NFL Scouting Combine Rumors: Reese, McCoy, Giants, Proctor
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese is widely seen as a consensus top 5 prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, but top five picks don’t usually go to off-ball linebackers. Reese is just the latest in a line of prospects in recent years who made a name for themselves as linebackers in college before ultimately becoming pass rushers in the NFL. He confirmed as much at the NFL Scouting Combine, telling reporters that he would participate in drills for both off-ball linebackers and edge rushers in Indianapolis (per Dane Brugler of The Athletic) but prefers to play outside linebacker and rush the passer (per ESPN’s Turron Davenport).
As a true freshman for the Buckeyes in 2023, concussions and a depth chart that included players like Cody Simon and Tommy Eichenberg relegated Reese to eight games-worth of special teams duties. When he finally got opportunities on defense as a sophomore, Reese held a role solely as LB3, with only six snaps coming up close to the line as an edge. As a full-time starter in 2025, though, Reese’s time on defense was split nearly down the middle between linebacker and edge rusher with just 41 more snaps coming on the edge. Ohio State endeavored to use Reese where he was most effective this year, and he was their best pass rushing linebacker while sometimes struggling in coverage.
It’s not uncommon these days for star linebackers to make a transition to pass rusher. Sometimes, the NFL’s demands for off-ball linebackers don’t match a prospect’s skillset, sometimes a team’s desire for an elite pass rusher outweighs its need for an elite linebacker, and sometimes players see the disparity of pay between top-paid linebackers and top-paid edge rushers in the NFL and make their decision based on earning potential. Regardless, Reese is set to follow in the steps of Jihaad Campbell, Abdul Carter, and Micah Parsons before him.
Here are a few other rumors coming out of Indianapolis in the past few days:
- Widely seen as one of the top cornerback prospects in the draft and an expected first-round pick, Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy did not work out or participate in position drills at the combine with the other defensive backs yesterday, per Jordan Reid of ESPN. After an incredibly impressive true freshman year at Oregon State (two interceptions, seven passes defensed), McCoy transferred to Tennessee for Year 2 and secured first-team All-SEC honors after doubling his freshman pick total and logging nine more passes defensed. After tearing his ACL, McCoy was forced to miss his entire junior year, but he chose to declare for the draft anyway. He has reportedly fully recovered since suffering the injury but will save his workouts for the Volunteers’ pro day.
- There are sure to be lots of passing interests and smokescreens at the combine this weekend, but according to Pat Leonard of New York Daily News, the Giants have shown early interest in a few prospects already. After securing key, young offensive weapons like Malik Nabers, Jaxson Dart, and Cam Skattebo in recent drafts, New York reportedly has shown interest in adding another. Leonard indicates USC’s Makai Lemon and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate are names that have drawn the team’s attention in Indianapolis. In addition, though the Giants are currently pretty deep at pass rusher, Tate’s teammate, Reese, was a person of interest for New York, as well.
- Lastly, Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor is one of several linemen that could hear their name called on Day 1 of the draft. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, though, Proctor may not stay on the blindside at the next level. Per Breer, Proctor’s elite size and athleticism make him a potential first-round prospect, but in order to stay at left tackle he’ll need to take advantage of his massive frame without getting slower as he manages his weight. This balancing act combined with a strong down-blocking ability in the run game have some convinced that he may do better at guard or right tackle once he reaches the NFL level.
Miami DL Rueben Bain Won’t Participate In Combine Testing
Coming off a 2025 College Football Playoff championship run that fell just short, Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. has been one of the more controversial prospects in pre-draft discussions before today. Questions of tape vs. production vs. measurements have had draft pundits putting him anywhere from top three to late-first round on their draft boards. Bain seems to believe he’s done enough to prove his abilities, though, as he will not be participating in any on-field testing at the NFL Scouting Combine, per ESPN’s Turron Davenport. 
Bain’s career in Coral Gables was a bit of a roller coaster. Many of the same questions plagued the Miami Central HS (FL) product coming out of high school, as his 6-foot-2, 250-pound frame detracted from his dominance on film. Still, as a consensus top-100 recruit, he made an immediate impact on the Hurricanes defense, registering 7.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. His sophomore year was plagued with injuries as Bain missed four games. The missed time and a slimmer frame seemed to contribute to his inability that season to find a rhythm and match the dominance he’d shown in Year 1.
This past season was a different story. Finally healthy and having added back some weight (up to 270 pounds), Bain looked much more like the menace from two years prior. Although his return to dominance made him the point of attention for every offense he went up against, Bain continued to make impact plays, either by disrupting with sacks and TFLs or by freeing things up for his teammates to create negative plays. Even so, Bain only accounted for 4.5 sacks and 7.5 TFLs through the regular season.
When the lights got brightest, though, Bain showed what he could do against the NCAA’s best competition. In a windy first-round playoff game in College Station, Bain’s three sacks and four tackles for loss shined on a day of little offense. In two games against the two Big 10 teams that entered the CFP ranked 1 and 2, Bain added another two sacks and four tackles for loss.
When the season came to an end, it was clear Bain’s impressive abilities had solidified him as a first-round talent, but draft pundits seemed to have concerns about his occasional disappearances from the stat sheet and his arm length. While his lack of consistent production is helped by the opportunities that his impact provides for his teammates, there have historically been concerns playing pass rushers with shorter arms on the outside in the NFL.
From the look of things early, though, Bain’s choice not to test could be well warranted. As defensive linemen, linebackers, and kickers reported today for team interviews and media availability, multiple reports suggested that no booth was more crowded than Bain’s. Regarding the questions of tape, production, and measurements, the collective media was dying to hear about that latter, main concern most draft pundits had pegged on Bain in the pre-draft process.
Bain relayed to the media that he had met with the Chiefs, Titans, Bengals, Cardinals, Commanders, Cowboys, Dolphins, Jets, and Saints. Throughout all of those conversations, he maintained that not a single team brought up any concerns about his arm length, per Davenport. He told reporters it was just “stuff you see on social media” and claimed that if the teams weren’t concerned about it then neither was he. Bain told the media he felt great about his interviews which had focused on his tape and impact, not his measurables.
According to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi echoed those sentiments, saying they were impressed with Bain’s power and mind in their meeting with him and that “short arms aren’t (an) issue.” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein also laid out a case for how the typical short-arm concerns don’t apply to a player like Bain, who often disrupts a blocker’s punch timing with his explosive get off and strong hands.
The reporting that he will not participate in on-field testing certainly is backed up by team’s focus on his tape, but it’s unclear if his refusal to test includes taking place in the combine’s official measurements. If there are any genuine team concerns on his arm length, and he doesn’t measure, it could certainly hurt his draft stock with those teams. But after hearing that his impact on the field was the focus with multiple teams, Bain may feel confident enough measure without any worry of poor measurements hurting his stock.
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza Not Throwing At NFL Combine
Coming off a Heisman-winning, championship season, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has become the overwhelming favorite to become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Already sitting atop most draft boards, Mendoza has chosen to pass on the opportunity to improve his stock. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Mendoza doesn’t intend to throw at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. 
Mendoza is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he led the NCAA with 41 touchdown passes. Accompanying those scores was a 72.0 completion percentage, 3,535 passing yards, and only six interceptions. In two blowout College Football Playoff games leading to a berth in the National Championship, Mendoza dominated Alabama and Oregon, throwing eight touchdowns to only five incompletions — not interceptions, incompletions.
Coming off some of his best play on college football’s biggest stages, Mendoza sees no need to go for a big day in Indianapolis in front of coaches, scouts, and general managers. “The combine, I don’t think throwing’s going to be a priority just because it’s such a quick turnaround,” Mendoza said on a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.
Mendoza had previously mentioned attending the combine, so it looks like he’ll at least be in Indianapolis to interview with any teams who think he stands a chance at falling past the first pick of the draft. While drills at the combine appear to be off the table, Mendoza told McAfee and company that he intended to help his wide receiver teammates as best he could at the Hoosiers’ pro day.
“At the combine, you’re throwing to different receivers, it’s a whole different thing,” he said. “And I want to make sure I give my guys the best chance. I want to throw at pro day with my guys, with my running backs and be there with the boys.”
Mendoza is likely referring to his top targets this year, wide receivers Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt, who are both projected to be Day 2 picks in April. While scouts likely would’ve appreciated seeing him throw with players he hasn’t spent the whole season with, his stock at the moment doesn’t seem to have anywhere to go but down. He’ll help his receivers look good to help them potentially improve their draft stock, but participating in the combine won’t do much to help his already sky-high stock.
Abdul Carter Has Stress Reaction In Foot, Will Not Undergo Surgery
FEBRUARY 27: Further testing has revealed that surgery is not advised, Schefter notes in an update. As a result, Carter will indeed work out at his Pro Day in advance of hearing his name called early on Day 1 of the draft.
FEBRUARY 26: Abdul Carter won’t participate at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine, and it was assumed the blue-chip prospect was simply saving his energy for Penn State’s Pro Day. Instead, the projected first-overall pick may skip all workouts as he deals with a foot injury that could require surgery.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Carter underwent tests today that revealed a stress reaction in his right foot. The prospect is considering “pre-emptive surgery” that would result in a screw being inserted in the foot. That route would require about eight weeks of recovery, which at the very least would put Carter’s availability for the start of rookie minicamp in doubt.
Alternatively, Carter could skip the surgery. Schefter hints that the edge rusher could still participate at Penn State’s Pro Day later this week and “prove to NFL teams that he doesn’t need [surgery].” Carter, his family, and his agents consulted with doctors today to “gather more information,” and there’s an expectation that the player’s camp will make a decision later this week (per Schefter).
“There are mixed opinions on whether he needs surgery, and we will figure that out in the near future,” Carter’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told Schefter.
Carter already entered the pre-draft process with an injury, as the defending Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year was nursing a shoulder injury he suffered in Penn State’s playoff game versus Boise State. Carter recently stated that he’s back to around 90 percent health, and Rosenhaus recently sent a memo to NFL teams stating that the player has been cleared to resume training.
Even with the growing list of injury concerns, Carter isn’t expected to see a hit to his draft stock. Along with Travis Hunter, Carter was considered one of the draft’s two elite prospects, and teams will gamble on the pass-rushing upside despite any injury concerns. Rosenhaus said as much when speaking with reporters.
“Either way, worst case scnario, we don’t expect this to impact where he is drafted,” Rosenhaus said. “After visiting with teams this week, I believe he’s going to be the No. 1 overall pick. “
Draft Rumors: Carter, Walker, Miami, Loveland
The NFL Scouting Combine starts tomorrow, February 27, and will continue through Sunday, March 2. In a prospect pool that has been reportedly devoid of top-end talent but full of starters and contributors, the combine will be a prime opportunity for players to display their most impressive attributes and stand out.
One of the few elite players in the class who does not need to display anything at the combine, Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter will reportedly not be working out this weekend, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Carter is still recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered in the team’s playoff game versus Boise State, an injury he played through against the Fighting Irish in the following round of the 12-team playoff.
Per Turron Davenport, also of ESPN, Carter claims to be at about 90 percent. Carter’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has sent a letter to all NFL teams informing them that his client has been cleared to resume training and will be cleared to workout in time for his pro day on March 28.
Here are a few other draft and combine rumors before the event starts tomorrow:
- Similarly, Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker will not be working out at the combine, per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. He is currently working his way back from a quad injury. He plans to workout at his school’s pro day, as well.
- We’ve already heard that Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders will not throw at the combine, choosing to focus solely on team interviews, but Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss), Jalen Milroe (Alabama), and Riley Leonard (Notre Dame) will all reportedly throw this weekend, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. A determination has not yet been made for Miami passer Cam Ward, who is expected to challenge for the top pick in the draft with Carter and Sanders.
- One of Ward’s top targets in Coral Gables, tight end Elijah Arroyo, will unfortunately not be participating this weekend, per Rapoport. Arroyo made waves at the Senior Bowl as an incredibly athletic mismatch for any defender, linebacker or defensive back. Unfortunately, at the same event, he suffered a knee injury that will hold him out in Indianapolis. He is expected to be ready to workout at his pro day on March 24.
- Carter wasn’t the only prospect who had a doctor send a letter on his behalf this week. Notorious sports medicine specialist Dr. Neal Elattrache sent out a letter to all 32 teams claiming that Michigan tight end Colston Loveland will be able to participate in minicamp and will be fully cleared in time for training camp after undergoing shoulder surgery last month, per Schefter. As the letter insinuates, Loveland will be unavailable to work out at the combine or his pro day.
- Lastly, we saw one more letter going out, this one from Dr. Daniel Cooper, the surgeon who performed an ACL reconstruction on East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel back in October. Cooper tells the league that Revel is on schedule to be fully cleared by the summer. Revel will still attend the combine for interviews and medical checks, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
NFL Draft Rumors: Dart, QBs, Hunter
As far back as November, we have been consistently reporting that only two quarterbacks are being viewed as first-round prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft: Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. At the same time, we’ve been allowing for the potential that the usual, annual desperation from NFL teams at the quarterback position could lead to Day 2 or 3 passers being pushed into the first round with Ward and Sanders. 
We saw this happen last year. Early on in the pre-draft process in 2024, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye were viewed as the only first-round options, though Heisman-winner Jayden Daniels quickly forced his way into that conversation. Even after the conclusion of the College Football Playoff championship game, the two quarterbacks in that game, J.J. McCarthy and Michael Penix, were not generally being viewed as first-round prospects. Eventually, we ended up with six quarterbacks being selected in the first round — all in the first 12 picks — with Bo Nix joining the party, as well.
It’s not an uncommon occurrence, and this year, Jason La Canfora of The Washington Post has pegged Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart as the man to break into the first round with Ward and Sanders. “Book at least three quarterbacks to be taken in the first round of the draft,” La Canfora writes, citing that “too much demand” will overcome “not enough supply.” After watching the 21-year-old’s performance in the Senior Bowl, La Canfora quoted one general manager guaranteeing that Dart will hear his name on the first night of the draft. Another executive La Canfora talked to claimed that, while he himself wouldn’t select Dart that high, he believes Dart’s going Day 1.
Aside from his Senior Bowl performance, Dart had an impressive senior season for the Rebels, racking up the third-highest passing yards per game behind Ward (second) but ahead of Sanders (fourth). While Dart’s 29 passing touchdowns didn’t approach Ward (39) or Sanders (34), his six interceptions were fewer than both of his competitors.
Here are a couple other rumors surrounding common early conversations we’ve seen in the runup to the draft:
- Yesterday, ESPN’s NFL Nation released the results of some polling their reporters — Turron Davenport, Jeff Legwold, Daniel Oyefusi, and Katherine Terrell — conducted with NFL executives, coaches, and scouts at the Senior and Shrine Bowls. One interesting vote showed that of nine people asked if the top draft pick will be a quarterback, three said yes, four said no, and two were undecided. A big deciding factor for this will be what the Titans decide to do with their No. 1 overall pick; another factor will be if the team decides to address the quarterback position through the free agent or trade market before the draft.
- Another question NFL Nation posed was who the top quarterback in the draft is: Ward or Sanders? Of seven people asked, four sided with Ward while the remaining three went with Sanders. Oyefusi notes that the general consensus has Sanders as “a more refined pocket passer,” while “Ward’s arm talent and mobility give him the upper hand as a long-term prospect.” This goes along with most analyses we’ve seen that place Sanders just behind Ward with Dart as a distant third, if that.
- We’ve addressed plenty of speculation already on where Colorado athlete and Heisman-winner Travis Hunter may find himself playing at the NFL-level. Agreeing with early reports that Hunter is being viewed more as an elite cornerback prospect with the potential to contribute in certain packages as a wide receiver, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Hunter is being listed as a defensive back at the NFL Scouting Combine. Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal adds that, while Hunter is planning on working out with the defensive backs at the combine, the two-way athlete will run some drills with the wide receivers, as well.
Patriots Hosting Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy
The closer and closer we get to the 2024 NFL Draft, the more certain it seems that a run of quarterbacks will start the event. What continues to be entirely uncertain is the pecking order of passers following USC quarterback Caleb Williams. One popular name who continues to see his stock rise is Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who is set to visit the Patriots over the next two days, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. 
McCarthy originally entered the pre-draft process as a likely candidate to be selected outside of the first round. The former starter of the reigning College Football Playoff champion Wolverines, McCarthy flew up draft boards as the pre-draft process went on, essentially cementing his status as a likely Day 1 pick. As he’s continued to impress at the NFL scouting combine and Michigan’s pro day, McCarthy’s draft stock has risen even more, making a case not only to be a top-four draft pick, but also to be the No. 2 overall selection after Williams.
Following the Bears’ No. 1 overall pick, the Commanders and Patriots follow at Nos. 2 and 3. McCarthy visited Washington earlier this week, and now he’ll get out to New England for a visit with the Patriots. McCarthy has come a long way from being in danger of falling outside of the first round and is now garnering attention from two teams at the top of this month’s draft.
It’s not all up to McCarthy, though. LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and North Carolina passer Drake Maye have long been in the conversation for the those second and third picks, as well. Maye saw the Commanders and Patriots comprise the largest NFL contingents at his pro day. Daniels, though, is seeming to be the favorite to be picked by Washington. If Daniels is, indeed, the choice at No. 2 overall, this weekend’s trip to New England could do a lot to affect the Patriots’ intentions at No. 3.
Of course, there’s always a chance that the Patriots could choose to trade back out of the third overall selection, not taking Maye, Daniels, or McCarthy, but that’s a very unlikely scenario. According to Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston, the price for New England to move out of the top three is likely going to be too high for any team to accomplish a move up into their draft slot.
So, McCarthy’s visit looms large. The 21-year-old will reportedly have dinner tonight with team officials before spending tomorrow in Foxborough for his visit. He’ll be the last out of himself, Daniels, and Maye to meet with the team, but if he can leave the best, lasting impression, he could find himself as the preferred option at No. 3, if he doesn’t get chosen by Washington at No. 2, of course.
Texas WR Xavier Worthy Sets Combine 40-Yard Dash Record
Records are meant to be broken, and we just saw John Ross‘ seven-year record for the 40-yard dash fall. Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy set NFL history today. After watching Worthy deliver the day’s top 40 time of 4.25 seconds on his first run, the internet took notice. Worthy decided to challenge Ross’ record and ended up besting his first run with an unofficial time of 4.22 seconds, tying Ross’ long-standing record. Matt Miller of ESPN was the first to report Worthy’s official, record-breaking time of 4.21 seconds. 
Top 40 times have been a mixed bag over the years. Sprint times like that don’t typically take a relatively unknown prospect and turn them into a first-round pick, but rarely does speed like that not improve a player’s draft stock. Players already seen as Day 1 picks may climb a little further up the board. Fringe top prospects could push their way into the first round. Mid-round prospects could work their way up to Day 2, late-round up to mid-, and undraftable prospects either sneak their way into the late rounds or became priority free agents.
The previous record-holder fell into that first group. Already considered a top wide receiver prospect following a redshirt junior year at Washington that saw him catch 81 passes for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns, Ross found himself getting selected in the top 10 draft picks. Injuries and an inability to crack the starting lineup in Cincinnati hindered Ross’ first two years in the league, though he proved effective as a redzone target in his sophomore season, catching seven touchdowns. He had a career-high of 506 receiving yards the following season, but ultimately, his rookie fifth-year option was declined, and after a one-year stint with the Giants and a futures deal with the Chiefs, the speedy receiver announced his retirement this past November.
Worthy falls into the second category of the prospects listed above. ESPN’s Mel Kiper lists him as the ninth-best wide receiver prospect in the draft, while Dane Brugler of The Athletic slots him in as the 10th-best wideout and the 46th-best prospect overall. In theory, that would land him securely in the second round of this year’s draft. With today’s record-setting performance, there’s a chance that some teams may be sliding him up their draft boards. It may not be enough to move him into Day 1, but if he interviews well and satisfies in other workouts, he could earn himself a fifth-year option.
Worthy proved in his first two seasons with the Longhorns that he could score, catching 21 touchdowns over the two-year span. He lost some touchdown catches to teammate Adonai Mitchell in 2023, with Mitchell snagging 11 touchdown grabs, but Worthy led the team in receiving yards and receptions every year he played in Austin. Mitchell is widely expected to be a first-round selection this April, and after today’s strong showing, Worthy may just join him there.
NFL Draft Notes: Harrison, LSU, Texas, DeJean, Bowers
We truly are starting to see a new era of pre-draft football in the NFL. On a day in which we saw every quarterback in the first group of passers except for Notre Dame’s Sam Hartman opt out of running the 40-yard dash, we continue to report on prospects who are seeing the NFL’s scouting combine as less and less of a priority.
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, star Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will not be participating in any of the testing at the combine. It doesn’t stop there, though, as Harrison has made the decision to not even train for those types of drills in the runup to the draft. Harrison will continue to work on pure football drills, allowing his tape to do the talking.
Players like Harrison have the luxury of this approach. For the last two years, Harrison has widely been considered the top wide receiver prospect in this year’s crop. He only solidified that status with a second straight stellar season with the Buckeyes. He has a fairly good idea of where he’s going to fall in the draft, so he doesn’t feel the need to display his full set of abilities in an attempt to up his draft stock. Instead, he will focus on team interviews and preparing for the more practical aspects of NFL readiness. Breer also informs us that Harrison will head to the league without an agent, joining another recent trend.
The combine and pro days remain a crucial part of the pre-draft process for many of the mid- to late-round prospects, but for top players, workouts like these are beginning to become more and more superfluous.
Here are a few other draft rumors as the combine continues:
- On the topic of non-participants, LSU Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels and his wide receiver Malik Nabers have both opted out of their workouts in Indianapolis, choosing to work out at their pro day, instead. Today we found out that both players are also skipping the measurements portion of the combine, as well, per ESPN’s Field Yates. The two Tigers will submit to measurements at their pro day before workouts.
- One name that’s been climbing draft boards of late is Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy. Murphy’s versatility across the line has scouts excited and makes him a fit for pretty much every squad. Reflecting this, Murphy reportedly had 25 official interviews set up at the combine, according to Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda. Pauline also reports that the Raiders, Colts, Seahawks, and Vikings have all scheduled to bring him in for an official-30 visit. The list of suitors for the Longhorn defender likely won’t stop there.
- Another top Texas prospect, running back Jonathon Brooks continues to make his way back from ACL surgery that ended his final season in Austin. The top rusher on both ESPN’s Mel Kiper’s and Dane Brugler of The Athletic’s boards, Brooks is reportedly “healing well and as expected,” per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. While he obviously won’t be participating in any pre-draft workouts, he’s expected to be cleared for training camp.
- Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean‘s leg injury continues to hold him out of football activities in the leadup to the draft. After already learning that he wouldn’t be available to workout at the combine, Greg Auman of FOX Sports informs us that DeJean will also not participate in physical activities at Iowa’s pro day. DeJean claims to be fully cleared from the fracture in his lower leg and that he will work out at some point before the draft, but it looks like scouts will have to make personal trips out to Iowa City in order to workout DeJean.
- Finally, one more top draft prospect made the decision not to workout at the combine this year. Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, the top prospect at his position per both Kiper and Brugler and a likely top-10 pick, will not work out in Indianapolis. Scouts interested in seeing this Bulldog in action will have to make their way out to Georgia’s pro day.
Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry Sitting Out Combine With Injury
Projected first-round cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, born Ga’Quincy, appeared in Indianapolis today prepared to measure and work out at the NFL scouting combine. Unfortunately, though, McKinstry discovered in a combine medical evaluation that he had a Jones fracture in his right foot, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Due to the injury, McKinstry made the decision not to work out with the other defensive back prospects today. 
A Jones fracture is a fairly common foot injury, and it’s not uncommon for athletes to be unaware that they have one. The only symptom of the issue tends to be soreness on the outside of the foot, a sensation athletes frequently experience and often shrug off as normal. That also makes it an easy injury to play through, which explains why McKinstry is only now discovering the fracture.
Due to poor blood supply to the area, Jones fractures do not tend to heal well on their own, making surgery a necessary requirement in order to heal. Surgery now would prevent McKinstry from working out for scouts at all in the leadup to the 2024 NFL Draft, so it appears he will hold off on surgery for now. McKinstry will regroup with his coaches and trainers back in Tuscaloosa and plans to work out for scouts there at his pro day.
Following that workout, McKinstry will get the procedure to repair the fracture. The expectation for recovery sees him ready to return with plenty of time for NFL training camps, so today’s discovery is unlikely to hurt his draft stock much, if at all. McKinstry measures out as a prototypical NFL cornerback and showed strong attributes on film this year. A strong workout at Alabama could help make up for a lack of statistical production at the college level and solidify his first-round status.