NFL Combine Schedule: Daily Drills, Position Groups, & Broadcast Times

As the glow of the Super Bowl fades, the football world doesn't pause for long. Instead, it resets with one of the most pivotal events on the NFL calendar: the annual NFL Scouting Combine. For hopeful college prospects, this is their moment to shine, to turn years of dedication into a professional dream. For scouts, general managers, and coaches, it's a critical opportunity to get up close and personal with the future stars of the league. If you're wondering how to watch the Combine and what to expect, you've come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the full schedule, highlight key position groups and their drills, and detail exactly when and where you can tune in to catch all the action.

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine returns to its historic home in Indianapolis, a tradition since 1987, spanning from February 26th to March 1st. While live on-field workouts run from Thursday through Sunday, the week-long event is packed with a crucial mix of physical tests, medical evaluations, team interviews, and media availability. It's an intense, high-stakes audition that can significantly impact a player's draft stock.

Decoding the 2026 NFL Combine Schedule: Dates, Venues & Key Participants

The NFL Combine is far more than just players running around in shorts. It's a meticulously planned five-day itinerary designed to provide NFL teams with a holistic view of each prospect. Held across Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, the Combine brings together over 300 of the nation's top collegiate athletes. Each player rotates through a series of stations, undergoing rigorous scrutiny both on and off the field.

The initial days are dominated by crucial behind-the-scenes activities:

Team Interviews: Prospects meet one-on-one with NFL general managers, head coaches, and positional coaches. These aren't just casual chats; they're intense evaluations of a player's football IQ, character, leadership skills, and mental toughness. This is where teams try to gauge the person behind the athlete.
Medical Evaluations: An often-underestimated but incredibly vital part of the Combine. Players undergo extensive physicals and injury screenings, providing teams with critical insights into their long-term health and durability. A clean bill of health or a concerning medical flag can dramatically alter a player's draft standing.
Media Interviews: Selected prospects and key NFL personnel (GMs, coaches) face the press, offering early insights into team strategies, draft philosophy, and individual player narratives.

NFL General Managers and head coaches kick off the week with their media availability on Tuesday, February 24th, continuing into Wednesday, February 25th. This allows the league's decision-makers to set the stage and offer their perspectives before the on-field spectacle begins.

Here's a detailed breakdown of the full weekly schedule, including when specific position groups will be in the media spotlight and when they hit the field:

Tuesday, Feb. 24: NFL General Managers and Head Coaches media availability (Part 1)
Wednesday, Feb. 25: NFL General Managers and Head Coaches media availability (Part 2); Kicker (K), Defensive Linemen (DL), Linebackers (LB) media interviews
Thursday, Feb. 26: K, DL, LB measurements & on-field workouts; Defensive Backs (DB), Tight Ends (TE) media interviews
Friday, Feb. 27: DB, TE measurements & on-field workouts; Quarterbacks (QB), Running Backs (RB), Wide Receivers (WR) media interviews
Saturday, Feb. 28: QB, RB, WR measurements & on-field workouts; Offensive Linemen (OL) media interviews
Sunday, March 1: OL measurements & on-field workouts

How to Watch the 2026 NFL Combine: TV & Streaming Essentials

For football fanatics eager to witness the next generation of NFL talent, knowing how to watch the Combine is crucial. The primary destination for comprehensive coverage of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is the NFL Network. From pre-event analysis to live on-field drills and post-workout breakdowns, NFL Network is your go-to source.

For those who prefer to stream, NFL+ provides an excellent option, offering live coverage of all the on-field workouts and exclusive content. Many popular live TV streaming services that carry NFL Network, such as DirecTV Stream and Fubo, will also allow you to tune in.

The live on-field workouts are scheduled as follows (all times Eastern Time):

Thursday, Feb. 26: DL, LB at 3 p.m. ET on NFL Network
Friday, Feb. 27: DB, TE at 3 p.m. ET on NFL Network
Saturday, Feb. 28: QB, WR, RB at 1 p.m. ET on NFL Network
Sunday, March 1: OL at 1 p.m. ET on NFL Network

Beyond the live action, NFL Network also offers extensive studio programming to enhance your viewing experience. Before the on-field drills even begin, "The Insiders at the Combine" features a star-studded panel including Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo, Tom Pelissero, and Judy Battista, providing crucial updates and draft intel. This show typically kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on Monday and Wednesday, with an earlier 6 p.m. start on Tuesday.

Leading into each day's live workout, "NFL Combine Today" with Rhett Lewis and Bucky Brooks begins one hour prior, offering last-minute analysis and predictions. During the live workouts, Daniel Jeremiah and Rich Eisen anchor the coverage, providing expert commentary and insights as the prospects are put through their paces. For more detailed streaming options and a full guide, check out our related article: How to Watch the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine: TV & Streaming Guide.

Daily Drills & Position Group Spotlights: What to Expect On-Field

The on-field workouts are the marquee attraction of the Combine, showcasing the athletic prowess of these future NFL stars. While raw numbers are important, scouts pay close attention to how players move, their fluidity, and their competitive spirit. Here's a look at some of the key drills and what they measure:

40-Yard Dash: The most iconic Combine drill, measuring pure straight-line speed. Every tenth of a second can significantly impact a player's draft stock, especially for skill positions like wide receivers, cornerbacks, and running backs.
Bench Press: Prospects lift 225 pounds as many times as possible, measuring upper-body strength and endurance. This is particularly crucial for offensive and defensive linemen.
Vertical Jump & Broad Jump: These drills assess explosive power in the lower body, important for players who need to jump for passes, defend against them, or explode off the line of scrimmage.
3-Cone Drill & 20-Yard Shuttle: These agility drills measure a player's ability to change direction quickly and efficiently. Critical for defensive backs, linebackers, and offensive skill positions that need to evade defenders.
Position-Specific Drills: Beyond the generic tests, players participate in drills tailored to their specific positions. Quarterbacks throw various routes, receivers run routes and catch passes, offensive linemen execute blocking techniques, and defensive linemen perform pass-rushing moves. These drills are vital for evaluating a player's football instincts and technical skills.

The grouping of positions allows teams to efficiently evaluate similar athletes back-to-back, comparing their performance directly. The progression from defensive front seven, to defensive secondary and tight ends, then to offensive skill positions, and finally the offensive line ensures a dynamic and varied broadcast experience each day. To catch every moment, from the 40-yard dashes to position-specific drills, make sure to read our guide: Stream the 2026 NFL Combine Live: Your Full Guide to Every Moment.

Beyond the Drills: The Unseen Combine Impact

While highlight reels often focus on a blistering 40-yard dash or an impressive bench press performance, the true value of the NFL Combine for teams extends far beyond these quantifiable metrics. The "unseen" elements of the Combine often hold as much, if not more, weight in a team's final draft decisions.

The Medical Tent: A Game Changer
Perhaps the most crucial, yet least televised, aspect is the comprehensive medical evaluation. Players undergo extensive physical examinations, x-rays, MRIs, and specialized tests. A clean bill of health can solidify a prospect's top ranking, while a previously unknown or lingering injury could send their stock plummeting. Teams are making multi-million dollar investments, and understanding a player's long-term health outlook is paramount.

The Interview Room: Personality & Poise
The countless interviews with teams are where character and football IQ come into sharp focus. Coaches and GMs don't just want to know if a player can perform on the field; they want to understand their work ethic, leadership qualities, ability to learn, and how they handle adversity. Prospects are often grilled on their understanding of complex defensive schemes or offensive playbooks, their decision-making under pressure, and their personal history. A strong interview can alleviate concerns, while a poor one can raise red flags, regardless of athletic talent.

Meeting the Media: Handling the Spotlight
For many prospects, the Combine is their first major exposure to the national sports media. How they handle interviews, articulate their thoughts, and present themselves can offer insights into their maturity and readiness for the intense scrutiny that comes with being an NFL player. Similarly, the media availability for GMs and coaches provides valuable early indications of team strategies and needs heading into the draft.

These behind-the-scenes interactions and evaluations are what truly flesh out a team's draft board, turning raw athletes into potential franchise cornerstones.

Conclusion

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is more than just a series of athletic tests; it's the official kickoff to the NFL draft season, a comprehensive job interview for hundreds of hopefuls, and a treasure trove of insights for teams. From the explosive 40-yard dashes to the critical medical evaluations and intense team interviews, every moment contributes to shaping the future of the league. Understanding how to watch the Combine, along with its intricate schedule and the significance of each drill and interaction, allows fans to fully appreciate the depth of this pivotal event. Tune into NFL Network and NFL+ from February 26th to March 1st to witness the stars of tomorrow emerge, as the journey to the 2026 NFL Draft truly begins!