Day 1 in Indianapolis did what the Combine is supposed to do. It confirmed elite traits, exposed measurable concerns, and reshuffled parts of the first round. Some prospects walked in with hype and left with momentum. Others left with questions they didn’t have 24 hours ago.
Here’s who moved the needle.
Winners
Sonny Styles, LB
No player had a bigger day than Sonny Styles.
Official measurements
- 6’5”
- 244 lbs
- 32 7/8” arms
- 10” hands
Testing
- 11’2” broad jump
- 43.5” vertical
- 4.46 40-yard dash
Next Gen Stats
- Production Score: 91 (LB Rank: 1st)
- Athleticism Score (est.): 92 (LB Rank: 1st)
- Total Score: 94 (LB Rank: 1st)
That 43.5” vertical the highest since 2003 for anyone 6’4”+ and the highest since 2003 for anyone 240+ pounds.
There’s growing noise he could land inside the top 10. With teams like the Giants looking to add elite athletic defenders, top 5 isn’t out of the question.
This was one of the best Combine performances in recent memory.
David Bailey, EDGE
David Bailey came into the week as one of the most polarizing prospects in the class. Some mocks had him as high as No. 3 overall. Others had him sliding outside the top 15 due to size and anchor concerns.
Day 1 helped his case as the 2025 sack leader (14.5) backed up his tape with high-end athletic testing.
Testing
- 4.50 40-yard dash
- 1.62 10-yard split
- 35” vertical
- 10’9” broad
Next Gen Stats
- Production Score: 98 (1st among EDGE)
- Athleticism Score (est.): 80 (3rd)
- Total Score: 86 (1st)
His profile cleanly projects as an odd-front rush linebacker with legitimate Pro Bowl upside. If there were doubts about whether the athleticism would translate at the next level, those doubts quieted.
Caleb Banks, DT
Caleb Banks might have the most impressive physical build in the class.
At 6’6” and 327 pounds, his measurables were unreal:
- Height: 98th percentile
- Weight: 89th percentile
- Arms: 94th percentile
- Hands: 94th percentile
- Wingspan: 99th percentile
His wingspan was the longest recorded at the Combine for a defensive tackle since 1999.
Testing
- 5.04 40-yard dash
- 32” vertical
- 9’6” broad
For a 327-pound interior defender, that’s rare lower-body explosion.
Next Gen Stats currently slot him at 6.39, projecting him as a player who will eventually become a plus starter.
The concerns remain on tape. He can play with high hips and lose ground to double teams. His hands get sloppy when transitioning from blocker to blocker. He also dealt with a foot injury in 2025 and at times looked heavier and slower.
But the tools are undeniable. Size, length, and explosion at this level raise ceilings. His stock likely climbed, even if teams remain cautious about polish.
Losers
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE
Rueben Bain’s tape is not the problem. His production is not the problem. His measurements are.
Measurements
- 6’2”
- 263 pounds
- 30 7/8” arms
That arm length is the third shortest ever recorded for a defensive end at the Combine and would be the shortest for a first-round EDGE in the last 20 years. No player with arms under 31 inches has posted a double-digit sack season in the last 20 years.
Daniel Jeremiah spoke with defensive coordinators about the importance of arm length.
When asked why he could be the best player in the draft, Bain said, “Because I’m a monster.”
And to his credit, his 2025 season supports confidence:
- 54 tackles
- 15.5 tackles for loss
- 9.5 sacks
- Ted Hendricks Award winner
He’s still a top-15 talent. But after entering the process as a potential top-5 pick in some mocks, it would not be surprising to see a slight slide as teams weigh measurable thresholds.
The Jets/Aaron Glenn
Not every “loser” is tied to a 40 time.
During the Combine broadcast, cameras briefly showed Aaron Glenn asleep. Glenn isn’t a scout, and context matters. But optics matter too.
The Jets have not made the playoffs since the 2010 season. Their last postseason appearance ended in the AFC Championship Game in January 2011. That 15-year drought is the longest active playoff drought in the NFL and across the four major North American leagues.
Perception and leadership tone matter. The Jets still feel like they’re searching for direction.
NYJ draft at No. 2 overall. Many mocks have linked them to Arvell Reese. The expectation is that they leave with a Buckeye defender to help anchor a rebuild.
What’s Next
On-field workouts continue today with tight ends and defensive backs. Names to watch include Mansoor Delane, Jermod McCoy, and Kenyon Sadiq.
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