Draft season kicks into excessive gear this week on the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis as teams will put prospects below a microscope throughout non-public interviews, information conferences and exercises at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Quarterbacks all the time dominate conversations on the mix, and this yr will probably be no totally different with USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels anticipated to be among the many first handful of picks come April. But a stellar broad receiver group, headlined by Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU’s Malik Nabers and Washington’s Rome Odunze, can even draw loads of curiosity this week.
Beyond the draft prospects, new head coaches, led by the Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh, and GMs, together with the Commanders’ Adam Peters, will probably be in the highlight. And the futures of quarterbacks Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields will probably be scorching matters.
We requested The Athletic’s workforce of beat and nationwide writers to fill us in on who or what they’ll be watching or listening for because the NFL world descends upon Indianapolis.
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How huge of a precedence is an improve at broad receiver?
The Cardinals need assistance there. That’s not a query. But they’ve a number of wants, and two of the most important are on the offensive and defensive traces. Like lots of his friends, basic supervisor Monti Ossenfort believes the quickest strategy to construct is thru the trenches. The common idea is that if broad receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is there, you are taking him. But what if he’s not? Does Arizona choose Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze, additionally thought-about elite receivers? Or do they go a distinct route and look to select up a receiver in later rounds? Ossenfort, who traded again from No. 3 final yr, gained’t reply these questions, after all, however he would possibly make clear how he views Arizona’s roster priorities. — Doug Haller
How does Tier 2 of the quarterback class shake out?
The Falcons don’t have a shot at Caleb Williams or Drake Maye selecting at No. 8, and buying and selling as much as No. 1 or No. 2 in this draft class doesn’t appear life like for anybody. That means if Atlanta goes to depend on the draft to search out its subsequent quarterback, it’s going to need to determine who it likes from a gaggle that features LSU’s Jayden Daniels, Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy and perhaps even Oregon’s Bo Nix. Not solely that, the Falcons have to determine the place they’re going to wish to select to get the participant they need. McCarthy and Nix virtually definitely will probably be accessible at eight, however getting Daniels would possibly require a commerce as much as as excessive as No. 3. — Josh Kendall
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Which brokers is basic supervisor Eric DeCosta assembly with?
The Ravens are selecting thirtieth. They have myriad wants, significantly on the offensive line and at working again and edge rusher. However, they’ll keep at 30 and choose the most effective participant accessible or they’ll commerce again to accrue extra picks. What they do in the draft is rarely horny, but it surely’s who they’re. It’s additionally why there will probably be no place focus on the mix. What will probably be extra notable is whether or not DeCosta can achieve any traction in re-signing his personal free brokers. The Ravens have almost two dozen, together with standouts Justin Madubuike and Patrick Queen. With a good salary-cap scenario, DeCosta might want to get artistic to maintain the core of a 13-4 workforce collectively for one other run. — Jeff Zrebiec
How will the Bills navigate their at the moment nonexistent cap house?
The Bills have their work reduce out for them this offseason. The workforce is in a projected $41 million gap for 2024 cap house, with solely 53 gamers on their roster and loads of holes besides. The workforce might want to make some troublesome selections. Whom would possibly they reduce to make room? Which contracts will they restructure? Which gamers will they lengthen? How a lot do they wish to negatively affect their 2025 cap sheet with a few of their restructurings? General supervisor Brandon Beane hasn’t needed to do something fairly like this since his early years because the workforce’s GM. — Joe Buscaglia
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The workforce’s new coach and basic supervisor
I’m in listening to what Dave Canales and Dan Morgan say at their first mix as the highest of the Panthers’ soccer meals chain. The two spoke in largely basic phrases at their introductory information convention, the place Morgan mentioned the workforce wants extra “dogs.” You might need heard: The Panthers don’t have a first-round choose. But this is a crucial offseason for a workforce that should get quarterback Bryce Young offensive line assist and extra weapons whereas determining the right way to deal with a pair of key free brokers in edge rusher Brian Burns and linebacker Frankie Luvu. — Joseph Person
All eyes on the mix will probably be on Caleb Williams, proper, the presumptive No. 1 choose in the draft this week on the mix. (John Leyba / USA Today)
How will Caleb Williams deal with the limelight?
The most necessary parts of the mix for the presumptive No. 1 choose will happen behind the scenes throughout his conversations with teams, beginning with the Bears. Most questions on Williams have extra to do with what he’s like off the sector, and whereas he’s skilled extra fame than most school soccer gamers, he hasn’t skilled something just like the media onslaught that will probably be ready for him Friday morning in Indianapolis. The Bears, and different teams, will seemingly pay attention to how he does in that surroundings. — Kevin Fishbain
The defensive deal with class
The Bengals have to assault wants at inside line of defense aggressively, so how the measurables (and interviews) shake out will go a protracted strategy to deciding if Byron Murphy of Texas and Jer’Zhan Newton of Illinois might join at No. 18 or if a transfer up or down the board shakes them out of mid-first vary. Will any new candidates enter the equation for Day 2 with a powerful mix? The Bengals have to plot the draft path at DT and in the event that they don’t see sufficient choices, they might shift to a free-agent-laden method. — Paul Dehner Jr.
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The broad receivers
The Browns are centered on profitable in 2024, so the “good” stuff on the mix will contain Browns GM Andrew Berry speaking potential trades along with his friends and doubtlessly bumping into brokers of upcoming free brokers. None of that will probably be for public consumption. But the Browns have to improve their receiving corps — now and into the longer term — so it’s honest to suppose they’ll deal with their evaluations of this yr’s broad receiver class. The Browns don’t choose till No. 54 of the second spherical, in order that they’ll have to find out what number of broad receivers will probably be lengthy gone, which of them they could like in the second or third rounds and the way these receivers would possibly match into their ever-evolving offense. — Zac Jackson
What is the most recent with Dak Prescott’s contract?
There are loads of areas to handle in free company and the draft, from offensive line to linebacker and defensive deal with. But Prescott’s contract is the No. 1 difficulty as a result of it impacts all the pieces else. The Cowboys have given no indication that they’re contemplating a right away future with out Prescott, who’s getting into the ultimate season of his present deal. The most probably state of affairs is that he indicators a brand new contract subsequent month. If the Cowboys go away his deal as is, he’d depend slightly below $60 million in opposition to their 2024 cap, making it troublesome to do something to enhance the roster outdoors of the draft. If Dallas is actually “all in,” like Jerry Jones mentioned on the Senior Bowl, they want to determine Prescott’s future to allow them to start bettering the remainder of the roster. — Jon Machota
Russell Wilson watch
Sean Payton mentioned after the season {that a} choice on the way forward for the 35-year-old Wilson wouldn’t be “a long, drawn-out process.” Just a few weeks later, on the Super Bowl, Payton mentioned the choice would come “sooner rather than later.” The Broncos seem prepared to maneuver on from Wilson, whose $37 million in 2025 wage turns into assured if he’s nonetheless on the roster on March 17, however there was no motion but publicly. I’m to see whether or not the actions on the mix reveal something about what the Broncos will do with Wilson after two underwhelming seasons in Denver and what mild will probably be shed on their quarterback plan to observe. — Nick Kosmider
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The cornerback class
This is a very intriguing group of corners, with greater than a handful of prospects wanting like first-rounders. The Lions clearly might use some younger expertise on the place, whether or not it’s at No. 29 on the primary night time or on Day 2 with three picks — Nos. 61, 73 and 92. I’m curious to see which corners separate themselves in Indianapolis. Testing is clearly a part of the equation, however defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn believes you need to be wired a sure strategy to excel on the place. Hearing from corners on the podium might assist us get a greater understanding of prospects the Lions would possibly like. — Colton Pouncy
Packers quarterback Jordan Love exceeded expectations in his first yr as a starter and now’s in line for a contract extension. (Patrick McDermott / Getty Images)
Jordan Love extension talks
I’m going to be parked subsequent to the second-floor Starbucks on the JW Marriott for 96 consecutive hours, ready for a glimpse of Packers basic supervisor Brian Gutekunst and super-agent David Mulugheta speaking with one another. I’d even take only a look in one another’s route. Then, I’ll know precisely how a lot the Packers are paying Love. Gutekunst can’t signal his franchise quarterback till May 3 as a result of that’s 12 months after Love’s final extension, however he and Mulugheta will certainly meet in Indianapolis to alternate contract numbers. — Matt Schneidman
Nick Caserio’s plan to construct on final season
This was imagined to be a gradual and doubtlessly painful construct as Caserio and new coach DeMeco Ryans started laying the inspiration final season after the GM spent the 2 earlier years dismantling and setting the desk for a real rebuild. But Caserio struck gold along with his hiring of Ryans and draft alternatives each in 2022 and 2023 and Houston got here out of nowhere to win its first division title in 4 years. Now Caserio should additional fortify the roster, giving C.J. Stroud extra help by means of constant weapons and extra impactful defensive playmakers. With enough cap house and eight draft picks, the Texans have sources to construct with a mix of free-agent expertise and younger prospects. Caserio and Ryans absolutely is not going to give away any state secrets and techniques subsequent week, however they need to make clear a few of their highest priorities. — Mike Jones
Who will catch the attention of Colts WRs coach Reggie Wayne?
Beyond the first-round prospects Indianapolis will contemplate with the No. 15 choose, this yr’s draft class is meant to be loaded with broad receiver expertise. Last yr, Wayne mentioned he was very impressed with Josh Downs’ route working and sure-handedness through the mix, regardless of Downs being undersized popping out of North Carolina. Wayne relayed that message to GM Chris Ballard, Downs was drafted in the third spherical and had a standout rookie season. I’ll use my binoculars to maintain a detailed eye on Wayne’s interactions throughout mix drills, whereas additionally asking a number of receivers in the event that they’ve met with him and heard any suggestions. — James Boyd
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How they deal with the difficult Calvin Ridley scenario
By all accounts, the Jaguars need Ridley again after the 29-year-old receiver had 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season in Jacksonville. However, Ridley’s contract expired and his scenario is fascinating to think about. If the Jaguars re-sign Ridley earlier than free company begins, it qualifies as an extension and they might owe Atlanta a second-round choose in the 2024 draft as per the phrases of their commerce. However, if Ridley will get to free company however nonetheless returns to the Jaguars, the brand new deal wouldn’t be thought-about an extension — reasonably a free-agent contract — and the Jaguars would solely need to ship Atlanta their third-round choose. Allowing Ridley to get to the open market is dangerous, but when the Jaguars play their playing cards proper, they might carry again Trevor Lawrence’s high weapon with out dropping a top-50 choose. — Jim Ayello
Tier 2 of the receiver and tight finish prospects
A serious query for subsequent season is whether or not Chiefs coach Andy Reid and basic supervisor Brett Veach can return the workforce’s offense to its earlier potent type. One of the quickest methods to do this is to pick the most effective pass-catching prospects accessible late in the primary and second rounds. Travis Kelce will probably be 35 subsequent season, so including one other tight finish must be excessive on the Chiefs’ precedence listing. As for the receivers, the Chiefs ought to have loads of choices, contemplating the depth of this yr’s class. Reid and Veach will use the mix to start out figuring out which receiver might most excel taking part in alongside Patrick Mahomes. — Nate Taylor
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The quarterback prospects
This isn’t a singular reply, but it surely’s probably the most vital roster query for the Raiders in their first full season below basic supervisor Tom Telesco and head coach Antonio Pierce. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell was strong in 10 begins as a rookie, but it surely’s onerous to see the Raiders ending this offseason with out including competitors for the beginning job both by means of the addition of a veteran or a rookie quarterback. Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels are extensively thought-about the highest three quarterbacks in this class. The Raiders will do loads of work on them, but it surely’ll be troublesome for them to draft any of them contemplating they maintain choose No. 13 in the primary spherical. With that in thoughts, they’ll additionally have to deeply examine J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. and the remainder of the category. — Tashan Reed
The NFL world will watch with curiosity to see how Jim Harbaugh and the cap-strapped Chargers retool their roster this offseason. (Kirby Lee / USA Today)
Their salary-cap scenario
The Chargers are successfully $31.7 million over the wage cap as they head into the mix, in line with Over the Cap. Crucial selections loom, significantly relating to receiver Mike Williams, receiver Keenan Allen, edge rusher Joey Bosa and edge rusher Khalil Mack. All 4 veterans have cap hits exceeding $30 million in 2024. How will new head coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz navigate these veteran contracts — and their cap scenario in basic? Who stays? Who goes? Do they inquire into the commerce market? Do they provide extensions? Will they use void years? I’ll be wanting for solutions to those questions in Indy. — Daniel Popper
Sniffing round an offseason plan
The Rams don’t usually attend the NFL mix (right here is why) aside from their medical workers’s on-site assortment of the all-important medical info on prospects. But Indianapolis continues to be an important place to assemble information and tidbits from brokers and different league sources about what their offseason plan might be and new traits in contract constructions and team-building. The Rams may have roughly $40 million in workable cap house and loads of wants regardless of a better-than-expected 2023 season. They even have introduced in new assistant coaches — and the mix would be the good surroundings to mine for details about these additions. — Jourdan Rodrigue
Tua Tagovailoa extension talks
It definitely looks like a Tagovailoa extension is a foregone conclusion. But what’s going to it appear to be and when will it occur? The Dolphins QB enters the 2024 season with a $23.1 million cap cost on the fifth-year possibility. The Dolphins then have the franchise tag at their disposal, in order that they don’t need to signal him to a long-term deal now and even subsequent offseason. But for a workforce that would use some cap aid, decreasing his cap determine with an extension might be interesting. But how a lot is it going to take to retain Tagovailoa? Is he the caliber of quarterback who must be paid in the neighborhood of a Joe Burrow ($55 million AAV)? Would he take much less? These are the franchise-defining inquiries to preserve in thoughts on the mix and past. — Jim Ayello
Where issues stand between the Vikings and Kirk Cousins
This topic will form the way forward for the Vikings group. Keep Cousins, and Minnesota would seemingly be signaling its perception that it might probably contend in the quick time period. Move on from him, and the Vikings can be indicating that they’d be able to chart a brand new path. Cousins’ contract is ready to void March 12. If that occurs, the Vikings will probably be on the hook for a hefty $28.5 million dead-cap hit. The solely strategy to lengthen that cash into the longer term is to come back to phrases on an extension with Cousins. The NFL mix stands as a first-rate alternative for in-person discussions on this topic between the workforce and Cousins’ representatives. — Alec Lewis
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Quarterback Jayden Daniels
The simplest way for the Patriots to handle their points at quarterback is to draft a sign caller — both Daniels or Drake Maye relying on who falls to them at No. 3. With Daniels, there are extra unknowns. The Pats aren’t involved about his top (6-foot-4) or hand dimension (9 5/8 inches), however scouts wish to see him at or above 210 kilos on the mix as a result of there are considerations about his slight body and the large hits he too typically takes. The different query for the Patriots is how Daniels will interview and the way he’ll take a look at once they run him by means of performs on the whiteboard. How Daniels (and Maye) do that week will go a good distance in figuring out whether or not the Patriots draft a quarterback or broad receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the third choose. — Chad Graff
Offensive tackles and go catchers
We’ll go away the annual “too far over the salary cap” dialogue for after the mix as a result of the Saints all the time discover a means. And this yr it ought to come in mass contract restructurings of a number of veteran gamers. As famous in our NFL reporters’ mock draft just lately, the necessity for deal with and/or guard ought to stand excessive on the precedence listing. So you’d think about gamers like Olu Fashanu (Penn State), JC Latham (Alabama), Taliese Fuaga (Oregon State), Amarius Mims (Georgia) and Tyler Guyton (Oklahoma) are all on the Saints’ radar. The Saints might additionally use one other piece for Derek Carr at broad receiver (LSU’s Brian Thomas, Florida State’s Keon Coleman, Texas’ Adonai Mitchell) so as to add some extra punch with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. — Larry Holder
Saquon Barkley watch
There’s quite a bit driving on this subsequent interval of the Giants offseason after an already noisy begin to the enterprise facet of issues with teaching modifications aplenty. But the highlight will probably be tuned to Barkley’s future on the mix because the entrance workplace and the working again’s representatives are anticipated to fulfill once more. Will they be capable of hammer out a deal? Will he get tagged once more for $12.1 million or will he lastly take a look at the open market and enterprise into the attention-grabbing working again market? We’ll get a clearer image by week’s finish of the place the 2 sides stand. — Charlotte Carroll
Washington’s Rome Odunze is among the stars of a deep broad receiver class that can draw loads of curiosity in Indianapolis. (Joe Nicholson / USA Today)
The go catchers
The Jets have an apparent want at offensive deal with (and/or at guard, too, relying on some offseason selections), however in addition they desperately need assistance at broad receiver for star Garrett Wilson. Allen Lazard gained’t reduce it as an possibility in 2024. There are some extraordinarily gifted receivers in this class who might be accessible at No. 10 when the Jets choose — after Marvin Harrison Jr., who will virtually definitely be gone — and even when the Jets nonetheless want an offensive lineman, they is perhaps tempted by the likes of Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze — or others later in the draft, when teams have discovered stars in previous years whereas the Jets sat on their fingers, like final yr. — Zack Rosenblatt
Are they organized?
Fourth-year coach Nick Sirianni overhauled each coordinator positions, and there’s nonetheless not a lot readability about how concerned he will probably be in working with newly employed offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to construct a much less predictable offensive system that provides a deeply gifted roster with extra solutions this offseason. And what sort of offense is that precisely? A Howie Roseman-led personnel division that is still largely intact should additionally improve a number of defensive positions. How extra favorably positioned will defenders be in a revamped “Fangio System” that can this time be coached by … properly, Vic Fangio? — Brooks Kubena
If it’s a clear sweep regarding Kenny Pickett
The Steelers interview each single participant they’ll they usually just about use the mix as an assurance of what they’ve scouted all year long. So there’s not a lot to glean there. Where there might be some clarification, or at the least unity, is what basic supervisor Omar Khan says about Pickett in contrast with what Mike Tomlin mentioned days after the season and what proprietor Art Rooney II mentioned two weeks later. Both alluded to Pickett being the No. 1 quarterback getting into the season regardless of not regaining his beginning place from Mason Rudolph over the ultimate 4 video games of the season. Will the Steelers triple down on that or stroll it again and hammer residence that Pickett gained’t be getting into the offseason because the clear-cut QB1 and both a re-signing of Rudolph or an out of doors free agent — or a possible commerce — will present respectable competitors? — Mark Kaboly
The offensive linemen
Three of the highest middle prospects — Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson, Duke’s Graham Barton and West Virginia’s Zach Frazier — ought to all have multi-positional functionality in the NFL. That might be tantalizing to the 49ers, whose greatest weak point to repair lies in the offensive line. More than one spot was an issue this previous season. Essentially everybody however left deal with Trent Williams endured vital struggles at one level or one other. So maybe the 49ers, who don’t choose till No. 31, will probably be wanting for an adaptable inside lineman who can instantly fortify their particularly problematic proper guard place earlier than doubtlessly turning into the long-term resolution at middle. The 49ers merely want extra high quality choices up entrance. Imagine the enhance that would give QB Brock Purdy. — David Lombardi
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John Schneider flying solo
This will probably be Seattle’s first mix with GM Schneider main soccer operations, so his messaging from the rostrum will probably be attention-grabbing to research. While Schneider has lengthy figured prominently into key selections, coach Pete Carroll set the imaginative and prescient for the franchise beforehand. Schneider is doing extra of that now. We gained’t hear from new coach Mike Macdonald at all on the mix; he and his workers are anticipated to stay behind to put in their schemes. That will put extra consideration on Schneider. — Mike Sando
How they method the quarterback place
The Bucs wish to re-sign Baker Mayfield, whose contract is up. Mayfield has mentioned he needs to stay in Tampa. But he additionally advised ESPN he needs market worth. That most likely means a deal much like the one Geno Smith just lately signed with Seattle — $75 million over three years. Whether the Bucs wish to pay that’s the difficulty. A franchise tag is an possibility however not supreme with security Antoine Winfield Jr. and broad receiver Mike Evans additionally on expiring contracts. It will probably be attention-grabbing to listen to what GM Jason Licht says concerning the quarterback place, together with the prospects in the draft. — Dan Pompei
Three tackles and two receivers
The free-agency image suggests the Titans can get assist at cornerback and inside offensive line earlier than the draft however will seemingly need to focus their first two picks on their two greatest wants. The absence of a third-round choose will increase the urgency. Second-year quarterback Will Levis wants a long-term receiver to develop with and a left deal with to guard him. The board may go out for the Titans to decide on between Joe Alt and Olu Fashanu as a foundational deal with — however what about Taliese Fuaga? Does he proceed his momentum in Indy? Could the Titans transfer down, get him and be pleased with it? The board may additionally let Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze slide to No. 7. Would Brian Callahan choose a playmaker over a blocker because the Bengals did when he was there they usually took Ja’Marr Chase over Penei Sewell in 2021? — Joe Rexrode
The quarterbacks
It’s no secret that the holders of the No. 2 choose are anticipated to pick a quarterback from the highest group. The trick right here is the brand new braintrust of GM Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and the scouting division holdovers are largely new to one another. Do they’ve Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels graded in the identical vary? If Williams is a reduce above, is the hole thought-about sufficient to supply the Bears a Godfather commerce for the primary choose? Has Daniels’ dual-threat shine caught as much as Maye or do they like the UNC quarterback’s prototypical dimension? We gained’t discover out the workers’s hopes and desires, however that is the place the detective work begins by analyzing the trio on our personal. — Ben Standig
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(Top pictures of J.J. McCarthy, Saquon Barkley and Malik Nabers: Gregory Shamus, Getty Images; Jim McIsaac, Getty Images; Matthew Hinton / USA Today)
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