2026 NFL Combine Shocker: Which Underrated Receivers and Running Backs Suddenly Became Must-Watch Prospects?

Chris Brazzell II (Tennessee) – There is a group of receivers after the Top 4, but how they sort out will really be in the eye of the beholder and individual team needs. Brazzell made his bid to separate himself with a blazing 4.37-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-5, 200 pounds. He’s coming from a limited passing offense, but he has better agility and fluidity than his frame would suggest and all the vertical playmaking ability that it does.

Jeff Caldwell (Cincinnati) – We have another potential historic RAS on our hands. Caldwell weighed in at 6-foot-5, 216 pounds, and turned in an excellent 4.32-second 40-yard dash, 42-inch vertical, and 11-foot-2 broad jump. Caldwell came into the Combine as a priority free agent, but he sent teams back to his tape with that workout.

Ja’Kobi Layne (USC) – Lane had the kind of 40-time you’d expect from him with 4.47 seconds. But he showed off what makes him special in the field drills with vacuum hands in that sucked in everything thrown near him. Makai Lemon got the accolades at USC, but Lane was the jump-ball and contested catch specialist. He has solid size at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, but it’s his 10 1/2 inch hands and ball skills that make him special.