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The Underwear Olympics are nearly here!
It’s the real kickoff of one of the most exciting times of the NFL year for me, even though I’m not really a huge Combine guy. Sure, it’s entertaining to watch the guys show out but my take on the Combine is basically this….I’m looking for the anomaly that makes me go take another look at a guy or the performamce that solidifies what my scouting has shown. By now you should know most of what you need to know about the player’s athletic abilities. Interviews and medicals are as big as performance at this point IMO.
So, just a little Charger-centric piece to get us fired up for Indy.
https://www.chargers.com/news/nfl-combine-2025-what-to-know
The reference to Nassir Adderley made me sad. Really wanted that kid to work out better.
Some lesser known names to watch.
@buck-melanoma Buck, I think the combine can work the other way also if you have a player that was maybe underused by his team or asked to provide a different role than what he might excel at. Getting to see these players in drills and testing can give you an idea of their athletic ability that sometimes might not be there on tape. Arroyo is a good example of this from the Senior Bowl. He looks like he has the skill set to be a good TE, but Miami hardly used him. I think the teams value the interview portion more than the testing because it is the first time they can talk to these players in a controlled environment.
@evolz3737 I agree, maybe didn’t express myself clearly or thoroughly enough. Arroyo could quite likely test extremely well and interview well. This would be an anomaly when you compare to production and, in my view, should require a scout/coach/GM to revisit their evaluation of him.
@buck-melanoma No doubt. Hell, maybe the lack of production pushes him down and works in our favor.
@evolz3737 you and I both value production and that’s a correct stance IMO. But I’ve gotta admit….this guy is extremely intriguing to me, especially after seeing he weighed in at 250. Incredible movement skills for a guy that size. If he tests the way I think is likely at the Combine, he could shoot up the boards. I could possibly see a trade back up a la McConkey if that happens. A lot here will depend on whether Dissly returns as the blocking TE….and if Arroyo shows an indication to improve there.
@buck-melanoma When it all shakes out, I wonder if he will jump Fanin for TE3?
@evolz3737 I think it’s quite possible, though Fannin has the production #s. As you well know, every team’s board varies and that’s where it really matters. Pundits are for entertainment.
Several names on here I’ll be watching, some I’ve mentioned here before. The big WR from TCU, Savion Williams. RBs Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech) and Marcus Yarns (DE). Edge Nic Scourton (TX A&M). TE Elijah Arroyo (Miami). OG Donovan Jackson (OSU). Some others too but highlighting these guys who should be available outside of the first round.
I think Zabel could boost himself into Rd1 with a good combine. He already proved he could hang with the top D1 guys at the Senior Bowl, where he was dominant. If he tests well, Rd1 might be automatic. Also interested to see the 40 times of Kaleb Johnson and Ollie Gordon. They play with such power, that if the speed is there they could be good fits in our scheme. Another two WR I am interested in are Jack Bech from TCU and Tre Harris from Ole Miss. Bech was awesome at the Senior Bowl and he is a fantastic contested catch player. He just knows how to make plays. I view him more as a Z WR than an X, but I think he can survive there. With Harris, I want to see the speed also. On tape he doesn’t look foot speed fast, but he gets on top of guys quick and knows how to create separation. Also want to see Monheim and McLaughlin for C. Should be a good week to evaluate some players. Especially with our roster still in flux at a lot of positions before free agency, we have no clue what position we are trending toward yet for Rd1.
PS I think this combine is huge for Will Johnson, the knock on him was this season’s film was not great and there are some concerns with his speed. If he runs a 4.4 or below, I think he cements himself back into top 10 conversation.
@evolz3737 depending on how the board falls, I could be on boatd with a trade back up a la McConkey for Zabel. I think he could be a long term answer at center.
@buck-melanoma Agreed, but I think a good combine from Zabel might launch him into late Rd1
@evolz3737 honestly? A good combine, after his performance at the Senior Bowl and his projection to switch to center, could convince me he’s worth 1.22. I’m not looking forward to going into 2025 with Bozeman as our starting center.
Shameless homer plug for Tuten…or to at least watch him at the Combine.
Doesn’t sound like Tee or Trey Smith were part of the plan anyway. I’m just fine with that.
@buck-melanoma Agreed. Shopping at the top of the market had never worked out well for us. I’m fine with never doing that so we never have another JC Jackson situation crippling us ever again.
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