2026 NFL Combine Winners & Losers: Best Buy-Low draft prospects that smart teams will target

With the NFL Scouting Combine in the books, Burg and Manish analyze some “winners” and “losers” among the draft prospects who participated in Indianapolis. The truth is that savvy NFL teams won’t be significantly impacted by the so-caller risers and fallers during the week of on-field drills.

The guys kick off with the best Buy-Low prospects who present an opportunity for smart general managers, coaches and executives to pounce on at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh in April.

Highlights:

(3:00) Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson: Will a slow 40-yard dash hurt his draft stock? Will the guy who some draft pundits would be the third RB off the board after Notre Dame ball carries Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Prive have to wait until Day 3 to get scooped up? Will a smart offensive mind like Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid or Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell take advantage and get a dual-threat steal who has terrific hands as pass catcher.

(6:00) Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields: He has elite size and strength, but will his slow 40 time scare teams away? Fields shined at the Senior Bowl, but did not look impressive in gauntlet field drills.

(8:00) Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston: The two-year starter for the Huskies was questioned for not testing at the Combine. He did look fluid in receiver drills, but his college tape is exceptional. Boston was great at contested catches and a red-zone threat. The guys had Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider scooping up Boston with the No. 32 pick in Round 1 in the first Mock Draft. Will some team now get a steal in Round 2?

(11:00) Oklahoma outside linebacker and edge R Mason Thomas: His measurables are not impressive. But are his short arms enough for him to slide out of the first round? The college tape is incredible. Mason has drawn comparisons to former Sooners star pass rusher Nik Bonitto.

(14:00) Alabama offensive tackle Kayden Proctor: This mountain of a man looked pedestrian in field drills. But the college tape tells a different story of a guy with quick feet and great agility. His pass protection skills and run blocking are coveted among smart NFL teams. There are whispers that Proctor could dominate if he moved inside to guard. Would Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman select the former Crimson standout with the No. 23 pick in Round 1 to improve his aging offensive line?

(16:15) Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa: Some people were not happy that Mauigoa decoded not to compete in positional drills at the Combine. He’ll wait for the University of Miami Pro Day later this month. But his skill set and durability are highly coveted in NFL circles. He is still expected to be a Top 10 pick.

(19:30) Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate: Much was made about the controversy surrounding Tate’s 40-yard dash time. He officially clocked in at 4.52 seconds before ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter relayed that some general managers and executives recorded a time closer to 4.45-4.47 seconds. Regardless, it would be a surprise if Tate were not the first wideout drafted. Our first mock draft had the Cleveland Browns and new head coach Todd Monken taking Tate with the No. 6 pick.

(21:00) The guys wrap up with a handful of players who opened eyes with excellent measurables, speed and on-field drills like Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who is an athletic freak that we mocked to Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen. Other winners were speedy Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, UCONN wide receiver Skyler Bell and home run threat Arkansas running back Mike Washington, Jr.

#NFLPodcast #NFLCombine #NFLDraft #SportsPodcast #Podcast #NFL #NFLFootball #SportsMedia #FreeAgency #NFLDraft #SportsJournalism #BehindTheScenes #FootballTalk #Bills #BillsMafia #Dolphins

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.