The NFL Draft can’t get right here quickly sufficient. In its effort to monetize each second of each month, we now have to attend and sit by way of months of hypothesis and analysis with narratives conjured out of lifeless air. What are the Bears going to do with Justin Fields? Why are all the elite athletes opting out of the Combine? This participant is rising. This participant is plummeting. And on and on and on till April 25, or I shoot myself, whichever comes first.
Do we actually want virtually three months of draft prep after the Super Bowl? The faculty soccer season is over for many prospects by Jan. 1, and their total faculty careers can be found in digital kind just about instantly, so why extend this? This is the age of immediacy, and NFL free brokers have made their choices lengthy earlier than these selections could be made official March 13.
I assumed endurance was simply one other phrase for “inconvenience.” Cutting and splicing collectively highlights could be achieved on the john, and in case you can’t consider a participant based mostly on their sport footage, then you need to most likely be in a unique line of work.
Take Nate Wiggins for instance. The cornerback out of Clemson ran a 4.29 40 on the Combine on Friday after which wanted to be helped off the sphere with what he known as a hip flexor.
Wiggins stated he’ll be able to run by the Tiger’s professional day, which is principally one other Combine with a PR spin from this system. However, per Robert Griffin III’s tweet above, Wiggins performs at that pace on tape, and isn’t that what’s most vital?
Caleb Williams began 34 video games in faculty. That’s two full NFL seasons, and he’s on the low finish of expertise. Things are a little bit wonky with COVID-era eligibility nonetheless weaning its approach out of faculty soccer, however guys like Bo Nix and Michael Penix have 5 and 6 seasons, respectively, for scouts to pour over.
Any off-field issues are effectively documented and searchable on the web. NFL franchises can DM, electronic mail, textual content and name head, assistant and place coaches in the event that they need to work out more. While I don’t scout gamers for a residing, half of my job is having an opinion on issues just like the draft, and though I don’t do a seven-round mock, I’ve an concept fashioned by a participant’s final collegiate look if not earlier than.
One instance that stands out to me is Fabian Washington. If you bear in mind, which you probably don’t as a result of he had a largely forgettable NFL profession, Washington ran a 4.29 40 in the course of the 2005 Combine. The Raiders had been so enamored by the exercise that they took him within the first spherical regardless of an equally meh faculty profession at Nebraska, and Aaron Rodgers nonetheless on the board.
Being the Husker fan that I’m, I had seen sufficient to know that taking Washington at twenty third general was a attain. Playing cornerback and/or receiver is about a lot more than pace — instincts, method, route operating, route studying, and many others. — and barely any of these traits present up in drills.
You know the place you’ll be able to see them although? Game footage. Measurables do matter, however to not the extent that scouts must poke and prod athletes a number of occasions. If groups need to do an interview or have their docs take a look at a repaired joint? Fine, simply don’t overthink these items. I do know that’s laborious to do as a result of the analysis course of is almost 5 months, but possibly take a trip, or sleep on it, or decide up Baldur’s Gate 3.
Nothing makes me happier than gamers skipping the Combine. It virtually brings me as a lot pleasure as Roger Goodell getting booed to start out the draft. Both events can see by way of the facade, and the league’s need to wring each final dime out of followers and gamers alike. You know what we all need more than conjecture? Results, draft picks, trades, motion, something however one other f*cking NFL Draft take.
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