When the NFL Scouting Combine started in 1982, it wasn't called the scouting combine or held in Indianapolis. The first National Invitational Camp was held in Tampa, Florida—the brainchild of Dallas Cowboys general manager Tex Schramm, it was a way to centralize player workouts as opposed to teams scheduling individual ones all over the country with individual prospects.
In 1985, the NIC and two other "national" camps were combined into the NFL Scouting Combine, and in 1987, the combine found a permanent home in Indy. In the four decades since, the combine has gone from a relatively quiet affair to a multi-day televised spectacle that draws better ratings than playoff games in some other sports.
That's right—fans would rather watch NFL draft prospects run around in their skivvies than be forced to endure baseball.
Indeed.
It can be argued that the most valuable aspect of the combine for NFL teams is the player interviews and medical checks that occur behind closed doors. There has been no shortage of players who have had bad combines who have gone on to be stars in the pros. And plenty of "workout warriors" who blew up the combine only to flop in the NFL.
Looking at you, Mike Mamula. Looking right. At. You.
The best way to gauge how good a prospect is at playing football is always going to be to watch said prospect, you know, play football. As the old adage goes, "Tape Don't Lie." But the combine still has value (and risk) for those who take part. Post an excellent workout, and a Day 3 pick can move up a round or two. Fall flat in drills, and seeds of doubt can be planted in teams' minds.
There are also takeaways to be had for fantasy managers where the incoming rookie class is concerned—especially in dynasty formats. And one of the first groups to hit the practice field this year was the kings of IDP—the linebackers.
Sonny Styles Is All That—and a Bag of Chips
Ohio State's Sonny Styles was already widely regarded as the No. 1 off-ball linebacker in this draft class after a 2025 season in which the 6-5, 243-pounder logged 82 total tackles and didn't miss a tackle until the Big Ten Championship Game. While speaking to reporters at the combine, Styles said he believes he has all the tools to be a three-down linebacker in the NFL.
"I think I can do it all at a high level. I think I'm a very athletic player, and I think that shows up in my game," Styles said. "I feel comfortable calling plays. I think the comfortability level just comes with spending time. If I know what I'm doing and everyone else knows what I'm doing, there's no stress with it."
Styles' workout was the story of this year's combine. His 43.5" vertical was the best by a linebacker in combine history. His broad jump of 11'2" ranks in the top five. And Styles was the first player to run a sub-4.5-second 40-yard dash with a vertical leap of 40-plus inches and a broad jump of 11-plus feet at 230-plus pounds since 2003, per NFL Research.
Styles is the total package. He's big. Fast. Strong. His instincts are solid. And he began his career at Ohio State as a safety, so he may have the best coverage skills of any linebacker in the class. Styles is the No. 1 rookie IDP in all formats by a wide margin, and he'll likely be drafted inside the top-20 linebackers in redraft leagues—if not the top-15.
Jacob Rodriguez is More Than Just a Shelf Full of Awards
If there's a defensive award to be had, then Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez won it last year—the 6-1, 235-pounder posted over 125 total tackles for the second straight year and brought home the Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik Award, Butkus Award, and Lombardi Award. Per ESPN's Matt Miller, Rodriguez is just flat-out a football player.
"Just a total playmaker – run stuffing, sacks, interceptions, pass breakups. He does it all, even scored a touchdown on offense," said Miller. "I know there's going to be some conversation about athletic ability, (lack of) explosiveness in the lower body … (but) in terms of just pure football players, Jacob Rodriguez is one of the best in this class."
Rodriguez allayed at least some of the concerns about his athleticism in Indy—he had the best three-cone time among linebackers at 6.90 seconds and tied for the top spot with a 4.19-second short-shuttle. His 4.57-second 40-yard dash, 38.5-inch vertical, and 10-foot broad jump gave him a 9.52 Relative Athletic Score out of 10.
Rodriguez is undersized. He also turns 24 this year. He probably won't be a first-round pick, nor will he be the second off-ball linebacker drafted in 2026. But plenty of Day 2 linebacker picks have gone on to have a major IDP impact, and given Rodriguez's talent and history of production, it wouldn't be a major upset if he's the next to do so.
