The NFL Combine is about to start from February 23rd to March 2nd. To preview this important pre-draft event, we’ll take a position-by-position look at which prospects are being offered and the level of need the Indianapolis Colts have at each position.
The NFL Combine, held at Lucas Oil Stadium, provides the top prospects in this year’s NFL Draft an opportunity to undergo measurements and a variety of on-field drills, some specific to their position group and others that measure a player’s overall athletic ability.
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For NFL teams, the event is another data point for them to build their draft profiles and boards. However, this is an important data point and players may move up or down draft boards based on their performance.
In addition to on-field workouts, teams also have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with players, which is another important part of the evaluation process as they get to know them on and off the field.
Next up in our preview is the defensive line.
Colts defensive lineman signed in free agency
What are the Colts’ needs at defensive lineman this offseason?
The needs on defense are very high. One, if you look at the current depth chart, the position group is very thin, with Paye, Samson Ebukam and Ta’Quan Lewis all free agents.
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But beyond that, more rapid production is needed. GM Chris Ballard acknowledged as much, saying “more fuel” is needed up front.
As a collective defensive front, the Colts rank 30th in ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric in 2025.
Then at defensive tackle, DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart will be entering the final year of their current contracts in 2026.
General manager Chris Ballard also said the defense needs to get younger and faster this offseason. While defensive tackle wasn’t specifically mentioned in this sentiment, the position likely falls into that category.
With Neville Gallimore hitting free agency, the depth of this team must also increase. Adetomiwa Adebawo is also entering the final year of his rookie contract.
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Defensive lineman invited to 2026 NFL combine
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Vincent Anthony Jr., Duke University
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Jeshawn Barham (Michigan)
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Nick Barrett, South Carolina
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Dermot Capehart, Clemson
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Brandon Cleveland, NC
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Dontay Corleone (Cincinnati)
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Danny Dennis Sutton, Pennsylvania State University
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Skyler Gill-Howard, Texas Tech University
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George Gumbs Jr., Florida
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Zsavian Harris (Mississippi State)
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Romero Heights, Texas Tech University
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Cassius Howell, Texas A&M University
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Aidan Hubbard, Northwestern University
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Quintavious Hutchins, Boston College
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Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida
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Bobby Jamison-Travis, Auburn
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Marvin Jones Jr., Oklahoma State
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Joshua Josephs, Tennessee
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Chris McClellan, Missouri
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Kayden McDonald, Ohio State University
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Domonique Orange, Iowa
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Kaleb Proctor, Southeast Louisiana
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Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan
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Damonique Williams, Oklahoma State
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL Combine: Which defensive tackle prospects were invited?
