Five things you need to know about 2026 NFL Scouting Combine

As teams enter the offseason, they start preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. 

To gather more intel, teams will attend the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, which kicks off Monday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. With that in mind, let's answer five commonly asked questions about the event: 

1. Who is invited to the NFL Scouting Combine? 

College players who are deemed the best draft-eligible prospects are invited to the combine. It's not the same number each year, but more than 300 are typically invited. A panel of 10-15 members from scouting services and NFL personnel determines who's invited. The committee reviews a list of prospects and votes yes or no on them. Each player requires a supermajority to receive an invite. 

This year, 319 players have been invited to the combine, including Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese. For the full list of prospects, click here.

2. What is the purpose of the NFL Scouting Combine?

The purpose of the combine is for the 32 NFL teams to gather more information on players. It allows teams to scout players during on-field workouts, interview them and check their medical history. They then use this to shape their plans before the draft.

Prospects, meanwhile, can use it as an opportunity to improve their draft stocks. If they test or interview well, that may convince more teams to take a chance on them. 

3. What drills do players do at the NFL Scouting Combine? 

Players are first separated into their position groups and then begin drills. Kickers, defensive linemen and linebackers begin on-field testing on Thursday, followed by tight ends and defensive backs on Friday. The quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs go on Saturday, followed by offensive linemen on Sunday.