What to watch for on Day 2 on the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine

After defensive linemen, edge-rushers and linebackers take over Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, cornerbacks, safeties and tight ends will do the same Friday.

But before the position groups participate in drills, here's a look at you need to know.

All eyes on the 40-yard dash

Speed matters, and arguably nowhere more at the combine than at cornerback and tight end.

According to Sumer Sports data, 40-yard dash times correlate more highly for corners and tight ends than for athletes at other positions.

"Players such as Evan Engram, Darren Waller, Jared Cook, Noah Fant, George Kittle, Mike Gesicki and Jimmy Graham are all in the top 20 of the sample," writes Sumer Sports, which points to Kenyon Sadiq (6-foot-3, 245 pounds) as a tight end to watch in the 2026 class.

In 2025, Terrance Ferguson, selected in the second round (No. 46 overall) by the Los Angeles Rams, had the fastest 40 time at 4.63. He appeared in 14 games as a rookie and played 39 percent of his available snaps but showed potential in the limited role, ending the season with 11 receptions, 231 yards and three touchdowns. Per Pro Football Reference data, the 14 tight ends who ran at last year's combine averaged 4.755.

For corners, the 40-yard dash correlates more highly to a player's future playing time over their first three seasons than other combine drills. One year ago, Maxwell Hairston led all players with a 4.28 40-time and ended up playing 348 defensive snaps for the Buffalo Bills amid an injury-plagued season.

Darien Porter (4.3, 607 defensive snaps) and Jacob Parrish (4.35, 746) also received significant playing time, while Jahdae Barron (4.39, 334) played the fewest percentage of available snaps (30 percent) among the sub-4.4 group. Caleb Ransaw (4.33) suffered a season-ending non-contact injury during training camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Can any safety repeat Nick Emmanwori's unreal 2025 performance?

The Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist was one of the biggest winners of last year's combine following an unbelievable display. Emmanwori jumped up draft boards with a 43-inch vertical and 4.38 40-yard dash, which ESPN noted made him one of four players at his height (6-foot-3) or taller to record a vertical of at least 40 inches and a 40-time under 4.4 at the combine since 2003.

It was a performance we can't fathom will soon be replicated, although many will try.

The tight end class beyond Kenyon Sadiq

Unlike last year, Sadiq is the only tight end expected to be selected in the first round. That creates an opening for TE2 in the 2026 class, with Eli Stowers (6-4, 235 pounds) and Max Klare (6-5, 243 pounds) leading the second tier. But watch for Joe Royer (6-5, 250 pounds) and Michael Trigg (6-4, 240 pounds) this weekend.

Royer ranks No. 55 on ESPN's big board, and according to Sports Info Solutions data, he was first among 20 evaluated tight ends in expected points added (EPA) per target (0.67) in 2025 while averaging nine yards after the catch per reception. Trigg had the highest average depth of target (10.3 yards) of the same group, but he'll have to show drops aren't an issue after being credited with six last season.

A closer look at defensive backs

Mansoor Delane (6-0, 190 pounds) projects to be the next great corner out of LSU, while Avieon Terrell (5-11, 180 pounds), the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, is another top prospect in this year's class.

Delane's LSU teammate, A.J. Haulcy (6-0, 222 pounds), is one of several safeties to watch, as well projected top-10 pick Caleb Downs (6-0, 205 pounds) and Dillon Thieneman (6-0, 205 pounds), NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah's No. 23 overall prospect.

Two other players to watch are corner Chris Johnson (6-0, 190 pounds) and safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (6-2, 202 pounds). Both come from outside the power conferences but were still among the best at their respective positions. Leaving a strong impression in Indianapolis could solidify Johnson as a Day 2 pick and McNeil-Warren a first-rounder.

What not to watch for

The bench press is the most useless combine activity, and it will be an even bigger waste of time on Friday. Per Sumer Sports, of the combine drills, bench press has the lowest correlation to future impact for both tight ends and defensive backs across their first three seasons. As results roll in, those can confidently be ignored.