NFL Combine 2026 live updates, results tracker: DL, EDGE, LB workouts take center stage

Lead

On Feb. 26, 2026, defensive linemen, edge rushers and linebackers opened on-field testing at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, with workouts beginning at 3 p.m. ET. Several blue-chip candidates performed while some top names sat out, and scouts tracked measurements, 40-yard times and drills that could reshape April’s draft board. Notable names mentioned during the session included Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., Texas Tech’s David Bailey and Ohio State’s Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles. This live coverage compiles official times, measurements, observations and context from the first day of position workouts.

Key takeaways

• Workouts began Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis); on-field group included defensive linemen, edge rushers and linebackers starting at 3 p.m. ET.
• David Bailey (Texas Tech) posted an unofficial 40-yard dash of 4.51 seconds on his first attempt, an early marker for edge prospects; scouts expect possible improvement with cleaner starts.
• Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr. officially measured arm length at 30 7/8 inches (30.875 in), a figure among the shortest for combine edge rushers since 1999, according to MockDraftable.
• Top official DL 40 times recorded included Zane Durant (Penn State) 4.75s and Kaleb Proctor (Southeastern Louisiana) 4.79s; a full table of top DL times follows.
• Clemson’s DeMonte Capehart clocked a sub-5.00 unofficial 40 (4.86s) and Oklahoma’s Gracen Halton posted a 4.83 unofficial 40 with a 36.5-inch vertical—both results that drew upward movement on some boards.
• Florida DT Caleb Banks exited on-field testing citing footwear issues, per an NFL Network report, but remains projected as an early pick based on film and prior evaluations.
• Under-the-radar players like Baylor’s Jackie Marshall and South Carolina’s Nick Barrett earned praise for positional traits despite middling sprint times.

Background

The NFL Scouting Combine serves as a centralized evaluation where prospects undergo medicals, interviews, measurements and on-field testing that supplement college tape. For many teams the Combine clarifies athletic baselines—speed, explosiveness and size—that feed into medical and character evaluations already completed earlier in the week. Historically, certain schools (Penn State, for example) have a track record of testing well and raising prospect stock through combine performances.

Edge rushers and defensive linemen often face particular scrutiny because arm length, hand size and first-step explosiveness are viewed as predictors for NFL fit. Shorter-arm pass rushers can succeed, but their measurement often becomes a narrative that teams weigh alongside production and technique. Teams attending Indianapolis combine physical numbers with interviews, medical reports and positional drills before finalizing draft grades.

Main event

Workouts opened with 40-yard dashes, vertical and broad jumps, followed by positional drills for DL, EDGE and LB. David Bailey’s early unofficial 4.51-second sprint set a fast early benchmark among edge prospects, drawing attention from teams looking for quick-twitch rushers. Scouts noted that an improved start could lower Bailey’s time on subsequent runs.

Rueben Bain Jr.’s arm measurement dominated headlines during the session; his official arm length was recorded at 30 7/8 inches. Media coverage and social discussion amplified the measurement, prompting analysts to advise teams to integrate the new data point without letting it eclipse Bain’s production and traits displayed on tape.

Defensive tackle testing produced a range of results: Penn State’s Zane Durant paced official DL 40 times at 4.75 seconds, while Gracen Halton turned in a 4.83 unofficial 40 and a 36.5-inch vertical, marks that helped validate athletic testing models that adjust for weight. Other interior defenders—such as DeMonte Capehart and Caleb Banks—ran sub-five-second 40s or were present before exiting for equipment reasons.

Several lesser-known players earned praise for technique and on-field play speed despite not topping timing charts. Baylor’s Jackie Marshall and South Carolina’s Nick Barrett drew positive feedback for hand usage, balance at the point of attack and potential scheme fits that could make them Day 2 or Day 3 selections.

Analysis & implications

Short-term, combine results will reshuffle middle-of-board rankings more than they will alter consensus top-10 evaluations for most teams. For prospects like David Bailey, a fast 40 backed by clean positional drills can reinforce earlier first-round projections; for others, times and jumps will either validate medical and tape-based grades or prompt deeper film reviews.

Rueben Bain Jr.’s arm-length measurement is likely to be contextualized rather than determinative. While historically short arms raise schematic fit concerns for outside linebackers/edge rushers, evaluators emphasize pass-rush traits, bend, hand technique and production. Multiple scouts told analysts that measurable deficits are incorporated into a broader profile rather than applied as a sole disqualifier.

Interior defensive linemen who posted weight-adjusted speed and explosiveness—like Gracen Halton—can gain draft capital in systems valuing penetrating three-techniques. Conversely, players who tested below expectations may still hold value based on run-plan fit, gap control, or special-teams upside; teams will balance combine metrics against in-game play evidence.

Across the league, general managers and personnel directors will use these results to guide interview prioritization, re-check medicals and adjust board tiers ahead of pro day variations. The Combine’s controlled environment gives teams a repeatable metric set that complements tape and private workouts leading up to the April 23–25, 2026 draft in Pittsburgh.

Comparison & data

The table above captures the top official times reported for defensive linemen during the session. Teams will convert these raw numbers into weight-adjusted and percentile metrics to compare across classes and historical performance curves.

Reactions & quotes

Media and evaluators responded quickly to the day’s standout measurements and moments, offering both caution and context.

“Teams shouldn’t double-count a single measurement; take it into account alongside tape and production.”

Jared Dubin, NFL draft analyst (media)

Dubin’s point underscores a common front-office approach: combine metrics are valuable but they are one layer of a multi-factor evaluation process.

“Bain’s arm length is notable on paper, but his college production and traits remain central to any projection.”

Adam Schefter (ESPN reporter)

Reporters on site also relayed immediate factual updates, such as Caleb Banks leaving the field due to footwear issues, which was sourced to NFL Network reporting.

Unconfirmed

• Whether Bain’s 30 7/8-inch arm length will materially drop him on any team’s draft board remains unverified; teams may differ in how heavily they weigh the measurement.
• David Bailey’s 4.51 unofficial 40 is an early number; whether he posts a faster official time on a subsequent attempt has not been confirmed.
• Reports that Caleb Banks stopped because of cleats were issued by NFL Network; his long-term medical status and full explanation have not been independently verified publicly.

Bottom line

Thursday’s combine session supplied concrete data points that will refine but not completely overturn preexisting draft evaluations. Standout athletic performances—like Bailey’s early 40—can accelerate a prospect’s rise, while unexpected metrics—such as Bain’s arm length—invite closer schematic scrutiny rather than immediate dismissal.

Teams will now integrate these results with medical findings, interviews and pro-day outcomes ahead of the April 23–25, 2026 draft in Pittsburgh. For fans and front offices alike, Indianapolis supplied fresh information; the final impact on draft slots will be decided in the weeks of post-combine evaluations and soon-to-come private workouts.

Sources

• CBS Sports — media/live updates from Indianapolis (primary coverage)
• MockDraftable — scouting measurements database (data reference)
• Adam Schefter / ESPN — media reporting on-site updates
• NFL Network / NFL — on-site reporting and interviews (media/league)
• Underdog (Hayden Winks) — percentile/analytics context for weight-adjusted testing