2026 draft: Ten debate-worthy prospects to track at the NFL combine

Is he an off-ball linebacker with raw pass-rushing skills? Or is he a full-time edge defender? 

Reese is listed at 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds, and it's hard to find players of that stature with his combination of speed, agility and explosion. He operates with a level of violence and physicality that overwhelms blockers at the point of attack. At Ohio State, Reese showed spectacular flashes, finishing with 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss as a junior last season. However, he's also an unproven commodity, with just one year of starting experience under his belt. And then there's the question of his place on the field, which has been fluid so far, including both off-ball linebacking and edge-rushing duties. This raises the possibility that he could grow into a Micah Parsons-style hybrid playmaker as a pro. It also suggests he still has work to do at both spots. The potential is tantalizing and could merit a top-five pick, but old-school executives would warn against taking a project that high without having a clear development plan or utilization strategy to maximize his talents at the next level. 

What is his best position on the defensive line? Will his shorter-than-average frame hold him back? 

Bain is listed by Miami at 6-3 and 270 pounds, which is 1.4 inches shorter and 11 pounds heavier than the average edge rusher drafted in the first round over the past five years, according to Next Gen Stats. But the rugged pass rusher's eye-opening College Football Playoffs performance (he generated five sacks in four games, giving him a season total of 15.5) will surely cause scouts to rethink their commitment to the traditional size-speed standards at the position. The most accurate and up-to-date measurements of Bain's height and length will be confirmed at the NFL Scouting Combine. In the meantime, we can dig into his film, which reveals a disruptive defender with a nonstop motor and relentless approach, routinely producing sacks and splash plays in the backfield. With a slick dip-and-rip move and a crafty set of counters, Bain's polished power game could force evaluators to determine whether the atypically sized defender is better suited to attack as a twitchy interior rusher or a blue-collar edge defender who makes his mark as a playmaker like the 6-3, 261-pound Dante Fowler. 

Will teams be able to overlook his lengthy injury history? 

Teams seeking a polished route-runner with WR1 potential have no doubt pegged Tyson as a worthy candidate heading into pre-draft meetings. The 6-2, 200-pounder flashes elite ball skills and hand-eye coordination, snagging contested balls between the hashes. Additionally, the Arizona State standout has demonstrated big-play potential on catch-and-run concepts, generating 14.7 yards per catch in 2024; his combination of size and strength makes him tough to tackle in the open field. Then again, that 2024 season was also the only one in which he appeared in 10 or more games, with a series of injuries causing him to miss games throughout his college career. Despite his impressive on-field performance, Tyson's value could rise or fall based on scouts' views of his injury history and future durability. 

Is he truly worthy of being a first-round quarterback? 

Beyond reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, the 2026 quarterback class is short on star power. That said, Simpson should intrigue evaluators seeking a developmental prospect with starting potential. As a quick-rhythm passer with pinpoint accuracy and impeccable touch, timing and anticipation when throwing from a clean pocket, the Alabama standout evokes comparisons to Baker Mayfield and Brock Purdy -- when he is on his game. However, Simpson has a limited amount of experience, with just one season (15 games) as a starter in college, and he suffered a late-season swoon, tallying four picks in one four-game stretch between November and December, then totaling 67 passing yards on 16 throws in College Football Playoff quarterfinal before being forced out by a cracked rib. Those factors will have scouts questioning his readiness for the pros. In addition, Simpson's small frame (listed at 6-2, 208 pounds) raises concerns about his durability as a mobile playmaker who is otherwise capable of picking apart defenses on the run, both with his legs and arm. Will a QB-needy team be compelled by Simpson's talents to overlook any concerns and take the plunge with a Round 1 pick? 

Will the small-school standout end up being the best safety in the draft?

Many have treated it as a foregone conclusion that Caleb Downs rules the position on draft boards around the league, but McNeil-Warren has created quite the buzz in scouting circles as a long, rangy safety with elite ball skills and a knack for playmaking around the box. Measuring 6-3 and 209 pounds while boasting a "smash-boy" mentality and outstanding tackling ability, the Toledo standout displays the potential to make an immediate impact in the kind of hybrid role that enabled Kyle Hamilton, Derwin James and Nick Emmanwori to shine in their respective schemes. Some evaluators will no doubt pause and consider the relatively lower level of competition he faced in the MAC. But if the super-sized prospect turns heads with a stellar performance on the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium, his stock should only climb.

Will his weight work for him or against him -- and could he be a better NFL guard than tackle?

The former five-star recruit has been a household name since stepping onto Alabama's campus as a Day 1 starter, interrupted only by a brief transfer to and from Iowa between the 2023 and '24 seasons. The 6-foot-7, 366-pounder has otherwise flashed dominant potential as a blind-side protector. At times in his career, he showed sloppy footwork and shaky balance, which, to my eye, could often be attributed to his weight -- Proctor says he topped 400 pounds as a freshman. But he subsequently made weight loss a focus and played much better down the stretch in 2025. It will be important to maintain discipline and conditioning habits to ensure his size is an asset instead of a detriment. Additionally, his on-field struggles against speed, power and quickness will force some scouts to contemplate a potential position switch to guard for the Alabama standout.

Is he too small to play cornerback in the NFL?

If you polled a group of scouts and coaches, Ponds might rank as the top pound-for-pound prospect in the 2026 class. The Indiana star is a feisty cover corner with the instincts, awareness and physicality to shine as a slot corner in a man or zone-heavy scheme. Ponds' high IQ, positional flexibility and technique diversity make him an easy evaluation as a playmaker, but his slender frame (5-9, 173 pounds) will surely make some scouts squeamish when assessing his draft value. Ponds currently profiles as a Day 2 prospect whose punt-blocking special teams exploits will add some points to his total score, but whether he's snapped up earlier or later in that range could be determined by how he fares at the combine weigh-in.

Is the undersized edge rusher the next Nik Bonitto? Or is he a 'tweener without a true NFL role?

The NFL's transformation into a pass-happy league has made pass rushers hot commodities on the team-building market. Traditionalists might prefer the Myles Garrett types, who can check off all the boxes on the scouting report with their game-wrecking physical tools and elite résumés. But the success of undersized rushers like Bonitto -- a Round 2 choice by the Broncos in 2022 who, despite checking in at 6-3, 248 pounds, has developed into a two-time Pro Bowler -- should have teams giving productive, sub-standard edge defenders a chance. Thomas fits the bill as 6-2, 249-pound "junkyard dog" who can produce sacks on various speed-to-power rushes that overwhelm blockers at the line of scrimmage. He plays with an edginess and relentlessness that sets the tone for the defense. With more teams becoming open to the idea of adding an undersized pass rusher to the rotation, Thomas' performance in positional drills in Indy could help coaches and scouts envision a role for him as a pro.

Why did his performance and production dip in 2025?

Woods' disruptive potential as an explosive interior defender with cat-like quickness and heavy hands is obvious. Listed at 6-3 and 315 pounds, he's a rare find as a defensive tackle who can win with force or finesse at the point of attack. He will blow past blockers with a crafty arm-over maneuver or utilize a powerful fork-lift move to destroy the middle of the pocket. The issue: Woods' traits and tools have not translated into elite production, with the Clemson product totaling five sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss over 35 games. His 2025 stat line is particularly glaring, consisting of just two sacks and 3.5 TFLs in 12 appearances. Did the Tigers' scheme or coaching points prevent him from realizing his potential as a collegian? Scouts will have to closely assess his game and makeup to get a better handle on this question. And coaches will have to monitor his workouts to see if they can develop a plan to unlock his game at the next level.

Is his 2024 tape good enough to alleviate any concerns after he missed the entire 2025 season with a knee injury?

With ballhawks coveted at a premium, scouts will have a tough decision to make when it comes to McCoy, who brings tons of upside as a playmaking cover corner but did not play at all in 2025 because of an ACL tear. When assessing his 2024 game tape, it is easy to fall in love with his game as a physical "bump-and-run" corner with superb instincts, awareness and ball skills. He plays with the discipline and patience of a 10-year veteran, plus the energy, enthusiasm and swagger of an underdog driven to earn the respect of his teammates and opponents. Presuming the medical exam at the combine provides greater clarity on his knee, the 6-foot, 193-pounder can cement himself as a likely first-rounder with a dazzling workout in front of the scouts in Indianapolis.