2026 NFL Combine Day 2 Shifts Focus to Defensive Backs, Skill Talent Ahead of Full Weekend Slate

Defensive backs and tight ends headline Friday workouts in Indianapolis as quarterbacks, offensive playmakers, and linemen prepare for weekend evaluations.

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Day 2 of on-field workouts at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine moves the spotlight to the secondary and tight end groups Friday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium, continuing a four-day evaluation period that will shape draft boards across the league.

Defensive backs and tight ends take the field at 3:00 p.m. ET, following Thursday’s sessions featuring defensive linemen and linebackers. With 319 invited prospects in attendance, teams continue gathering verified athletic data, medical evaluations, and interview insights as preparation intensifies for April’s draft.

Where to Watch: 

NFL Network and NFL+

Location: Lucas Oil Stadium — Indianapolis, Indiana

Media Interviews

• Friday, Feb. 27: Quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers

• Saturday, Feb. 28: Offensive linemen

On-Field Workouts

• Friday, Feb. 27, 3:00 p.m. ET: Defensive backs, tight ends

• Saturday, Feb. 28, 1:00 p.m. ET: Quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers

• Sunday, March 1, 1:00 p.m. ET: Offensive linemen

Participants will complete position drills along with standardized testing metrics. Prospects may opt out of individual drills, but most participate in core evaluations.

Athletic Testing Includes

• 40-yard dash

• 3-cone drill

• Short shuttle

• Vertical jump

• Broad jump

• Bench press (conducted the day after each group’s workout)

Friday’s top defensive back prospects include Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, while Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq headlines the tight end group.

Friday Participants

Defensive Backs (CB/S)

1. Jermod McCoy, Tennessee (CB)

2. Mansoor Delane, LSU (CB)

3. Avieon Terrell, Clemson (CB)

4. Caleb Downs, Ohio State (S)

5. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo (S)

6. Dillon Thieneman, Oregon (S)

Tight Ends

1. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

2. Joe Royer, Cincinnati

3. Dallen Bentley, Utah

Saturday’s skill-position workouts feature quarterbacks Ty Simpson, Drew Allar, and Garrett Nussmeier, while Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza will not participate. Wide receiver and running back drills will highlight players such as Carnell Tate and Jeremiyah Love.

Saturday Participants

Quarterbacks

1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (Not Participating)

2. Ty Simpson, Alabama

3. Drew Allar, Penn State

4. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

Running Backs

1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

2. Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

3. Emmett Johnson, Nebraska

Wide Receivers

1. Carnell Tate, Ohio State

2. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

3. Makai Lemon, USC

Sunday concludes workouts with offensive linemen, including Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa and Utah tackle Spencer Fano.

Sunday Participants

Offensive Tackles

1. Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)

2. Spencer Fano, Utah

3. Monroe Freeling, Georgia

Guards

1. Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

2. Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon

3. Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech

Following combine week, teams will have until April 23 to finalize evaluations before the 2026 NFL Draft begins. The 91st edition of the draft will be held in Pittsburgh for the first time since 1948, spanning April 23–25 with 257 selections across seven rounds at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium.

With verified testing underway and interviews ongoing, the transition from projection to measurable data continues shaping the 2026 draft landscape.