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2026 NFL Combine Schedule: Dates, Times and Full Draft Process Timeline

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

2026 NFL Combine Schedule: Dates, Times and Full Draft Process Timeline
NFL Combine (Image Credits: Imagn)

The road to the 2026 NFL Draft officially accelerates at the NFL Scouting Combine. Every year, front offices, coaches, scouts, and draft hopefuls descend on Indianapolis to evaluate the next wave of NFL talent. The Combine is more than 40-yard dashes; it is the most important centralized evaluation event in the draft cycle.

When Is the 2026 NFL Combine?

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine will take place from:

Monday, February 23 through Monday, March 2, 2026
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

The Combine’s most visible portion is the on-field testing, where prospects participate in:

  • 40-yard dash
  • Bench press
  • Vertical jump
  • Broad jump
  • 3-cone drill
  • Shuttle drill
  • Position-specific drills

Here is the full 2026 positional workout schedule:

Thursday, February 26

  • Defensive Linemen
  • Linebackers

Friday, February 27

  • Defensive Backs
  • Tight Ends

Saturday, February 28

  • Quarterbacks
  • Wide Receivers
  • Running Backs

Sunday, March 1

  • Offensive Linemen

Workouts typically begin in the afternoon and extend into prime-time broadcast windows, depending on position groups.

Why the Combine Matters in the Draft Process

The Combine serves three major purposes:

1. Verified Athletic Testing

It standardizes measurable testing across the entire draft class.

2. Medical Clearance

Teams receive centralized injury evaluations.

3. Face-to-Face Evaluations

General managers and head coaches interact directly with prospects.

Full 2026 NFL Draft Process Timeline

The Combine is just one milestone in a structured offseason calendar. Here is the complete timeline leading into draft night:

January 2026

  • Underclassmen declare for the draft
  • All-Star games (Senior Bowl, Shrine Bowl)

February 23 – March 2, 2026

  • NFL Scouting Combine (Indianapolis)

March 2026

  • Pro Days at individual colleges
  • Free agency begins (March 11, 2026 — 4:00 p.m. ET)

April 2026

  • Final Top-30 visits (team-hosted prospect visits)
  • Medical re-checks in Indianapolis
  • Final draft board adjustments

2026 NFL Draft Dates

The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for:

Thursday, April 23 – Saturday, April 25, 2026

  • Round 1: Thursday night
  • Rounds 2–3: Friday
  • Rounds 4–7: Saturday

This three-day structure continues the modern draft format.

The 2026 NFL Combine runs from February 23 through March 2 in Indianapolis, with on-field workouts beginning on February 26 and concluding on March 1. It marks the most important centralized evaluation event before the 2026 NFL Draft (April 23–25).

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