2026 NFL Combine: Defensive Line & Linebacker Testing Winners and Losers

February 27, 2026·59 min·5 clips

Sonny Stiles jumped 43.5 inches at 245 pounds, a combine record for linebackers since 1999.

Trevor Sikkema and Max Chadwick break down standout performances from day one of the NFL Combine, focusing on defensive linemen and linebackers. They highlight Sonny Stiles' historic athletic testing, debate draft positions for top prospects like Arvel Reese and Reuben Bain Jr., and analyze how measurables impact stock for players like Cassius Howell and Caleb Banks.

As heard by us

Combine chaos turns into real draft calls, especially in the trenches.

The episode moves quickly through day one of the NFL Combine, with Trevor Sikma and Max Chadwick sorting the defensive line, edge rushers, defensive tackles, and linebackers after a few historic performances.

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Why you'd press play

You want combine numbers turned into draft decisions, not empty hype.

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