5 Rules when Watching the NFL Combine: A Fan’s Guide

Watch Football Players Do Football Things:

This one is simply born from logic. We want to see if these players can actually do what is expected of them on the field, not just predetermined acts. I personally enjoy watching wide receivers run the “gauntlet”. Receivers need to have good hands, and watching them catch passes in rapid succession is a great way to see those hands. How many do they drop? Do they catch with their hands, or let the ball into their body? Any Jets’ fans will tell you that receivers that let the ball into their body (cough, cough, Stephen Hill), are not good. Watch how they catch the ball.

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Watch the quarterbacks when they throw. What is their ball placement like? Are they worried too much about completing the pass in this drill, or are they putting the ball in the proper location? We aren’t looking for 100% completion rates, we need the quarterback to understand where to place the football. What about their mechanics? Are they smooth? Or do they look like Tim Tebow? Sorry Florida fans, I had to.

Watch the footwork of offensive linemen. Watch as defensive backs go back in coverage. How do their hips look when they change direction? Are they smooth, or do they look like they could easily be beaten by a WR’s double move? These are all things we can watch and make judgments about, but won’t show up on results sheets from the Combine.

Pay attention, they are important.

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