What to know for the NFL scouting combine

USA Today

24-02-2025

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The NFL scouting combine – a major piece to the draft puzzle – takes place this week, and more than 300 prospects will be under the close eye of team coaching and personnel staffs, as well as NFL fanbases.
The on-field action and NFL Network coverage, begins on Thursday and continues through Sunday.
Here's your day-to-day schedule for on-field combine workouts:
Thursday, Feb. 27: Defensive linemen and linebackers (starting at 3 p.m. ET)
Defensive linemen and linebackers (starting at 3 p.m. ET) Friday, Feb. 28: Defensive backs and tight ends (starting at 3 p.m. ET)
Defensive backs and tight ends (starting at 3 p.m. ET) Saturday, March 1: Quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers (starting at 1 p.m. ET)
Quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers (starting at 1 p.m. ET) Sunday, March 2: Offensive linemen (starting at 1 p.m. ET)
As players go through drills such as the 40-yard dash, vertical and broad jumps, 3-cone drill, shuttle runs and bench press, as well as position-specific drills (such as the always entertaining gauntlet), be ready for a heaping helping of scout-speak.
You'll hear of high-motor guys, players who can get through trash, linebackers who are downhill thumpers and dancing bear linemen. You need to know that "oily hips" is a compliment and "heavy-legged waist bender" is not.
There already have been a deluge of mock drafts and prospect rankings. Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz even has a list of the 10 prospects who could be workout wonders during their time in Indianapolis. In addition, we present another kind of draft prospect rankings here at 4th and Monday: The "Hype Bunny" rankings.
These are prospects whose stock rises in the timeframe between the end of the college football season and the draft in late April. Could be any prospect, from possible first-rounders to projected Day 3 prospects who are improving their draft stock. Events such as the Senior and Shrine Bowls, combine and pro days can help elevate a prospect further up draft boards even without the aid of fresh game tape.
These "Hype Bunny" rankings will change as draft season rolls along, with the combine likely profoundly impacting this list:
Grey Zabel, OT, North Dakota State Shemar Stewart, edge rusher, Texas A&M Mike Green, edge rusher, Marshall Mason Taylor, TE, LSU Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Zabel was one of the standouts at the Senior Bowl, showing a small-school prospect could compete alongside Power 5 players. Stewart and Green are prospects at a key position who likely solidified their first-round projections and could move further up draft boards for Day 1. Hairston is another Senior Bowl standout, and Taylor is the son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor. These five are among a number of prospects to follow closely this week in Indianapolis.
➤ 10 draft prospects who could star in combine workouts: The NFL scouting combine annually features a few star performances, and several players look poised to seize the spotlight this year.
➤ Shedeur Sanders won't throw at combine: One of the draft's top quarterbacks will not be showing off his arm on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium, opting instead to try to wow scouts with his on-field skills at Colorado's pro day.
➤ Cam Ward issues warning to teams who pass on him in draft: Ward wouldn't be the first quarterback to adopt a chip-on-the-shoulder mentality if he isn't the top player selected.
➤ 17 candidates for massive contract extensions: From 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy to Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., these players could receive a hefty new deals this offseason.
➤ Cut candidates: On the opposite side are expensive veteran players whose teams have decided are they expendable. As teams take stock of their financial standing, they will weigh some difficult moves.
➤ NFL starts investigation into Justin Tucker allegations: Following accusations of sexual misconduct from more than a dozen massage therapists, the league has started its own investigation into the Ravens kicker.
NFL offseason dates to know
Make sure to mark your calendars for these key upcoming NFL events 📅:
Feb. 18 — The franchise tag window opened on Feb. 18 and runs through March 4. Teams can designate franchise or transition players. Some key players who could get tagged are Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins, Kansas City Chiefs OG Trey Smith and Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold 🏷️.
Feb. 24-March 3 — NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Part track meet, part grammar school fitness test, the combine is a vital cog in the NFL draft's evaluation machine 🏃🏾‍♂️.
March 10 — Free agent negotiating period begins. Teams are allowed to contact and negotiate potential contracts with agents of players on expiring contracts. Agreements can be reached in principal, but are not official until …
March 12 — The new league year begins. At 4 p.m. ET, any negotiated trades or contracts can be finalized and become official 📝.
April 24-26 — 2025 NFL draft, which will be held at and around legendary Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
May 2 — Rookie minicamps open, as on-field preparations for the 2025 NFL season begin 🏈.
NFL classics: Straight from the YouTube algorithm 🏈🎞️
This is where we reprise some NFL lore and recall classic, memorable moments from yesteryear.
We just know that you scrolled this far down the newsletter to see what NFL classic we'd dig up now that the season is over. Well, prepare for things to get a little wild now that we're in the offseason!
This week, it's less "classic game" and more "classic compilation." It's head coaches wired for sound by NFL Films, and it's amazing.
The thing to know is that this compilation might be around 30 years old. The most recent coaches included are Bill Parcells (from his time with the New York Giants) and Marv Levy (from his time with the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs). However, it is loaded with classic one-liners. Here's a small sampling …
"This is NFL, which stands for 'Not For Long' when you make them (expletive) calls."
"C'mon defense, stop somebody once!"
"Get him outta there because he has no hands."
"Run the Bumerooski."
"What we gotta do is run, it sounds crazy, is an 8 88 deep down the (expletive) middle and hope for pass interference."
"I don't want you running around, faking blitzes and getting out of position. Understand? You line up where you're supposed to line up. None of that hairy high school fake this, do what we're told."
If you enjoy reading 4th and Monday 📰, encourage your football fan friends to subscribe 📱. Follow the never nefarious writer of this newsletter on social media @jimreineking.