NFL Scouting Combine 2024

[KingBoots8]

Figured it was time to start one of these.

 

Coaches, GMs, and teams are gathering at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to see which players impress athletically and mentally as they perform drills, medical evaluations, and interviews. After this week we will see perhaps the largest adjustment to mock draft placement for players, with incremental changes as pro days and private workouts further narrow down the likely landing spot of 250+ future NFL players… whether they make the cut or live up to their draft position will be determined.

 

 

 

Combine Schedule:

 

Thursday, 2/29 3pm – Defensive Linemen, Linebackers

 

Friday, 3/1, 3pm – Defensive Backs, Tight Ends

 

Saturday, 3/2, 1pm – Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Running Backs

 

Sunday, 3/3, 1pm – Offensive Linemen

 

 

 

Projected Positions of Need (pre- Free Agency):

Primary - WR, DT, S, DE

Secondary - RB, OT, OC

 

Personal Watch List:

 

WR: Brian Thomas Jr, Troy Franklin, AD Mitchell, Xavier Leggette, Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson, Brenden Rice, Jacob Cowing, 

 

DT: Kris Jenkins, Braden Fiske, T’Vondre Sweat, McKinnley Jackson, Masson Smith, Leonard Taylor, Jordan Jefferson, Keith Randolph Jr

 

S: Javon Bullard, Tykee Smith, Cole Bishop, Jaden Hicks, Malik Mustapha, Trey Taylor, Kenny Logan Jr

 

DE: Laiatu Latu, Chop Robinson, Darius Robinson, Jonah Ellis, Bralen Trice, Austin Booker, Marshawn Kneeland, Javon Solomon, Justin Eboigbe, Mohamed Kamara

 

 

 

Bills Related Combine Media

 

 

 

 

RESULTS

 

https://www.nfl.com/combine/tracker/live-results/bench-press/all-positions/all-colleges/

 

 

THURSDAY RESULTS: DL, LB

 

 

 

Edited February 29 by KingBoots8
Updates / Results

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

Assistant GM Miller going? 🤔

[LABILLBACKER]

I want Thomas to do well but not too well. I don't want to settle for Mitchell or Legette.  Sweat at 60 would be amazing. 

[NewEra]

4 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

I want Thomas to do well but not too well. I don't want to settle for Mitchell or Legette.  Sweat at 60 would be amazing. 

What about Franklin?

[LABILLBACKER]

9 minutes ago, NewEra said:

What about Franklin?

Right after Thomas on my rankings. I want to guarantee we get at least one 6-3/6-4 frame guy with some speed. Love Franklin but Thomas anywhere near 28 has to be grabbed.

[NewEra]

8 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

Right after Thomas on my rankings. I want to guarantee we get at least one 6-3/6-4 frame guy with some speed. Love Franklin but Thomas anywhere near 28 has to be grabbed.

Agreed.  I’ll be happy with Thomas or Franklin.  I might even be happy with Leggette (I don’t think we need a guy that’s 6’3, rather just someone that can make plays downfield and be a threat to score any time).
 

 Can't see Thomas being an option unless we trade up to the 17-23 range.  That said, I don’t see a scenario in which we stay at 28 and draft Franklin.  He’d be an incredible fit in KC imo and Beane has to be thinking about them trading up ahead of us to get him.  Beane might not be able to sit and hope. 

[LABILLBACKER]

6 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Agreed.  I’ll be happy with Thomas or Franklin.  I might even be happy with Leggette (I don’t think we need a guy that’s 6’3, rather just someone that can make plays downfield and be a threat to score any time).
 

 Can't see Thomas being an option unless we trade up to the 17-23 range.  That said, I don’t see a scenario in which we stay at 28 and draft Franklin.  He’d be an incredible fit in KC imo and Beane has to be thinking about them trading up ahead of us to get him.  Beane might not be able to sit and hope. 

It would be too expensive to trade up in the 17-20 range, but 21 and up I'd pull the trigger.  You know Andy will absolutely go after one of these 2 guys.

[schoolhouserock]

38 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

I want Thomas to do well but not too well. I don't want to settle for Mitchell or Legette.  Sweat at 60 would be amazing. 

I too am on Thomas watch. He would look great as a Bill!

 

I can’t get myself to hold out hope for Sweat at 60. Maybe a trade up candidate if he slides into the late 40’s?

[BADOLBILZ]

3 hours ago, KingBoots8 said:

Figured it was time to start one of these.

 

Coaches, GMs, and teams are gathering at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to see which players impress athletically and mentally as they perform drills, medical evaluations, and interviews. After this week we will see perhaps the largest adjustment to mock draft placement for players, with incremental changes as pro days and private workouts further narrow down the likely landing spot of 250+ future NFL players… whether they make the cut or live up to their draft position will be determined.

 

 

 

Combine Schedule:

 

Thursday, 2/29 3pm – Defensive Linemen, Linebackers

 

Friday, 3/1, 3pm – Defensive Backs, Tight Ends

 

Saturday, 3/2, 1pm – Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Running Backs

 

Sunday, 3/3, 1pm – Offensive Linemen

 

 

 

Projected Positions of Need (pre- Free Agency):

Primary - WR, DT, S, DE

Secondary - RB, OT, OC

 

Personal Watch List:

 

WR: Brian Thomas Jr, Troy Franklin, AD Mitchell, Xavier Leggette, Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson, Brenden Rice, Jacob Cowing, 

 

DT: Kris Jenkins, Braden Fiske, T’Vondre Sweat, McKinnley Jackson, Masson Smith, Leonard Taylor, Jordan Jefferson, Keith Randolph Jr

 

S: Javon Bullard, Tykee Smith, Cole Bishop, Jaden Hicks, Malik Mustapha, Trey Taylor, Kenny Logan Jr

 

DE: Laiatu Latu, Chop Robinson, Darius Robinson, Jonah Ellis, Bralen Trice, Austin Booker, Marshawn Kneeland, Javon Solomon, Justin Eboigbe, Mohamed Kamara

 

 

 

Good on you for volunteering to keep us all up to the minute on all 4 days of the combine workouts.     

[KingBoots8]

2 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

It would be too expensive to trade up in the 17-20 range, but 21 and up I'd pull the trigger.  You know Andy will absolutely go after one of these 2 guys.

I agree 100%. Outside of 20 is just too expensive with our needs. There are quality WRs to be had in every round of this draft. If Thomas and Franklin are floating around after 21 go get your guy. God knows KC is looking for theirs, so let’s not get passed up if we need to move.

5 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

 

Good on you for volunteering to keep us all up to the minute on all 4 days of the combine workouts.     

I’ll do my best lol. Provided systems stay up at work I should be able to manage updates fairly well. 

[78thealltimegreat]

I am going to really be watching Roman Wilson he’s one of those guys that he would just excel with the Bills and he’s a big game player something this team desperately needs at WR. Gotta see a sub 4.4 though 

[DCOrange]

Brian Thomas is one of those guys where I'm kinda hoping he has a disappointing combine so that he slides a little further down the draft board. The ones where I think it's actually an important part of the evaluation would be Legette, Coleman, Mitchell, and McConkey. Like if Coleman were to run a 4.6 (which I do not think he will), he's no longer in consideration in the first round for me. Likewise with McConkey and Mitchell. If Legette can hit the 4.3's or god forbid the 4.2's, I might be a little more interested than I currently am, but my hesitance with him is pretty well known.

[MasterStrategist]

Give me speed at WR, I don't care about size.  We need someone who can win the short/intermediate routes, with deep play ability who can be relied on as a #2 (potential for #1 in future).   This will definitely be a key draft for Beane to get us over the hump.

 

Then take another in thr 4th-5th, who is more deep threat/size type.  

 

We need a more balanced group of WRs, like GB built.  Mix of different skill sets.

 

We can make a significant jump in skill players this offseason, similar to Ravens/Pack, if our young guys keep developing and we hit big on our 1st rounder (WR) and can find a capable #2 back.

[MiracleAtRich1393]

I'd like to see Franklin hit the magic # on the bench. He's my #1 outside of the top 3 but if he can't pass the commonly-held threshold (can't recall what it is, 9? 10?) I'd get concerned he'd be too vulnerable vs. press coverage

[NewEra]

1 hour ago, LABILLBACKER said:

It would be too expensive to trade up in the 17-20 range, but 21 and up I'd pull the trigger.  You know Andy will absolutely go after one of these 2 guys.

For sure.  I think it’ll be too expensive to trade up to 21-24.  I don’t see Beane giving up a 3rd

[OldTimer1960]

51 minutes ago, DCOrange said:

Brian Thomas is one of those guys where I'm kinda hoping he has a disappointing combine so that he slides a little further down the draft board. The ones where I think it's actually an important part of the evaluation would be Legette, Coleman, Mitchell, and McConkey. Like if Coleman were to run a 4.6 (which I do not think he will), he's no longer in consideration in the first round for me. Likewise with McConkey and Mitchell. If Legette can hit the 4.3's or god forbid the 4.2's, I might be a little more interested than I currently am, but my hesitance with him is pretty well known.

I think the larger guy that can offer downfield availability is important.  If they miss out on big and fast, they might be able to still find guys who can be active and make downfield plays on the many occasions that Josh holds the ball and scrambles around.  I think Rice is somewhat limited in speed and fluidity, but he stays active on those kind of plays - think Legette and Coleman and Mitchell could all fit that bill with coaching.  
 

We need to remember that we (many of us) think Gabe Davis is pretty limited and the offense functioned pretty well with him.  They should be able to find someone who can (with experience) do what Gabe did - maybe better or more consistently - somewhere in the first 3 rounds.  
 

There are some mainly slot guys with some intriguing ability, but before you take them, you have to ask how much of an upgrade are they from Shakir (no sure thing, but finished very strong) and if the combo of new slot guy and Shakir can somehow file the outside receiver spot adequately.  For example, Roman Wilson has speed enough to be a deep threat, but is mostly a slot guy - same for Xavier Worthy - would you really want to line up with Diggs, Shakir and Wilson/Worthy most of the time?  

Edited February 27 by OldTimer1960

[DCOrange]

9 minutes ago, OldTimer1960 said:

I think the larger guy that can offer downfield availability is important.  If they miss out on big and fast, they might be able to still find guys who can be active and make downfield plays on the many occasions that Josh holds the ball and scrambles around.  I think Rice is somewhat limited in speed and fluidity, but he stays active on those kind of plays - think Legette and Coleman and Mitchell could all fit that bill with coaching.  
 

We need to remember that we (many of us) think Gabe Davis is pretty limited and the offense functioned pretty well with him.  They should be able to find someone who can (with experience) do what Gabe did - maybe better or more consistently - somewhere in the first 3 rounds.  
 

There are some mainly slot guys with some intriguing ability, but before you take them, you have to ask how much of an upgrade are they from Shakir (no sure thing, but finished very strong) and if the combo of new slot guy and Shakir can somehow file the outside receiver spot adequately.  For example, Roman Wilson has speed enough to be a deep threat, but is mostly a slot guy - same for Xavier Worthy - would you really want to line up with Diggs, Shakir and Wilson/Worthy most of the time?  

I am still kinda lukewarm on Shakir personally. I think he's a valuable WR for sure and there's plenty of potential for him to become a huge factor, but for now, he's more of a zone specialist. The difference in his production vs. man coverage compared to zone was pretty huge this year. I think someone like Roman Wilson could potentially be a significant upgrade against man coverage.

 

I am admittedly quite low on Worthy, but I would also mention that he played most of his snaps out wide in college. I think he projects as someone that can play the slot but is probably more of a Z WR right now.

[OldTimer1960]

8 minutes ago, DCOrange said:

I am still kinda lukewarm on Shakir personally. I think he's a valuable WR for sure and there's plenty of potential for him to become a huge factor, but for now, he's more of a zone specialist. The difference in his production vs. man coverage compared to zone was pretty huge this year. I think someone like Roman Wilson could potentially be a significant upgrade against man coverage.

 

I am admittedly quite low on Worthy, but I would also mention that he played most of his snaps out wide in college. I think he projects as someone that can play the slot but is probably more of a Z WR right now.

You could be right on all counts.  I agree that Shakir is still a question mark, but one with a promising finish to last season.  I’d say he is penciled in as the slot guy, but could be replaced with a top level prospect.  I’m not sure Wilson is yet a big step up in terms of freeing up from man, but I understand he showed better at that than expected at Sr Bowl.  I think there are enough good slot guys that they can find one later to pair with Shakir.  
 

My min concern (for whatever that’s worth) is finding someone with size, hands and enough route running ability to take Davis’ spot.  Again, Davis was OK, but hopefully they can do better.  Downfield ability is important, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a 4.3 guy to be effective.

[Logic]

What I really want is a mole stationed at the St Elmo steakhouse this week, taking notes and relaying them via morse code.

IYKYK.

[DCOrange]

12 minutes ago, OldTimer1960 said:

You could be right on all counts.  I agree that Shakir is still a question mark, but one with a promising finish to last season.  I’d say he is penciled in as the slot guy, but could be replaced with a top level prospect.  I’m not sure Wilson is yet a big step up in terms of freeing up from man, but I understand he showed better at that than expected at Sr Bowl.  I think there are enough good slot guys that they can find one later to pair with Shakir.  
 

My min concern (for whatever that’s worth) is finding someone with size, hands and enough route running ability to take Davis’ spot.  Again, Davis was OK, but hopefully they can do better.  Downfield ability is important, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a 4.3 guy to be effective.

Agreed. Replacing Gabe is easily a higher priority.

[CNYfan]

BWRA - regardless of position.

 

Although I believe it is going to be DE in the first

[OldTimer1960]

10 minutes ago, CNYfan said:

BWRA - regardless of position.

 

Although I believe it is going to be DE in the first

Possible, for sure.  I think having some pass rush is more important than getting the very best outside deep threat.  The Bills are paying Josh Allen major $ to elevate those around him and he has done that effectively.  They DO need a WR to replace Davis - ideally a great one, but a great WR with no pass rush on D is still a big problem.  Question is, will there be a good DE or DT prospect that is as good as the WR prospects that could be there.  Even though they are really in bad with the cap, they can probably re-sign Shaq Lawson, so rookie needs to have better upside than him.

[John from Riverside]

Troy Franklin no matter what

[BBFL]

3 hours ago, LABILLBACKER said:

I want Thomas to do well but not too well. I don't want to settle for Mitchell or Legette.  Sweat at 60 would be amazing. 

I think Thomas Jr. dramatically improves his pre-combine position on most people big board. Feel he shoots into the top 20 prospects overall and sadly will be gone by the time #28 rolls around. Hopefully not but the kid had a phenomenal season in college and just has to test well for the current mock positioning to be a hope and a prayer. 

[LABILLBACKER]

9 minutes ago, BBFL said:

I think Thomas Jr. dramatically improves his pre-combine position on most people big board. Feel he shoots into the top 20 prospects overall and sadly will be gone by the time #28 rolls around. Hopefully not but the kid had a phenomenal season in college and just has to test well for the current mock positioning to be a hope and a prayer. 

I completely agree. My fear is he has a great combine and maybe even a sub 4.4 time. This will probably put us out of range. Franklin would still be an excellent plan B.  I'm not considering Mitchell till the 2nd round. We all know the primary positions of need for the first 4 selections (wr, dt, s, de). We just don't know the order?

 

And another fear is Andy jumping us for whoever we target. He knows we're his biggest obstacle.

Edited February 27 by LABILLBACKER

[In Summary]

1. Separation skills and hands above all for the WR.   If the receiver can't separate until deep or late, then there are few opportunities for them to contribute.  If they can only separate in the short areas, then we have another slot guy - which we don't need.  Downfield blocking, size, and height for contested catches are secondary.  For the times you can't "scheme a guy open", you want some natural separation skills.
2. Replacing Davis is thinking too small.  Bills need to draft a guy to be the #1 because by the time he "gets it" in year 2, Diggs won't be a dominant #1.  Think ahead, not behind.  Then, by all means do draft another receiver in rounds 3-5 that has scary speed or high RAS.

Edited March 1 by In Summary
Typo

[OldTimer1960]

31 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

I completely agree. My fear is he has a great combine and maybe even a sub 4.4 time. This will probably put us out of range. Franklin would still be an excellent plan B.  I'm not considering Mitchell till the 2nd round. We all know the primary positions of need for the first 4 selections (wr, dt, s, de). We just don't know the order?

 

And another fear is Andy jumping us for whoever we target. He knows we're his biggest obstacle.

I think this is over played here.  Andy Reid and the Chiefs are not plotting how to beat the Bills exclusively - especially not right now when the Bills don’t have enough defensive players under contract to even field a team.  Spending a 2nd or 3rd to move up to block a possible KC move up further deprives the Bills of picks to find defensive players who likely will have to play a lot this season.

Edited February 27 by OldTimer1960

[KingBoots8]

7 minutes ago, In Summary said:

1. Separation skills and hands above all for the WR.   If the receiver can't separate until deep or late, then there are few opportunities for them to contribute.  If they can only separate in the short areas, then we have another slot guy - which we don't need.  Downfield blocking, size, and height for contested catches are secondary.  For the times you can't "scheme a guy open", you want some natural separation skills.
2. Replacing Davis is thinking too small.  Bills need to draft a guy to be the #1 because by the time get "gets it" in year 2, Diggs won't be a dominant #1.  Think ahead, not behind.  Then, by all means do draft another receiver in rounds 3-5 that has scary speed or high RAS.

This is the correct mentality. We are not drafting a replacement for Gabe- we are drafting the heir to Diggs. We don’t want a WR2, we want a WR1 who is only #2 because Diggs is still a top-10 WR (on paper). By next year Diggs and Rookie will hopefully be about even.

 

 

[jkeerie]

One Bills Live just had Daniel Jeremiah on.  He was talking about positions in this draft.  He said the D line position drops off dramatically by the middle of the 2nd round whereas there is depth at WR.  Based on the Bills needs he opined that at 28, you grab your  Dline player Edge or Tackle and wait on your WR.  The only exception he'd make is if Brian Thomas is there.  His concern about Tony Franklin is his frame.  He's like Tank Dell who had an outstanding year, but wasn't durable enough to be available in the playoffs.  He thinks Adonai Mitchell will also show well at the combine and at his pro day or individual workouts.  

 

At Safety, he has none in his Top 50 players.  He sees them mainly as depth pieces who will largely play on Special Teams as opposed to being immediate starters, although he did sight Tyler Nubin's productivity at Minnesota.

[SWATeam]

1 minute ago, jkeerie said:

One Bills Live just had Daniel Jeremiah on.  He was talking about positions in this draft.  He said the D line position drops off dramatically by the middle of the 2nd round whereas there is depth at WR.  Based on the Bills needs he opined that at 28, you grab your  Dline player Edge or Tackle and wait on your WR.  The only exception he'd make is if Brian Thomas is there.  His concern about Tony Franklin is his frame.  He's like Tank Dell who had an outstanding year, but wasn't durable enough to be available in the playoffs.  He thinks Adonai Mitchell will also show well at the combine and at his pro day or individual workouts.  

 

At Safety, he has none in his Top 50 players.  He sees them mainly as depth pieces who will largely play on Special Teams as opposed to being immediate starters, although he did sight Tyler Nubin's productivity at Minnesota.

I think Safety will be the position we address in FA

[BBFL]

22 minutes ago, In Summary said:

1. Separation skills and hands above all for the WR.   If the receiver can't separate until deep or late, then there are few opportunities for them to contribute.  If they can only separate in the short areas, then we have another slot guy - which we don't need.  Downfield blocking, size, and height for contested catches are secondary.  For the times you can't "scheme a guy open", you want some natural separation skills.
2. Replacing Davis is thinking too small.  Bills need to draft a guy to be the #1 because by the time get "gets it" in year 2, Diggs won't be a dominant #1.  Think ahead, not behind.  Then, by all means do draft another receiver in rounds 3-5 that has scary speed or high RAS.

 

Pairing all that in, maybe a trade up is inevitable? There is a lot of great talent in this draft @ WR. Though only a handful of guys who are seen as legitimate #1 dominant guys. 
 

 

[jkeerie]

Just now, SWATeam said:

I think Safety will be the position we address in FA

I agree.  There are plenty available that won't command too much.  It makes sense to address those positions in the draft that carry large cap numbers...WR, DT,  Edge, CB, OT and build those positions through the draft. 

[KingBoots8]

2 minutes ago, OldTimer1960 said:

I think this is over played here.  Andy Reid and the Chiefs are not plotting how to beat the Bills exclusively - especially not right now when the Bills don’t have enough defensive players under contract to even field a team.  Spending a 2nd or 3rd to move up to block a possible KC move up further deprives the Bills of picks to find defensive players who likely will have to play a lot this season.

KC could spend a future pick to move up. They just won with Rashee Rice and a bunch of JAGS at WR and know full well they could possibly run it back with the addition of an elite/high level WR coming in. I don’t think they are plotting how to beat the Bills necessarily but they know we want a WR so we are the one they need to jump. 
 

A 1st and 3rd can get them from 32 up to possibly 25, with 3 NFC teams in front of us that’s more doable than within conference. If they see their future WR1 in this draft they will move to get him.

[OldTimer1960]

17 minutes ago, KingBoots8 said:

This is the correct mentality. We are not drafting a replacement for Gabe- we are drafting the heir to Diggs. We don’t want a WR2, we want a WR1 who is only #2 because Diggs is still a top-10 WR (on paper). By next year Diggs and Rookie will hopefully be about even.

 

 

Isn’t that always the case?

[OldTimer1960]

18 minutes ago, KingBoots8 said:

KC could spend a future pick to move up. They just won with Rashee Rice and a bunch of JAGS at WR and know full well they could possibly run it back with the addition of an elite/high level WR coming in. I don’t think they are plotting how to beat the Bills necessarily but they know we want a WR so we are the one they need to jump. 
 

A 1st and 3rd can get them from 32 up to possibly 25, with 3 NFC teams in front of us that’s more doable than within conference. If they see their future WR1 in this draft they will move to get him.

Again, I don’t think it is good business to run your draft worrying about what KC might do.  The flip-side of what you said is that KC won with an aging Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice and some nobodies at receiver because they have Mahomes and a very strong defense.  If not for their defense carrying them during the season, KC might have missed the playoffs after Mahomes missed time.

[The Firebaugh Kid]

In Beanes presser from todays he mentioned wanting to find players that can help with explosives because the bills "see a ton of two high shell". 

That screams speed to me....someone who can take a short pass and go 10+ with it to get them out of that look. Worthy?

[Warriorspikes51]

4 minutes ago, The Firebaugh Kid said:

In Beanes presser from todays he mentioned wanting to find players that can help with explosives because the bills "see a ton of two high shell". 

That screams speed to me....someone who can take a short pass and go 10+ with it to get them out of that look. Worthy?

Franklin & Worthy are the 2 I immediately thought of

[Florida Bills Fanatic]

2 hours ago, Logic said:

What I really want is a mole stationed at the St Elmo steakhouse this week, taking notes and relaying them via morse code.

IYKYK.

You'll also need to cover Shapiro's Deli on Meridian Street at lunch time.  It usually gets a big combine crowd for lunch.  

[Solomon Grundy]

3 hours ago, KingBoots8 said:

KC could spend a future pick to move up. They just won with Rashee Rice and a bunch of JAGS at WR and know full well they could possibly run it back with the addition of an elite/high level WR coming in. I don’t think they are plotting how to beat the Bills necessarily but they know we want a WR so we are the one they need to jump. 
 

A 1st and 3rd can get them from 32 up to possibly 25, with 3 NFC teams in front of us that’s more doable than within conference. If they see their future WR1 in this draft they will move to get him.

Travis Kelce!! Would Bowers be in play for KC? 

3 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

Franklin & Worthy are the 2 I immediately thought of

I'm thinking Franklin & Legette. Legette has that RAC ability. The tape don't lie. Combine will be huuuge

[Neo]

6 hours ago, Logic said:

What I really want is a mole stationed at the St Elmo steakhouse this week, taking notes and relaying them via morse code.

IYKYK.

 

Old Fashioned and a shrimp cocktail.  Next night, Harry and Izzy’s.