Action away from NFL Scouting Combine workouts essential for Chiefs in draft process
The Chiefs are set for the annual trek to Indianapolis, where all 32 NFL teams will converge Tuesday through Monday for the draft evaluation process known as the NFL Scouting Combine.
A total of 337 draft-eligible players are scheduled to go through a variety of events — including medical evaluations, team interviews (formal or informal), measurements and position drills — at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium.
This year, however, brings a large adjustment to what was a standard routine, as the NFL will now televise position drills in the evening hours. Casual NFL fans and even some media members tend to place a high stock on drills, which aren’t done in full pads. Who doesn’t like watching a fast 40-yard dash time, after all?
NFL teams, however, won’t be distracted by the two primary reasons why the NFL Scouting Combine was formed decades ago: medical evaluations and interviews.
“From an outside perspective, the combine will always be about the 40-yard dash and on-field drills, and that’s OK,” said Dane Brugler, a longtime NFL draft analyst now with The Athletic. “That’s something the NFL can sell.
“But from a team perspective, the combine is the most important step in the draft process due to the medicals and interviews. It’s why the combine was created in the first place, bringing all prospects to a central location for the medical information.”
Rob Rang, an NFL Draft analyst who has worked for CBS Sports, Lindy’s and USA Today, agreed.
“The competitiveness and sheer athleticism demonstrated in the athletic drills earn the attention they get in the media,” Rang said. “But there is no question that NFL teams value the medical evaluations and face-to-face interviews more.
“Players’ grades can certainly be influenced by surprising results in the 40-yard dash or bench press. But they can change even more dramatically if the red flag that sprouts up at the combine is off-the-field, like a previously undiagnosed medical issue or poor attitude in meetings.”
Within the first 48 hours of arrival in Indianapolis, a draft prospect goes through medical examinations, X-rays and psychological testing. Every NFL team will have the same information on each draft prospect, and the examinations are an essential part of the evaluation process for players coming off a significant injury.
When it comes to the interviews, team representatives often have the first opportunity to sit down with a player, especially underclassmen, during the predraft process leading to April.
The Chiefs will have numerous informal interactions with players, much like what is seen at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, where team scouts pull players off to the side after practices.
The formal interviews in Indianapolis, though, require teams to be selective, especially in a year with change at the NFL Scouting Combine.
In past years, teams were allocated a maximum of 60 formal sit-down interviews in a controlled environment with prospects, each lasting 15 minutes, and these meetings were typically done at night. But with the move to evening televised workouts, the NFL recently informed teams that the process has been cut to a maximum of 45 players with each meeting lasting 18 minutes.
“The league’s decision to move the player workouts into primetime will almost certainly make the NFL money, but it does complicate the schedules of the players and team personnel, alike, in Indianapolis,” Rang said. “The interviews are a critical part of the evaluation, especially for the underclassmen, who scouts haven’t as much time or opportunity to get to know. Teams may feel the need to ‘show their hand’ a little more with the number of interviews allowed dropping 25% this year.”
While some teams might not like the new format — Brugler tells The Star there has been “plenty of griping” behind the scenes” — it will be a matter of adapting to what has been a yearly routine in Indianapolis.
“The effects will be minimal,” Brugler said. “Teams will adjust and still knock out everything they have in past years, just on a different schedule.”
In the meantime, the Chiefs remained equipped with tools, which include attending Pro Day workouts or bringing in players for a visit, to become familiar with prospect ahead of the draft.
The time spent in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine remains just one part of the draft evaluation process.
The business side
The primetime workouts will command the spotlight, but teams have more to accomplish on the business side of football in the coming week.
The NFL Scouting Combine continues as one of the few annual events in the league where general managers, coaching staffs and agents are physically in close proximity. This is an important factor when considering free agency, which begins March 18, is the next big event to circle on calendars once teams return from Indianapolis in early March.
The Chiefs currently have 20 players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.
And the time spent in Indianapolis affords the Chiefs an opportunity to meet with agents representing players on the current roster before some contracts expire at the start of the NFL’s new calendar year.
Media access
The Chiefs haven’t officially announced a firm time or date yet, but coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach will address reporters at some point in the coming week.
Media members also have opportunities to interview the draft prospects throughout the week in Indianapolis.
Given the number of scheduled free agents, which includes cornerbacks Bashaud Breeland, Kendall Fuller and Morris Claiborne, on the roster, the Chiefs should pay attention to cornerbacks, wide receivers, linebackers and defensive linemen.
When it comes to the defensive backs, a position group projecting as an area of need in Kansas City, the Chiefs will find quality options in what Rang believes is a deep class.
“Cornerback is among the 2020 draft’s best position groups, along with offensive tackle and wide receiver,” Rang said.
The Chiefs own the 32nd overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft and currently have five total picks in April’s annual selection process. Barring a trade to move up in the draft, the Chiefs likely won’t get a shot at Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah, a consensus top 15 selection, if cornerback is on the team’s radar.
But the late first and second rounds could see the likes of Clemson’s A.J. Terrell, Utah’s Jaylon Johnson or TCU’s Jeff Gladney, among others, on the board for the Chiefs to consider. So, it makes sense for the team’s decision makers to do their due diligence and meet with them.
Beyond the combine
Participation at the NFL Scouting Combine doesn’t guarantee a player will be drafted, and it is important for players not receiving an invite to remain focused on their journey to the NFL.
To that point, the two draft analysts interviewed for this piece took a moment to offer advice to combine snubs.
“There will be over a hundred prospects at the combine who won’t get drafted,” Brugler said. “So being at the combine is an advantage, but far from a guarantee of making it. Each NFL roster is littered with combine snubs who overcame and still made it, from Julian Edelman to Poona Ford. It’s not a rare occurrence.
“And honestly, a lot of NFL teams are happy to see certain players not on the combine list in hopes it will help keep them a secret, giving them a better chance of adding them in the draft. Bottom line: If you’re good enough, the NFL will find you.
Rang agreed, adding a prospect should use a Pro Day workout to shine in front of team representatives.
“Attack your Pro Day,” Rang said. “The scouts will be there hoping to be wowed by someone who wasn’t at the combine. Show through your preparation, focus and athleticism that you are the player who justified the scout attending the workout, in person.”
The local feel
Of the three major colleges in close proximity to Kansas City, the Missouri Tigers sent the most players: quarterback Kelly Bryant, offensive lineman Trystan Colon-Castillo, offensive lineman Yasir Durant, defensive lineman Jordan Elliott, linebacker Cale Garrett and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam.
Kansas is represented by offensive lineman Hakeem Adeniji, linebacker Azur Kamara.
Kansas State won’t have a player in Indianapolis.
The full list of invited players is on NFL.com.
