The NFL has turned the NFL Combine into an all-week event. Scheduling the drills, especially the 40 time, for primetime television. Good for them. But the most important part of the NFL Combine isn't the drills. It’s the interviews, the measurements, and the medicals. All of which are incredibly important in factoring how a prospect will fit a pro system, how they’ll adjust to NFL life, and how they project their availability (ability to stay on the field is the most critical trait of all).
Prospects Who Will Test Well
DE Myles Murphy (Clemson): Similar to last year’s top pick Travon Walker, I expect Murphy to run well, show good strength (bench), and explosion (broad jump, vertical). With strong numbers, he’ll be a top 10 pick. Similarly, Tyree Wilson (Texas Tech) has an even higher ceiling.
CB Kelee Ringo (Georgia): He’s going to be a Combine show pony because he’s going to run like a thoroughbred. I am not high on Ringo, but he has incredibly impressive physical traits and he’ll do excellent at the Combine.
NT Mazi Smith (Michigan): I think he’s underrated and a potential late Round 1, early Round 2 candidate for someone who needs a run-stopper. His interviews will be important (gun-related offense last year) but he is going to wow with his athleticism and strength. Michigan’s strength coach said he’s the strongest defensive lineman they’ve had in 25 years.
DE Keion White (Georgia Tech): At 6-4, 283 he ran 17 mph at the Senior Bowl. He’s going to nail his interviews, he’s well-spoken and his coaches have said he’s all about football. The hype has gotten a bit over the top but with a strong workout, he’ll cement his place in Round 1.
CB DJ Turner (Michigan): He’s an outside corner who could run a sub 4.4 and reportedly has an elite 3 cone drill. He’s a top-100 pick.
LB Trenton Simpson (Clemson): He’s a player that I am lower on than others, but he’ll test well because of his elite athleticism. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him break 4.5 in the 40. At this point, he’s a better athlete than football player.
TE Luke Musgrave (Oregon St): His medicals will be important but he’s 6-6, 255 and should run somewhere in the 4.5 range. That’s elite for a TE. He’ll walk out of Indy as a top 3 TE option.
DE Dylan Horton (TCU): More of a hustle player when you watch him which is not a knock. He was a 3-sport star in high school and those inside the TCU program say he’ll put up impressive testing numbers
WR Andrei Iosivas (Princeton): My grandfather was the Track & Field Coach at BC for 35 years and this is an ode to him. Iosivas is a track All-American and holds the Ivy League record for the Heptathlon. He didn’t have a big Senior Bowl week, but every NFL team made their way to Princeton this year to see him in person.
LB Owen Pappoe (Auburn): He freelances a little too much but he’s fast and productive. He was known inside the Auburn program as “The Freak”.
Prospects You Want On Your Relay Team
RB Devon Achane (Texas A&M): He’s not for everyone because he doesn’t fit the ideal size profile for a RB, but he runs harder than you expect. He has an official time of 10.14 in the 100 meters. That’s world-class speed.
WR Jalin Hyatt (Tennessee): He’s a slot WR that is an interesting evaluation (huge production, limited route tree) but he evaporates the cushion like a puddle on a hot day. I expect someone to fall in love with the speed enough to draft him on Day 1. For the Patriots he’s duplicative of Tyquan Thornton.
WR Tyler Scott (Cincinnati): He was a high school RB and a track star which always translates at the Combine. Teammate Tre Tucker showed a lot of speed at the Senior Bowl. Both guys have a shot to break 4.4
WR Trey Palmer (Nebraska): Saw him at the Senior Bowl and he has an extra gear. Typically lines up in the slot and he’s a big play threat. He had 10 catches this year over 25 yards.
WR Derius Davis (TCU): Perhaps the best returner in this draft class has incredible speed. He’s more of a gadget player but he’ll be one of the faster guys in this class.
RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama): I hope he runs because whenever I saw him the first thought I had was “gamebreaker." Gibbs is my second-rated RB and he’ll land in Round 1 or very early Round 2.
RB Keaton Mitchell (East Carolina): He’s small but 16% of his carries went for over 15 yards. He’s positionally small so he’ll need to run fast. Former Titan, Chris Johnson, came from the same school.
Prospects Who Need A Good Combine
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio St): He’s my top WR in this class but he didn’t play much this year because of a hamstring injury. His medicals and the interviews will be very important for teams to feel comfortable on a high draft slot.
LT Peter Skoronski (Northwestern): Arm length is an important measurable for tackles. His official length will be critical in how NFL teams project him positionally. With his technical skills, he’s an immediate starter either way but I think he has future All-Pro potential at guard. If his arms measure under 33 inches, that’s a concern and would it mean he’s likely available at pick 14.
CB Joey Porter Jr. (Penn St): Arm length (30' +) and the 40 (sub-4.5) are the key baselines for top corners. Porter Jr., Cam Smith (South Carolina) and even my top guy Devon Witherspoon (Illinois). Christian Gonzalez (Oregon) is going to test, measure extremely well.
CB Eli Ricks (Alabama): He has top 6 physical traits of all the corners in this class. But there were rumors he wasn’t a good practice player at Alabama and that’s why it took him so long to see the field. He had off-field issues while at LSU, but he had a big-time freshman season. Simply put, I’d love to be in those interviews.
LB Jack Campbell (Iowa): Some teams will have him in Round 2, some in Round 4, and the reason for the variance are the questions on his athleticism. His ability to show that he can run and cover TEs will be critical. He’s been training with former BC star and future Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly.
LB Nate Herbig (Wisconsin): He’s been an edge rusher for Badgers (and a productive one at that) but his size is better aligned off the ball. I’ve been a fan of his make-up and production. He’s a bit of a projection with a positional move and so his testing and the agility drills will be important in closing the gap. With a good combine he could be top 75.
LB Ivan Pace Jr. (Cincinnati): He’s the definition of a football player that just produces but he’s small for an ILB. Agility testing in the passing drills, speed to cover, and strength on the bench press will be important. You can feel scouts wanting to back him and so he needs to overcome the lack of physical makeup.
LB Noah Sewell (Oregon): I had him in Round 1 coming into the season. Now I have him on Day 3. Answering some questions on the whiteboard, addressing the drop off, coming to the combine in shape and testing well (which he could do) will be vital.
LB Nolan Smith (Georgia): A lot of sites have him Round 1 as an Edge rusher. I don’t see it. I see him as more of an off-the-ball LB, but I think his athleticism and leadership are elite. He’s coming off a torn pec and so his medical will be very important. He would be a great addition to the Patriots at the right slot, and with the right plan.
NT Siaki Ika (Baylor): For those consistent readers, you know that last year I said Ika was my favorite NT in college (over Jordan Davis, Travis Jones). But he came into the season carrying extra bad weight and I didn’t think he was impacting games as much. Interviews will be important. Either way, I don’t see him in Round 1.
WR Kayshon Boutte (LSU): Boutte didn’t have the year scouts expected, which was potentially a top-15 pick. He’ll have to answer questions on that but don’t dismiss him. He could have a monster combine and in talking to LSU players they speak highly of him. If the Patriots were to grab him in Round 2 (or late Round 1) that would be very intriguing.
RT Dawand Jones (Ohio St): Interviews are going to be critical for Jones. The rest of the draft world marveled at his size at the Senior Bowl. I was worried why he was sitting out reps, didn’t seem to be in great shape, and then didn’t finish the week. His size and athleticism are rare. If you’re the Patriots, you have to get comfortable with all the things non-physical. They will either way.
TE Darnell Washington (Georgia): Fascinated to see what he runs but he’s 6-foot-7, 275 pounds of muscle and can be a bully in the run game. That’s rare. He’s imposing but interviews will determine if he’s Round 1 or Round 2.
LB Isaiah Moore (NC State): The Patriots coached him at the Shrine Bowl, and he was the best LB there. Here’s what I wrote about him on October 1st, “He’s a 3x captain for the Wolfpack. He’s suffered some injuries and his health will be important to getting drafted. Highest upside of the Wolfpack linebackers.”.
RB DeWayne McBride (UAB): He’s one of my sleepers but he’s not going to break any speed records. His best trait is his running balance which usually translates to the next level. If he runs decently and shows good agility, he’ll be a draft riser.
CB Garrett Williams (Syracuse): Potential Day 3 target for the Patriots. Coming off an ACL injury in the game against Notre Dame. He can handle press and man coverage, but he’ll need a redshirt season.
LB Daiyan Henley (Washington St): You all know I was a fan coming out of the Senior Bowl. How he runs and interviews (especially important for an MLB) will be important on how high he climbs (he’s already climbing).
2023 Schedule of Events
Defensive Line
- Team Interviews: Monday-Wednesday, Feb. 27 - March 1
- Media Interviews: Wednesday, March 1
- Measurements/On-Field Workout: Thursday, March 2
- Bench Press/Depart: Friday, March 3
Linebackers
- Team Interviews: Monday-Wednesday, Feb. 27 - March 1
- Media Interviews: Wednesday, March 1
- Measurements/On-Field Workout: Thursday, March 2
- Bench Press/Depart: Friday, March 3
Defensive Backs
- Team Interviews: Tuesday-Thursday, Feb. 28 - March 2
- Media Interviews: Thursday, March 2
- Measurements/On-Field Workout: Friday, March 3
- Bench Press/Depart: Saturday, March 4
Special Teams
- Team Interviews: Tuesday-Thursday, Feb. 28 - March 2
- Media Interviews: Thursday, March 2
- Measurements/On-Field Workout: Friday, March 3
- Bench Press/Depart: Saturday, March 4
Quarterbacks
- Media Interviews: Friday, March 3
- Team Interviews: Tuesday-Wednesday, Feb. 28-March 1, Friday, March 3
- Measurements/On-Field Workout: Saturday, March 4
- Bench Press/Depart: Sunday, March 5
Wide Receivers
- Media Interviews: Friday, March 3
- Team Interviews: Tuesday-Wednesday, Feb. 28-March 1, Friday, March 3
- Measurements/On-Field Workout: Saturday, March 4
- Bench Press/Depart: Sunday, March 5
Tight Ends
- Media Interviews: Friday, March 3
- Team Interviews: Tuesday-Wednesday, Feb. 28-March 1, Friday, March 3
- Measurements/On-Field Workout: Saturday, March 4
- Bench Press/Depart: Sunday, March 5
Offensive Linemen
- Media Interviews: Friday, March 3
- Team Interviews: Wednesday-Thursday, March 1-2, Saturday, March 4
- Measurements/On-Field Workout: Sunday, March 5
- Bench Press/Depart: Monday, March 6
Running Backs
- Media Interviews: Friday, March 3
- Team Interviews: Wednesday-Thursday, March 1-2, Saturday, March 4
- Measurements/On-Field Workout: Sunday, March 5
- Bench Press/Depart: Monday, March 6