The NFL Scouting Combine wrapped on Sunday, with the offensive linemen putting the final touches on a full week of evaluations with their on-field work.

While the 2026 draft might not have a lot in terms of star power, it is a deep draft for starting-caliber players at important positions. Including offense, where the wide receiver, linemen and running back groups offer genuine value.

Here are six players who helped themselves in Indianapolis, and what that might mean for the Rams, Chargers, 49ers and Raiders draft plans.

With Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza rightfully opting out of on-field workouts, it was Ty Simpson’s chance to shine and solidify himself as the second-best quarterback in the draft.

He took advantage, showing plenty of juice and accuracy on his throws, a fundamentally sound and fluid throwing motion, and impressing in his interactions with the media and teams.

There was a time during last season when Simpson looked like the best quarterback in the draft, but nagging injuries, and a stomach ailment that caused him to lose considerable weight, meant he surrendered ground to Mendoza.

He was in tremendous shape in Indianapolis and looked like a prospect worthy of a first-round pick or an early second.

In other words, mission accomplished.

Now, the question is, how much he helped his draft stock, and whether the Rams, who eventually need an heir apparent to Matthew Stafford, would be willing to use one of their first-round picks on him.

Best fits: As mentioned, the Rams need a replacement for Stafford, and Simpson makes a ton of sense as a highly skilled prospect they can bring into the fold, get coached up for the next year or two, and then eventually replace Stafford.

Armed with two first-round picks at No. 13 and No. 29, the Rams are in a great position to be aggressive.

One key: General manager Les Snead tapping into all his resources to glean whether the club needs to use their first pick in the first round, or if they can wait until the end of the round.

As expected, Notre Dame’s Heisman Trophy finalist put on a show during the on-field workout portion of the combine, not only with his 4.36 forty, but all other agility drills and as a route runner and pass catcher. At this point, it would surprise no one if he was drafted within the first five picks, taking him out of contention for the Rams, 49ers, Chargers and Raiders.

However, Jeremiyah Love’s upward climb opens the door for two other running backs to either crack the first round or strengthen their position as second-round picks.

Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price and Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr. were both impressive in their agility testing.

Washington’s 4.33 forty was the best among the running backs last week, and his tape backs up the speed after rushing for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns, and catching 28 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown.

Price played behind Love in college, but is arguably the second-best running back in the draft. With his running and pass-catching skills, he projects as a 3-down back, and as a bonus, he brings tremendous value as a kickoff and punt returner.

Best fits: If Price falls into the second half of the second round, the 49ers would be wise to take a long, hard look at him with pick No. 58. Not only would he be a great complement to Christian McCaffrey, but also his future successor.

Price’s skill set would work perfectly in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

Ja’Kobi Lane showed in Indianapolis that he is far more than just a Robin to Trojans’ teammate Makai Lemon’s Batman.

Lane was clearly his own man at the Combine, posting a 4.47 40, a 40-inch vertical jump, and showing tremendous body control and ball skills during the on-field workouts. At 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, he’s got the necessary size, speed and positional skills to succeed at the next level, and his strong Combine could push him higher on the draft board.

Lane began the week as a projected late second- or third-round pick, but that likely changed after his strong showing.

Best fit: The Raiders, 49ers, Chargers and Rams all need to beef up their wide receiver room. All four could have confidently projected him to be around in the third round, but that probably changed in Indianapolis. The Chargers or Rams could be in play with their picks at No.’s 55 and 61 in the second round.

Going into the week, Kenyon Sadiq was primed as one of the tight ends to keep an eye on, and he clearly didn’t disappoint after posting a 4.39 40, the best mark for a tight end in combine history.

He also had an 11–1 broad jump and a 43 ½ vertical leap.

Sadiq is coming off a season in which he had 51 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, he is the personification of a modern-day NFL tight end, and projects to be a game wrecker at the next level.

Best fits: The 49ers would love for Sadiq to fall to them at No. 27, serving first as the injury replacement for George Kittle and then pairing up with the veteran tight end. After what Sadiq did in Indianapolis, they can forget that, though.

He looks like a surefire top-15 pick, and you wonder if the Rams, who love to stockpile tight ends, might take a long look at him at No. 13.

At 6-foot-6 and 321 pounds, Max Iheanachor tested extremely well while posting a 4.91 40, a 9–7 broad jump, and a 30 ½-inch vertical. That positioned him among the top-five athletes among the offensive line prospects.

All of which is backed up by his play, which is considered among the best in a strong tackle group.

Inheanachor has some refinement, but that is okay. There is just too much to work with in terms of the size, strength and athletic ability. He showed tremendous growth during his college career, and that figures to continue once he gets to the NFL.

Best fit: Iheanachor likely solidified himself as a first-round pick in Indianapolis, but there is a strong chance he’ll be on the board when the 49ers pick at No. 27. The Raiders would also be in play with pick No. 36 in the second round, should he fall.

At 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, Chase Bisontis passes the eyeball test. It gets backed up with his 78⅞-inch wingspan and 31¾-inch arm length, and by testing among the best at his position in the agility drills.

A New Jersey kid, he brings an East Coast toughness and brawler mentality to the interior of the offensive line, and figures to be a day-one starter that blends strength, punch, balance, footwork and agility to the position.

Best fit: Bisontis is a lock to go in the second round, but he fits the Chargers so well that you wonder if they would pull the trigger at No. 22 in the first. He would fit perfectly alongside either of their tackles, Joe Alt or Rashawn Slater.

If not, he’d be a fit for the Rams and 49ers late in the first and certainly the Raiders at No. 36 in the second round.

California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn
California Post SportsFacebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X
California Post Opinion
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!
California Post App: Download here!
Home delivery: Sign up here!
Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!