2026 NFL Scouting Combine
What: More than 300 of the top prospects will be put through on-field drills, medical testing, exams and interviews with team personnel and the media in advance of the 2026 NFL Draft.
When: February 24 – March 1, 2026
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
COMBINE COVERAGE ON PATRIOTS.COM
Patriots.com will offer wall-to-wall coverage of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine direct from Indianapolis. Our coverage kicks off on Tuesday, February 24 with Evan Lazar and Michael Dussault offering combine notes, prospect, and positional features. We'll have a special edition of Patriots Catch-22 live from Indianapolis on Wednesday, February 25 from 3 - 5 PM. In addition, we'll offer live streams of Head Coach Mike Vrabel's Combine press conference (Wednesday at 1 PM ET) as well as Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf's press conference (Tuesday at 10 AM ET). Live streams will be available on Patriots.com and Patriots official social accounts on Facebook and X. Our coverage will follow the media schedule below.
Tuesday: Live coverage of Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf at 10 AM ET. Video recap of Patriots coaches and executives that speak at the Combine's first day. Mike Dussault and Evan Lazar (direct from Indianapolis) will join Patriots Unfiltered, 12 - 2 PM ET.
Wednesday: Live coverage of Head Coach Mike Vrabel's Combine press conference at 1 PM ET. Video and podcast recaps of the positional interviews, written coverage of prospects of note including nightly workout analysis. Live edition of Patriots Catch-22 from the NFL Scouting Combine from 3pm - 5pm ET on Patriots.com and Patriots social channels.
Thursday: Written coverage of prospects of note to the Patriots, including nightly workout analysis. Mike Dussault and Evan Lazar (direct from Indianapolis) will join Patriots Unfiltered, 12 - 2 PM ET.
Friday: Written coverage of prospects of note, including nightly workout analysis.
Saturday: Written coverage of prospects of note to the Patriots as well as a breakdown of quarterback, wide receiver and running back workouts.
COMBINE MEDIA SCHEDULE
Various prospects, NFL head coaches and executives will be speaking daily.
Tuesday, February 24: NFL Head Coaches and Executives; Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf Press Conference (10 AM ET)
Wednesday, February 25: NFL Head Coaches and Executives; Head Coach Mike Vrabel Press Conference (1 PM ET). Media interviews for Linebackers, Defensive Line and Placekickers.
Thursday, February 26: NFL Head Coaches and Executives; Media interviews for Defensive Backs and Tight Ends.
Friday, February 27: Media interviews for Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers and Running Backs.
Saturday, February 28: Media interviews for Offensive Linemen.
COMBINE ON-FIELD WORKOUT SCHEDULE
Thursday, February 26: Defensive line and linebackers take the field for the first day of on-field workouts.
Friday, February 27: Defensive backs and tight ends take the field for the second day of on-field workouts.
Saturday, February 28: Quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs will take the field for day three of on-field workouts.
Sunday, March 1: Offensive lineman will take the field for day four of on-field workouts.
NOTE: NFL Network will have live coverage of the combine February 26 - March 1 beginning at 1pm ET each day.
COMBINE 101
How are players selected to participate in the NFL Combine?
All 32 NFL teams are invited to provide input on draft-eligible players which is used by the Player Selection Committee to select each year's participants. ALL eligible players are reviewed and voted on by the committee members. Each athlete receiving the necessary number of votes, by position, is then extended an invitation. While it is not a perfect science, the goal of the committee is to invite every player that will be drafted in the ensuing NFL Draft.
Who is eligible to be invited to the NFL Combine?
- All college seniors are eligible for the NFL Combine immediately following their final year of collegiate eligibility.
- Any underclassmen who declare for the NFL draft and satisfy all NCAA and NFL requirements are eligible to participate.
- Additionally, an athlete who is not playing collegiate football may qualify under a special circumstance in the year that correlates to his natural draft year had he been playing college football. He must first contact the Player Personnel Department at the NFL Office in New York to verify eligibility for the upcoming NFL Draft.
Here is a quick introduction to the drills all the prospects are put through.
40-yard dash
The 40-yard dash is the marquee event at the combine. It's kind of like the 100-meters at the Olympics: It's all about speed, explosion and watching skilled athletes run great times. These athletes are timed at 10, 20 and 40-yard intervals. What the scouts are looking for is an explosion from a static start.
Bench press
The bench press is a test of strength -- 225 pounds, as many reps as the athlete can get. What the NFL scouts are also looking for is endurance. Anybody can do a max one time, but what the bench press tells the pro scouts is how often the athlete frequented his college weight room for the last 3-5 years.
Vertical jump
The vertical jump is all about lower-body explosion and power. The athlete stands flat-footed and they measure his reach. It is important to accurately measure the reach, because the differential between the reach and the flag the athlete touches is his vertical jump measurement.
Broad jump
The broad jump is like being in gym class back in junior high school. Basically, it is testing an athlete's lower-body explosion and lower-body strength. The athlete starts out with a stance balanced and then he explodes out as far as he can. It tests explosion and balance, because he has to land without moving.
3 cone drill
The 3 cone drill tests an athlete's ability to change directions at a high speed. Three cones in an L-shape. He starts from the starting line, goes 5 yards to the first cone and back. Then, he turns, runs around the second cone, runs a weave around the third cone, which is the high point of the L, changes directions, comes back around that second cone and finishes.
Shuttle run
The short shuttle is the first of the cone drills. It is known as the 5-10-5. What it tests is the athlete's lateral quickness and explosion in short areas. The athlete starts in the three-point stance, explodes out 5 yards to his right, touches the line, goes back 10 yards to his left, left hand touches the line, pivot, and he turns 5 more yards and finishes.
Be sure to tune in to @nflnetwork February 26 - March 1 to watch the 2026 NFL Combine!
Drill breakdowns are courtesy of NFL.com
