Well all the NFL hopefuls who have been invited to the NFL Combine are about to start trying to prove that they are worthy to be taken in this year’s NFL Draft. The Combine has serious ramifications for each players’ future even thought it may not be the be-all, end-all of the scouting process.
Many of the drills are questionable as to translation onto the field of play but each of them does represent another measurable that becomes part of the greater, overall equation. The value of some of the lesser drills is found more in comparison with similar players than in translation to the field. Here are three drills that do translate and that I will be watching closely.
LB’s/DB’s directional/positional drill: The Packers need a linebacker, though it remains to be seen
if the best player available at pick 30 is a linebacker. One drill I love to watch is the LB’s and DB’s in the direction/transition drill. The coach points the ball in a direction and the player goes full out…back, over…flip the hips, comeback, catch the ball.
Guys like Benardrick McKinney could become pretty convincing if, at 6’5″, he can get his hips around and show smooth change of direction that is necessary when a linebacker is required to trail in coverage against a running back or tight end. And Denzel Perryman has a chance to pull 
Packernation into his corner with a strong Combine performance.
Lineman Pass-Pro Kickback drill: While I was very happy with the way the Packers O-line played last season, I will be keeping my eye on offensive linemen, in particular prospective tackles during this year’s Combine. There are a half dozen OT’s that could possibly go in the first round and with that, I expect one surprisingly capable one to still be on the board when the Packers pick. Those linemen tend to get beat up so depth at this position could be the saving grace of at least a game or two next year. We don’t want another Bulaga-replaced-by-Sherrod game…right? I mean, we can’t have Sherrod replace Bulaga any more anyway but…it would be good to have another solid player for the O-line.
Running backs – “L” drill: OK, OK…I can sum up the reason that I will be watching running backs at all in this year’s Combine in two words…Melvin Gordon. Nuff said.
Well, it all starts Friday and we will be keeping you up to date on results. But what are you looking for out of this year’s Combine? Let us know in the comments section below…
Go Pack!