"The biggest story of Day 1 at the combine? This linebacker class is awesome. From testing to on-field drills, the names that were expected to be standouts certainly delivered. Sonny Styles (Ohio State) will be the talk of the position group, but the depth shined as well. Jake Golday (Cincinnati), Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas) and Kyle Louis (Pitt) are three others who helped their draft stock."
"Arm length was the topic of the day, as Bain (30 7/8 inches) and Texas A&M's Cashius Howell (30 1/4) measured under 31 inches. According to ESPN Research, those lengths would be the shortest for any defensive lineman drafted in the first round since ESPN started tracking."
The 2026 NFL Combine commenced Thursday at Lucas Oil Stadium with individual drills for defensive linemen and linebackers. The linebacker class emerged as the standout position group, with Sonny Styles from Ohio State leading the way, while Jake Golday, Anthony Hill Jr., and Kyle Louis also significantly improved their draft stock through strong performances. Arm length measurements dominated discussions among defensive linemen, with several prospects measuring under 31 inches, a notably short measurement for first-round defensive linemen historically. Draft experts evaluated performances across all positions, identifying rising prospects and notable under-the-radar showings. The combine continues through Sunday with defensive backs, tight ends, quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and offensive linemen completing their on-field workouts.
#nfl-combine-2026 #linebacker-evaluation #defensive-line-measurements #draft-prospects #on-field-performance
Read at ESPN.com
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