I NDIANAPOLIS — The NFL Scouting Combine is heating up as workouts begin for defensive stars. The action begins today with defensive linemen and linebackers. Coverage begins on NFL Network at 3 p.m.

Times change in the NFL, but the one constant to a great defense is elite linebacker play — and nothing is more noticeable than having that hard-hitting force in the middle of the field.

Defensive line and linebacker workouts begin at 1 p.m. MST. Like the rest of this week’s workouts, they will be broadcast on NFL Network. These workouts include every exercise except bench press ...

The Saints will reportedly hold a private workout with Nick Martin, a productive but undersized linebacker from Oklahoma ...

This story was updated with new information. The NFL scouting combine on-field workouts in Indianapolis begin on Thursday with defensive linemen and linebackers. The defensive line class is the ...