INDIANAPOLIS – The 32 things we learned from NFL 2020 scouting combine:
1. The league’s annual mall has offered lots of evidence that this project could have a greater impact than any other in recent memory. At the start, you have convincing shift perspectives (Joe Burrow of LSU and Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama at the head) but an unusually heavy mix of talents and depth at premium positions, including chopper, offensive line, cornerback and wide receiver. Lots of high-end backs and linebackers too. Certainly looks like a good year to negotiate and store interim capital.
2. Job designations in the NFL continue to become increasingly blurred. Players like Deebo Samuel of the 49ers, a 2019 rookie who usually played the receiver but also gained more touches as a playoff ball carrier, are in vogue. The versatility of position is even more pronounced in defense. Highly rated DL Derrick Brown said he “didn’t really have jobs” at Auburn. Wisconsin LB Zack Baun was called “the toy” for its flexibility. And Clemson star Isaiah Simmons – he played linebacker, safety and held several other roles for the Tigers – made reference to his “defense” position.
3. Not much news to report from Indy – no surprise, really – even when dozens of head coaches and league leaders met with members of the media. The Jets, for example, will apparently keep S Jamal Adams on the list for the rest of his career, but have no plans to move veteran RB Le’Veon Bell and his swollen contract. Hmm.
4. Of course, the lack of any recent contract updates – with the exception of veteran TE Greg Olsen who joins the Seahawks – seems largely to be due to the stall in collective bargaining. However, if players quickly approve the proposed collective agreement, expect some level of clarity for stars like Tom Brady, Derrick Henry and Dak Prescott.
5. Still, not much evidence (so far) that the teams are quite ready to unleash what should be a seismic upheaval in the quarters in 2020. Raiders general manager Mike Mayock loved holder Derek Carr despite rumors that the Las Vegas team will race at Brady’s. The brass chargers did the same for veteran Tyrod Taylor, who supported Philip Rivers in 2019, while the Colts threw bouquets at Jacoby Brissett. Even Bruce Arians eased his apparent dissatisfaction with Jameis Winston after the Buccaneers’ season 7-9. But it only takes one domino to fall before the expected chain reaction can take place in a cascade.
seven. In the same vein, I found skeptics about Isaiah Simmons – at least regarding her ability to play a place like free security among the pros. But after the “linebacker” hit a sub-4.4 40 on Saturday, who can say he can’t play five positions in an NFL game, too?
8. The most comforting story of the combine? How about South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw, who overcame the roaming and long lonely journeys of Greyhound as a pre-teen, who now thrives in a potential top 10 pick.
9. Burrow pulled a chair to the podium and made himself pleasant and comfortable for his media session on Tuesday. I had never seen this before, but I liked his confidence and his apparent candor – including his declared will to play for the Bengals.
ten. If the combine started with a question about who was the third best quarterback here, Justin Oregon’s Justin Herbert could have put an end to that with impressive interviews and a solid field performance on Thursday.
11. The general consensus seems to be that no position is as talented or profound this year as the extended class. Mayock said: “The average over the past five years for wide receivers going in the first three rounds is 12, between 12 and 13 per year. You can easily argue, from a grade point of view, that it there are 20-25 guys this year. “
12. Speculation about Brady’s future – the Patriots have yet to address domestic journalists – has continued to be a popular subject in Indy and many other parts of the country. According to reports, representatives of TB12 have met with the Chargers, Raiders and Colts even though the pending free agents cannot officially start talking to the suitors for another two weeks. Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner, now an analyst for NFL Network, told me that the challenge of adapting to a new culture could be an unwanted surprise for Brady … although Warner thinks the quadruple MVP of the Super Bowl should join the Titans if he’s gonna really bolt New England.
13. The purpose of Tagovailoa when entering the combine was to “win” his medical evaluation. It is unclear if this has happened, but he expects to be cleared for football activities on March 9 and plans to show off his abilities (and his surgically repaired hip) on April 9. If things generally go well, the Bengals and other underprivileged teams could face a dilemma.
14. Courtesy points to Ohio CB CB Jeff Okudah, who appears to be one of the top five picks and could be the best advocate for this project outside of teammate Buckeyes DE Chase Young. Asked by a reporter what he should do to respond to an allegedly “sloppy” room, Okudah replied in the same way: “I had no pass interference, no involvement, so cut the tape again. I think you might see something else. “
15.Louisville LT Mekhi Becton ran 40 yards in 5.1 seconds … after measuring 6-7 and 364 pounds earlier in the week. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the big guys in the NFL are not elite athletes.
16. Of course, this year’s fastest 40 came thanks to Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III, who had hoped to break John Ross’ combine record (4.22), but with a time of 4.27 . However, Ruggs and Utah DB Javelin Guidry (4.29) were the only prospects in 2020 to crack 4.3 … or even 4.35.
17. And yet another proof of the evolution of the game was evident when the linebackers ran, 10 of them blazing 40 yards in less than 4.6 seconds with Simmons (6-4, 238) posting a sublime 4.39. As he said, these guys are now weapons designed to neutralize Travis Kelce and George Kittle, not Jim Brown or Jerome Bettis.
18. Speaking of big backs, however, Jonathan Taylor (5-10, 226) of Wisconsin, after consecutive 2,000-yard campaigns against the Big Ten competition, qualified for the first round? Perhaps a little surprise that his 4.39 40 paced all backs.
19. The coolest way that a prospect turns what could be perceived as weakness into strength? Check out this comment from Virginia CB Bryce Hall: “I have (attention deficit disorder), but I think it’s a blessing in disguise. People who have ADD, the thing is, it’s not that you losing focus is that you are able to assimilate everything, but what gets your attention the most is what you are going to focus on. So i am able to see and hear different things on the ground at any time. “
20. Much talk about where to start the 2020 draft, although it is currently widely believed that the Bengals will take Burrow, while the Redskins will take Young – number one overall on most boards, including his – with the second selection. Does this mean that the Lions control the table at No. 3, especially if the teams who fall in love with Tagovailoa want to jump Miami (No. 5)? Do the Dolphins already have the cards, owning three choices in the first round and two more in the second round? Or is it all premature given the time it takes Cincinnati and the Skins to throw curveballs? That’s why we love the draft.
21. Unofficially, no player, including quarterbacks, seemed to attract a larger crowd of media than Young. Okudah and Simmons were in virtual heat for the second largest group of reporters during their sessions.
22. I imagine it’s quite difficult – if you are, say, LSU TE Thaddeus Moss or Michigan LT Jon Runyan Jr. or Southern California WR Michael Pittman or Minnesota S Antoine Winfield Jr. – following your father’s massive footsteps in the NFL.
23. But what if you are a prospect named Lamar Jackson or A.J. Green? It might be time to consider a distinctive nickname as opposed to endless comparisons with your very established NFL namesake.
24. Speaking of Jackson, we knew that the league’s MVP is at the forefront of what appears to be a dramatic shift to the quarterback position. But when did punters start placing 225 pounds 25 times? Congratulations to Arizona State Michael Turk.
25. Nothing like covering a combine (2019 version) with another Nate Davis. But the second best thing could be to watch twin Davises (Nebraska DL Carlos and Khalil) blow up the event, Khalil snatching a 4.75 40 at 6-1 and 308 pounds.
26. In the future, expect college football playoffs to have an impact on the combine. Quite a few players, particularly from the LSU, have cited the long season as a reason to skip exercises while their bodies continue to recover.
27. And not surprisingly, 16 Bayou Bengals were invited to the combine. No other school had more than 11 players.
28. Just when you thought the menu St. Elmo Steak House couldn’t get any better, they hit you with a local treat called a sugar cream pie. I think my colleague Mike Jones ate four.
29. Combine participants are typically asked about the strangest questions they ask of NFL clubs during their round of seated meetings. But the strangest response I heard from a player came when Nebraska DL Darrion Daniels spoke to a reporter Thursday about his showering and hydration habits. Always something to teach the combine. Daniels couldn’t have been nicer … or much larger.
30. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has certainly not yet embraced analytics with a bearhug. “We are looking at trends, we could say these are analyzes,” said Zimmer last week. “But I’m having trouble with someone telling me to try it in 4th and 5th and we have two more points and they don’t know the team they are playing against. If you go there and you don’t understand no, they’re not licensed, I’m doing it. So that’s my point of view. “
30a. Never change, Mike. Already.
31. Daniel Jeremiah, an analyst with the NFL Network, who is also one of the nicest guys in the business, continues to do a remarkable job – with his colleagues Charles Davis, Bucky Brooks, Chad Reuter, Lance Zierlein and many others. And host Rich Eisen is doing a commendable job, leveraging the event to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for St. Jude’s. But I still miss the thorny personality and the Bootsy Collins / Parliament-Funkadelic references provided by the former guru of the NFL Network Mayock project.
31a. Quoting the analyst himself, Mayock said Tuesday: “I would be stupid if I were not aware of this information.”
31b. Never change, Mike. Already.
32. Dear NFL …
It is time for my annual letter to implore you not to move the combine from Indianapolis to Los Angeles or any other municipality. Jeff Foster, president of the National Invitation Camp and the man who organizes this event, and this city has this annual exercise up to a science. Talk to any member of the media or talent assessor, and they will be thrilled with the convenience of Indy – who helps teams, journalists and prospects get through what is inherently a long week. Oh, and the locals are great and the dining room very understated (if you’ve never been here).
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Follow Nate Davis of USA TODAY Sports on Twitter @ByNateDavis
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