Last week, the same question was scattered across social media, but some of the words were shuffled.
“Why is the NFL Scouting Combine important?” If the answer is “not,” then why go through the entire performance in the first place?that do The problem is, not in the way you think.
It's just the Underwear Olympics (hardy har har). Fast people run fast, and weirdos are on parade. A very often overlooked aspect is each player's draft capital. I agree with the jaded critics who believe that the combine should not have an impact (if any at all) on where and when players are drafted, but it does. Everyone in Indianapolis is running for something, whether it's for their future or, in Rich Eisen's case, philanthropy.
Fantasy football enthusiasts were paying attention. Some in attendance saw their draft stock rise after a great performance at Lucas Oil Stadium. Others may hope that their school's pro day will bring some relief after a disappointing combine training session. Fantasy value, especially in a dynasty format, is highly dependent on draft capital. Since it does not necessarily give a flying frittata about 40 WRs, the variation in acquisition cost cannot be ignored.
2024 NFL Scouting Combine: Riser and Faller
riser
JJ McCarthy (QB – MICH)
Jim Harbaugh's favorite QB wasn't just sharp in on-field practice, he really bulked up. JJ McCarthy tipped the scales at Indy at nearly 220 pounds, more than 10 pounds more than he expected. This gives some confidence in the national champion signal caller's durability at the next level. His arm is very strong and he is incredibly smart on the field. The only thing standing in the way of McCarthy's chances of becoming a top-10 pick in future drafts is some resolution of his serious accuracy concerns.
Michael Penix Jr. (QB – UW)
Michael Penix Jr. may have limped his way to a national championship while being battered by a formidable Michigan Wolverines defense, but he's still pretty smooth. Penix's junior smooth release and his pinpoint accuracy at all three levels were very evident in on-field practice. Like the immobile McCarthy, his strength lies in his experience and football knowledge.
Trey Benson (RB – FSU)
With a RB class without obvious first-round talent, we starving I hope one of them shows up at Indy. Trey Benson answered the phone. Benson, a feisty 6-foot-tall, 216-pounder, posted an impressive 40-second time of 4.39. The senior Seminole is a well-rounded player on tape, so his strong combine performance is like frosting on the proverbial cupcake.
Isaac Gerendo (RB – LOU)
There was always a chance that the team would draft Isaac Guerendo in the coming months. That opportunity was all but guaranteed after he put on an athletic show in front of all 32 teams and their fans at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Wisconsin-former Louisville product set a record as the fastest running back at the combine with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash despite his beefy 220 pounds. He also had a whopping vertical jump of 41.5 inches, which was the best among all RBs by a difference of 1.5 inches. Gerendo isn't known for his quickness, contact balance or vision, but some team will take the flyer to develop him into a Pro Bowler.
Ladd McConkey (WR – UG)
There were long periods in Ladd McConkie's career when he was overshadowed by other talented players. He was always a savvy route runner and versatile technician who played all over the state of Georgia, but not many appreciated his athletic ability. McConkey was one of nine WRs to run a 40-minute time faster than 4.40 seconds. Any time in the 4.3 second range is deadly for a player with McConkey's skill set. He really helped himself.
Xavier Werty (WR – TEX)
I'm not setting the rules. If you can hit the fastest 40 in NFL Scouting Combine history, it will start a domino effect of teams trying to take you in the first round of the draft. Xavier Worthy's slender frame is no knock. Defenders cannot interfere with what they cannot touch. He scored a 4.21 score, crying out loud. His play speed is impressive and his route running repertoire is extensive. Fast WRs are usually not very good at the football.
falls
Joe Milton III (QB – TENN)
The University of Tennessee runs a completely gimmicky offensive scheme, and Joe Milton III may have the greatest pitching arm of all time. None of these statements are a complete indictment or endorsement of Milton's future at the NFL level. Milton lacks his eye discipline, footwork and consistent accuracy. He was shaky throughout the on-field drills, with the exception of an effortless 74-yard flick on nine courses that finished with a finger pistol. Milton is a rugged project, but the underlying diamond is perfect.
Bucky Irving (RB – ORE)
There is no rule for RBs under 200 pounds. Many highly successful players have risen above the small box to become All-Pro players. Most of these players were very fast and had athleticism that excited scouts around the league. Bucky Irving is a notable “awesome” player on Oregon State's game tape. He is quick, decisive and has an incredible ability to avoid tackles for his size. He's not that fast, running a 4.55 40. He also isn't very good in pass protection, a trait that could cause him to struggle to earn snaps at the NFL level. This may have been the most shocking precipitous drop in value for a skill player in the 2024 class.
Audric Estim (RB – ND)
Personally, I wasn't upset about Audric Estim's 40 time. He reportedly recorded a time of 4.71 seconds using a sundial. Estim looks ridiculously fast on tape, especially for a guy who played around 235 pounds for the Fighting Irish. He's explosive. His 38-inch vertical jump was one of the best for a RB. Estime is a bruiser with great vision and success in both gap iso and zone running schemes. It has yet to be determined whether the league will deliver the roughly 40 jeers, but the fantasy community is holding its breath and turning blue in the face.
Keon Coleman (WR – FSU)
I love the way Keon Coleman plays. But his straight-line speed has been getting a lot of attention lately after he ran a 4.61 in the 40s. This was the second-worst of all WRs in attendance. A good but not great route runner, Coleman is good at utilizing his size at the catch point and, of course, after the catch. Some of the best WRs in history and today had slow runs at the combine. The result of Coleman's syrupy sprint is not likely to cause panic in the fantasy community. He performed outstandingly in gauntlet training, being clocked at speeds of over 20 miles per hour, displaying his “arrogant hands.” The Seminoles' standout player is one who would definitely receive a discount in the dynasty's rookie draft if draft capital were to drop a bit.
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