10 NFL Combine Sleepers Ready to Boost Their Draft Stock | Deadspin.com

Combine drills are quick approaching as gamers contact down in Indianapolis and start to run the gauntlet of medical testing, official measurements, workforce interviews and on-field testing and drills.

Cue the lights, these males in tights are prepared to steal the present on the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.

Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest

Just one operating again, Notre Dame’s Jeremyiah Love, is a first-rounder. Claiborne’s shifty nature and explosive burst out of the backfield are coveted by groups looking for change-of-pace backs. If Claiborne can run within the 4.3 vary and ship a dynamite three-cone agility check consequence, this weaker RB class is his for the taking.

Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State

A candidate to break Xavier Worthy’s 40-yard sprint document, Thompson is small and may’t do a lot about that. His downfield pace might trigger heads to flip with a goal within the 4.2s.

Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

Hurst’s small-school pedigree has left some questioning if he can alter towards NFL cornerbacks. If he continues to present precision and explosiveness out and in of breaks, Hurst can erase sufficient doubt to be within the high 64 picks.

(*10*)Jaren Kanak, TE, Oklahoma

Some feigned shock he was invited to Indy, however should you’ve been keying in on the Sooners, you realize why Kanak is right here. He’ll doubtless have one of many quickest occasions for the tight finish place, and his defensive expertise ought to translate to spectacular bench press rep counts as nicely.

Gennings Dunker, OG, Iowa

Dunker’s mix efficiency will likely be a double-edged sword. He’s virtually actually going to nail his bench press reps along with his yolked arms and spectacular body, however groups will likely be wanting to see how he performs throughout agility drills. Everybody is aware of Dunker is powerful. The query is, Can he transfer like an NFL lineman? Performing nicely might ship him into the highest 50.

Zane Durant, DT, Penn State

Durant’s first-step explosiveness is intense. As a speed-rushing deal with, he has a knack for penetrating inside gaps, a valued talent for a place valuing pace to energy. If he can crush his 40 and agility drills, Durant will not be straightforward to cross on draft day.

Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Athletically he is a no-doubt first-round prospect. Following a down 12 months by way of manufacturing, his ultimate grade is not set in stone. Woods collaborating within the mix drills and displaying off his athletic prowess would cement his inventory.

Harold Perkins, LB, LSU

As a former five-star recruit, Perkins’ athletic pedigree needs to be extremely valued. He presently is a mid-round prospect. With speak of him transferring to edge in some schemes, timed pace and power will likely be extra necessary for Perkins than ever, particularly if he is carrying the load to mirror his want to play outdoors.

Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Cisse is wanting to break right into a packed dialog round corners with first-round worth. The mix is his finest alternative. His measurement, pace and power are distinctive. Placing numbers down on paper to match the movie would imply reserving himself tickets to Pittsburgh in April.

VJ Payne, S, Kansas State

The battle for the third-best security within the class is extensive open — Ohio State’s Caleb Downs is the clear-cut No. 1 and high 5 total. If Payne backs up his spectacular athletic traits evident on movie in on-field drills and testing, he’ll be a big-time riser.