2026 NFL Scouting Combine Preview: Latest intel on who could rise and fall after the week in Indianapolis
Here are some of the top names to watch in Indianapolis at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine this week.
The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is finally here. By the end of the week in Indianapolis, there will be a buzz about the players who blew away the testing and those who have major questions going forward.
So, to gear up for the marquee pre-draft event, I have reached out to sources that include teammates, NFL scouts, and player representation to gather some intel on what we could expect to see this week. There are five players split into two categories. Number one is testers to watch, number two is medical questions. Let’s dive in.
Names to watch in testing at the 2026 NFL Combine
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Before we dive into the testing portion, it has to be noted that all three of these players are assumed to be do the athletic testing in Indianapolis. They may change their mind at any point, but for now, we highlight them, and Jeremiyah Love has a chance to be one of the best of the week.
“Love is the guy to watch. He’s so smooth,” a league source told A to Z Sports.
If there is one thing we know about Love based on his time with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, it’s that he’s a threat to hit his head on the goalpost every time he touches the ball. So it comes as no surprise that he is among the top names to watch, something Ryan Roberts of A to Z Sports Notre Dame agrees with.
“As the consensus top running back in the 2026 NFL Draft, Love doesn’t have much to prove at the NFL Scouting Combine. On film, his high-level athleticism pops off the screen immediately. He has some uncommon explosiveness for a running back at 6-0 and 214 pounds. Add in his continued improvement as a pass protector and as a power runner, Love is a player who is the complete package. There is a reason why he has consistently been projected inside of the top-12 selections since the offseason began.”
“Despite not having much to prove, there is some belief out there that Love will participate on the field in Indianapolis. While it’s unlikely that he will do all the tests or a complete workout, you should expect him to put his talents on display. This is a huge opportunity to confirm everything that everyone already knows about the former Notre Dame star, and potentially solidify a spot inside of the first nine picks.” – Roberts
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Sonny Styles is an athletic phenom who should shine in all of the on-field drills and athletic testing. Despite adding significant weight last offseason, he still looked like a heat-seeking missile for the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2025, and that could have his name being called very early come April.
“Best LB around. Wouldn’t mind anyone in the top-10 taking him, but always nervous at LB because those guys take time to hit,” a league source told A to Z Sports. For more on what to expect from Styles, I spoke with Brandon Little of A to Z Sports Ohio State.
“Styles came to Ohio State as a safety but outgrew the position after just two seasons. Growing upward of 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Styles making the switch to James Laurinaitis’ position group was a best-case scenario. In Styles’ first season as a linebacker, he totaled 100 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, and a forced fumble. Styles was able to grow into that position even more comfortably.”
“The thing with Styles is you’re getting a player with zero off-the-field concerns and all he does is take care of business. Styles is a strong leader and a player that teammates rally around. I have a hard time seeing Styles have anything but a long and successful NFL career.” – Little
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
From the second I turned on Emmanuel McNeil-Warren’s tape, the word that came to mind immediately was explosive. His range, downhill presence, and striking ability on film show an impressive athlete who should wow in Indy. Multiple sources told A to Z Sports that McNeil-Warren could leave the NFL Scouting Combine as the biggest riser if he tests the way he should.
Players with medical questions at 2026 NFL Combine
Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
Before his season-ending ACL injury, Chris Bell was going in the first round in nearly every mock draft and drawing interest from teams around the league. He’s a physically dominant pass catcher with true open field juice as a yards after catch receiver.
While he obviously won’t be testing athletically, his knee will be a major talking point this week. If everything checks out in his recovery, he may be back in that round two, or even round one conversation when you hear about the person, not just the player.
“He’s a cool dude. He’s a guy who always brings vibes, but on the field, he’s a real competitor; he hates losing. He’s the type to lose a rep and call you out to go again. He’s going to be a known name in the NFL when he’s back healthy. He’s a smaller DK Metcalf that plays bully ball,” a source told A to Z Sports.
If healthy, I don’t see why teams won’t take a chance on Bell.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Unlike the injury situation with Bell, Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson has had a series of injuries during his college career. If you took durability out of the equation, there’s a real argument that he’s WR No. 1 in the class, no questions asked. But you have to include the long term when projecting players high in the draft, and that has some worried.
“Don’t like guys who were injured in college because usually you get hurt in the NFL. How bad do the medicals come back? That will determine a lot,” one league source told A to Z Sports.
A clean run in Indy could have Tyson going as high as top five. But if teams are skeptical, we could see him slide down the board.
For all of the news coming out of Indianapolis this week, keep it locked on A to Z Sports, and visit me at NFL_Rob on Twitter-X.
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