NFL Scouting Combine: 5 things to watch out for including quarterbacks and draft clarity

The NFL circus rolls into Indianapolis this week for the scouting combine that will see more than 300 draft hopefuls be put through their paces physically and mentally with a series of on and off field drill and evaluations.

The annual event allows players to put their best foot forward ahead of the NFL Draft which takes place between April 25-27 in Detroit, while the 32 NFL franchises use the week to flesh out their extensive scouting work, get their draft boards in order and also mix with the rest of the league’s movers and shakers to talk shop ahead of the start of free agency on March 13. 

So what can we expect to see and learn this week? Here’s a guide to what will go down at Lucas Old Stadium over the next few days. 

Will we see clarity from the Chicago Bears?

The Chicago Bears have predictably been quiet about their plans at the top of the draft so far this offseason, but as the media descends on Indianapolis, the issue of what they do with the first overall pick will be front and centre. 

The smart money is on them keeping the selection and snagging Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. That would likely see them trade current quarterback Justin Fields, but this is the kind of week where potential plans should become crystalised. Other options for the Bears would be to keep Fields and use the pick on another game-changing position or to trade down and receive a multitude of picks. 

This week will see players, agents and front office staff all mingle as offseason business steps up. Once it becomes clear what the Bears are planning to do, it should provide more clarity on how the first few picks at the top of the draft pan out. 

Who ducks out?

Almost as interesting as who does show up and work out at the combine will be the players who don’t get out onto the field at the Lucas Oil Stadium.

It’s already looking like the prospective top two selections in this year’s draft Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels won’t work out this week, but will be in town to meet with teams. This follows a recent trend of the top prospects turning down the chance to perform in the combine and risk harming their draft stock, in favour of appearing at their college team’s pro days, where they can show off their skills in a familiar, controlled environment. 

Which quarterbacks make a name for themselves?

Plenty of quarterbacks don’t have the luxury of being able to pass up on the chance to impress at the combine, but they will instead see this as an opportunity to impress. Drake Maye will be looking to potentially usurp Jayen Daniels as the draft’s best non-Caleb Williams selection, while Michael Penix Jr will hope to use this week to put questions about his injury history to bed. 
J. J. McCarthy only had 28 career starts during his college career, so he will look to impress teams on and off the field this week. Bo Nix could also be another QB to keep an eye on. 

The new boys meet the media

From the NFL side, this will be the first week in which the league’s eight new head coaches meet the media. There will no doubt be a big clamour to speak to the always-entertaining Jim Harbaugh who returns to the league with the LA Chargers, while for the first time this millennium somebody not named Bill Belichick will be speaking as the New England Patriots head coach, as Jerod Mayo gets set to address reporters. 

That said, don’t expect anyone to give away too many state secrets, as NFL franchises tend to either avoid or disguise answering questions about their upcoming plans for free agency and the draft. 

Report cards due

An interesting subplot this week will be the release of the latest player team report cards from the NFL Players Association. These reports were introduced last year and saw players grade their teams on a wide range of internal matters, such as the quality of training facilities, staff, travel arrangements, food at team cafes and more. 

The Vikings, Dolphins and Raiders were given high grades last year, while the Arizona Cardinals, LA Chargers and Washington Commanders were bottom of the pile. We’ll be able to see how teams have reacted to last year’s reports and if improvements have been made where needed. 

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