2024 NFL Combine: RB, WR and QB WINNERS AND LOSERS | CBS Sports

CBS Sports

2 Mar 202414:03

Summary

TLDRThis transcript is a lively discussion between NFL Draft experts Ryan Wilson and Rick Spielman, analyzing standout performances and potential draft prospects from the 2024 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. They highlight impressive showings from running backs like Trey Benson and Ray Davis, wide receivers like Xavier Legette and Adon Mitchell, and debate the decision of top prospect Marvin Harrison Jr. to skip workouts. With insightful analysis, personal anecdotes, and friendly banter, the experts offer a comprehensive breakdown of the Combine's impact on player draft stocks as the upcoming NFL Draft approaches.

Takeaways

👟 The 2024 NFL Combine showcased top prospects trying to improve their draft stock through on-field drills and workouts.
💨 Running back Trey Benson from Florida State stood out with an impressive 4.39-second 40-yard dash time and explosive athletic testing, overcoming a major knee injury.
🏃‍♂️ Kentucky's Ray Davis also shined with a 4.52-second 40-yard dash time and an inspiring backstory of overcoming adversity.
👎 Some running backs like Dylan Johnson from Washington and Audric Estimé from Notre Dame underwhelmed with slower 40 times.
👽 Wide receiver Xavier Legette from South Carolina enhanced his draft stock with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at 221 pounds.
🔥 Texas' Adon Mitchell ran an electric 4.35-second 40-yard dash and could sneak into the first round of the draft.
🤐 Top prospect Marvin Harrison Jr. did not work out or speak at the Combine, leading to criticism from former GM Rick Spielman.
⁉️ Top quarterback prospects like Caleb Williams, Jaden Daniels, and Drake May also did not work out, raising questions about what they might be trying to hide.
🗣️ Spielman believes players not fully participating at the Combine are being influenced by agents trying to control the event.
💼 Spielman emphasizes the Combine as a critical job interview and medical evaluation for prospects entering the NFL.

Q & A

What was the focus of this segment?
-This segment focused on the performances of various prospects at the 2024 NFL Combine, particularly the running backs and wide receivers.
Which running back impressed Rick Spielman the most?
-Rick Spielman was most impressed by Trey Benson from Florida State, who ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at 6 feet and 220 pounds, and showed great explosiveness despite coming back from a serious knee injury.
What did Ryan Wilson like about the performance of Adonna Mitchell?
-Ryan Wilson was impressed by Adonna Mitchell's combination of size, speed, and agility. Mitchell ran a 4.35 40-yard dash and had a 39.5-inch vertical leap, which stood out for a player of his size.
Which running back did Ryan Wilson feel underperformed at the Combine?
-Ryan Wilson felt that Dylan Johnson from Washington underperformed by running a 4.68 40-yard dash, which was slower than he expected based on Johnson's game film.
Which wide receiver prospect did not participate in drills or interviews at the Combine?
-Marvin Harrison Jr., a top wide receiver prospect, did not participate in drills or interviews at the Combine.
What was Rick Spielman's opinion on players not participating in Combine activities?
-Rick Spielman was critical of players who did not participate in Combine activities, believing that they should take the opportunity to showcase their abilities and complete medical evaluations, as the Combine is designed for teams to evaluate prospects comprehensively.
Which top quarterback prospects did not work out at the Combine?
-The top three quarterback prospects, Caleb Williams, Jaden Daniels, and Drake May, did not work out at the Combine.
What did Rick Spielman suggest these quarterbacks should do to make up for not working out at the Combine?
-Rick Spielman suggested that these quarterbacks should plan to throw at their respective pro days, as teams will want to see them perform the primary task they will be paid to do in the NFL.
What concern did Rick Spielman raise about Jaden Daniels' decision not to weigh in at the Combine?
-Rick Spielman expressed concern that by not weighing in at the Combine, Jaden Daniels may be trying to hide something, such as being underweight, which could affect his draft stock if teams don't have accurate information about his physical measurements.
What example did Rick Spielman use to illustrate his point about players not participating in Combine activities?
-Rick Spielman used the example of Ryan Wilson going to a job interview and refusing to perform tasks like reading reports on camera, suggesting that it would be considered wrong and could hurt his chances of getting the job.

Outlines

00:00

🏈 NFL Combine Standout Performances

The segment discusses standout performances from running backs and wide receivers at the 2024 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Rick Spielman highlights running backs Trey Benson from Florida State and Ray Davis from Kentucky, who impressed with their speed and athleticism. Ryan Wilson praises wide receivers Xavier Legette from South Carolina and Adonai Mitchell from Texas for their exceptional 40-yard dash times and vertical jumps, potentially boosting their draft stock. The segment also touches on underwhelming performances from Dylan Johnson from Washington and Audric Estimé from Notre Dame, whose slower 40 times could impact their draft prospects.

05:01

🗣️ Marvin Harrison Jr.'s Combine Absence

The discussion turns to wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who chose not to participate in drills or interviews at the NFL Combine. Rick Spielman expresses his disapproval of players who opt out of combine activities, believing they should participate fully in this critical job interview process. However, he acknowledges that Harrison Jr.'s on-field performance speaks for itself, and he would likely select him with the 4th overall pick if he were the Arizona Cardinals' general manager. The segment also highlights the importance of the combine for teams to conduct medical evaluations and interviews with prospects.

10:02

⁉️ Top Quarterback Prospects' Combine Absence

The conversation shifts to the absence of the top three quarterback prospects - Caleb Williams, Jaden Daniels, and Drake May - from the NFL Combine. Rick Spielman expresses his concern over prospects who choose not to participate in crucial combine activities, suggesting that their advisors may be influencing these decisions. He emphasizes the significance of the combine for teams to evaluate prospects' physical measurements, medical evaluations, and on-field drills. The segment underscores the potential impact of not participating on a player's draft stock, using the example of a previous prospect whose weight uncertainty affected his draft position.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡NFL Combine

The NFL Combine is an annual event where college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of coaches, general managers, and scouts from all 32 NFL teams. It is a crucial part of the NFL draft process, allowing teams to evaluate prospects' athletic abilities, measurables, and overall potential. The video script discusses the 2024 NFL Combine, where top prospects like running backs, wide receivers, and quarterbacks showcased their talents in various drills and tests.

💡Draft Stock

Draft stock refers to a prospect's perceived value and projected draft position leading up to the NFL draft. A player's draft stock can rise or fall based on their performance at the Combine, pro days, and other evaluations. The script mentions that some players at the 2024 Combine were able to improve their draft stock with impressive performances, while others may have seen their stock drop due to subpar showings.

💡40-Yard Dash

The 40-yard dash is a crucial drill at the NFL Combine that measures a player's straight-line speed. Prospects, especially skill position players like running backs and wide receivers, are timed as they sprint 40 yards. The script highlights the 40-yard dash times of various players, such as Trey Benson (4.39 seconds) and Adon Mitchell (4.35 seconds), and how those times impacted their draft stock evaluations.

💡Vertical Jump

The vertical jump is another important test at the NFL Combine that measures a player's lower body explosiveness and leaping ability. It is particularly relevant for positions that require jumping, such as wide receivers and defensive backs. The script mentions that Trey Benson was impressive in his vertical jump drills, which complemented his impressive 40-yard dash time.

💡Pro Day

A pro day is an event held at a college campus where NFL prospects can perform various drills and tests for scouts and team representatives. It allows players to showcase their skills in a familiar environment and potentially improve their numbers from the Combine. The script mentions that some players who had subpar performances at the Combine may have opportunities to redeem themselves at their pro days later in the spring.

💡Medical Evaluations

At the NFL Combine, prospects undergo extensive medical evaluations, including physical examinations, injury history reviews, and various tests. These evaluations are crucial for teams to assess a player's overall health and potential injury risks. The script highlights the importance of medical evaluations, as Rick Spielman (a former NFL GM) emphasizes that teams often refer back to a player's Combine medical records even years later when considering trades or free agent signings.

💡Interviews

In addition to physical tests, prospects at the NFL Combine participate in formal interviews with teams. These interviews allow teams to get to know a player's personality, character, football intelligence, and overall fit with their organization. The script mentions that even players who choose not to participate in certain drills still attend interviews with teams, as these interactions are a critical part of the evaluation process.

💡Agents

Agents play a significant role in the NFL draft process, often advising their clients (the prospects) on various decisions, such as whether to participate in certain drills or events like the NFL Combine. The script highlights a perspective from Rick Spielman, who believes that some agents may be taking too much control over the Combine by discouraging their clients from fully participating, which could be viewed as a selfish approach.

💡Measurables

Measurables refer to a player's physical attributes, such as height, weight, arm length, and hand size, which are recorded at the NFL Combine. These measurements are essential for teams to evaluate a prospect's potential fit for specific positions and schemes. The script mentions instances where some players chose not to weigh or measure themselves at the Combine, which could raise concerns or questions about what they might be trying to hide.

💡Prospect Evaluation

Prospect evaluation is the overall process of assessing a player's potential and projecting their future success at the professional level. It involves analyzing various factors, including physical abilities, on-field performance, character, and intangibles. The NFL Combine is a critical component of this evaluation process, allowing teams to gather comprehensive data and insights on prospects before making draft decisions that can significantly impact their organizations.

Highlights

The 2024 NFL combine in Indianapolis showcased top skill position prospects trying to improve their draft stock.

Trey Benson, a running back from Florida State, stood out with his impressive size, speed (4.39 40-yard dash), and ability to overcome a serious knee injury.

Ray Davis from Kentucky ran a 4.52 40-yard dash and had a great Senior Bowl performance, overcoming his challenging upbringing in foster care.

Dylan Johnson from Washington had a disappointing 4.68 40-yard dash time but is known for his toughness and ability to move the pile.

Audric Estime from Notre Dame ran a 4.71 40-yard dash, which was slower than expected, but he is a workhorse-type back who wears down defenses.

Xavier Legette, a wide receiver from South Carolina, impressed with his 4.39 40-yard dash and vertical jump, showcasing his speed and explosiveness.

Adonai Mitchell from Texas ran an impressive 4.35 40-yard dash and had a 39.5-inch vertical jump, solidifying his potential as a first-round draft pick.

Marvin Harrison Jr., a top wide receiver prospect, chose not to work out or speak at the combine, raising concerns about selfishness and potential team fit.

Top quarterback prospects Caleb Williams, Jaden Daniels, and Drake Maye did not participate in workouts at the combine.

Jaden Daniels did not even weigh or measure at the combine, raising questions about what he might be trying to hide.

Rick Spielman, a former NFL GM, expressed concern about players not participating in the combine, suggesting agents may be trying to take over the event.

The combine is designed for teams to evaluate prospects comprehensively, including medical examinations and formal interviews.

Players skipping parts of the combine could negatively impact their draft stock and future trade or free agency potential.

The combine is a crucial job interview for prospects, and not participating fully could be seen as putting themselves ahead of the team.

Pro days provide additional opportunities for prospects to showcase their skills and address any concerns from the combine.