off the board. — Reid
Kenyon Sadiq sets record for TE with a 4.39s 40-yard dash at NFL Combine
Notables who did not work out: CJ Allen (Georgia), Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami), Gabe Jacas (Illinois), Akheem Mesidor (Miami), Peter Woods (Clemson)
Miller: Arm length was the topic of the day, as Bain (30 7/8 inches) and Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell (30 1/4) measured under 31 inches. According to ESPN Research, those lengths would be the shortest for any defensive lineman drafted in the first round since ESPN started tracking combine data in 2003.