INDIANAPOLIS- The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine starts today, February 26, and goes through Sunday, March 3. This event kicks off the NFL Draft season as team personnel from all 32 teams converge on Lucas Oil Stadium to get a closer look at what prospects they want to draft. 321 players will attend the scouting event, but there are only 256 draft picks, so this is a crucial event in the draft process for many NFL hopefuls. Three top prospects will not work out there. Today, players will have an orientation to the combine that includes interviews, medical examinations, and some on-field drills.
When Do The Actual Workouts Start?
The official start of the combine, which will be broadcast by NFL Network, begins on Thursday, February 29th (leap day!). On Thursday at 3 pm, the defensive linemen and the linebackers will start the NFL Combine workouts. On Friday at 3 pm, the defensive backs and tight ends will take the spotlight. Then, the quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers start the weekend on Saturday at 1 pm. Lastly, the offensive linemen and special teamers end the combine on Sunday starting at 1 pm.
Top 5 Players To Watch In The NFL Combine
Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy
JJ McCarthy is the consensus #4 QB in this draft. The 2024 National Champion has fantastic arm talent and uses his running ability very effectively. He also has a great touchdown to interception ratio, throwing 44 touchdowns to nine interceptions over the past two seasons.
Georgia TE Brock Bowers
The two-time John Mackey award winner, the distinction given to the best tight end in college football, Brock Bowers is projected to be picked where few at his position get picked. Bowers recorded 175 receptions, 2,538 yards, and 26 touchdowns in his three-year career with the Bulldogs. He is not just a threat through the air but also on the ground. He scored five touchdowns while in college, five more than you’d expect from a tight end. Brock Bowers is also fantastic once he gets the ball, recording 486 yards after the catch and 249 receiving yards after contact. Because of this, he reminds me of Rob Gronkowski. He doesn’t go down easy and fights for extra yardage every time.
Michigan WR Roman Wilson
Wilson, the second player from the 2024 National Champion Michigan Wolverines, is projected to be the fastest player in this draft. He ran a 4.37 40-yard dash before graduating high school. Wilson is the consensus 13th ranked wide receiver currently. The Michigan product also tracks the ball well downfield and performs well in contested catches. It would not be a surprise if Wilson flies out the gate in Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday and takes the fastest time.
Penn State OT Olu Fashanu
Olumuyiwa Fashanu could have been a first round pick in last year’s draft. Instead, he decided to go back to Happy Valley for one more season. The Nittany Lion is the second ranked lineman in this draft behind Notre Dame’s Joe Alt. What an interesting name contrast of the top two linemen in the 2024 draft: Joe Alt and Olumuyiwa Fashanu. You can’t make this stuff up. Fashanu has elite footwork and he allowed just one sack in 21 career starts. The 6’6 319 pound lineman has great grip strength so he is tough to get past. He is a consensus top 10 pick and is currently slated to go to the New York Jets.
Texas DT T’Vondre Sweat
This big man has natural strength and power. Sweat has great burst abilities which allow him to get to the ball carrier from a few lanes over. The Texas lineman recorded 45 tackles and 18 solo tackles in the 2023 season along with 2 sacks. He declined to be weighed at the Senior Bowl so it will be interesting to see if he weighs in at the NFL Combine.
Other Notable NFL Combine Storylines
LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers and Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze are both near the top of the wide receiver ranks for this draft class. They are running back to back in the 40-yard dash because of the NFL doing the event in alphabetical order. The 40-yard dash could be one of the events that determines who is the #2 wide receiver behind Marvin Harrison Jr.
If you haven’t heard already, there is a cornerback from Alabama named Kool-Aid McKinstry. This player will be fun to watch besides just hearing the broadcasters say his fun name. He was given this nickname from his grandma because of his cool personality. McKinstry is the 5th ranked cornerback in this draft.
Bill Belichick Won’t Be There
Bill Belichick eating gif. Use it as you please.
byu/Vmoney1337 inPatriots
Unfortunately, we won’t get to see Bill Belichick, his binoculars, snacks, and hoodie at the combine this year. This upcoming season will be the first time in 49 years that Belichick will not be on an NFL sideline, unless a team fires a coach midseason and Belichick wants to take on that job.
Top Prospects Who Will Not Be At The NFL Combine
Projected #1 overall pick Caleb Williams, Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, and #1 ranked wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will not participate in the NFL combine. Williams and Daniels have both opted to throw at their pro days in March to show off their top-tier skills. Harrison Jr won’t be working out at all. They will all be in Indianapolis for interviews and to talk to teams though.
These top 5 draft picks have no reason to participate in the combine since their draft stock is already so high. If they did participate, they have a chance of having an off day and could end up being picked a bit further down the board. Injuries are also a possibility. In fact, a study showed 54% of players who participated in the NFL Combine between 2009-2015 had knee injuries. It is from a little while ago but it just shows you that injuries at this multi-day event are fairly common. In the case of top prospects like Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, it’s not worth it to risk your health and draft stock when all NFL teams already know that they are terrific players.