Several NFL draft prospects, including quarterbacks Ty Simpson and Diego Pavia, face significant questions at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
Players with limited college experience or injury histories have a critical opportunity to address concerns in Indianapolis.
The NFL scouting combine lends itself more to confirmation than revelation.
For fans, the annual event in Indianapolis provides some fun fodder for the pre-draft process, particularly with such a heavy focus being granted to testing and on-field drills. Teams, however, are not radically rethinking their evaluations based on these performances. Interviews and medical insights typically hold higher meaning for front offices.
But the stakes for this year’s 319 invitees are far from nonexistent, with more than a handful of figures having some notable concerns to address in one form or another.
Here are seven NFL draft prospects with something to prove at the combine:
QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
Most draft prospects have an extensive body of collegiate work that can combat any questions that arise at the combine. Simpson does not. Not only did the 6-foot-2, 208-pound passer start just 15 games for the Crimson Tide, his play took a sharp downturn over the course of his lone year at the helm. But with expected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza abstaining from working out, Simpson is sure to be the most closely monitored of any the signal-callers who take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 28.
Ultimately, there’s a limited amount of intel that can be reasonably gleaned from this setting on whether a player with Simpson’s limited experience and persistent problems responding to pressure is a trustworthy investment with a first-round pick. As the son of a longtime college football coach in Tennessee-Martin’s Jason Simpson, he should make a compelling case for himself in team meetings, which could prove crucial to convincing a franchise to pull the trigger on a surprisingly erratic distributor.
QB Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
The Heisman Trophy runner-up’s pre-draft process is already in a precarious position. Pavia measured at 5-9 and 7/8 at the Senior Bowl, failing to clear the 5-10 bar that Bryce Young and Kyler Murray managed to clear. Yet the dynamic dual-threat weapon is more than just a half-inch in height from mirroring the trajectory of either No. 1 pick.
Clawing into the back part of Day 3 might be the goal for him at this point, and potentially a lofty one at that. Pavia’s fluttering deep passes and impatience in the pocket leave him ill-equipped to handle even backup duties in the NFL. And while the former junior college transfer’s grit might play well with some evaluators, he also has to answer for a series of indiscretions, including an explicit Instagram post in the aftermath of his second-place finish to Mendoza for college football’s top honor. Pavia’s atypical play style and limited physical tools might prove too much for him to overcome, but he has to demonstrate some kind of upside to hook a team into giving him a shot as a developmental option, either in a traditional role or as a gadget weapon.
QB Carson Beck, Miami (Fla.)
It might seem odd to demand to see more of a three-year starter who has endured a rare level of scrutiny throughout his career. But for all the good Beck’s resurgence in Miami did for his draft stock, it also highlighted some serious concerns about his recovery from a torn ulnar collateral ligament in the 2024 Southeastern Conference Championship Game. That injury seemingly sapped the 6-4, 225-pound passer of a good bit of his arm strength, with deep heaves becoming a struggle. If teams have any reason for pause on his prognosis, it could damage his case to be one of the more highly selected signal-callers from the second tier at the position. But a solid medical outlook might help him continue his rise.
OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Ever since stepping his arrival, the former five-star recruit has been an outlier. When locked in, the 6-7, 366-pound left tackle erases defenders like few others can, either by negating pass rushers or punishing his targets in the run game. His junior season, however, underscored the volatility in his game, as he on several occasions struggled to stay in front of quick-moving edge threats. The combine could allow him to showcase his singular athleticism as a supersized blocker. But teams also will want to see more control and composure in all phases from a player who acknowledged he once eclipsed 400 pounds at Alabama.
OLB Romello Height, Texas Tech
His fourth stop in college finally gave rise to a breakout season. Height tallied 10 sacks and 62 tackles, according to Pro Football Focus, as he blossomed while working opposite likely top-10 pick David Bailey. But his Senior Bowl measurements of 6-2 and 234 pounds put him on a path to becoming a designated pass rusher rather than a full-time edge threat. Testing well is paramount for Height, whose athleticism will be integral to winning over front offices willing to take a gamble on an undersized disruptor who will be 25 on draft day.
LB Aiden Fisher, Indiana
As the heartbeat of the Hoosiers’ defense, Fisher helped key Indiana’s national title run by putting himself and his teammates in the right spots well before any problems arose. That savvy could help the All-American carve out a role as an end-of-roster backup and special teams contributor. To be more than that, however, the 6-1, 231-pound linebacker has to show he can measure up to his competition in at least a few facets. Fisher lacks the playmaking range to chase down outside runs as well as the size and strength to regularly shed blockers at the next level. But he also is a potential liability in coverage due to his rigidity. In Indianapolis, showing he’s not outclassed by the other linebacker prospects could help him latch on with a team.
CB Tacario Davis, Washington
After building a buzz at Arizona as one of college football’s uniquely built secondary presences at 6-4 and 200 pounds, Davis followed head coach Jedd Fisch to Arizona via the transfer portal. Things didn’t go his way in the fall, with a rib injury and hamstring pull limiting him to just eight games. Withdrawing from the Senior Bowl only heightens the importance of making a strong impression in Indianapolis. Davis’ rare blend of size, length and make-up speed might have some teams envisioning an ideal Cover 3 cornerback, a role that would accentuate his ability to eliminate downfield routes. But exhibiting a bit more fluidity could help him avoid being pigeonholed.