NFL Combine 2026 Day 1: Front Seven Takes Center Stage in Indianapolis
The 2026 NFL combine shifted from meeting rooms to the Lucas Oil Stadium turf on Thursday, with defensive linemen and linebackers finally showcasing their physical abilities in front of scouts and executives. The stopwatches and measuring tapes revealed clear winners and players with significant questions to answer before April's draft.
Sonny Styles Transforms Testing Into Historic Display
Linebacker Sonny Styles delivered what might be the most impressive athletic performance ever recorded for his position. Measuring at 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds, Styles jumped 43.5 inches in the vertical, reached 11-foot-2 in the broad jump, and ran an official 4.46-second 40-yard dash.
This combination of size and explosiveness earned Styles a perfect 10.0 Relative Athletic Score, validating the tape that already showed his range, physicality, and successful transition from safety to linebacker. With both film and testing numbers aligning perfectly, Styles has positioned himself as a potential top-10 selection, with some teams possibly considering him even higher on their draft boards.
Malachi Lawrence and Caleb Banks Boost Their Draft Stock
Edge rusher Malachi Lawrence arrived at the combine as a Day 3 projection but left as a potential top-100 pick after testing like the prototype modern NFL pass rusher. At 6-foot-4 and 253 pounds, Lawrence ran a 4.52-second 40, jumped 40 inches vertically, and reached 10-foot-10 in the broad jump – placing him near the top of all edge rushers in explosion metrics.
On the interior, defensive tackle Caleb Banks reminded scouts why he generated so much excitement before injuries disrupted his 2025 season. The 6-foot-6, 327-pound lineman ran in the low 5.0-second range while still posting approximately a 32-inch vertical jump, demonstrating the kind of movement skills that define first-round defensive tackle prospects in today's NFL.
Kyle Louis Validates Film Reputation With Strong Testing
Linebacker Kyle Louis entered Indianapolis with quiet buzz as a film favorite, and his testing numbers confirmed the positive evaluations. Louis ran a 4.53-second 40, jumped 39.5 inches vertically, reached 10-foot-9 in the broad jump, and posted one of the best 3-cone times among linebackers at 6.97 seconds.
For an undersized linebacker who needs to excel in coverage situations, this testing profile represents exactly what teams want to see. With Sonny Styles and CJ Allen expected to be selected early, Louis has created a clear path to be the next linebacker drafted if teams believe his instincts match his athletic testing.
Edge Rushers Face Tough Questions After Combine Performance
While several players boosted their stock, some highly-touted edge rushers left Indianapolis with more questions than answers.
Rueben Bain Jr. cannot escape the ongoing debate about his physical measurements. Despite undeniable pass-rushing ability that has multiple outlets projecting him as a first-round talent with top-10 potential, Bain measured with 30 7/8-inch arms – one of the shortest arm lengths ever recorded for an edge rusher at the combine. This measurement forces teams to carefully consider how his body type will translate to the NFL and what scheme would maximize his talents.
LT Overton arrived in Indianapolis hoping to address concerns about his burst, trimming down to 274 pounds before running in the high 4.8-second range and skipping the jumping drills. While not disastrous, this performance failed to give teams new reasons to move him up their draft boards, particularly for a player whose best fit might be as a power end or 3-technique defensive tackle.
R Mason Thomas faced the opposite problem, weighing in light at 241 pounds but failing to deliver the elite speed he had promised. Thomas ran a 4.67-second 40 on his first attempt and slower on his second, also skipping the jumping drills. In a class where several edge rushers at similar or heavier weights posted impressive times, Thomas now faces a critical pro day to regain momentum.
The first day of on-field work at the 2026 NFL combine established clear athletic standouts while creating significant questions for several prospects who must now prepare for crucial pro day workouts and private team visits ahead of the draft.
