The lights are bright in Indianapolis as the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine officially arrives. This year’s event carries immense weight. Scouts and executives are searching for stars in a draft class that lacks a clear consensus. While a few names are solid at the top, many others are entering Lucas Oil Stadium with massive questions. These five players have the most to gain or lose under the microscope this week.
MORE:4 blockbuster NFL trades we want to see before the 2026 draft
Advertisement
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
When you watch the tape, Jordyn Tyson looks like a top-tier receiver. He is a physical playmaker who dominates at the catch point. He also turns short gains into explosive highlights. However, his draft stock is currently a medical mystery.
A history of injuries has kept him off the field far too often. This makes his medical evaluations in Indy more important than any 40-yard dash time. If the team doctors give him a clean bill of health, Tyson’s elite ball skills could move him into the top half of the first round. If the medical reports are bad, he may face a significant slide on draft day.
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) looks to pass against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Ty Simpson enters Indianapolis as perhaps the most scrutinized player in the quarterback class. He has shown the touch and rhythm of a pro-level distributor. However, his resume is thin with only one full season as a starter.
Advertisement
A late-season slump and a rib injury have left evaluators wondering about his durability. They also have questions about his decision-making under pressure. Simpson needs a flawless throwing session to prove his arm strength is elite. He must also do well in interviews to show he can lead an NFL team. If he checks those boxes, he could solidify himself as the clear second quarterback in the draft.
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Kadyn Proctor is a massive player at 6-foot-7. He has the high-end talent that teams crave. Yet, his college path has been rocky. He has dealt with weight issues and inconsistent footwork.
Advertisement
Scouts are divided on his future. Some see a franchise left tackle. Others think he is destined to move inside to play guard. Proctor needs to show up in peak physical condition to prove he has the discipline required for the NFL. A strong showing in agility drills would help quiet critics who worry about his ability to handle fast professional pass rushers.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) jogs during warm-ups before a NCAA football game between Tennessee Volunteers and New Mexico State Aggies at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Nov. 15, 2025.
Jermod McCoy is the biggest wild card of the defensive secondary. He looked like a future star in 2024. Then, he missed the entire 2025 season after tearing his ACL.
The combine is his first chance to show the NFL world that his athleticism is still there. McCoy was known for his patient technique and superb instincts before the injury. Now, he must prove that his recovery is complete. If he runs a fast time and looks fluid in position drills, he could re-establish himself as the top cornerback in the draft class.
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Rueben Bain Jr. was a nightmare for college offensive lines. However, he does not fit the standard physical mold for an NFL edge rusher. He is 6-foot-3 and has a thick frame. He lacks the height and arm length usually found in first-round defenders.
NFL analyst Bucky Brooks noted that Bain is shorter than the average first-round edge rusher. This leads to questions about his best position. Similarly, Daniel Jeremiah has pointed out that while Bain is dominant on tape, his lack of elite length makes him a unique evaluation.
Bain needs to post great numbers in explosive tests like the broad jump. This would prove that his power will translate against massive NFL tackles, who are harder to move. Showing high-end athleticism could convince teams that his production was due to talent rather than just high effort.
—Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead—
OLYMPICS:Final 2026 Winter Olympics medal count, standings
NFL DRAFT:2026 NFL Scouting Combine day-to-day TV schedule, how to watch
MLB:MLB Power Rankings as 2026 Spring Training begins
NBA:Updated NBA Power Rankings as a new week begins
VIRAL:Watch Johnny Gaudreau’s children join Team USA hockey gold medal celebration