Quote:
Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud
I disagree.
Not only do teams get to measure each player accurately in terms of height, weight, vision and health, they're also allowed to spend time with these players, which is extremely valuable in determining who's a fit for the lockerroom while eliminating guys that aren't a fit.
Also, the 40 time is extremely important, especially for guys that played in weak conference or FCS schools, which is why we see guys rise up the draft board every single year.
Sure, they can make some evaluations on Pro Days but the most important aspect of The Combine is the level playing field. No one player has an advantage over another like they would at Pro Days, where guys are in a familiar environment. The on field drills are also important, especially for Wide Receivers, because they're all being tested by the same guy throwing the ball, as well as doing it on the same exact field.
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You spoke to exactly what I stated.
1) I mentioned medical evaluation as the critical component of the combine.
2) Interviews are still happening, they just are happening via Zoom/WebEx and the like, so that component doesn't get erased.
3) Only a handful of players rise up boards due to running well in underwear. It's not that critical. Are teams going to somehow miss out on the next great player in the NFL because a guy couldn't run at a combine? Doubtful.
4) Your argument that 40-time is important doesn't hold up against what is said by a lot of people in the field. It's one of the least important tests at the combine. That and the bench press. Teams are more concerned with agility drills and jumps to show change of direction and explosive power. The 40 generally proves a guy is fast or slow, and not that they are marginally faster or slower than thought.
When you do get those surprises, the handful a year where you thought they were a 4.5 guy and they are a 4.3 guy, then you have to go back to the tape. That said, if a guy looks 4.5 on tape and runs a 4.3, then you have to question his mental processing speed as the issue of why he plays slower than he times.
5) Drills are not case critical either. While they serve as an additional verification tool, you still have done the primary evaluation. The primary evaluation is always done by the scouts 1st and re-watching tape 2nd. I'd argue in your favor for players that were injured. The drills walk hand-in-hand with medicals for players coming back from injury. I'd sure want to see how Walker Little moves at this point, for example. Not that I still wouldn't draft him, but it might mean a difference in 2-3 rounds.