Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Combine is in the books. Today's workout groups: QB, RB, WR. We tracked 18 noteworthy measurables throughout the day — here's everything that moved the needle.

Headlines

  • **Fastest 40:** Brenen Thompson (WR) — 4.26s
  • **Best Vertical:** Jam Miller (RB) — 30.5"
  • **Notable results:** 15 WR, 2 QB, 1 RB

40-Yard Dash

Thompson Torches the Track with 4.26 Forty

Brenen Thompson out of Mississippi State just posted one of the fastest times of the entire 2026 Combine, clocking a blistering 4.26 forty-yard dash. That time puts him among the fastest receivers in recent draft history and validates every scouting report that flagged his elite track speed. Dynasty managers who slept on Thompson need to wake up — a 4.26 at receiver changes the conversation completely.

Zavion Thomas Runs 4.28, Blows Up Pre-Draft Projections

Zavion Thomas just shattered expectations with a 4.28 forty, stunning scouts who had projected him in the 4.48 range based on his LSU tape. The compact 5-10, 192-pound speedster from Woodmere, LA was already a multi-phase weapon with return TD pedigree — add legitimately elite speed to that profile and his dynasty stock rockets. That 0.20-second gap between projection and reality is the kind of Combine moment that moves draft boards by multiple rounds.

Bryce Lance Turns Heads with 4.34 at the Combine

North Dakota State WR Bryce Lance ran a 4.34 forty at the 2026 NFL Combine, delivering the kind of time that forces NFL evaluators to look past the FCS label. A 4.34 at receiver is legitimately elite regardless of competition level, and it gives Lance real validation as a speed-first prospect. Pair that with a 41.5-inch vertical and 11-1 broad jump and you have an across-the-board athlete worth a serious Day 3 investment.

Stribling Clocks Elite 4.36 to Boost Ole Miss Stock

De'Zhaun Stribling ran a 4.36 forty at the Combine, confirming the breakaway speed that Ole Miss deployed on deep routes throughout the 2025 season. At 36-inch vertical and 10-7 broad jump to go with that time, Stribling has a complete athletic profile that projects well as a vertical threat at the next level. Expect his Day 3 stock to push toward Day 2 consideration after this showing.

Benson Posts 4.37 to Affirm Oregon Speed Profile

Oregon WR Malik Benson ran a 4.37 forty at the Combine, giving him a verified elite speed marker to go alongside his 32.5-inch vertical. The compact 32-pound receiver showed clean mechanics on the track and his time will attract attention from special teams coordinators and offensive coordinators alike. Benson is a name to watch as a late-round speed dart with immediate returner potential.

Randall's 26 bench press reps from Clemson is the number that stands out — that's elite functional strength for a running back and confirms he can absorb contact, win in short yardage, and hold up on a high-volume workload. The 4.50 forty is average, the 37.0-inch vertical is fine, and the 4.53 shuttle is below average. The profile says power back with real strength, not a speed merchant. At Clemson where he played behind more heralded backs, the 26 bench reps are a statement of readiness for an NFL role. Day 3 power back with legitimate short yardage upside.

Caleb Douglas Runs 4.39 — Texas Tech Speed Translates

Caleb Douglas validated his speed-receiver profile with a 4.39 forty-yard dash at the Combine, one of the stronger times in this year’s wide receiver class. The Texas Tech product has the frame and acceleration to stress NFL secondaries vertically, and the official timer cements his status as a legitimate speed threat heading into the draft. Douglas will need to show route refinement at the next level, but any team hunting a deep-ball weapon on Day 3 should have him circled.

Williams Aces Combine, WR1 Status Locked

Williams came to Indianapolis and answered every question: 4.41 forty, 39.5-inch vertical, 10-4 broad jump, and 10.00-inch hands confirm a complete athlete at Clemson's #1 WR. The 4.41 is right in the sweet spot for an outside receiver — fast enough to win vertically, physical enough to win at the catch point. That 39.5-inch vertical is elite and explains the 11 red zone TDs; he high-points contested balls like a receiver 3 inches taller. CBS Sports had him as their #1 WR pre-combine for a reason. At #9 on the board, this performance locks in a late first-round selection and validates him as a WR1 target in dynasty.

Green's 43.5" Vert and 4.36 Redefine QB Athleticism

Taylen Green ran 4.36 with a 43.5-inch vertical and 11-2 broad jump at Arkansas — and this is one of the most remarkable athletic combine profiles a quarterback has put up in recent memory. The 4.36 forty is elite regardless of position; the 43.5-inch vertical is genuinely shocking and may be the highest combine vertical for a QB in recent years. Green has been a dynasty QB sleeper all spring because of his dual-threat upside; this performance validates every bit of the hype. He's not just a runner — he's a freak athlete playing quarterback. Landing spot will be everything, but the tools here are generational.

Lance's 4.34 and 41.5" Vert Make FCS Irrelevant

Lance ran 4.34 from North Dakota State — that's first-round speed from an FCS receiver who is now impossible to ignore. The 41.5-inch vertical and 11-1 broad confirm this is a complete athlete, not just a fast straight-line runner. FCS receivers have a legitimate translation track record when they test this well at the combine (see: Dallas Goedert, James Proche). Lance's combination of elite speed and explosive jump numbers at NDSU demands NFL evaluation at legitimate draft capital. At #89 on the board pre-combine, he's now one of the best value picks in the entire draft.

THOMPSON RUNS 4.26 — HISTORIC COMBINE SPEED

4.26. Brenen Thompson from Mississippi State ran a 4.26 forty — and that's not just a fast time, that's one of the fastest forty times in NFL Combine recorded history for any position. Thompson is a pure speed merchant, and 4.26 at any weight class is generational. Mississippi State's production context will be debated, but no defensive coordinator schemes for a 4.26 the same way they scheme for a 4.50. Someone will take Thompson in the first two days of the draft, build a deep route package around him, and hope the hands and route running catch up. Dynasty managers buy and hold.

Caldwell's 4.31/42.0V from Cincy Is a Top-3 WR Combine

4.31 forty, 42.0-inch vertical, 11-2 broad jump from Cincinnati's Jeff Caldwell — this is the combination performance of a first-round wide receiver, not a board rank #207 prospect. The 42.0-inch vertical is elite at any position; paired with a 4.31 forty and 11-2 broad, Caldwell put up one of the top three athletic profiles of any WR in this class. Small-school concerns are legitimate, but you can't teach 4.31 speed and you can't teach 42-inch vertical explosion. Caldwell is the best value play of the entire combine. Dynasty managers who aren't buying immediately need to reconsider.

Douglas Runs 4.39, Average Vert Is Only Concern

Douglas ran 4.39 with a 31.5-inch vertical and 10-6 broad from Texas Tech — a usable but unexciting package that confirms him as a functional athlete rather than an explosive one. The 4.39 gets him into the 'fast enough' tier for an outside receiver; the 31.5-inch vertical is below average and the one concern in an otherwise decent profile. Texas Tech offensive numbers can inflate WR production, but 4.39 is real speed. Day 3 target with upside tied entirely to landing in a spread system where his routes can generate separation without elite explosion at the break.

Altmyer's 4.72 Confirms Pure Pocket Passer Only

A 4.72 forty for a quarterback at #223 on the board confirms Altmyer as a pure pocket passer with very limited mobility — that's not inherently disqualifying for a QB, but it does mean NFL teams will evaluate him purely on his arm and processing without any dual-threat upside to fall back on. The 9-6 broad jump and 32.0-inch vertical complete the picture: this is a game-manager profile. Illinois production showed flashes of accuracy and decision-making, but with a 4.72 forty, the margin for error in NFL pocket timing is razor thin. Late Day 3 developmental project.

Benson's 4.37 at #326 Is Prime Value Territory

4.37 from Oregon's Benson at #237 — that's a time that demands attention for a receiver this deep on the board. The 32.5-inch vertical is modest and the 10-2 broad is average, so this isn't a full-package athlete, but 4.37 speed with Oregon film at #326 is premium value. Speed like this at this board position is the exact scenario that produces UDFA success stories and late-round riser narratives. Dynasty managers who are comfortable with project-level risk should add Benson immediately.

Stribling's 4.36/10-7 Broad Cements Pre-Combine Hype

Stribling ran 4.36 with a 36.0-inch vertical and 10-7 broad from Ole Miss — that's a clean, complete athletic package that validates his pre-combine buzz. The 4.36 is elite WR speed; the 36-inch vertical and 10-7 broad confirm it's not a fluke and that his functional explosion is legitimate. Ole Miss receivers are becoming reliable NFL translation candidates, and Stribling's physical profile here is exactly what scouts want to see. At #251, this performance almost certainly moves him up 50+ spots on team draft boards. Dynasty buy.

Explosiveness (Vertical & Broad Jump)

Miller's Low Vertical and Broad Raise Burst Questions

Miller ran 4.42 at Alabama, which is fine, but a 30.5-inch vertical and 9-7 broad jump are concerning numbers for a running back. The vert and broad tell you about functional explosion — your first-step burst, your ability to cut and accelerate — and 30.5 inches is well below average at the position. Alabama's scheme and talent around him masked some limitations; these numbers suggest Miller's 4.42 may be more straight-line than functional burst. Dynasty managers should be cautious; this is a scheme product who may need exactly the right fit to replicate his college production.

Agility (3-Cone & Shuttle)

Anthony's 4.07 Shuttle Is One of Best in Combine History

Anthony ran 4.07 in the shuttle from Wisconsin — and that is a genuinely remarkable number that indicates elite short-area quickness and direction-change ability. For context, shuttle times under 4.15 are exceptional for receivers; 4.07 puts him among the elite agility performers at any combine in recent memory. The 4.54 forty means he won't outrun corners on go routes, but a 4.07 shuttle paired with a 6.86 three-cone says he can create separation on breaking routes, win on slants and crossing routes, and give slot corners fits in quick-game concepts. Wisconsin film confirmed technique; the shuttle confirmed elite short-area athleticism.

Check out all the raw numbers on our Combine Tracker or follow along on the Live Blog as results come in.

*Sunday, March 1, 2026 — Indianapolis, IN*