2026 NFL Scouting Combine

[SteelerFan448]

The combine is February 23-March 2. Who's on everyone's radar?

QBs
Ty Simpson - the only QB with first-round consideration for the Steelers, does he look more like the first or second half of the season?

Drew Allar - how is his recovery? I would really like to be able to see him throw, but I'd assume he'll be limited still.

Garrett Nussmeier - Nussmeier's dad was QB coach for McCarthy in Dallas, is that connection strong enough to draft him?

Cade Klubnik - never achieved to his potential, but maybe in an NFL setting his performance will improve.

Cole Payton - real interesting late-round prospect.

RBs
I'm looking for speed guys with hands. If not for his size, Desmond Reid would be such an awesome addition for an NFL offense. He's terrific out of the backfield and has electric speed, he's just small and gets hurt all the time.

WRs
My top 5 are Lemon, Tyson (injury red flag?), Tate, Cooper, and Boston. Obviously, running and agility is big. Does Zachariah Branch stand out? He's been a riser on draft boards. Very interested in how Sarratt performs in drills. I'm also looking for a round 3 or later steal.

OL
With questions about Broderick Jones, I know some will have us taking a tackle. I'm all-in on looking at guards. Olaivavega Ioane is an option in the first, I just don't know if I want another high draft pick on the OL when teams can find quality guards later in the draft. I want to hear about the middle-round guards, looking for good athletes. I've read in the past the 10-yard split in the 40-yard dash translates.

DL
This is a position I'd strongly consider double dipping again. Arm length and strength, but also explosiveness. Dontay Corleone seems to be in the mold of a NT, I like the Texas Tech guys, and want to see how a first-round prospect like Peter Woods/Kayden McDonald/Christen Miller compare to Lee Hunter/Darrell Jackson/Zane Durant.

LBs
This is an interesting spot for the Steelers as they have Queen and Wilson, but it feels like they need a thumper or a future replacement for Queen if they let him hit free agency next year. Allen, Golday, Perkins, Rodriguez, and Trotter are the early stand out names. I also want to see if Kyle Louis is athletic enough to play the hybrid safety role.

DBs
Speed and arm length. We saw JPJ's arm length come into play with PDs this season. Looking at early-round outside corner potential to have a lockdown pairing or a versatile nickel CB. After the top 3-4 CBs, there's a big group with draft rankings all over the place. Right now, Avieon Terrell is the most-likely CB available if the Steelers take a corner in the first.

Safety feels like a position the Steelers must address this offseason. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren seems like a scheme fit, but I want to see how he tests. Dillon Thieneman is another name that stands out. Keionte Scott is another team I've seen analysts say is a perfect scheme fit for the Steelers.

Ohio State
Yeah, studs all over the place on this roster and these guys will be must watch.

 

[slashsteel]

1.Definitely interested in the drills for the QB and measurables.

2. I know Lemon will be the popular choice but I like that Boston can get those contested catches. Tyson is my number 1 WR want but think he will be plucked up top15.

3. Will be really hard for me not to want McDonald. I think he fixes the run D and moves Benton over to DE. Which creates a nice domino effect. I do like Corleone and Hunter.

4 At RB I prefer a bigger back. But with more short area burst than Najee. Unless they pluck a free agent similar..

5 I also prefer a later G maybe 4 or 5. They have a pretty good RAS approach. I wonder if that changes..

6. If we somehow come away with Rodriguez I would be one happy camper.

7. I prefer the free agent route to CB. Either resign their own or do a combo of a new one from elsewhere.

8. All aboard on a FS in 3.

 

[slashsteel]

So to recap my preferences

1 McDonald, Boston or Tyson
2 A WR or NT whomever didn’t come aboard in 1
3 FS, RB, ILB
4 WR/G/TE 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.
5 Overleft (How my sister translates leftovers)
6 Overleft
7 ST

 

[deljzc]

There are likely quite a few safeties on the free agent market that can act as bandaids if the right guy isn't available in the draft. Plus, I sort of think defensive backs have evolved a bit into being hybrid "slot corners" and safeties because so many college teams play nickle/dime exclusively. The only true CB on some of these college rosters is the "near boundary" cover guy and they get help just because of the narrow field. Lots of zone concepts even for players that are listed at CB in college now.

We do need DB help, likely to come in the form of both a free agent addition and a draft pick from the top 3-4 rounds. There will be another in the later rounds that will primarily be drafted with special teams in mind (that's just how we think in Steelers front office unless Kahn has broken away from Colbert's tenets a lot).

 

[IndySteel]

I'll admit, I'm just a casual observer of college football and the draft. But the Steelers have so many picks, I would trade up and get Caleb Downs. The last time they moved up for a safety in round 1 it worked out well. Screw the QBs this year. Get at least one WR and then shore up both lines.

 

[Superman]

IMO, if any of these are at 21:

CB - Jermod McCoy ( could fall to us due to his injury that cancelled his 2025 season)
CB - Colton Hood
WR - Carnell Tate
WR - Denzel Boston
WR - Jordan Tyson

one of those will be our pick.

I'd not mind the DT from Ohio State, either.

Ideally, our first three picks would be:

1. McCoy
2. Gennings Dunker (OG, Iowa)
3. Sarratt/Cooper - WR, Indiana

 

[slashsteel]

IMO, if any of these are at 21:

CB - Jermod McCoy ( could fall to us due to his injury that cancelled his 2025 season)
CB - Colton Hood
WR - Carnell Tate
WR - Denzel Boston
WR - Jordan Tyson

one of those will be our pick.

I'd not mind the DT from Ohio State, either.

Ideally, our first three picks would be:

1. McCoy
2. Gennings Dunker (OG, Iowa)
3. Sarratt/Cooper - WR, Indiana

Curious what Sarratt will run. See if he Hines Wards his way to a 40.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Curious what Sarratt will run. See if he Hines Wards his way to a 40.

Someone posted a practice video ahead of the National Title game...let's just saw you wouldn't mistake his route running for Antonio Brown. However...



I also saw that Kyle Louis is going to be listed as a safety. Very interesting as he'll transition from college linebacker to the NFL to play a different role.

 

[SteelerSask2]

I like the Boston kid. Hope his numbers are just good enough at Combine.

 

[topseed]

Nussmeier looked pretty good in the Senior Bowl. Interested to see how he performs at the combine.

Although the Steelers probably won't draft a tight end in the first round, I'll also be keeping an eye on Kenyon Sadiq out of Oregon. His athleticism is off the charts.

 

[slashsteel]

Someone posted a practice video ahead of the National Title game...let's just saw you wouldn't mistake his route running for Antonio Brown. However...



I also saw that Kyle Louis is going to be listed as a safety. Very interesting as he'll transition from college linebacker to the NFL to play a different role.

I was glueing closer just trying to get a feel for this class. I think Lemon would require a trade up and Tate will be long gone. Tyson and Branch look attractive but Branch seems more like a chess piece over a route runner. Tyson looks like he would be the possible choice or they might go a different position if the top 3 are off the board.

I think round 1 it will be Tyson or they move to NT or CB..