2026 NFL combine: Mel Kiper's draft standouts, top workouts - ESPN

It was an eventful combine week, with more than 300 prospects in the 2026 NFL draft class heading to Indianapolis for on-field drills, 40-yard dashes, medical testing and/or interviews with team personnel.

Not everyone participated in workouts, and some were selective in what they did. But several players improved their draft outlook by putting up solid performances and exceeding (or simply meeting/confirming) expectations. Which prospects did the most for their stock? Who is suddenly getting buzz ahead of where they were slotted before the combine?

I picked 13 standouts coming out of the combine, listed by position. They didn't all rise in the draft board; some of these players did exactly what we expected of them and solidified their status. In other words, their workouts matched what we see on tape — and that's a good thing. But these guys all had great weeks in Indianapolis. I also tried to go a little more under the radar. I loved Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles' workout just as much as everyone else, and I had called out Arkansas' Taylen Green as the quarterback to watch in our combine preview last week, before he set QB-specific records Saturday. But I wanted to pull back the next layer here.

One more important note: This list is just about what happened on the field. I will talk to sources across the league over the next few weeks to learn more about red flags and who excelled during team interviews. Let's begin on offense.

Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 223 pounds

I'm not sure if any other prospect improved his stock in Indy as much as Washington. We know Jeremiyah Love will be the first running back off the board, and Notre Dame teammate Jadarian Price seems to have a good grip on RB2. But the No. 3 running back