10 NFL Combine Sleepers Ready to Boost Their Draft Stock

Dean Bruce|published: Wed 25th February, 07:24 2026

Oct 25, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Brenen Thompson (0) catches the ball for a touchdown over Texas Longhorns defensive back Malik Muhammad (5) during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Combine drills are fast approaching as players touch down in Indianapolis and begin to run the gauntlet of medical testing, official measurements, team interviews and on-field testing and drills.

Cue the lights, these men in tights are ready to steal the show at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.

Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest

Only one running back, Notre Dame's Jeremyiah Love, is a first-rounder. Claiborne’s shifty nature and explosive burst out of the backfield are coveted by teams shopping for change-of-pace backs. If Claiborne can run in the 4.3 range and deliver a dynamite three-cone agility test result, this weaker RB class is his for the taking.

Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State

A candidate to break Xavier Worthy's 40-yard dash record, Thompson is small and can't do much about that. His downfield speed could cause heads to turn with a target in the 4.2s.

Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

Hurst’s small-school pedigree has left some wondering if he can adjust against NFL cornerbacks. If he continues to show precision and explosiveness in and out of breaks, Hurst can erase enough doubt to be in the top 64 picks.

Jaren Kanak, TE, Oklahoma

Some feigned surprise he was invited to Indy, but if you’ve been keying in on the Sooners, you know why Kanak is here. He will likely have one of the fastest times for the tight end position, and his defensive experience should translate to impressive bench press rep counts as well.

Gennings Dunker, OG, Iowa

Dunker’s combine performance will be a double-edged sword. He’s almost certainly going to nail his bench press reps with his yolked arms and impressive frame, but teams will be looking to see how he performs during agility drills. Everyone knows Dunker is strong. The question is, Can he move like an NFL lineman? Performing well could send him into the top 50.

Zane Durant, DT, Penn State

Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Zane Durant (28) celebrates after a stop during the third quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Durant’s first-step explosiveness is intense. As a speed-rushing tackle, he has a knack for penetrating inside gaps, a valued skill for a position valuing speed to power. If he can crush his 40 and agility drills, Durant won't be easy to pass on draft day.

Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Athletically he's a no-doubt first-round prospect. Following a down year in terms of production, his final grade isn't set in stone. Woods participating in the combine drills and showing off his athletic prowess would cement his stock.

Harold Perkins, LB, LSU

As a former five-star recruit, Perkins’ athletic pedigree should be highly valued. He currently is a mid-round prospect. With talk of him moving to edge in some schemes, timed speed and strength will be more important for Perkins than ever, especially if he's carrying the weight to reflect his desire to play outside.

Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Cisse is looking to break into a packed conversation around corners with first-round value. The combine is his best opportunity. His size, speed and strength are exceptional. Putting numbers down on paper to match the film would mean booking himself tickets to Pittsburgh in April.

VJ Payne, S, Kansas State

The battle for the third-best safety in the class is wide open — Ohio State's Caleb Downs is the clear-cut No. 1 and top five overall. If Payne backs up his impressive athletic traits evident on film in on-field drills and testing, he'll be a big-time riser.

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