The NFL scouting combine is one of the most important events for team scouts and executives during the offseason, as it is the best time to measure and observe the top college prospects to see if they will make solid professional players.
This year, all the attention at the combine is on Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o, as teams are trying to gauge whether the dead girlfriend catfish hoax he was involved in has affected the player mentally.
The quarterbacks will also be on display, as Geno Smith, Mike Glennon and Tyler Wilson all will be trying to prove that they can throw with the best. USC quarterback Matt Barkey made the controversial choice to skip the combine, while Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib will be throwing on Sunday.
Barkley will have his own workouts, while the rest of the quarterbacks have arrived in Indianapolis along with the 32 NFL teams and executives. The first day of the combine has a number of events, but no workouts. The first day schedule includes travel time for players to arrive, registration for the prospects, as well as medical pre-examinations and x-rays for medical personnel. The day will also have orientation and interviews for the prospects.
The quarterback position is one of the most intriguing this year, as Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson and NC State's Mike Glennon have emerged as solid options, but will need to prove their skills in workouts on Sunday. With Barkley not at the combine, it could give a chance for Wilson and Glennon to shine, much like Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson did when the top quarterbacks were absent last year.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills were expected to scout the quarterbacks heavily, but after bringing back Michael Vick and Ryan Fitzpatrick, there is a chance they could look harder elsewhere.
333 players were invited to the combine this year and many of them will be able to improve their draft stock with good showings, but it will also hinge on how each prospect does in team interviews, which are considered one of the most important aspects of the event. Players arrive starting on Wednesday and the workouts begin Saturday and will last until Tuesday.
The biggest day for workouts will be on Sunday, as that is when the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers will be putting their skills on display. The first workouts on Saturday will be for tight ends, offensive linemen and special teams players, while the following week on Monday and Tuesday, defensive linemen, defensive backs and linebackers will be working out.
Some players that will receive a great deal of attention include many SEC stars, including Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree, who was recently arrested for DUI, as well as fellow linebacker Jarvis Jones, whose injury history will be a concern for teams.
Other players from the SEC who are expected to give good showings include Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner as well as Luke Joeckel of Texas A&M, who could go number one overall as an offensive lineman. The Chiefs have the number one pick and if Andy Reid does not fall in love with any quarterbacks he could pick the lineman who blocked for Heisman winner Johnny Manziel last season.
