32 things we learned from NFL scouting combine: Biggest takeaways

2. As in the No. 2 running back in the 2026 NFL draft – and that just might be Love’s former Fighting Irish teammate, Jadarian Price. Expect him to land a bigger role in the NFL and quite possibly be the only other back taken in Round 1. Price certainly put on a show over the weekend during combine drills and should be an asset − not only on offense but also special teams as a kickoff returner.

3. As in, realistically, the number of quarterbacks battling to be third off the board at the position after Alabama’s Ty Simpson seemed to solidify his perceived standing as the second-best slinger in this draft after throwing on Saturday afternoon. But Penn State’s Drew Allar, Carson Beck of Miami (Fla.) and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier could all conceivably hear their names called by the end of the draft’s second day – and none will likely feel much pressure to be immediate starters as pros, an approach that should also be taken with Simpson and all of his 15 college starts.

4. As in the number of Heisman Trophy winners the Raiders have drafted during their existence: Marcus Allen (1982), Bo Jackson (1987), Tim Brown (1988) and Charles Woodson (1998) – all but Jackson now Hall of Famers.

5. As in the fifth Heisman Trophy winner the Raiders will soon be taking, when they officially choose Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza to kick off the draft on April 23.

6. Of course, Mendoza is officially unofficial as the future QB1 of the Silver and Black. But if there’s any doubt, just listen to New York Jets GM Darren Mougey, who holds the No. 2 pick of the draft and has no franchise quarterback – or even an apparent starter for 2026 at present.

“I talk to (Raiders GM John) Spytek and those guys often, as I do with other teams, talk about moving up, moving back. Absolutely, we'll talk about all those things, but I don't think that's happening,” Mougey said to chuckling media members last week. “You can ask Spytek, though.”

7. The number of positional groups that collectively set combine records for average 40-yard dash times – at least since 2003 – quarterbacks being the lone exception, and their times were the second fastest in the history of their position.

8. But don’t blame former Arkansas QB Taylen Green, whose 4.36 40 put him in the company of none other than position record holder Michael Vick (4.33).

WOW. @RazorbackFB QB Taylen Green with a 4.37u.

2026 NFL Combine on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/60dbFCVSAx

— NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2026

9. However Green did set new quarterback testing records with a 43½-inch vertical leap and an 11-foot, 2-inch broad jump. The raw athleticism should help get him drafted, though – to Green's credit – he has no interest in a positional switch and wants to make his NFL name as a passer. At least right now, anyway.

10. The number of head coaching changes since the end of the 2025 season. Good luck, fellas – NFL as “not for long” has probably never been more true.

11. That level of change may also be incentivizing some teams to skip combine attendance en masse. Said Houston Texans GM Nick Caserio: “I think when you look at the league, there's 10 new head coaches. Separate from that, there's another 10 to 12 coordinators that have turned over. So, you're talking about massive coaching turnover. This is probably a good opportunity for those teams to spend together as a staff and go through self-scout, look at the team, what happened this year, who are the players coming back. So, it's all about resources and time allocation.”

12. Yet, notably, the Los Angeles Rams, a perennial playoff contender, once again didn’t send their top decision-makers to Indy. Coach Sean McVay hasn’t been since 2020 – right before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down most of the world.

13. The AFC South champion Jacksonville Jaguars seem to be following the Rams’ lead – maybe not a surprise given GM James Gladstone and coach Liam Coen both used to work for the Rams.

14. Speaking of the AFC South – and Caserio – the Houston GM deemed (baseless?) trade speculation regarding Texans QB C.J. Stroud as “moronic” despite his subpar showing in the playoffs. Keep it a buck, Caserio.

15. Very good chance Baltimore Ravens C Tyler Linderbaum gets the most lucrative contract when free agency begins next week. GM Eric DeCosta said he made the three-time Pro Bowler a “market-setting offer” though probably won’t use the franchise tag on Linderbaum – logical given that tag’s value is largely determined by the contracts of richly paid left tackles.

16. Dallas Cowboys WR George Pickens, arguably the best unsigned player in 2026, did get hit with the franchise tag. The questions now are, will owner Jerry Jones pay Pickens, trade Pickens … or mayhaps have to fend off a team with the guts to sign Pickens to an offer sheet? Stay. Tuned.

2026 POST-COMBINE MOCK DRAFT: Major shake-up throughout first round

17. Jets coach Aaron Glenn revealed that defensive play-calling is his “superpower.” Contextually, of the last five defenses Glenn has been affiliated with, three have been ranked 25th or worse and none have been better than 19th overall. Reminder that the Jets are the color of Kryptonite.

Aaron Glenn re-tapping into play-calling 'super power' for Jets defense next season https://t.co/ZydXKkme0Ypic.twitter.com/jRCu1XU1UX

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) February 25, 2026

18. With Mike Tomlin, John Harbaugh and Kevin Stefanski all gone, Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor is now the dean of the AFC North.

"You know, I've got a lot of respect for those three guys I've been competing against the last few years, and obviously great coaches and (they) have had a lot of success. So, it's a little strange but I'm sure that I'll get used to it very quickly,” said Taylor. "We've got continuity. We've got to capitalize on that and continue to build and move forward."

19. Why are the New England Patriots a logical potential landing spot if the Philadelphia Eagles trade WR A.J. Brown? Consider what Pats coach Mike Vrabel, who had AJB with the Tennessee Titans, said about him:

“I've watched him grow. I've watched him mature. I'm proud of him, proud of the father that he is. I'm proud of the husband," said Vrabel. "That has nothing to do with where he plays or where he played. Those are the things that are important. We reach out and text each other during the good things that happen to each other.”

Hmmm…

20+(?). The number of veteran quarterbacks who could be on the move based on what you hear and see going on at the combine. That (non-exhaustive, alphabetical) list could include: Tyson Bagent, Kirk Cousins, Andy Dalton, Justin Fields, Jimmy Garoppolo, Daniel Jones, Mac Jones, Marcus Mariota, Tanner McKee, Davis Mills, Kyler Murray, Spencer Rattler, Anthony Richardson, Aaron Rodgers, Geno Smith, Jarrett Stidham, Tua Tagovailoa, Tyrod Taylor, Malik Willis and Russell Wilson.