It’s been a busy winter for me, so I apologize America for missing my post on the Senior Bowl (which kicks off the Draft Season). Never fear, let’s dig into the Combine get ready for the Draft in April (23rd-25th).

This post is simply an overview of the Combine. What to look for and how to consume it. I’ll go over the results in a week of the guys who really impressed. Remember that the Combine is just the start of the evaluation process (which really has started in earnest with film study). There will be Pro Days or private workouts for teams in the next 2 months between the Combine and the actual Draft. The Combine really is the first glimpse for the public to get to know these guys outside of their college games and maybe the Senior Bowl (which underclassmen are not invited to).

Combine Basics

  • Where? – The NFL Combine is held in Indianapolis, IN every single year. You may ask why? Well, it is centrally located for once, and the facility at the Lucas Oil Stadium is ideal for all the drills.
  • What do they do? – Most of what you see on TV are the various drills run by the NFL. The 40 yard dash, short shuttle or catching/throwing drills. However, the Combine also involves a testing component – height, weight, hand size, arm length, a paper exam, and even interviews by the NFL teams interested in each player. There have been some crazy stories about the questions asked at time, even to the point of being offensive. The Combine is an attempt for the NFL teams to fully evaluate a player.
  • When? The Combine breaks the players down into their potential player groups as follows:
    • TE, QB, WR – Thursday, February 27th – 4-11 PM Eastern Time
    • OL, RB plus Kicker and Special Teams – Friday, February 28th – 4-11 PM Eastern Time
    • DL and LB – Saturday, February 29th – 4-11 PM Eastern Time
    • DB – Sunday, March 1st – 2-7 PM Eastern Time
    • Here is the full schedule: All coverage is on the NFL Network or the NFL.com app – http://www.nflcombine.net/players/schedule/

Players to Watch

Burrow Won’t Do All Drills, but He is in Indy
  • QBs – Everyone loves to watch the Quarterbacks and see how they perform at the Combine. However, since it is in a controlled environment with no pass rush, it is really not very informative. Sometimes the top guy does not attend opting for private workouts. Still there will be 3-4 guys everyone wants to see and a couple others that may show us something;
    • Joe Burrow, LSU – The prohibitive favorite for #1 pick in the Draft, Burrow will not do all drills at the combine, but he is the big ticket.
    • Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama – He is rumored to be able to throw at the Combine and do the drills. Tua needs to show the world he is healthy, so the Combine is pretty key for his success – slated as a Top 5 pick.
    • Justin Herbert, Oregon – This prototypical QB type needs to show his arm strength and accuracy, as his stock dropped in that poor offense at Oregon. His stock can really soar with a good showing.
    • Jordan Love, Utah State – The 4th guy who will be a fringe 1st round player. Players in this position need a good outing.
    • Other Guys: Jacob Eason (Washington), Jake Fromm (Georgia), and Jalen Hurst (Oklahoma) all need solid combines to show they can play at the next level at the position. Hurts is not as fast as Lamar Jackson, but he is in that mold, and needs to show arm talent and accuracy.
Lamb Should Show Out in Indy
  • WRs – The Wide Outs are maybe the most exciting guys to watch at the Combine. Their 40 times, vertical leaps and catching drills are the most fun to actually watch. This is a talented group this year (more than the past 2 years, really).
    • CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma – Tall, but lean, this kid can fly. Let’s see if his hands can match his wheels.
    • Jerry Jeudy, Alabama – To me the best WR entering the NFL this year, an excellent route runner and great hands. He needs to put up a good 40 time, too.
    • Henry Ruggs III, Alabama – Another Bama standout with great speed. He may outshine Jeudy at the Combine, but not sure he will be a better pro.
    • Tee Higgins, Clemson – A big bodied player who struggled to separate in the big game, but a classic catch radius player with good hands.
    • Laviska Shenault, Jr., Colorado – What a name?!? Another big WR who can run. I’m curious to see how he does in the agility drills.
    • Other Guys: Justin Jefferson (LSU) – So fast and tall, should turn heads, KJ Hamler (Penn State) – only a sophomore, and Antonio Gandy-Golden (Liberty) – I always root for the small school guys.
  • TEs – Tight Ends are difference makers in the NFL now – Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Gronk all have been on top teams. The NFL is always looking for the next one. Much like WRs, the athleticism and skill will be on full display. There isn’t a 1st rounder right now, but who knows.
    • Cole Kmet, Notre Dame – A 6’5″ and 250 lbs stud. If he can run and catch, then he can be a real asset.
    • Brycen Hopkins, Purdue – He played in an uptempo offense in college which helps, but will need to test well.
    • Jared Pinkney, Vandy – Another big guy who has talent.
    • Hunter Bryant, Washington – A more athletic guy and undersized at 6’2″ and 239, but he may be a guy who can run good routes.
  • Offensive Line – G, OT, C – The lineman are extremely scrutinized in this process. They need to be quick, run through the drills, bench press a lot, and guys from smaller schools can really jump up the board. Tackles are a premium, but versatile inside players can be just as important.
    • Jedrick Willis, Jr., Alabama – At 6’5″ and 320 lbs., he is the top OT in the draft at this point.
    • Andrew Thomas, Georgia – Like Willis, another stud from the SEC who will be a top selection. The drills and interviews could make the difference.
    • Tristan Wirfs, Iowa – A good run blocker from the Hawkeyes, he can make some hey in Indy.
    • Mekhi Becton, Louisville – He is a mountain at 6’7′ and 369 lbs. He may need some work on technique, but at that size, he will be highly sought after.
    • Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin – He is the top Center in this draft.
  • RBs – Running backs have been moved to a secondary position in the NFL, but rookie runners are critical to successful teams. The top guys can be culture changers, but later round guys have make playoff teams viable.
    • D’Andre Swift, Georgia – The quick and explosive Bulldog was a gamechanger for his team.
    • Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin – He ran all over the Big Ten, but can he do it behind a line not as talented as the Badgers.
    • J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State – Dobbins was incredible over the final 9 games. He seems like the next great Buckeye pro.
    • Zack Moss, Utah – A powerful runner who can do it all.
    • Others: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (LSU) – a slippery runner from the National Champs, Darrynton Evans (App State) – a small school guy to watch, and Anthony McFarland, Jr. (Maryland) – a very versatile back.
Young is a Complete Stud
  • Defensive Line – DT and DE – The strength of any team is the D Line – look at the SF 49ers. These guys go early and often throughout the draft. With bench press, 40 times, short shuttles and drills, guys can change their fate at the Combine.
    • Chase Young, Ohio State – The actual best player in the Draft, but will likely go #2 overall. Young is a freak of nature with all the tools to be a top pass rusher in the league.
    • Derrick Brown, Auburn – A stud inside lineman that can do it all.
    • Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina – Quick, explosive, and ready for the NFL.
    • A.J. Epensea, Iowa – A tall, but quick pass rusher, he is not on the level of Young but not far off.
    • Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma – An inside pass rusher who can still stop the run.
    • K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU – A young guy (sophomore) who will continue to develop physically, but his smaller frame has him quicker than most guys.
    • Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State – Prototypical size and speed mix to be a specialist pass rusher in the league.
  • Linebackers – Inside LBs are not as a premium as outside Edge players. However, inside LBs can get in the first round and make huge differences early as tackle machines.
    • Isaiah Simmons, Clemson – A complete player, Simmons can be in the top 10 since he is as versatile as it comes.
    • Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma – A very tough player will need to test well to stay in the first round.
    • Patrick Queen, LSU – A tackle machine in college, Queen needs to show out in Indy.
    • Zack Baun, Wisconsin – The leader of a stout D in college may get some interest early.
  • Defensive Backs – CB and S – Both can be very sought after, but cover CBs are definitely more valuable. Safeties need to be versatile to go high in the Draft.
    • Jeff Okudah, Ohio State – The top CB in this draft will be near the Top 5. Can he run fast enough to stay up there.
    • Xavier McKinney, Alabama – The top S in the Draft, not sure he has the cover skills necessary, but he is versatile.
    • Kristian Fulton, LSU – A talented cover CB on the National Champs.
    • Grant Delpit, LSU – A tall, athletic player who can match up with the NFL TEs of this era.
    • Trevon Diggs, Alabama – A bigger CB who can bang with the bigger WRs in the NFL. Will need to run well, though.
    • CJ Henderson, Florida – An instinctive player, he will need to test in the agility drills well.
    • Bryce Hall, Virginia – May still sneak in the 1st round if he can show his skills.

These are just a few of the players you will see during the NFL Network coverage. I think the best way to watch the Combine is to look up the guys as they come up on the screen. Then, you can come jump with your own conclusions.

Enjoy it.

Wegs

About the author

I'm a 49 year old, twice divorced guy with a 20 year old. The blog has morphed a bit lately. Not just sports or dating, social commentary and now some stories from my past experience.