2026 NFL Combine: Taylen Green, Jeremiyah Love & Jeff Caldwell Showcase Elite Speed and Explosion

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine shifts to the offensive skill positions — quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers — where verified speed, acceleration, and lower-body explosion directly shape modern NFL spacing and explosive-play creation.

For running backs and wide receivers, testing data has consistently shown strong translation to NFL production. Sub-4.40 speed forces defensive leverage adjustments, while sub-1.50 10-yard splits correlate with early-phase separation and gap acceleration. Vertical jumps north of 40 inches reflect lower-body power that shows up at the catch point and through contact. The historical ceilings remain elite:

Chris Johnson’s 4.24 and 1.40 split at running back, Xavier Worthy’s 4.21 at wide receiver, and 1.43 splits from Henry Ruggs III and Malcolm Mitchell establish the benchmark for rare acceleration and runway speed.

Quarterback testing, however, requires context. The position is not defined by straight-line speed but by functional mobility, platform balance, and short-area escape ability. A strong 10-yard split and fluid movement in drills matter more than a headline 40 time. Lower-body explosion can translate to torque generation and off-platform velocity, but the throwing session ultimately carries greater evaluative weight than the stopwatch.

Running Back Historical Context

Running back testing is driven by launch and acceleration. The true separator is how quickly a back reaches top gear through the first 10 yards. Chris Johnson still holds both the fastest 40 (4.24) and fastest 10-yard split (1.40), a pairing that reflects explosive-play translation. The elite speed band for modern backs lives in the 4.30–4.40 range (Achane 4.32, Gibbs 4.36, Walker 4.38), while verticals of 40”+ consistently signal contact power and lower-body pop.

Wide Receiver Historical Context

Wide receiver remains the fastest position group historically. Worthy’s 4.21 and John Ross’ 4.22 represent rare top-end speed, but the 10-yard split often proves more predictive for early separation, with elite marks clustering between 1.43–1.46. Explosion also matters — vertical ceilings reach 45.0 inches (Chris Conley), reinforcing the link between lower-body power and catch-point dominance.

As numbers finalize for 2026, the evaluation won’t center on who simply ran fast. It will focus on which prospects demonstrated translatable burst, separation acceleration, and size-adjusted explosion that align with modern offensive demands.

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2026 NFL Combine Running Back Standouts

Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame | 6’0” | 212 lbs

Jeremiyah Love confirmed his elite projection with a 4.36 40-yard dash and a 1.48-second 10-yard split — a rare acceleration profile at 212 pounds.

The 1.48 split places him squarely in the modern explosive-launch tier alongside Justice Hill (1.48), Pierre Strong (1.50), Ezekiel Elliott (1.50), and Zamir White (1.50) — backs whose early-phase burst translated quickly to NFL production. While no one is touching Chris Johnson’s historic 1.40, Love’s first-three-step acceleration firmly lives inside the feature-back band.

The 4.36 40 reinforces that he’s not just quick — he carries true runway speed. That mark aligns with Jahmyr Gibbs (4.36), Anthony Alridge (4.36), and C.J. Spiller (4.37) — verified explosive-play threats capable of flipping the field.

At 212 pounds, pairing sub-4.40 long speed with sub-1.50 launch acceleration confirms legitimate three-down, home-run upside. The testing validates what the production already suggested: Love possesses the acceleration profile of a modern NFL feature back with true explosive-play equity.

Mike Washington Jr. | RB | Arkansas | 6’1” | 223 lbs

Mike Washington delivered one of the most impressive size-speed profiles in the class. His 4.33 40-yard dash places him alongside Isaac Guerendo (4.33) and Darren McFadden (4.33), just a tick behind De’Von Achane (4.32). At 223 pounds, that’s rare mass-adjusted runway speed — a legitimate outlier blend of frame and top-end acceleration.

His 1.51-second 10-yard split doesn’t enter the 1.48–1.49 elite launch tier, but it confirms strong early-phase acceleration for a back with his build. He gets up to speed efficiently and carries it with stride length once he clears the second level.

The 39-inch vertical reinforces lower-body power, landing just below the 40”+ explosion threshold occupied by backs like Saquon Barkley (41”), Christine Michael (43”), and Ameer Abdullah (42.5”). That vertical supports contact balance and red-zone translation, even if it doesn’t reach elite explosiveness territory.

The overall athletic profile confirms legitimate starter traits. If decisiveness and downhill urgency continue to develop, Washington has the size-speed foundation of a modern NFL feature back rather than just a rotational piece.

Demond Claiborne | RB | Wake Forest | 5’10” | 188 lbs

Demond Claiborne posted a 4.37 40-yard dash, placing him in the same verified speed tier as Isiah Pacheco, Pierre Strong, and T.J. Logan — legitimate NFL-caliber breakaway runners. The long speed is real, and once he opens his stride, he can stress pursuit angles and create explosive gains.

The separator, however, is the 1.59-second 10-yard split. That number places him outside the elite acceleration cluster, which historically lives in the 1.46–1.49 range (Chris Johnson 1.40, Jonathan Taylor 1.46, Tarik Cohen 1.47). Claiborne’s testing profile suggests build-up acceleration rather than immediate launch burst — he reaches top gear quickly enough, but he doesn’t explode through the first three steps at a feature-back level.

The data aligns with the tape. Claiborne is most dangerous in space, where lateral twitch and open-field speed can take over. His projection fits as a change-of-pace weapon and explosive-play complement rather than a downhill, gap-pressing power accelerator.

Jam Miller | RB | Alabama | 5’10” | 209 lbs

Jam Miller ran 4.42 in the 40 with a 1.53-second 10-yard split, placing him firmly in the functional NFL acceleration band but outside the true separator tier. The 1.53 split mirrors backs like Mike Washington Jr. in this class — respectable early burst, but not the 1.48–1.49 acceleration cluster that historically correlates with explosive feature-back translation.

Where Miller’s profile begins to flatten is in the explosion metrics. His 30.5-inch vertical and 9’7” broad jump fall well below the 40”+ elite lower-body power threshold and sit significantly under the modern explosive-starter baseline. For comparison, top-tier NFL-caliber backs routinely post 40-inch verticals and 10’5”+ broad jumps, signaling contact pop and red-zone power production.

The overall athletic profile confirms rotational viability but does not elevate his ceiling into feature-back territory. The testing aligns with a depth projection rather than a three-down impact role.

2026 RB Class Context

The 2026 running back group averaged:

• 4.46 in the 40

• 1.54 in the 10-yard split

• 36.4” vertical

  
  

For context:

• The elite 40 tier remains 4.24–4.36

• The elite split tier remains 1.40–1.49

• The elite explosion marker remains 40”+ vertical

The defining theme:

Acceleration and translatable burst over track-only speed.

• Love validated elite three-down projection.

• Washington validated rare size-speed upside.

• Claiborne confirmed open-field juice.

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2026 NFL Combine Quarterback Standouts

Taylen Green | QB | Arkansas | 6’6” | 227 lbs

Taylen Green delivered one of the most historically rare quarterback testing profiles in Combine history. His 4.37 40-yard dash ranks second all-time at the position behind only Reggie McNeal’s 4.35, immediately placing him in elite athletic territory. More importantly, his 1.52-second 10-yard split lands squarely inside the premium acceleration tier occupied by Robert Griffin III, Anthony Richardson, and Jalen Hurts — the range that most directly translates to pocket escape and designed-run viability.

What truly separates Green, however, is the explosion. His 43.5-inch vertical is the highest ever recorded for a quarterback, surpassing Anthony Richardson’s 40.5 and Robert Griffin III’s 39. At 6’6” and 227 pounds with nearly 35-inch arms, that combination of size, stride length, and lower-body power is historically rare. The testing confirms elite dual-threat athletic upside and schematic flexibility.

The evaluation hinge remains passing consistency. His elongated delivery, processing variance, and ball security under pressure must stabilize for his ceiling to be realized. But from a pure athletic standpoint, Green validated rare traits that significantly expand offensive design options at the next level.

Cole Payton | QB | North Dakota State | 6’3” | 232 lbs

Cole Payton delivered a strong size-adjusted athletic profile, running 4.56 in the 40 with a 1.55-second 10-yard split, along with a 40-inch vertical and 10’10” broad jump.

The 4.56 places him firmly in the functional dual-threat tier at quarterback — comparable to players like Dorian Thompson-Robinson (4.56) and just behind Russell Wilson (4.55). It’s not rare speed for the position, but at 232 pounds, it confirms legitimate build-up mobility and designed-run viability.

His 1.55 split lands in the same acceleration range as Brock Purdy (1.55) and Drew Lock (1.55), signaling adequate short-area burst without entering the elite 1.51–1.53 escape band occupied by Malik Cunningham (1.51), Anthony Richardson (1.53), and Jalen Hurts (1.53). The testing suggests functional pocket movement rather than twitch-driven escapability.

The athletic testing confirms legitimate schematic utility in movement-based offenses. The projection, however, remains tied to mechanical refinement and velocity development. Payton profiles as a developmental QB3 with short-yardage and package-play value until his passing consistency stabilizes.

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2026 NFL Combine Wide Receiver Standouts

Brenen Thompson | WR | Mississippi State | 5’9” | 164 lbs

Brenen Thompson delivered the fastest times in the draft cycle, blazing a 4.26 40-yard dash with a 1.48-second 10-yard split, immediately placing himself in rare-speed territory.

The 4.26 sits just behind Xavier Worthy (4.21) and John Ross (4.22), aligning with the elite vertical-speed band that includes Henry Ruggs III (4.27) and Marquise Goodwin (4.27). That’s legitimate, defense-altering runway speed.

The more translatable metric may be the 1.48 split, which lands inside the premium WR acceleration cluster alongside Deebo Samuel (1.48), Mecole Hardman (1.48), and Will Fuller (1.47). The testing confirms true launch burst, not just build-up speed.

At 164 pounds, the projection is specialized. Without verified explosion numbers, his profile leans heavily on vertical stress and acceleration rather than size-adjusted power. The testing reinforces a pure field-stretch weapon whose ceiling hinges on durability and route diversification.

Zavion Thomas | WR | LSU | 5’10” | 190 lbs

Thomas posted a 4.28 40-yard dash with a 1.51-second 10-yard split, placing him firmly inside the rare-speed band for this class.

The 4.28 aligns with vertical threats such as Tyquan Thornton (4.28) and J.J. Nelson (4.28), confirming legitimate runway speed capable of stressing coverage. His 1.51 split lands just outside the elite 1.43–1.48 acceleration tier but still reflects strong early-phase burst.

The 36-inch vertical supports functional lower-body pop, though it falls short of the 40”+ explosive threshold that typically signals above-the-rim dominance.

The testing validates a vertical and return-game weapon with true field-stretch ability. The projection remains role-specific — speed, space, and manufactured touches — rather than a high-volume separator or contested-catch specialist.

Bryce Lance | WR | North Dakota State | 6’3” | 204 lbs

Lance delivered one of the most impressive size-adjusted profiles in the receiver group, running a 4.34 40-yard dash with a 1.51-second split, along with a 41.5-inch vertical and 11’1” broad jump.

The 4.34 places him in the verified vertical-speed band alongside players like DK Metcalf (4.33) and Brandin Cooks (4.33), confirming legitimate runway speed for a 6’3” boundary target. His 1.51 split sits just outside the elite 1.43–1.48 acceleration tier but reflects strong early-phase burst for his frame.

Where Lance separates is explosion. The 41.5-inch vertical places him inside the 40”+ explosive threshold, aligning with players such as Rashee Rice (41”) and Bryce Ford-Wheaton (41”). The 11’1” broad reinforces lower-body power and horizontal drive.

The testing confirms a vertical boundary weapon with above-the-rim traits and real size-speed upside. The projection hinges on route refinement and short-area polish, but the athletic ceiling is starter-caliber if development continues.

Deion Burks | WR | Oklahoma | 5’10” | 180 lbs

Burks posted one of the more explosive testing profiles in the class: 4.33 in the 40, 1.51-second 10-yard split, 42.5-inch vertical, and 10’11” broad jump.

The 4.33 places him alongside verified vertical threats such as DK Metcalf (4.33), Brandin Cooks (4.33), and Phillip Dorsett (4.33) — legitimate NFL-caliber long speed. His 1.51 split sits just outside the elite 1.43–1.46 tier (Ruggs 1.43, Metcalf 1.45), but it confirms strong early-phase acceleration that translates to slot separation and jet-sweep burst.

Where Burks truly separates is explosion. The 42.5-inch vertical places him just below the all-time WR ceiling of Chris Conley (45”) and in the same rare air as Donovan Peoples-Jones (44.5”) and Miles Boykin (43.5”). That lower-body pop shows up in short-area route breaks and catch-point elevation.

The question remains play-speed consistency. The testing confirms explosive traits; the projection hinges on vertical route nuance and tempo control.

Jeff Caldwell | WR | Cincinnati | 6’5” | 216 lbs

Caldwell delivered arguably the most impressive size-adjusted profile in the receiver group: 4.32 in the 40, 1.53 split, 42-inch vertical, and 11’2” broad jump.

The 4.32 places him inside the rare-speed band occupied by Will Fuller (4.32) and Calvin Austin (4.32) — but at 6’5”, 216 pounds, that’s a dramatically different body type. His profile more closely resembles a vertical mismatch archetype.

The 42-inch vertical puts him alongside elite explosive testers such as Henry Ruggs (42”) and Josh Doctson (41”), reinforcing above-the-rim dominance potential. The 11’2” broad confirms horizontal power to complement stride-based separation.

The athletic ceiling is undeniable. The evaluation hinge remains route refinement and contested-catch aggression. If technical development catches up to the traits, this is starter-caliber vertical “Z” upside.

Zachariah Branch | WR | Georgia | 5’9” | 177 lbs

Branch tested at 4.36 in the 40 with a 1.52 split, confirming legitimate field-stretch speed. His time places him in the same verified range as Jahmyr Gibbs (4.36 as RB) and C.J. Spiller (4.37) in terms of open-field carry speed — but at receiver, that band reflects true slot stress ability.

The 1.52 split confirms strong acceleration, even if it doesn’t enter the 1.43–1.46 elite WR launch tier. His 38-inch vertical reflects solid but not rare explosion relative to the class.

The testing validates what the tape shows: instant-access speed, YAC burst, and return-game utility. His projection is as a movement-based slot weapon with vertical flexibility rather than a boundary alpha.

Chris Brazzell II | WR | Tennessee | 6’4” | 198 lbs

Brazzell posted a 4.37 40-yard dash, reinforcing legitimate build-up speed for a 6’4” receiver. That mark aligns with vertical threats such as Isiah Pacheco (RB 4.37), Pierre Strong (RB 4.37) — confirming runway speed for a tall-strider archetype.

The 1.54 split suggests build-up acceleration rather than immediate launch burst. His testing supports stride-length separation rather than sudden twitch wins.

The profile aligns with his tape: vertical “Z” receiver with above-the-rim control. The evaluation question remains physicality against press and intermediate consistency.

Malik Benson | WR | Oregon | 6’0” | 189 lbs

Benson’s 4.38 40 confirms legitimate deep-threat speed, landing in the same band as Kenneth Walker (RB 4.38) and Ty Chandler (RB 4.38) in pure runway terms. His 1.54 split reflects solid but not elite launch acceleration.

Where his profile flattens is explosion — 32.5-inch vertical and 10’2” broad sit below the 40”+ explosive WR tier. That supports a projection built primarily on vertical speed rather than catch-point dominance or contact pop.

He remains a field-stretch specialist whose value hinges on defensive leverage stress.

Skyler Bell | WR | Connecticut | 6’0” | 192 lbs

Bell posted a balanced, starter-caliber profile: 4.40 40, 1.51 split, 41-inch vertical, and 11’1” broad.

The 1.51 split places him just outside the elite launch band but firmly inside strong early-phase acceleration territory. His 41-inch vertical puts him in the explosive tier alongside Rashee Rice (41”) and Bryce Ford-Wheaton (41”).

The testing confirms what the production suggests: three-level speed with legitimate lower-body pop. Bell’s profile projects as an inside/outside contributor with vertical stress ability and YAC potential.

Omar Cooper Jr. | WR | Indiana | 6’0” | 199 lbs

Omar Cooper Jr. posted a 4.43 40-yard dash with a 1.54-second 10-yard split and a 37-inch vertical, confirming solid NFL-caliber athleticism but not rare explosiveness.

The 4.43 places him in the functional vertical-speed band — fast enough to threaten leverage but outside the 4.32–4.36 rare-speed tier occupied by true runway separators. His 1.54 split reflects adequate early acceleration, though it falls short of the elite 1.43–1.48 launch cluster that typically signals immediate separation ability off the line.

Where Cooper’s profile diverges from pure speed receivers is play strength and contact balance. His 37-inch vertical confirms respectable lower-body explosion, even if it doesn’t enter the 40”+ explosive tier. The testing aligns closely with the tape: he wins more with build-up speed, frame strength, and post-catch violence than with sudden twitch or vertical stack speed.

Cooper profiles as a physical slot or inside/outside hybrid who can generate yards after contact and stress defensive backs through body control rather than pure athletic separation. The Combine numbers reinforce a high-floor, Day 2-caliber projection built on translatable play strength rather than rare traits.

2026 WR Class Context

The 2026 wide receiver group averaged:

• 4.44 in the 40

• 1.56 in the 10-yard split

• 36.9” vertical

  
  

For context:

• The elite 40 tier remains 4.21–4.33

• The elite split tier remains 1.43–1.48

• The elite explosion marker remains 40”+ vertical

  
  

The defining theme:

Top-end speed depth with a smaller true launch-acceleration cluster.

• Thompson and Thomas validated rare vertical speed.

• Caldwell and Lance confirmed size-speed explosion profiles.

• Burks delivered elite lower-body pop.

The class shows strong overall movement traits, but the true separators remain the prospects who paired runway speed with premium first-three-step acceleration or 40”+ catch-point explosion. force defensive cushion, threaten vertically, and convert acceleration into separation.