NFL changes combine interview rules, limits teams to 45 prospects

The NFL is changing the number of prospects that each team can interview at the combine this year as a part of the workout schedule shift.

Over the past several years, the NFL Scouting Combine has become a spectacle that many hard-nosed fans dive into, and several other fair-weather fans are aware of. While the media surrounding the combine has grown exponentially, with four days of on-field workouts now televised, it still serves as a highly-important time for NFL teams. Not only does it bring all of the top prospects together for workouts, but it also gives the teams a chance to interview and meet with their future draft picks.

This year around, though, the NFL is tweaking the rules regarding those interviews. In years past, teams were allowed to sit down with 60 prospects for 15 minutes each and ask them questions about their game and their upbringing. This year, each team will only be allowed to mee with 45 prospects, but with the allotted time being increased to 18 minutes per prospect.

The reason for this is the NFL moving drills to prime time, which caused a shift in the schedule.

The combine will be held from February 23 to March 2 in Indianapolis this year. Workouts will run from Feb. 27-Mar. 1, beginning with tight ends, quarterbacks and wide receivers, and concluding with defensive backs.

It’s the next major step after the Senior Bowl, which is being held in Mobile, Ala., this week.

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