The 2026 NFL Combine has come and gone as we get some clarity on these college prospects. NFL Combine numbers offer the NFL teams some insight into these prospects, but they also have potential implications for fantasy football. Read my pre-Combine article and the history of Combine testing as it affects fantasy football.
While we all know that just because a player runs a blazing 40-yard dash or dominates the Broad Jump or 3-Cone Drill doesn’t guarantee fantasy success, history shows we can at least improve our odds by leaning on certain Combine metrics. These athletic indicators won’t tell the whole story—film, landing spot, and draft capital still matter the most—but the metrics can absolutely serve as valuable tiebreakers when you’re deciding between two 2026 rookies.
This analysis focuses strictly on the athletic testing portion of the Combine, with some light reference to on-field drills where relevant. The goal isn’t to crown track stars, but to identify thresholds and historical trends that have translated into better fantasy outcomes. Here is a breakdown of the top-skilled players at each position for 2026.
Tight Ends | A Stud Class
| Player | 40yd | Vertical | Broad Jump | 3Cone | Shuttle |
| Eli Stowers | 4.51 | 45.5 | 135 | DNP | DNP |
| Kenyon Sadiq | 4.39 | 43.5 | 133 | DNP | DNP |
| Sam Roush | 4.7 | 38.5 | 126 | 7.08 | 4.37 |
| John Michael Gyllenborg | 4.6 | 35.5 | 128 | DNP | 4.22 |
| Jaren Kanak | 4.52 | 36 | 119 | DNP | DNP |
| Mathew Hibner | 4.57 | 37 | 116 | DNP | DNP |
Click for the Rest of the Tight End Numbers
| Player | 40yd | Vertical | Broad Jump | 3Cone | Shuttle |
| Eli Raridon | 4.62 | 36 | 123 | DNP | DNP |
| RJ Maryland | 4.51 | 33 | 122 | DNP | DNP |
| Tanner Koziol | 4.7 | 36.5 | 122 | DNP | DNP |
| Jack Endries | 4.62 | 36 | 119 | DNP | DNP |
| Bauer Sharp | 4.63 | 35 | 120 | DNP | DNP |
| Will Kacmarek | 4.74 | 36 | 119 | DNP | DNP |
| Khalil Dinkins | 4.72 | 32.5 | 119 | 7.28 | 4.33 |
| Marlin Klein | 4.61 | 36 | 117 | 7.42 | DNP |
| Riley Nowakowski | 4.66 | 33.5 | 119 | DNP | DNP |
| Dallen Bentley | 4.62 | 35 | 118 | DNP | 4.42 |
| Nate Boerkircher | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | 4.4 |
| Josh Cuevas | 4.65 | 34 | 118 | 7.37 | 4.38 |
| Miles Kitselman | 4.9 | 34.5 | 116 | DNP | DNP |
Friday night saw the tight end position steal the spotlight at the NFL Combine. It quickly turned into a heavyweight battle between Eli Stowers and Kenyon Sadiq, as both prospects delivered elite athletic testing across the board.
Based on our historical Combine data, Stowers and Sadiq posted elite marks in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump—the three metrics that consistently correlate with fantasy upside at the position. Sadiq, in particular, had the entire building buzzing after blazing a 4.39 in the 40. The two other TEs that finished behind him in the history data, Kyle Pitts
(4.44) & Evan Engram (4.42) both having multiple TE1 seasons.
A few other tight ends helped themselves in a big way as well.
- Sam Roush out of Stanford may have locked himself into late Day 2 consideration after elite testing in both the vertical and broad jumps. He paired that explosiveness with solid-to-good numbers across the rest of the athletic drills, showcasing a well-rounded profile that should keep him climbing boards.
- John Michael Gyllenborg also may have done enough to hear his name called on Draft weekend. He posted good-to-elite numbers overall, highlighted by the 3rd-highest broad jump at 128 inches.
The only real potential loser at tight end may be Tanner Koziol. He ran a 4.70 40-yard dash, finishing in the bottom five at the position. For someone viewed as a potential mismatch weapon pre-Combine, that’s a hit to his athletic ceiling. He’s still interesting on film, but this likely pushes him into Day 3 draft capital and down boards in TE-premium rookie drafts.
Running Backs | A Historic Group
| Player | 40yd | Speed Score | Vertical | Broad Jump | 3Cone | Shuttle |
| Mike Washington Jr. | 4.33 | 126.9 | 39 | 128 | DNP | DNP |
| Jeremiyah Love | 4.36 | 117.3 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Adam Randall | 4.5 | 112.2 | 37 | 124 | DNP | 4.53 |
| Seth McGowan | 4.49 | 109.7 | 42.5 | 132 | DNP | 4.5 |
| Demond Claiborne | 4.37 | 103.1 | DNP | 122 | DNP | DNP |
| Robery Henry Jr. | 4.52 | 93.9 | 37 | 124 | 4.31 |
Tap for Rest of the Running Back Numbers
| Player | 40yd | Speed Score | Vertical | Broad Jump | 3Cone | Shuttle |
| Rahsul Faison | DNP | DNP | 37.5 | 122 | DNP | DNP |
| Eli Heidenreich | 4.44 | 101.9 | 35.5 | 120 | DNP | DNP |
| Jadarian Price | 4.49 | 99.9 | 35 | 124 | DNP | DNP |
| Emmett Johnson | 4.56 | 93.4 | 35.5 | 120 | 7.32 | 4.29 |
| Jam Miller | 4.42 | 109.5 | 30.5 | 115 | DNP | DNP |
| J’mari Taylor |
DNP | DNP | 34.5 | 115 | DNP | DNP |
The running back group brought serious juice to the NFL Combine, especially in the 40-yard dash. It felt like every heat had fantasy managers refreshing their spreadsheets.
The biggest standout of the class was Mike Washington Jr., who posted elite testing numbers across the board in 40-yard dash, Speed Score, vertical jump, and broad jump. That combination of speed, size-adjusted athleticism, and explosion is rare. Historically, only two running backs have posted elite marks in all four metrics. The hope is that Washington’s profile translates closer to a Breece Hall archetype rather than an Isaac Guerendo.
Jeremiah Love may have solidified himself as a top-10 NFL Draft pick (and the easy 1.01 in rookie drafts) after blazing a 4.36 in the 40. That type of speed at his frame is exactly what NFL teams covet in modern three-down backs.
Two other names to monitor are Adam Randall and Seth McGowan, both of whom posted strong overall testing numbers. Neither may currently sit in Tier 1 of rookie drafts, but depending on draft capital and landing spot, both could emerge as value selections with legitimate sleeper appeal or late round 2 selections. One red flag to note is that both Randall and McGowan finished with a poor shuttle time. Of 79 running backs with a 4.30 or slower shuttle, none have produced an RB2 or better fantasy season. Hopefully that’s not something either will run into.
One back who may have hurt his stock was Emmett Johnson, who recorded the slowest 40 time in the class. While he was solid in the jumps and shuttle, the bigger red flag is his Speed Score. A Speed Score at the NFL Combine is a metric that adjusts a player’s 40-yard dash time for their weight, helping identify runners who combine size and speed efficiently.
Johnson posted the lowest Speed Score in the class at 93.4. Historically, among 83 running backs with a Speed Score below 94, only six have produced an RB2 fantasy season. Of those six, just two ever reached RB1 production: Tarik Cohen and Kyren Williams.
Johnson also finished 115 out of 129 running backs in the 3-cone testing numbers as well. Poor testing that has short odds of being fantasy relevant at the NFL level.
Wide Receivers | Lower Tiers Jump
| Player | 40yd | Vertical | Broad Jump | 3Cone | Shuttle |
| Deion Burks | 4.3 | 42.5 | 131 | DNP | DNP |
| Jeff Caldwell | 4.31 | 42 | 134 | DNP | DNP |
| Bryce Lane | 4.34 | 41.5 | 133 | 7 | 4.15 |
| Skyler Bell | 4.4 | 41 | 133 | DNP | DNP |
| Kendrick Law | 4.45 | 42 | 128 | DNP | DNP |
| J. Michael Sturdivant | 4.4 | 39 | 131 | DNP | DNP |
| Eric Rivers | 4.35 | 37 | 127 | DNP | DNP |
| De’Zhaun Stribling | 4.36 | 36 | 127 | DNP | DNP |
| Ted Hurst | 4.42 | 36.5 | 135 | DNP | DNP |
Rest of the Wide Receiver Numbers
| Player | 40yd | Vertical | Broad Jump | 3Cone | Shuttle |
| Ja’Kobi Lane | 4.47 | 40 | 129 | DNP | DNP |
| Kevin Coleman Jr. | 4.49 | 38.5 | 126 | DNP | DNP |
| Dillon Bell | 4.5 | 39 | 126 | DNP | DNP |
| Brenen Thompson | 4.26 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Zavion Thomas | 4.28 | 36 | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Zachariah Branch | 4.35 | 38 | 125 | DNP | DNP |
| Chase Roberts |
4.64 | DNP | 126 | DNP | DNP |
| Caleb Douglas |
4.39 | 31.5 | 126 | DNP | DNP |
| Antonio Williams | 4.41 | 39.5 | 124 | 7 | DNP |
| Chris Brazzell II | 4.37 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Barion Brown | 4.4 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Omar Cooper Jr. | 4.42 | 37 | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Reggie Virgil | 4.57 | 36 | 127 | DNP | DNP |
| Colbie Young | 4.49 | 37 | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Carnell Tate | 4.53 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Harrison Wallace III | 4.54 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Vinny Anthony II | 4.54 | 34.5 | DNP | 6.86 | 4.07 |
| Aaron Adnerson | DNP | 30 | 113 | DNP | DNP |
| Malik Benson | 4.37 | 32.5 | 122 | DNP | DNP |
| Emmanuel Henderson Jr. | 4.44 | 35 | 120 | DNP | DNP |
| Jalen Walthall | 4.57 | 35 | 131 | DNP | DNP |
| Kaden Wetjen | 4.47 | 35.5 | DNP | 6.95 | 4.44 |
| Germie Bernard | 4.48 | 32.5 | 125 | 6.71 | 4.31 |
| Malachi Fields | 4.61 | 38 | 124 | 6.98 | 4.35 |
| Denzel Boston | DNP | 35 | DNP | DNP | 4.28 |
| Chris Hilton Jr. | 4.41 | DNP | 122 | 7.25 | 4.41 |
| Caullin Lacy | 4.55 | 33.5 | 116 | DNP | DNP |
A lot of the names at the top of the athletic testing charts may be lower-tier wide receivers that casual fans don’t recognize, but there were definitely a few standouts.
Don’t let the blazing speed of Deion Burks, Jeff Calward, Brendon Thompson, and Zavion Thomas get you all worked up. History has shown us that type of speed doesn’t always translate to fantasy success. Nineteen receivers have now run a 4.32 or faster, and there’s only one WR2 finish to account for.
Bryce Lance, brother of Trey Lance, posted strong numbers across the board. He recorded the third-fastest 40-yard dash among receivers and impressed in both the vertical and broad jumps. That level of explosiveness should help propel him into solid Day 3 consideration in the NFL Draft, with upside to outperform his draft slot.
Skyler Bell also made a strong case for Day 2 capital with his overall showing. He looked smooth, explosive, and confident throughout drills—exactly what teams want to see from a potential early contributor.
Other Receivers Who Helped Themselves
- Ja’kobi Lane
- Ted Hurst
- Zachariah Branch
- Antonio Williams
Each of these receivers tested well enough to keep (or boost) their draft stock, particularly in a class where athletic thresholds matter more for mid-tier prospects trying to separate.
There has been some concern surrounding Carnell Tate after he ran a 4.53 in the 40-yard dash. And the concern isn’t unfounded.
Among 192 wide receivers who ran a 4.53 or slower at the NFL Combine, only six have gone on to post WR1 fantasy seasons. That’s a thin historical hit rate. That said, Tate’s talent profile and on-field production suggest he can beat the odds. If anything, a slightly slower time could push him down draft boards and potentially land him with a stronger offensive situation rather than going early to a rebuilding offense like the Titans, Browns, or Saints.
A couple of other receivers who may see their stock dip slightly:
- Malachi Fields ran a 4.61 in the 40. He was a major riser post-Senior Bowl, but this time could cool some of that momentum.
- Denzel Boston did not run the 40, which raises questions. Ideally, he’ll answer those at his pro day.
- Caullin Lacy underwhelmed with his testing numbers which will likely push him down boards.
Quarterbacks | Less Relevant
| Player | 40 yd | Vertical | Broad Jump | 3 Cone | Shuttle |
| Haynes King | 4.46 | 33.5 | 116 | 6.89 | 4.17 |
| Taylen Green | 4.36 | 43.5 | 134 | DNP | DNP |
| Cole Payton | 4.56 | 40 | 130 | 7.12 | 4.36 |
| Sawyer Robertson | 4.64 | 37.5 | 123 | 7.45 | 4.46 |
| Joe Fanano | 4.83 | 35 | 118 | DNP | 4.35 |
| Luke Altmyer | 4.72 | 32 | 114 | DNP | DNP |
| Jalen Daniels | 4.65 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Not many of the top quarterbacks in this class participated in full athletic testing. Instead, they chose to showcase their talent during the on-field passing drills where timing, touch, and ball placement mattered far more than 40-yard dash times.
That said, a few names stood out from an athletic testing standpoint as potential sleepers:
- Haynes King
- Taylen Green
- Cole Payton
Taylen Green turning in a 4.36 as a quarterback will absolutely grab attention. That type of speed at the position is rare, and it immediately sparks fantasy intrigue. But we shouldn’t take it too literally when projecting future production. Even Haynes King would post a 4.46 40 time.
Historically, 17 quarterbacks have posted a 4.59 or faster 40-yard dash at the Combine. Only two of them have produced a QB1 fantasy season: Justin Fields and Jalen Hurts. Both are elite runners, but even they entered the league with questions about their development as passers.
There weren’t many quarterbacks testing this year, but King, Green, and Payton are names worth remembering as potential Day 3 selections. If one of them lands in a creative offensive system with patience and development time, there could be sneaky upside in superflex formats.
