Dane Brugler, a renowned draft expert at The Athletic, shares his insights about the upcoming 2025 NFL Combine. He discusses key prospects like Jihad Campbell and Jared Verse, who are expected to shine during testing. Brugler emphasizes the significance of interviews and medical assessments, especially for high-stakes quarterbacks like Cam Ward and Shador Sanders. He also touches on the evolving landscape of the Combine and how it influences scouting strategies. Get ready for a deep dive into who to watch and what to expect!
The NFL Combine is essential for players to showcase their skills, but medical evaluations often have a greater impact on draft decisions.
Edge rushers like Abdul Carter and Shamar Stewart are expected to shine at the Combine, potentially breaking past athletic benchmarks.
Character evaluations during interviews can drastically affect a player's draft position, highlighting the importance of aligning with team values.
Deep dives
The Importance of the NFL Combine
The NFL Combine serves as a crucial assessment event for football prospects, emphasizing the medical evaluations and interviews that occur. Originally created for comprehensive medical assessments, it brings together players from across the country for standardized testing and interviews, allowing teams to gauge both physical capabilities and character. While the on-field drills are broadcasted and analyzed, behind-the-scenes medical evaluations often hold more weight for personnel decisions. The environment fosters a unique opportunity for players to demonstrate their potential and secure their status for the upcoming draft.
Highlighting Key Prospects
A significant focus is placed on edge rushers, with standout players like Abdul Carter and Shamar Stewart anticipated to turn heads with their performances. These athletes have the potential to challenge existing records, emphasizing the ever-increasing athletic benchmarks set at previous combines. The discussion of prospects also extends to those who may not be top 10 picks but should still gain attention due to impressive testing results. Highlighting players beyond the top rankings ensures broader insight into emerging talent within the draft class.
The Role of Measurements in Evaluations
Prototypical measurements, such as arm length for offensive tackles, play a significant role in the evaluations of prospects. Teams often have thresholds that dictate where players fit into their boards based on these metrics, affecting their draft position substantially. For example, offensive tackle Will Campbell's arm length will heavily influence his classification as a tackle or guard, impacting his draft prospects. A similar evaluation extends to defensive backs, where arm length under 30 inches could lead to a player being classified as a nickel only, limiting their defensive versatility.
Character Assessments and Interviews
Character evaluations during the combine are critical, as they provide deeper insights into a player's background and personality. Teams conduct thorough checks regarding players' past behaviors and attitudes to ensure alignment with their franchise values. A player with character concerns can see their draft position fluctuate greatly, either rising or plummeting based on how they present themselves. This ongoing dialogue about character provides a context that may significantly influence a player's trajectory in the NFL.
The Shift in Combine Relevance
Despite evolving training and performance standards, the combine still serves as a key event for teams to cross-check athletic abilities against game film. Prospects are no longer just graded on their physical abilities but also on how they conduct themselves under pressure during interviews and drills. As the draft landscape continues to change, the combine's relevance remains due to its unique ability to showcase current measurements against historical data. This shift indicates that while raw talent is essential, the integration of mental evaluations has become equally paramount.
Prospects with the Most at Stake
Several high-profile prospects enter the combine with critical stakes hinging on their performances, particularly in the medical and interview processes. Players like Josh Simmons and Benjamin Morrison face scrutiny regarding their health and previous injuries, which may impact their draft stock. Similarly, character evaluations for players like James Pierce and Mike Green could drastically sway team interest based on additional research into their backgrounds. The variability of these factors illustrates the fragile nature of draft positioning as the combine approaches.
Who's going to own the 2025 Scouting Combine? Which players are going to crush the testing? Which lesser-known prospects are going to turn heads? Who has the most at stake during the interviews? Draft expert Dane Brugler joined Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen to run through everything that really matters next week in Indianapolis.
