INDIANAPOLIS — Forty-two prospects at the 2026 NFL Combine faced a straightforward question: If you were building a team from scratch, which non-quarterback would you construct your roster around?

The answer was decisive. Myles Garrett, the Cleveland Browns' star edge rusher, crushed the competition with 10 votes—seven more than any other player. The 25 different names that emerged across 41 respondents underscored the depth of elite talent in the league, but Garrett stood alone.

The dominance made sense. Garrett just completed a historically dominant season, recording 23 sacks to shatter the single-season record. The performance earned him his second Defensive Player of the Year award, and this time he won it unanimously.

The Running Backs Make Noise

Last year's runaway winner, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, collapsed to just a single vote despite his 2,000-yard campaign. This year's running back leader was Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs with three votes—placing him a distant second overall to Garrett.

Gibbs rushed for 1,223 yards on 5.0 yards per carry and added 616 receiving yards while scoring 18 total touchdowns. His three votes edged out San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey and Atlanta Falcons RB Bijan Robinson, each with two votes. Robinson and McCaffrey led the league in scrimmage yards in 2025, with McCaffrey also winning Comeback Player of the Year.

Edge Rushers and Pass Catchers Round Out Top Tier

Two other elite pass rushers earned two votes each: Las Vegas Raiders DE Maxx Crosby, who recorded 10 sacks for the third time in four seasons, and Green Bay Packers LB Micah Parsons, who posted 12.5 sacks in 14 games before tearing his ACL.

Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson was the only other player to draw multiple votes, pulling in two despite a relatively quieter 2025 season. The 2022 Offensive Player of the Year still finished with 1,048 receiving yards despite poor quarterback play.

One prospect declined to answer, saying he wasn't sure who he'd pick.

Complete Results

• Myles Garrett, edge rusher, Browns: 10
• Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions: 3
• Maxx Crosby, edge rusher, Raiders: 2
• Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings: 2
• Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers: 2
• Micah Parsons, edge rusher, Packers: 2
• Bijan Robinson, RB, Falcons: 2

Single votes: Saquon Barkley, RB, Eagles; Derrick Brown, DT, Panthers; Calen Bullock, S, Texans; Jalen Carter, DL, Eagles; Nick Emmonwori, DB, Seahawks; Jaycee Horn, CB, Panthers; Creed Humphrey, C, Chiefs; Aidan Hutchinson, edge rusher, Lions; Lane Johnson, OT, Eagles; Chris Jones, DT, Chiefs; George Kittle, TE, 49ers; Cooper Kupp, WR, Seahawks; Penei Sewell, T, Lions; Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks; Bobby Wagner, LB, Commanders; Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seahawks; Jameson Williams, WR, Lions; Quinnen Williams, DL, Cowboys