The 2026 NFL Combine Risers and Fallers showcased some of the most exciting talent in this year’s draft class. From record-breaking performances to underwhelming showings, the Combine provided clarity on which prospects are poised to rise and which may see their stock slip. In this analysis, we highlight three risers Mike Washington Jr., Eli Stowers, and Omar Cooper Jr.. We then breakdown three fallers Denzel Boston, Malachi Fields, and Emmett Johnson. This will help give fantasy managers and NFL evaluators a clear picture of potential draft impacts.
2026 NFL Combine Risers and Fallers
Riser: Mike Washington Jr., RB
Mike Washington Jr. (6’1”, 223 lbs, 23 years old) exploded onto fantasy radars with a dominant NFL Combine performance. He ran a 4.33 40-yard dash with a 1.51 10-yard split, showcasing elite speed and acceleration. Washington added a 39-inch vertical and a 10-foot-8-inch broad jump, demonstrating rare explosiveness for his size. His RAS score ranks first historically among running backs since 1987, blending size, speed, and overall athleticism.
Washington’s profile draws comparisons to Saquon Barkley, positioning him as a high-upside rookie RB1 in dynasty leagues. Early-down involvement and explosive plays could quickly unlock his full fantasy potential. His college journey reflects perseverance. He began at Buffalo, transferred to New Mexico, and finished at Arkansas. In his final season, Washington earned second-team All-SEC honors with 1,296 total rushing yards. Some evaluators remain cautious about his vision and pass protection, but his Combine results strengthen his draft stock. Washington is a mid-first-round rookie target for managers seeking potential league-winning upside.
Riser: Eli Stowers, TE
Eli Stowers (6’4”, 239 lbs, 22 years old) is unequivocally a riser from the 2026 NFL Combine.
The former quarterback turned Vanderbilt tight end shattered positional records with a 45.5-inch vertical jump. He also posted an 11-foot-3-inch broad jump, demonstrating rare explosiveness for his size. Stowers ran a 4.51 40-yard dash, highlighting unusual speed for a 6’4”, 239-pound tight end. His athleticism draws comparisons to DK Metcalf, reflecting both explosiveness and versatility.
Stowers recorded 62 receptions for 769 yards in his final Vanderbilt season, showing production matches athletic potential. He offers mismatch potential as a seam-stretching target, lining up in slot, motion, or traditional tight end roles. Elite testing erased pre-Combine concerns and significantly boosted his draft stock. Stowers is projected early Day 2 or late first round, making him a high-priority dynasty target.
Riser: Omar Cooper Jr., WR
Omar Cooper Jr. (6’0”, 201 lbs, 22 years old) solidified his status as a top Day 2 with Day upside wide receiver prospect with a strong Combine showing. At 6’0” and 196 pounds, he ran a 4.42 40-yard dash, recorded a 37-inch vertical, and demonstrated excellent after-catch ability and contact balance. Cooper’s performance reinforces his potential as a three-level threat and YAC specialist, particularly in PPR formats.
Cooper thrived at Indiana, finishing with 69 receptions for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns. Draft projections place him in the top 100 picks, with a potential landing spot in Las Vegas reuniting him with college quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Cooper’s compact frame, quickness, and ability to separate in tight windows make him a strong WR2 option with upside as a chain-mover and red-zone target in dynasty leagues.
Faller: Denzel Boston, WR
In a crowded wide receiver class, Denzel Boston entered the Combine hoping to solidify his stock. Standing at 6’4” and 209 pounds, Boston has impressive hands, high-pointing ability, and long-strider speed. At Washington, he posted 881 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025 with minimal drops. Despite these strengths, Boston did not run the 40-yard dash at the Combine, leaving evaluators with incomplete speed data.
Boston’s athleticism is appealing for an X-receiver role, but questions about twitch, separation against elite corners, and Combine exposure may impact draft position. He projects as a mid-Day 2 pick, with upside dependent on landing spot and team fit. Boston is a talented receiver who could rise with a strong pro day but falls short in this analysis due to incomplete metrics at the Combine.
Faller: Malachi Fields, WR
Malachi Fields (6’4”, 218 lbs) entered the Combine following an impressive Senior Bowl showing and a physically dominant college career. Fields ran a 4.61 40-yard dash, posted a 38-inch vertical, a 10-foot-4-inch broad jump, and completed the 3-cone drill in 6.98 seconds. While his size and contested-catch ability remain assets, his lack of top-end speed and inconsistent on-field drills raise concerns for separation and deep-threat potential.
Fields’ film confirms his red-zone value and ability to win contested catches, but his speed limitations push him down draft boards. He projects as a late Day 2 selection or third-round pick at best, suited for power red-zone roles or deep-league dynasty stashes where volume is scheme-dependent.
Faller: Emmett Johnson, RB
Emmett Johnson (5’10”, 202 lbs) came into the Combine after a stellar junior season at Nebraska. Johnson rushed for 1,451 yards on 251 carries with 12 touchdowns and catching 46 passes for 370 yards and three scores. He earned All-America honors, was a semifinalist for the Maxwell and Doak Walker Awards, and showcased toughness as a gap-scheme runner with reliable hands out of the backfield. Johnson’s production and consistency made him a high-volume college back with committee upside in the NFL.
At the Combine, Johnson posted a 4.56 40-yard dash, 1.59 10-yard split, 35.5-inch vertical, and 10-foot broad jump. While his 40 time ranked tenth among running backs, it highlighted average top-end speed, raising questions about explosiveness at the next level. Johnson’s strong junior campaign contrasts with his average athletic testing, suggesting a backup or committee role initially. He projects as a late-round rookie draft flier, best suited for downhill concepts, short-yardage work, and PPR flex value with upside limited by athletic ceiling.
The 2026 NFL Combine Risers and Fallers highlight how athletic testing, production, and positional value can dramatically shift draft stock and fantasy outlooks. From Washington and Stowers’ historic showings to Fields, Boston, and Johnson’s tempered results, the Combine continues to be a defining moment for prospects entering the NFL Draft and dynasty fantasy leagues.
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