Category: NFL Combine

Georgia WR George Pickens has high expectations for his 40-yard dash

Georgia wide receiver George Pickens is expecting to light up the track at the NFL Scouting Combine

The 2022 NFL draft is loaded with talented pass-catchers, and Georgia’s George Pickens is expected to remind everyone at the NFL Scouting Combine that he belongs among the best of them.

Speaking to the media Wednesday, Pickens says he expects to run his 40-yard dash in the 4.3-second range, per Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network.

At 6-3, 200 pounds, Pickens would certainly turn some heads if he runs that fast in Indy. If that happens, don’t be surprised if he cements himself in the first-round conversation, even with a ton of other worthy receiver prospects in that range.

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Ohio State WR Garrett Wilson says he was a fan of the Eagles and Mike Vick growing up

While addressing the media at his #NFLCombine session on Wednesday, former #OhioState WR #GarrettWilson admitted that he was a fan of the #Eagles and Michael #Vick growing up

Garrett Wilson is a Texas native who just happened to take his talents to Ohio State, but the former Buckeyes star revealed something that should make Eagles fans grin ear to ear.

While addressing the media at the NFL Combine on Wednesday, Wilson noted that he was a fan of the Eagles, and Michael Vick while growing up in Austin, Texas.

The former Lake Travis High School star logged 70-catches, for 1,058-yards and 12 touchdowns during his final season in Columbus, and the crafty wide receiver has been mocked to Philadelphia on several occasions this winter.

It would be a great match from a scheme point of view, but Wilson may not slide past the Cleveland Browns at No. 13 overall. Wilson would be comfortable playing in the AFC North thanks to his time at Ohio State, and he has a prior relationship with former Lake Travis and current Browns star quarterback, Baker Mayfield.

Wilson improved each year in Columbus and he’d certainly mesh well on the outside with DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins, and others.

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NFL combine: Top 10 marks of all time in every drill

Who are the NFL’s ultimate workout warriors? Touchdown Wire compiles the best performances in NFL scouting combine history.

The NFL Scouting Combine has developed into the ultimate pro football talent showcase over the past several decades.

Prospects travel to Indianapolis looking to boost their stock for the NFL draft by performing in seven events: 40-yard dash, bench press (225-pound repetitions), vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle run and 60-yard shuttle run.

This year, 324 draft-eligible participants and top prospects are slated to participate in the combine as they hope to catch the eyes of talent evaluators from around the league. John Ross, Brandin Cooks and Byron Jones are just a few of the athletes who have dazzled scouts and raised their profiles at the combine in recent years.

With all that in mind, Touchdown Wire compiles the top 10 marks in each event in the history of the NFL combine below:

Ole Miss QB Matt Corral confirms meeting with the Eagles QB coach at NFL Combine

#NFLDraft2022 preparation is underway as #OleMiss QB Matt #Corral confirms #NFLCombine meeting with the #Philadelphia #Eagles brass

University of Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral will not be throwing at the 2022 NFL Combine but he is one of the busiest quarterbacks in Indianapolis this week.

After having already met with the Broncos and Steelers, Corral confirmed a mini-hoops meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Teams like the Broncos, Steelers, and Commanders are more likely to be in the hunt for Corral’s services, but Howie Roseman likes to do his due diligence and the Eagles will likely meet with all the top signal-callers this week in Indianapolis this week.

Corral (6-1, 205 pounds) completed 67.3% of his passes for 8,287 yards with 57 touchdowns against 23 interceptions in 37 games with the Rebels.

The confident gunslinger declined to throw at the combine this week because he is still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered during the Sugar Bowl.

Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling has Corral ranked as QB3 behind Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett and Liberty’s Malik Willis, and he may be recovered in time to workout at the Rebels’ pro day on March 23.

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Treylon Burks on meeting with the Eagles, mimicking his game after Deebo Samuels

#Arkansas #Razorbacks star wide receiver Treylon Burks confirmed that he had a meeting with the #Eagles at the #NFLCombine. Top prospect also revealed that he mimics his game after #49ers star WR #Deebo Samuels

The NFL’s annual scouting combine is upon us and as all 32 teams from around the league descend on Lucas Oil Stadium, the Eagles are among the teams to watch.

With three first-round picks, Philadelphia will have an opportunity to add dynamic talent on both sides of the football. Former Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks is among that dynamic talent, and on Wednesday, he compared himself to Tennessee Titans star A.J. Brown and said a few other things that’ll have Eagles fans clamoring for his services.

Burks is listed at 6-3 and 225 pounds, he has a physical style as a wideout and would like to play some running back as well.

He’ll be on Philadelphia’s radar, and had a few other things to say on Wednesday as well.

Eagles’ using mini basketball hoops at the NFL Combine to gauge draft prospects competitiveness

#Philadelphia #Eagles’ head coach Nick #Sirianni is at again, this time using mini-hoops at the #NFLCombine to gauge #NFLDraft2022 prospects’ competitiveness

The Eagles are a team built on core principles and competition, with head coach Nick Sirianni using anything to gauge your spirit.

Last spring when he was hired,  Philadelphia’s new head coach referenced playing games like rock, paper, scissors to determine just how competitive a player or top draft prospect truly is.

One year later and that competitive edge is still burning strong, with the Eagles head coach using mini-basketball hoops to gauge how Sam Howell and other draft prospects handle the competition.

Philadelphia has three first-round picks in April’s NFL draft, and as Howie Roseman mentioned on Tuesday, the Eagles can’t afford to waste resources or picks.

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Dan Campbell on switching to a 4-man defensive front: ‘It fits our personnel better’

Lions head coach Dan Campbell on switching to a base 4-man defensive front: ‘It fits our personnel better’

One of the bigger takeaways from Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell and his press briefing at the 2022 NFL scouting combine involves the team’s defensive scheme. The Lions are going to deploy more 4-man fronts in 2022 after largely using a 3-man front in Campbell’s first season in Detroit.

According to Campbell, it’s a move made to help match the scheme more to the current players and what they do well.

“I just think it fits our personnel better,” Campbell said. “Look, we’ll still have elements of what we originally did last year, so I don’t want to say that this is a 100 percent wholesale change, it’s just, we’ll be a little bit heavier that way. It just, I think with what we’ve got, I think it just fits us a little bit better if you will. Gives us more flexibility in the front.”

Campbell highlighted defensive end Levi Onwuzurike, who struggled as a second-round rookie in 2021.

“I think, for example, somebody like Levi (Onwuzurike), as he continues to grow and develop, he can play anywhere from a three-technique to a nose to defensive end in the structure of our defense, so that just helps. The more versatility you have with what you’re able to do defensively, it helps you. And it helps you find players, too.”

Onwuzurike is one of several players who can align at multiple spots and schemes. Fellow 2021 rookie Alim McNeill can play any of the interior spots, from nose to three-tech, and he proved capable of making an impact across the line in his first season. Returning EDGEs Romeo Okwara and Trey Flowers are both more physical, strength-based pass rushers and being at a 4-3 DE instead of a 3-4 OLB better plays to their strengths. Veteran Michael Brockers also has experience playing across the entire defensive front in his Rams career.

The comment hearkens back to what defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn stated when he took over the Lions defense last year,

“The No. 1 thing we’re going to do that we’re going to do as a staff, we’re going to make sure that it’s not scheme then players,” Glenn said in February of 2021. “It’s players and making sure we fit them to a scheme. And that’s our No. 1 goal, that you put the players in position to be successful.”

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David Bell would welcome opportunity to play with Bears’ Justin Fields

David Bell is an intriguing wide receiver to watch for the Bears in the NFL draft. And Bell already loves what he’s seen from Justin Fields.

The Chicago Bears are looking to maximize second-year quarterback Justin Fields, which means they need to surround him with plenty of talent up front and in the passing game.

Wide receiver is a huge need for the Bears this offseason, as Darnell Mooney is the only starting wideout currently under contract. Which could mean Chicago is going to target receiver in free agency and the NFL draft.

One name that’s been linked to the Bears is Purdue wideout David Bell, who could still be on the board when Pick 39 rolls around next month.

Bell met with the media Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he said that he hasn’t met with the Bears yet. But that doesn’t mean a meeting isn’t in the cards.

Bell said it would be intriguing to play with a young quarterback like Fields, who he watched a lot during his time at Ohio State.

“Love the way he throws the ball and his pocket presence,” Bell said of Fields.

Bell has been a name linked to the Bears in numerous mock drafts, and for good reason. He projects as a second-round prospect, and he would be a great get for general manager Ryan Poles with Pick 39. While Bell doesn’t possess elite speed, he is a great route runner, has the ability to make defenders miss and has been consistent throughout his career.

Chicago has just five draft selections this year, which means Poles has his work cut out for him. That puts a greater emphasis on free agency in addressing roster holes, both starting and depth roles.

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Jeff Okudah will remain at CB, should be ready for training camp

Coach Dan Campbell sees Okudah staying at CB but did leave the door open for a move if it’s not working out

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Lions head coach Dan Campbell offered up a couple of injury updates during his scouting combine media session on Tuesday. And it’s good news for a couple of crucial defensive starters who were sorely missed in 2021.

EDGE Romeo Okwara and CB Jeff Okudah are both progressing well toward being back on the field in 2022, perhaps even for the preseason. Both suffered season-ending torn Achilles injuries. Okwara’s came in Week 4, while Okudah’s happened less than 50 snaps into Week 1.

“Both of those guys, we feel like right now are right where they need to be, is probably the best way to describe that,” Campbell told reporters. “And as long as everything stays the course with their recovery then we should have them hopefully by training camp, at least on a limited basis, which would be good.”

As for the speculation that Okudah could move to safety from cornerback, Campbell was direct.

“Right now, we see him as corner,” Campbell said. “But there again, a lot of this will be as we continue to discuss and depending on who we add or how we add, you never know. We’re constantly talking about our personnel and what’s best for them moving forward. What’s best for us?”

Coach Campbell further elaborated, speaking more broadly about the entire secondary personnel,

“Should this guy go to safety? Should this guy go to nickel? Should we bump this guy back out to corner? How are our injured guys? What do we add? So we just constantly are going to have dialogue about that, but yeah, we see Jeff out there and what we need to do is just continue to add pieces that can compete.”

Okudah has displayed flashes in his two seasons, but overall the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 draft has been a disappointment. He’s played in just 10 games in two years, recording 51 total tackles, three PDs and one INT.

Eagles’ biggest draft needs as the NFL Combine gets underway

#Philadelphia #Eagles’ biggest #NFLDraft2022 needs as the #NFLCombine gets underway at #LucasOilField in #Indianapolis

The Eagles will have three first-round picks in April’s NFL Draft, and as the team prepares for free agency, they’ll have an up-close look at college football’s top prospect this week in Indianapolis.

Philadelphia will have several key veterans move on in free agency, while younger, more athletic, and dynamic replacements will join a roster looking for a quick return to the playoffs.

Howie Roseman has talked about not wasting resources, and with the NFL combine workout set to start on Thursday, here is Philadelphia’s biggest draft needs entering the crucial event.