Final takeaways from the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine

The week at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis goes by quickly. I travel every year to the event and each time it is over in the blink of an eye. It probably has to do with the amount of work that is done during the week, as the NFL world descends on one city for an important stop in the pre-draft process.

The interviews are huge for these players as they go through the biggest job interview of their lives. Medical checks are huge for these prospects as NFL teams go way back in their history to find out the most they can about their bodies and potential durability. The drills don’t mean as much as interviews or medicals, but this process still measures what a player is compared to his peers.

In addition to the draft conversation, there is plenty of free agency news and rumblings that come out from Indianapolis. All agents come to the city to begin early conversations with teams about their own free agents. At the same time, news about potential destinations for other free agents also comes to the surface.

Here’s a small recap of what I’ve learned during the week of interviews, drills and networking at the Combine:

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Prime Time Works

I am a creature of habit, so when so many changes happened at this year’s Combine, I was skeptical of how things would work. The interviews were much earlier in the week, so on Tuesday, we got to talk to most coaches, general managers, quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends. That was a huge day of work to decipher everything we learned but after that things leveled off just a bit.

We still interviewed plenty of prospects over the rest of the week, but things really heated up when workouts began on Thursday night. For the first time ever, the Combine drills were on prime time TV and even simulcast on two networks (NFL Network and ESPN).

This was much different from the days when the drills were going on while we were interviewing players at other positions during the day. It made for even longer days and led to some down time that some coaches didn’t like, but it was perfect for the television audience.

I didn’t think I’d like the new schedule, but being able to focus solely on the drills since the interviews were done I was riveted to the edge of my seat.

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Fall For Viska

All of us in the draftnik community know that Colorado wide receiver Laviska Shenault has first-round tape. He tried to run the 40-yard dash at the Combine, but seemed to injure himself while posting a 4.58-second time. That’s not a number that matches his film and NFL teams know that.

We could see Shenault fall in the draft because of his injury concerns. He is set to undergo core muscle surgery this week. That surgery is going to keep him out of action for six to eight weeks. During that time, Shenault will miss the Buffaloes pro day. After that, he may not be able to do much for teams in private interviews/workouts before the draft.

The talent and versatility is there with Shenault and if he stays healthy he could end up as the best wide receiver in this class. However, Shenault may be a second-round value for a team willing to take a chance on him.

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It Just Doesn’t Matter

Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa had a rough go at the Combine. His 5.04 second 40-yard dash was more along the lines of what defensive tackles run – not what one of the most-productive edge rushers is supposed to run. Coming into the Combine, there were some teams I talk to that were concerned with Epenesa’s testing numbers.

However, those same teams say that the film matters most – and Epenesa has some great film from his days with the Hawkeyes.

On film, Epenesa is not a speed rusher. Instead, he wins with length and burst to the quarterback. Epenesa has multiple moves to get after the passer and uses his hands well when disengaging from blockers up front. His Combine was rough, but the film shows a player who should still be a top-20 pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

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Not Buying It

New Redskins coach Ron Rivera said at the Combine that the team is going to evaluate every position and that’s why they’re going to interview quarterbacks Joe Burrow (LSU) and Tua Tagoavailo (Alabama). This is an interesting angle for Washington given the fact they selected Dwayne Haskins in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Haskins was picked by the last regime, but he’s still a talented player with upside to be a franchise quarterback.

Teams I talk to don’t believe Washington isn’t really looking at those quarterbacks. Instead, the Redskins seem to be locked in on Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young – and for good reason. Young is the best player in this draft and would give them a phenomenal set of pinchers with last year’s first-round pick Montez Sweat.

The Dolphins may want to move up from their No.5 overall pick for a quarterback. Most expect them to do a deal with the Lions for the No. 3 pick and Washington will likely just go ahead and keep their No. 2 pick for Young.

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Crazy Corner Market

While teams wait for the Collective Bargaining Agreement to be ratified (or not) in the next 10 days or so, we are getting information about players who will not get franchise tagged and will hit the open market.
One of the best players to become available this offseason is Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones. He’s a top target of the Broncos and going to get a new contract that likely makes him the highest-paid cornerback in the league in terms of annual average salary.

Another team that could be interested in Jones is the Eagles. Not only do they have a need at the position, but they would love to pluck a high-quality talent from a division rival. If the Eagles do not get Jones, expect them to be big players for Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr.

The Panthers talks with cornerback James Bradberry have stalled, so he’ll be on the open market as well. There is buzz that Bradberry is looking for around $15 million annually. That’s a number that should be bested by Jones and could be near what Harris gets in free agency.

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