Who’s to say the NFL Scouting Combine is only for draft hopefuls?
When the activities start on Tuesday, major NFL figures—like Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rodgers, and Maxx Crosby—will be the center of conversations involving coaches, executives, agents, and reporters.
With the top draft pick almost secured, the buzz about drafts might take a backseat to preparing for free agency, franchise tags, and trades.
Here are eight key stories to follow this week.
Quarterback Carousel
Head coaches and general managers are set to meet with the media on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Will Rodgers decide to retire, or will he team up with the new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy?
Are the Ravens nearing an agreement to extend Jackson’s contract, aiming to reduce his hefty salary cap hit of $74.5 million in 2026?
If trades for Kyler Murray (Cardinals) and Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins) fall through, will they face releases, costing their teams significant cap space?
If Daniel Jones, known for his tough negotiation skills, isn’t able to recover properly from a torn Achilles tendon, what’s the backup plan for the Colts?
If he does request a trade, which some speculate, might it not involve 2023’s fourth overall pick, Anthony Richardson?
Could the Falcons release Kirk Cousins to let him start anew?
And just how much could Packers free agent Malik Willis command?
Is there a possibility that backups Mac Jones (49ers), Tanner McKee (Eagles), and Davis Mills (Texans) could be traded?
Receiver Dynamics
Just two years back, the team was assessing receivers Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabors, and Roman Odunze.
Will Colonel Tate, Jordyn Tyson, and Makai Lemon find themselves in a similar scenario?
Unless one of these three stands out significantly in the coming week, we might have to pick our favorites based on criteria like size, speed, or catching ability.
NFL Network’s draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah assigned top-three round grades to 19 receivers.
The wide receiver market is poised for change depending on the outcomes for players such as Brian Thomas Jr. (Jaguars), AJ Brown (Eagles), DJ Moore (Bears), Brandon Aiyuk (49ers), and Keon Coleman (Bills).
The Max Factor
With all due respect to the receivers mentioned earlier, Crosby is arguably the most talked-about figure in the league.
Crosby has been at the heart of the NFL’s tanking discussions after his unexpected exit from the Raiders due to injury protection issues, leaving the team on less-than-ideal terms.
Is there any chance the relationship can be mended?
Franchise Tags
Receiver George Pickens (Cowboys) and tight end Kyle Pitts (Falcons) will receive franchise tags to allow for more time in extension talks.
Could running back Breece Hall (Jets) or linebacker Devin Lloyd (Jaguars) also be tagged?
What if the Colts decide to go all out and use both transition and franchise tags on Jones and receiver Alec Pierce?
A Fresh Start
Two of the top 14 winningest coaches, McCarthy and John Harbaugh (Giants), have taken on new roles.
A new chapter begins for the Steelers (under Mike Tomlin) and Ravens (under Harbaugh), where both franchises are shifting away from their previous coaching identities.
Robert Saleh (Titans) and Kevin Stefanski (Falcons) are gearing up for their second chances.
In total, 10 teams have switched head coaches and 21 have updated their offensive coordinators.
Mendozamania
It’s hard to ignore the impact Fernando Mendoza had during his time at Indiana University last season.
Critics found reasons to poke fun at the Heisman Trophy winner’s intense, faith-centric interviews.
How will he manage the swarm of media attention on Friday?
And is it safe to assume some coaches will try to unsettle him during more private interviews?
Mendoza won’t showcase his skills for scouts until his pro day.
Will he engage with teams beyond just the Raiders (picking first) and Jets (picking second)?
Is there any chance Raiders’ general manager John Spytek would refuse a hefty trade offer?
Quarterback Choices
It’s been over two decades since a single quarterback was drafted first overall (Michael Vick in 2001).
The promising quarterback class entering last season has seen a decline following the exits of key players like Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, Penn State’s Drew Aller, and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, not to mention Alaa’s injury.
Alabama’s Ty Simpson has started only 15 games—every one last season.
He’s emerged as the consensus second-best quarterback.
Could he impress enough in interviews and throwing sessions to land at the tail end of the first round (starting at No. 16 with the Jets)?
Assessing Value
Let’s keep conversing about the value associated with non-premium positions, like running backs and safeties.
Jeremiah Love from Notre Dame stands out as the leading non-quarterback offensive prospect.
Since 2017, five running backs have been drafted in the top 10, showing varied results, though Ashton Giunty’s rookie performance (No. 6 in 2025) was underwhelming.
Is this a disadvantage for Love?
Ohio State’s Caleb Downs might be the top candidate on defense.
The last safety to be selected in the top 10 was Jamal Adams in 2017.
Players like Minkah Fitzpatrick and Kyle Hamilton have felt the repercussions of this trend.
Who Holds the Cards?
If that’s your preference, there are pass rushers led by Texas Tech’s David Bailey (14.5 sacks last season) and Miami’s Ruben Bayne Jr. (9.5 sacks).
For potential, Ohio State’s Abel Reese, who started just after one season, could be intriguing.
Reese transitioned from off-ball linebacker—who carries positional value—to a full-time edge rusher in the NFL.
Micah Parsons made a similar shift without issue.
Others, unfortunately, have struggled with it.
Reese, Bailey, and Bane could find themselves being drafted second, third, or fourth in various sequences.
