Thursday marked a shift at the NFL scouting combine.
After two days of speaking with general managers and coaches, the teams went into scouting mode while the players started filling the podiums, starting with corners and continuing with tight ends.
Here’s what we learned from Indianapolis on Day 3, as the on-field drills begin at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Look for an offensive explosion early in Round 1
Through conversations at restaurants and bars around Indianapolis, there’s a thought the first 10 picks of the draft may all come from the offensive side. Far from a guarantee, but plausible.
While players like Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner and Florida State Seminoles edge rusher Jared Verse could have a say in that regard, it seems a few things are certain.
First, there are going to be three quarterbacks and three receivers who can be put in ink, with Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze and Malik Nabers all expected to go early. Then there’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish left tackle Joe Alt, who is considered a consensus top-10 choice.
That’s seven. The question then becomes whether we’ll see another left tackle (or two), another quarterback (hello, J.J. McCarthy) or Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers.
While nothing is certain, or even close to it, two months out, the draft certainly is shaping up to be top-heavy with offense. Then look for defensive talent to start creeping up, especially at corner, where there are at least a half-dozen prospects who could be considered first-round picks.
Lastly, how rare would it be for the first 10 picks to all be offensive players?
Since the AFL and NFL merged their drafts in 1969, it hasn’t happened.
