
The Kansas City Chiefs are in the market for standout defensive linemen and linebackers in this year's NFL Draft. With a retooling in process for Kansas City, the need for more young immediate contributors is needed on defense.
Thursday featured defensive linemen and linebacker workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine, which did not disappoint, with plenty of standouts, including one of the most explosive groups of linebackers in recent memory. Let's look at the biggest standouts from the combine at defensive tackle, edge rusher, and linebacker.
Sonny Styles is a LB prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored an unofficial 10.00 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1 out of 3215 LB from 1987 to 2026.
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) February 27, 2026
Splits projected, all times unofficial, agilities left, bench tmrw, but 10.00 RAS watch is officially on!… pic.twitter.com/f2JFhymsXH
We knew Styles was an elite athlete, but seeing it happen is another thing. Posting one of the best combine performances by a linebacker of his size, Styles has likely made himself a sure-fire top-10 selection. The tape is among the best at the position in many years, with some believing him to be the best linebacker prospect since Boston College's Luke Kuechly in 2012.
Good morning to all those no longer sleeping on Malachi Lawrence
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) February 27, 2026
#NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/wyeTNAUF0N
No edge rushing prospect improved their stock at the combine more than Malachi Lawrence, a standout pass rusher from Central Florida who could fit a designated pass rush ability the Chiefs are in desperate need of. Lawrence brings cornering ability, a nice arsenal of rush moves, and quality size with plenty of room for growth as a run defender, making him an intriguing Day 2 option in the NFL Draft.
What Reiger put out on tape this past season flew heavily under the radar, but he is now on everyone's radar after a great showing in Indianapolis. Reiger had a 40-inch vertical jump paired with a 10'5" broad jump, matching his athleticism and explosiveness on his Wisconsin tape. He must learn how to finish sacks better, but Reiger has a relentless motor and a great rush toolkit to make an immediate impact in the NFL.
In a draft class that doesn't have many penetrating three-techniques, Halton stands out as a potential middle-round selection who could go much higher after a great showing at the combine. Running a 4.82 40-yard dash with a 1.70 10-yard split, a 38.5-inch vertical, and over a nine-foot broad jump, Halton's explosiveness and quickness were on full display. Could Halton join Omar Norman-Lott for an exciting young tandem for the future in Kansas City?
Rodriguez needed to establish quality athleticism across the board, considering his size limitations at the linebacker position. The top linebacker in the country from this past season put on a great show at the combine with a 4.57 40, a 38.5" vertical jump, and a 10'01" broad jump. With those numbers and good interviews with other teams, Rodriguez could find himself in top-50 discussions.
Clemson's DeMonte Capehart turned some heads at the combine. He has pocket crushing power and can ragdoll offensive lineman.
— Thomas Martinez (@BoltsDraftTalk) February 27, 2026
He posted ELITE testing at the combine. pic.twitter.com/OxH66OKJbh
You may know Peter Woods, but you may not know about his teammate DeMonte Capehart, who posted excellent numbers for a defensive lineman at the combine with a 10-yard split of 1.72 seconds, a 33.50" vertical jump, and weighing in at 6-foot-5, 315 pounds. Capehart made himself a little more money as a potential early Day 3 defensive tackle who can play from the three-technique in an attacking even front.
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