2023 NFL combine: Top draft prospect workouts, risers, fastest 40s

Drills at the 2023 NFL combine got started on Thursday in Indianapolis, with the top defensive linemen and linebackers in the 2023 NFL draft class showcasing their skills in front of all 32 teams. Defensive backs and special teams follow on Friday (3 p.m. ET), quarterbacks and pass-catchers will be on Saturday (1 p.m. ET), and offensive lineman and running backs close things out on Sunday (1 p.m. ET).

Who ran well in the 40-yard dash? Who dominated in the rest of the on-field work? NFL draft experts Jordan Reid and Matt Miller recap Day 1 of the combine workouts, evaluating the top performances from each position, picking prospects who are rising (and potentially falling) and breaking down notable under-the-radar showings. Let's get into it with a breakdown of all the action at Lucas Oil Stadium. And check out ESPN's «NFL Live» on Friday at 3 p.m. ET for more.

DL/LB: Takeaways | Risers | Top players

Notables who did not work out: Jalen Carter, Myles Murphy, Tyree Wilson, Mazi Smith

Miller: Get ready to hear the word «tweener» a lot following the Thursday night workouts. Two smaller-sized defensive linemen in Pitt's Calijah Kancey and USC's Tuli Tuipulotu were the talk of the town after turning in fantastic all-around workouts.

Kancey, a 6-foot-1, 281-pound interior rusher, ran a 4.67-second time in the 40-yard dash. He was super productive at Pitt with 14 sacks in the past two seasons. Tuipulotu was tied for the FCS lead with 13.5 sacks in 2022 but was thought too small to play defensive tackle in the NFL. He made that decision for the league by weighing in at 266 pounds, and he showed the speed and quickness that will make him a valuable NFL player with a fantastic on-field workout during positional drills. The interior