Combine Incoming

02/28/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Everything to Watch at the 2023 NFL Combine This Week

The first major checkpoint of the NFL offseason has officially begun. The NFL Scouting Combine is underway in Indianapolis with college football’s elite displaying their talents for the 32 teams preparing for the 2023 NFL Draft. The league invited 319 prospects to this year’s combine for a series of aptitude tests and interviews before on-field drills later this week. The draft will take place April 27-29 in Kansas City, and this week’s workout will have a big impact on who goes where. Here are the key dates for this week’s events along with the top storylines to watch.

 

2023 NFL Combine Schedule

Thursday: Defensive Linemen & Linebackers

Friday: Defensive Backs & Special Teams

Saturday: Quarterbacks, Receivers & Tight Ends

Sunday: Running Backs & Offensive Linemen

 

On-Field Drills to Watch

40-Yard Dash

Bench Press

Vertical Jump

Broad Jump

Three-Cone Drill

20 & 60-Yard Shuttle

 

Key NFL Combine Storylines

The Bears own the No. 1 pick in the draft, so much of the attention this week will center around what Chicago plans to do and how it impacts the other top picks. The Bears are expected to trade down given other teams’ need for a quarterback. We’ll be watching the top QBs this week — Bryce Young (Alabama), C.J. Stroud (Ohio State), Will Levis (Kentucky), and Anthony Richardson (Florida) — although Young won’t throw this week. All four are projected top-10 picks.

 

The first few days focus on medical measurements and interviews where players undergo off-the-field testing. Your team’s big decisions in April are actually being made this week.

 

Additional Storylines

SI: The Nine Biggest NFL Draft Storylines Heading Into Combine Week

CBS Sports: Bears Reportedly Likely to Trade No. 1 Pick in 2023 Draft, But Still Meet With Combine QBs

 

Photo: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images