NFL Update!
Hello everyone now with the NFL playoffs in our rear view mirror we can now focus on the NFL combine and NFL draft! The NFL combine starts today with player meetings and interviews.
The combine gives college football players with dreams of playing in the NFL a chance to show their skills to all the NFL coaches and general managers. Depending on what position a player plays will determine what kind of drills they will compete in.
For quarterbacks they will need to show that they can make all the NFL throws and be very accurate at the same time. But most importantly for quarterbacks they need to excel in the player coach meetings. Which means that they have can read defenses, handle the pressure of the NFL, and show that they will be leaders of their football teams. Since having a franchise quarterback is the most important thing in the NFL football teams take the most care when evaluating quarterbacks.
For the skill position players on offense they have to focus on the 40 yard dash, their vertical leap, the shuttle drill showing lateral quickness, and running routes and hands drills. This shows how wide receivers can run routs to get open, catch the ball in traffic by leaping and using their hands and not trapping that ball against their chest. For running backs its shows their ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. For both it shows their straight-line speed and quickness that would allow them to make plays in the open field. The receivers and running backs also have to do bench press to show their strength and will to fight after contact.
For all defensive players the forty yard dash, bench press, shuttle drill, and other position specific drills are very important for players to do well if they want to be drafted high. For example for defensive backs and safeties have to run well in the forty yard dash, show ball skills when the ball is in the air, and show their quickness in being able to move their feet so they can stay with elite NFL receivers. Additionally safeties have to show they can help against the run and blitz the passer. Also since safeties are relied on to help against the run they need to show physicality and be able to bench press 25o pounds at least 25 times.
For defensive linemen and linebackers the bench press and shuttle is most important. The reason defensive linemen have to be strong against the run and quick off the line to get to the passer. Linebackers have to show they can play the pass be being fast enough to cover running backs and tight ends, and then physical enough to rush the pass and play the run.
Offensive linemen have to be able to show quick feet to get off the ball to black elite defensive ends, good hand technique to keep the defensive ends at bay, and enormous strength on the bench press.
The week of the NFL combine is very exciting because it is an amazing showcase of freakish physical talent. The combine provides some bases along with college film of players for teams to select them in the draft. Since the NFL draft is the most important way for teams to become better by drafting new talent, it makes the combine essential for teams to make the right evaluations so they can make their teams better i