Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine shifted the spotlight to defensive backs and tight ends, and the workouts delivered exactly what evaluators expected: speed, explosiveness, and several major athletic statement performances. With multiple top prospects opting out of drills, the players who did test had a massive opportunity to climb boards — and several took full advantage.

Here are the biggest winners and losers from Day 2 in Indianapolis.

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Winners

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Sadiq arguably stole the entire day with a historic athletic showing. His blazing 4.39 forty-yard dash set a new benchmark for tight ends and immediately separated him from the rest of the position group.

Beyond the straight-line speed, his explosion numbers and overall movement skills confirmed elite athletic upside on film. In a class where teams covet mismatch tight ends, Sadiq’s performance likely vaulted him into a significantly higher draft tier and further solidified his profile as a modern receiving weapon rather than a traditional in-line tight end.

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Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

Stowers emerged as one of the biggest risers of the tight end workouts thanks to elite explosion metrics and fluid on-field drills. He posted standout vertical and broad jump numbers that showcased rare lower-body explosiveness for the position.

His testing validated the athletic ceiling evaluators had noted on tape and strengthened his case as a dynamic move tight end who can stress defenses vertically and in space.

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D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

Ponds turned what could have been a concerning measurement profile into a major stock boost with elite explosiveness. Despite smaller size measurements, his 43.5-inch vertical jump was one of the most eye-catching performances of the defensive back group.

That type of explosion, paired with strong drill work, helped shift the narrative from size limitations to high-end athletic traits, making him one of the clearest Day 2 risers.

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Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas

Muhammad answered one of the biggest pre-combine questions surrounding his long speed with a strong 40-yard dash performance and smooth positional drills. His testing helped confirm that his movement skills translate to NFL coverage responsibilities.

For a corner whose film showed technical consistency but some athletic concerns, Day 2 served as a box-checking performance that stabilized and potentially improved his draft stock.

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Lorenzo Styles Jr., S, Notre Dame

Styles stood out among safeties with an explosive athletic showing that reinforced his versatility and range projection. The defensive back group overall tested extremely well, and his performance helped him gain traction in a deep and competitive class.

His combination of movement fluidity and athletic testing fits the mold of modern hybrid safeties who can operate in multiple coverage roles.

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Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Thieneman delivered one of the most complete safety performances of Day 2, pairing strong athletic testing with smooth, controlled positional drills. His movement skills, range, and explosiveness all matched the instincts and deep coverage ability visible on tape. In a defensive back group where several top prospects either skipped workouts or failed to separate athletically, Thieneman capitalized on the opportunity and solidified his profile as a rangy, three-down safety with rising draft momentum.

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Losers

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Downs remains a top-tier prospect, but choosing not to work out allowed other defensive backs to seize momentum during a highly competitive workout group. In a class defined by elite athletic testing, non-participation naturally limited his opportunity to reinforce his athletic profile in a public setting.

From a scouting perspective, this is more about lost opportunity than actual performance decline.

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Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

McCoy entered the combine with significant buzz but failed to generate the same level of excitement during workouts compared to several standout testers. In a defensive back group filled with explosive performances, an underwhelming showing can quickly shift perception.

With multiple corners posting elite jumps and strong speed times, the gap between expectations and testing impact became more noticeable.

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Top DB Prospects Who Skipped Drills

Several highly regarded defensive backs opted out of testing, which opened the door for mid-tier prospects to gain momentum. With defensive backs and tight ends separating themselves through measurable athletic traits, those who did not participate lost valuable chances to validate speed and explosiveness in a deep class.

In a combine setting where direct athletic comparisons happen in real time, visibility and participation matter heavily for stock perception.

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Biggest Takeaways from Day 2

The Tight End Group Stole the Show

Day 2 was defined by elite tight end testing, headlined by record-level speed and explosive jump numbers that redefined the athletic ceiling of the position group.

Defensive Back Depth Became More Apparent

The defensive back workouts highlighted just how deep the class is, with multiple corners and safeties posting strong athletic performances that helped reshuffle mid-round rankings.

Participation Created the Biggest Stock Swings

With several top prospects sitting out drills, the players who tested — especially explosive athletes — gained disproportionate momentum on draft boards simply by showcasing verified athletic traits in a competitive setting.

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Final Stock Summary

Major Risers:

• Kenyon Sadiq
• Eli Stowers
• D’Angelo Ponds
• Malik Muhammad
• Lorenzo Styles Jr.
• Dillon Thieneman

Notable Stock Concerns / Missed Opportunities:

• Caleb Downs (did not work out)
• Jermod McCoy
• Non-participating top DB prospects

Day 2 reinforced a consistent draft theme: elite athletic testing at skill positions, particularly tight end and defensive back, can dramatically accelerate draft momentum. In a class loaded with speed and explosiveness, verified testing numbers — not projections — were the defining factor in shaping stock after the second day of workouts.