Every year in the last week of
February, the NFL world descends on Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine.
As 330 prospects are invited to get measured, tested and interviewed, the
Combine serves as the biggest job interview for these NFL hopefuls and the last
big event for teams before the start of free agency on March 9th.
With only 255 picks total in the 2017 NFL Draft, it may be surprising to hear
that only 80.8% of draft picks come from the Combine invitees since 2007 (the
Cowboys come in just under that average at 77.5%). Nevertheless, the vast
majority of these players will get drafted or signed as free agents and
therefore are critical to the constructing of a Super Bowl Champion.
In this year’s Combine, a record
number of tight end prospects (22) and the fewest number of OL prospects (50)
since 2010 have been invited. Here is a look at what to watch with each
position group and a few players to keep an eye on:
Quarterbacks
What to watch for:
1. Who
decides to throw
Very often, the
top level prospects decline to throw at the NFL Combine, preferring to display
their talents with receivers they are more familiar with at their pro days.
However, this year’s crop of QBs is very unproven and declining to throw could
turn some teams off (as we saw last year with Connor Cook from Mich St). Just
who throws and who doesn’t can sway a team’s decision, even though it seems
very trivial.
2. Interview
Process
Unfortunately for
draftniks, the biggest part of the process in evaluating QBs, the 15 minute
personal interviews, is not televised (yet?) and shrouding in mystery. What a
team truly thinks about a particular QB is generally determined in these
interviews, though sometimes the nature of a player’s interviews can leak out
through rumor.
3. Mitch
Trubisky’s height
As the QB from
North Carolina, Mitch Trubisky, is generally considered the #1 QB on the board
headed into the Combine, he also has the most to lose potentially. One pitfall
rumored thus far is that Trubisky is not all of the 6’3” that he was listed at
UNC, but in fact may be closer to 6’ even. While this may seem small to some,
the smallest of margins can sometimes separate these players and sway a team
away from a particular prospect.
Players to watch:
1. Pat
Mahomes, Texas Tech, QB10
Many GMs are wary
of QBs coming from the “Air Raid” system as it has proven a difficult transition
to the pro game. Mahomes, with a the measurables, pedigree and upside that will
intrigue QB-needy teams, will need to show solid mechanics and full grasp of an
NFL offense in interviews to keep his name in 1st round contention.
2. Deshone
Kizer, Notre Dame, QB06
Another QB in the
1st round mix, Kizer needs to really impress with his physical
skills to overcome a lot of bad tape from his college days. If he can show good
accuracy in drills and run well, Kizer could quell some of the naysayers around
his prospects.
Running Backs
What to watch for:
1. 40
times
The RBs are always
a fun group when it comes to the 40 yard dash as they tend to have a few
standouts. While not an indicator of future NFL success (how often do RBs take
the handoff from a sprinter’s stance?!), the 40 does get notice from fans and
GMs alike and can play a big part on Combine week.
2. 3
cone drill
Much more
important than the 40 time to a running back’s success is his time in the 3
cone drill. This drill measures bend around a corner, short area burst and
agility in space. The cones are laid out in an L shape, the runner starting at
one cone. He must run up to the 2nd cone, circle and return to the
start then turn, going around the second cone to cone #3, circle it and retrace
his steps. Though not always reported, this drill is a big factor in the
agility of RB evaluation.
3. Medicals
In addition to
on-field drills, measurements and interviews, each player is exposed to a
number of medical evaluations by various teams. As running backs are a group
most likely to take punishment in the college and pro ranks, their medical
checks are highly scrutinized and vital to their draft position. Though this
not shared publicly, rumors of a medical red flag can make their way into the
mainstream.
Players to watch:
1. Alvin
Kamara, Tennessee, RB16
Kamara has been on
many draft boards as the 3rd or 4th best RB in the class
despite only 1 year as a starter at Tennessee. Though he has some past character
and medical red flags, an extra good showing at the Combine could get him into
the late 1st round mix.
2. Samaje
Perine, Oklahoma, RB23
With fellow Sooner
RB Joe Mixon barred from participating from the Combine, Perine needs to use
this opportunity to distinguish himself to get into the middle of the pack of
RBs in this class. His success running and catching the football in drills will
be interesting to watch.
Wide Outs
What to watch for:
1. The
Gauntlet
Easily my favorite
drill at the Combine, the Gauntlet can make or break a wide receiver. The
player start on the out-of-bounds line facing away from the field. On the
signal, returns to his right and catches the pass thrown by a QB then quickly
spins 180 degrees to catch another pass thrown. The receiver then begins to run
down a yard line, catching 3 passes from alternating sides. On the final throw,
he catches the pass along the following sideline then turns upfield to run. This
drill emphasizes hands catching as well as movement and taking directions.
2. 40
times
Like the running
backs, wide receivers draw a lot of attention around the 40 yard dash. While for
many positions the 10 yard split (how fast the player runs the first 10 yards)
is more critical than the full 40 time, wide outs can demonstrate a “2nd
gear” in their full 40 and thus are judged more on that basis.
3. Vertical
jump
Another measurement
taken by most players at the Combine is the vertical jump. And while no one
cares how high your center can jump, for wide outs this can be a good measurable
in showing if a player “plays bigger” than his size in jump ball situations.
Players to watch:
1. John
Ross, Washington, WO42
Despite having a
shoulder injury that will require surgery, Ross is choosing to participate in
the Combine. Much of this is due to his desire to run the 40 and show his elite
speed. If Ross runs a blazing time he will definitely be in the 1st
round mix just behind Corey Davis and Mike Williams.
2. Malachi
Dupree, LSU, WO13
Without great QB
play at LSU, Dupree only had opportunity to flash his potential on occasion.
But at the Combine, Dupree will have a chance to really show what he has and
potentially be the 4th or 5th WO off the board.
Tight Ends
What to Watch:
1. Pass
catching drills
This year’s crop
of tight ends is heavy on pass catchers versus blockers and watching them run
drill should be a treat. Their fluidity to move in space and come up with the
ball will be on full display.
2. Bench
Press
Unlike wide outs,
however, tight ends are often covered by linebackers or safeties and will be in
press coverage or chipped by defensive ends. Functionally strength as measured
by reps of 225lbs is as important as catching passes.
3. Blocking
drills
Like the bench
press, a tight ends ability to hold up at the point of attack in the run game
is also critical to NFL success. Though many in this class might be better in
space, their ability to be at least functional blockers must be part of the
evaluation.
Players to watch:
1. Evan
Engram, Ole Miss, TE05
Emgram has drawn
many comparisons to the Redskins’ Jordan Reed and he will have to live up to
that hype at the Combine. Strength, speed and agility will all be measured and
look for Engram to be one of the stars of this group.
2. Jonnu
Smith, Florida International, TE18
Smith really put
himself on the draft world map at the Senior Bowl in Mobile and will look to
keep that momentum going in Indy. As one of the few “all-purpose” tight ends in
this class, Smith should excel in both blocking and pass catching drills.
Part 2 of our Combine preview will
include the OL, DE, LB and DB spots
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