6 NFL Draft Combine storylines that will shape the first round

One of the strangest job interviews is about to begin.

2024 NFL Scouting Combine.

More than 300 NFL Draft prospects will be in action in Indianapolis over the next week. You’ll be able to see some of the action, including media sessions and field workouts at Lucas Oil Stadium. However, some of the most important events, such as team meetings and medical tests, will be held behind closed doors.

Every NFL Scouting Combine has its own story, and this year’s event is no exception.

How will quarterbacks break through?

Let’s be honest: Quarterbacks move the needle. The debate over this year’s quarterback class will be in full swing due to a variety of factors. First, it’s a talented group led by Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels. But they’re not the only quarterback in the discussion, and the drumbeat behind J.J. McCarthy in recent days has put him in the first-round discussion, and early on there. Some believe they will enter the first round of discussions.

Consider not only the players involved, but also the draft order and the teams that may be looking to draft a quarterback.The first round begins with the Chicago Bears, followed by commander of washingtonand the new england patriots. With a first-round pick, there are three teams that can fill that position.

But it turns out there are plenty of clubs outside of the first three draft teams that could potentially tackle the position.of new york giants (No.6), atlanta falcons (No.8), minnesota vikings (No.11), denver broncos (No.12), las vegas raiders (No.13), and pittsburgh steelers (No. 20) are all teams that have the potential to enter the QB mix.

Needless to say, there are always teams that surprise us.

Will the running back step up?

As NFL free agency approaches, there is a possibility that a historic running back class of free agents will be born. Players like Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry, Tony Pollard and Austin Ekeler will be on the market.

How will that affect the rookie class?

Given the penalties imposed for playing the position in the NFL and the relative longevity of running backs, the league-wide trend has shifted toward a reliance on rookie running backs. But will that trend continue now that veterans like those mentioned above are testing the market? Or will this draft class of running backs end up taking a big step forward in Indianapolis?

Notable names include Trey Benson floridaMichigan’s Blake Collum, Texas’ Jonathon Brooks and Oregon’s Bucky Irving.

Which pass rusher will shine?

As we’ve seen in recent years, pass rushers who perform well in Indianapolis can rise to the top of the draft. For example, ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, Georgia pass rusher Travon Walker had a great performance at the combine and moved to the top of the draft.

Are there any pass rushers in this class who can perform similarly?

Pass rushers to watch heading into the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine include Alabama’s Dallas Turner, Florida State’s Jared Barth, UCLA’s Laiatu Latu, Alabama’s Chris Braswell, and Washington State’s Bralen. They include Trice, Utah’s Jonah Ellis. One or more good weeks can change the draft of your conversation.

Who is WR2?

One of the biggest certainties heading into the combine, or in the unpredictable process that is the NFL Draft, is that Marvin Harrison Jr. will be the No. 1 WR.

So who stands out as a WR2?

The leading candidates are LSU’s Malik Nabors and Washington’s Roman Odunze. Nabers is an explosive WR with a refined arsenal as a route runner. Odunze has the size, speed and strength to break into an NFL offense and thrive as a rookie.

Both players are likely to be removed from the roster within the first 10 picks in April. But who are the players inching closer to the WR2 title next week, and could one or both of them put pressure on Harrison at the top?

Who can continue their pre-draft rise?

Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Although the NFL Scouting Combine gets a lot of attention, it’s important to remember that it’s not the first event of draft season. A number of pre-draft events have already been held, the most notable being the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl. Both of these games gave 32 NFL teams a chance to get an up-close look at prospects, and as a result, some players saw their draft stocks rise ahead of the combine.

“I just want to dominate,” Mitchell said. detroit lions podcast When the week started.

He was able to achieve that goal on mobile.

But Mitchell wasn’t the only player whose stock rose over the winter. Two wide receivers, Roman Wilson from Michigan and Ricky Pearsall from Florida, helped lower Mobile’s draft stock. As for Wilson, Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy had high praise for the Michigan State WR during the Senior Bowl.

“He’s fast, he’s quick, he’s strong and he handles the ball a lot for a small player,” Nagy said. said to M live early this month. “That’s why the comparison to Tyler Lockett. I was lucky enough to be with Tyler for five years in Seattle. I think they’re really similar players.”

Can these players keep up their momentum in Indianapolis?

How is the health check performed?

As mentioned above, some of the biggest events in Indianapolis happen behind the scenes.

Just like a health check.

All 32 teams relocated their medical staff to Indianapolis for the combine, and while we watched testing take place on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium, medical teams were on hand below the field and in the back of the stadium. All candidates are tested.

“Obviously, there are a lot of injuries and a lot of injury history in this sport, so this is an important part of what we do,” said Dr. Scott Rodeo. Giants team physician and sports medicine surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery, dating back to 2018 prior to the combine. “[We’re] If we try to carefully assess their injuries and medical history, we can do imaging tests, so that’s a big part of what we do here. ”

For a player with a complicated medical history, this is the biggest part of the week. Take Michael Penix Jr. as an example. He had four seasons cut short due to injuries (two ACL tears and two shoulder injuries). lucal oil he What happens on the stadium grass is certainly important…but what happens under the grass, and in those trials, may be even more important.