What we learned from the NFL scouting combine
The NFL's version of "Groundhog Day" – the scouting combine – is complete, as more than 300 draft prospects went through workouts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The top six projected first-round picks from Paste BN Sports' pre-combine mock draft opted not to work out this weekend, and will show off their football skills at their respective pro days (🥱). This provided an opportunity for those who actually competed to impress NFL teams at the combine.
Which prospects caught our eye? Glad you asked!
Post-combine 2024 NFL draft Hype Bunny™ rankings:
- Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas: Set the record in the 40, which was the story of this year's combine. Might have sprinted into the first round, too.
- J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan: Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jaylen Daniels opted not to throw, only making McCarthy – who did spin it in Indy – look even better.
- Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo: Built on big Senior Bowl week with impressive combine performance. Probably now a top-half of the first-round pick, so update those mocks accordingly.
- Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville: Ran fastest 40 among RBs, had top vertical and second-best broad jumps for position, likely significantly boosted draft stock.
- Joe Milton, QB, Tennessee: Went viral for having a hose. Probably threw a ball at the combine that hasn't landed yet.
Honorable mention:
- Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin: Mulletted lineman will move up draft boards after impressive combine.
- Frank Crum, OT, Wyoming: Like Bortlolini, ran a sub-5.0 40 while sporting epic hair.
Paste BN Sports experts have their takeaways from this year's combine and what this weekend's event might mean for the upcoming NFL draft:
➤ What we learned from the NFL scouting combine
➤ NFL scouting combine winners and losers
➤ Updated mock draft: How did the combine impact our latest first-round projection?
What's next? Free agency!
The NFL's version of March Madness is just around the corner!
At 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13, the new league year begins and also when the free-agency signing period begins. However, despite the start of the new league year officially marking the free agency signing period, teams also have another tool to enter negotiations with prospective free agents, commonly known as the "legal tampering period." The "legal tampering period" begins at noon ET on Monday, March 11, and teams are allowed to contact agents of prospective unrestricted free agents. This is when the reports will fly about teams signing to-be free agents.
Who are the top free agents? Here's a small sampling …
- Chris Jones, DT, Kansas City Chiefs
- Josh Allen, OLB, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
- Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings
- Brian Burns, DE/OLB, Carolina Panthers
➤ Ranking the top 25 free agents
If you enjoy reading 4th & Monday 📰, encourage your football fan friends to subscribe 📱. Follow the justifiably jocular writer of this newsletter on Threads @jimreineking 🧵.
🏈🏈🏈