2022 NFL Scouting Combine Preview

The NFL Combine kicks off on March 1st and ends on March 7th. The 2022 NFL Combine will take place in Lucas Oil Stadium. 

NFL Network will be covering the 2022 NFL Combine:

• March 3rd: quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends from 4 p.m. ET to 11 p.m. ET 
• March 4th: running backs, offensive linemen and special teams from 4 pm. ET to 10 p.m. ET 
• March 5th: Five hours of live coverage of defensive linemen and linebackers from 4 p.m. ET to 9 p.m. 
• March 6th: Five hours of live coverage of defensive backs from 2 p.m. ET to 7 p.m. ET 

FYI, the 4-day schedule for NFL Combine prospects: https://t.co/27uGczqmUe pic.twitter.com/0qSaKJp5Fq

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 22, 2022

What it is

The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine allows prospects to participate in on-field drills in front of NFL evaluators. Additionally, prospects have the opportunity to interview with NFL teams.

Here is the link to transcript & audio of @nflnetwork analyst @MoveTheSticks' conference call previewing the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine:https://t.co/lT5tuM6q6B pic.twitter.com/XvLsAwern2

— NFL Media (@NFLMedia) February 25, 2022

There are around 324 total combine participants ranging from SEC powerhouses to FCS and HBCU players. 

Analysis

The NFL combine is the biggest draft-centric event of the year. A year after its full cancellation, the NFL combine is returning this year but the National Invitational Camp planned to implement several COVID-19 protocols, including a “bubble.” 

Here's the memo Saturday from the NFL combine outlining the bubble environment (and expulsion for violators) that agents for more than 150 draft prospects — roughly half of all combine invitees — are now threatening to boycott: https://t.co/7Ajg1drbk4 https://t.co/KBOy4pBpZS

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 21, 2022

However, The NFL Combine is lifting bubble restrictions shortly after the news that player agents were organizing a boycott.

Most prospects train for the NFL Combine right after the season ends. Each prospect has a team of nutritionists, agents, and trainers- to help them with their testing, nutrition, training and even sleep schedule.

Training for the combine is no joke as it is the biggest interview of prospects lives.

It may be entertaining for fans and media alike to enjoy the testing events such as the 40 yard dash and even the bench press. NFL teams view the medical evaluations as the most vital aspect of the combine.

4.48 speed with all the tools.

Deebo crushed it at the 2019 Combine 🔥 @19problemz

📺: #NFLCombine March 3-6 on @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/99RLQVneBF

— NFL (@NFL) February 22, 2022

These medical evaluations are critical in decision making for NFL teams. At times if a player fails the evaluation it may knock them off a teams board or may even shatter their dreams of playing in the NFL.

Interviews with NFL team evaluators is the second most important part of the combine process. It’s a rare opportunity for scouts, coaches, and general managers to get to know players in a one-on-one format. 

This allows players to understand what teams are looking for in them and teams to really pick a prospects brain and see if they can be a cultural fit within their organization.

Megatron was built in a lab 🤖 @calvinjohnsonjr (via @nflthrowback)

📺: #NFLCombine March 3-6 on @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/elFZi32WNe

— NFL (@NFL) February 21, 2022

Prospects see a volatile change in their training regimen for the NFL Combine. The Combine itself has a different structure compared to how players train.

Players are in a new uncomfortable environment which interferes in how they go about doing things. It’s not an optimal environment that will translate into testing numbers they usually hit.

Furthermore, it’s why teams go to prospects pro days. Pro days are similar to the NFL combine except colleges host it for their players. This allows prospects to be comfortable in familiar circumstances to put their best foot forward.

Pro days are essentially structured by college training staffs where players know the surface they are working on. In short, players create the workout during pro days where the combine creates the work for them.

Conclusion

For many of us in the draft world, analysts don’t “trust” the pro day testing numbers as they want to see how prospects react to different environments as it translates to prospects figuring out things in the league and on game days.

New #FinsUp head coach Mike McDaniel knows how to play the game and what we’re all about — so he’s willing to play our silly game.

This is going to be epic:#NFL #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/h9u6i4YriV

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) February 25, 2022

Agents of prospects sometimes tell them to forgo the combine testing and do the medical testing and interviews with teams. Teams still take into account pro day numbers and can use their evaluation criteria to better judge players.

*** This article was originally posted at PhinManiacs***

Hussam Patel is a Miami Dolphins contributor at Five Reasons Sports Network, Director of Scouting at PhinManiacs and Editor at Dolphins ATB. Follow him on Twitter at @HussamPatel