As most of the NFL’s coaches, executives, and scouts converge upon the Indianapolis Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium for the 2022 scouting combine, it’s time for the league to get a reset on the biggest collection of draft talent every year. There was no combine due to COVID in 2021, and the number of opt-outs that year added an extra level of depth to this year’s class — there are those in the know who will tell you that while this draft class isn’t particularly top-heavy, you can get a lot of first-round talent in the second round, and a lot of first- and second-day talent in the second and third days of the draft.
Workouts will be important. Medical checks will be important. Prospect interviews will be important, though less though than in previous years, because teams have become comfortable and familiar with the Zoom interviews that became a necessity last year, as opposed to the round-robin stuff that happens in Indy.
So, here’s one person’s thoughts on how a first-round draft might look like as the scouting combine gets going. Things will change during the week as we get a better sense of what NFL teams are looking for, and what these prospects can show them, but here’s the start of that process.
