❚ What we learned at the combine,
INDIANAPOLIS – The things we learned from the NFL scouting combine, which showcased top NFL draft prospects through March 4. 1. Let’s talk about No. 1 here and just concede that Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray won the week by simply measuring in at 5-10 and 207 pounds. Those dimensions almost certainly cemented him as a top-five pick, but buzz is building that the Heisman Trophy winner will make it consecutive Sooners passers taken at the top after Baker Mayfield in 2018.
2. Does that make the combine’s loser Josh Rosen, Arizona’s first-round pick a year ago? Suffice it to say the trade rumors around him are building, and Cardinals general manager Steve Keim opted not to throw water on them, saying, “Is Josh Rosen our quarterback? Yeah. He is right now, for sure.” All right then.
3. Though he’s almost certainly in no position to get Murray with the 10th pick, Broncos GM John Elway — up to now, he’s favored small-forward-sized options like Joe Flacco, Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch — did sound as if he’d have pause about taking a vertically challenged passer because he thinks the run game operates much better when the quarterback typically is under center. Elway suggested the short guys do best in shotgun, which allows them to see the field better.
4. The consensus seems to be that linemen (defensive and offensive) and tight ends are the deepest position groups in this draft.
5. We saw why to some degree March 3 watching the blazing 40yard times turned in by Michigan DE Rashan Gary (4.58) and Mississippi State’s Montez Sweat, whose 4.41 speed established a modern combine record for defensive linemen.
6. Quarterbacks will forever be most prized in the NFL, but it seems increasingly that D-linemen — especially those who man the interior — are atop the next tier of any GM’s wish list. Being able to pressure a passer from a direct path up the middle is becoming the best way to disrupt them while most effectively counteracting quick, short-area throws.
7. However it’s also interesting to note how position specificity, particularly on defense, is becoming less important. You have to be able to defend the pass or affect the pocket to play in this league, and 4-3 vs. 3-4 distinctions or slot, corner, safety designations are becoming outdated.
8. Almost every NFL coach or GM who spoke at the combine was asked about acquiring Antonio Brown. Almost nobody wanted to talk about it, though Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said “interest has grown” as he tries to accommodate the disgruntled star’s desire to be traded and claimed he’d even be willing to send AB to an AFC North rival if Pittsburgh’s price was met.
9. Raiders coach Jon Gruden was asked what he looks for in pass rushers. He responded: “Production,” the ability to win one-on-one matchups, line up anywhere and defend the run, among other attributes. (Insert scratching chin emoji.)
10. Mike Mayock, Gruden’s new counterpart as Oakland’s GM, seemed like a kid in a candy store, armed with three firstround picks in his new role after 14 years of analyzing the draft so well for NFL Network. And it sounds as if Mayock, who loves to give people a hard time with a sly grin, is enjoying being hazed by Gruden: “I’ve known Gruden for a couple of years, but you walk in at 5:30 in the morning and he looks at you like, ‘Why are you late? I’ve been here an hour.’ It’s been awesome.”
11. Speaking of Mayock and smack talk, his shoes aren’t that big. Daniel Jeremiah has been fabulous following his promotion to Mayock’s chair as NFL Network’s primary draft guru.
12. As for Odell Beckham Jr. trade rumors, Giants GM Dave Gettleman was quick to stick a pin in them: “We didn’t sign Odell to trade him. That’s all I need to say about that.”
13. Eli Manning’s iffy status doesn’t mean the Giants will be taking Vanderbilt QB Kyle Shurmur sixth overall, but it’s pretty cool that Pat Shurmur got to attend a combine as a head coach in which his son participated in as a prospect.
14. How ’bout dem Hawkeyes? Not only is it a virtual lock that Iowa’s T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant will be the first teammate tight ends both picked in the first round since the common draft began in 1967, they might very well both be top-20 selections.
15. Franchise tags are always a popular topic at the combine (March 5 was the deadline to use them), and the Eagles made news by announcing they won’t tag QB Nick Foles, with GM Howie Roseman claiming the Super Bowl LII MVP “deserves the opportunity to lead a team.” Probably true and also a good sound bite, but the reality is a tag-and-trade of Foles was going to be really complicated from a cap perspective and Philadelphia was probably never going to get much more than the 2020 third-round compensatory draft pick it now seems likely to net from Foles’ looming departure. 16. Seattle coach Pete Carroll was among many asked about his current views on instant replay in wake of the Saints’ controversial loss in the NFC Championship Game. Said Carroll, “I’d like to just keep griping about it, like we always do.”
17. It’s almost time to officially give the Legion of Boom “R.I.P.” status after Carroll said of FS Earl Thomas’ impending free agency, it’s “a great opportunity for Earl.”
18. Given his success in New Orleans as a quarterback/receiver/tight end/special teamer, it seems everyone is looking for their own Taysom Hill.
19. Every NFL decision-maker seems excited about the new Alliance of American Football ... provided the extra piles of game film they will be assessing will provide personnel fixes to their own teams.
20. A lot of talk the last few months about Houston DT Ed Oliver’s sideline confrontation with former head coach Major Applewhite. But Oliver is a delightful guy in person, telling reporters he almost didn’t get a chance to try to become Aaron Donald 2.0 after his horse Oreo “tried to kill me.”
21. So great having Bruce Arians back on an NFL sideline. When the new Buccaneers coach was asked who would back up QB Jameis Winston in 2019, he offered a signature response: “Hopefully (the backup) never plays. Tom Moore had the best saying ever when he was here in Indy with Peyton (Manning). Somebody asked him ‘Why doesn’t the number two guy get any reps?’ and he said, ‘It would be (crappy), and we don’t coach (crappy).’ ” Oh, Bruce. Welcome back. 22. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer’s idea of romantic? Listening to new offensive hire Gary Kubiak talk about Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh’s offense. Try to contain yourselves, ladies.
23. Welp ... the Cowboys no longer need to consider selecting a tight end in the first round. But given how deep and talented this draft’s group is, Dallas definitely has a golden opportunity to get prodigal son Jason Witten’s successor this year.
24. Another note on the Cowthe boys: Jason Garrett’s supportive tone for DE Randy Gregory, who’s been suspended for substance abuse violations again, was striking given how the coach immediately shut down questions about pending free agent DL David Irving, who’s also indefinitely suspended for ongoing substance abuse issues.
25. Buffalo QB Tyree Jackson made noise by running a 4.59 40 March 2, remarkable given his 6-7, 249-pound frame. But Jeremiah issued two words of caution to USA TODAY: “Logan Thomas.”
26. With Murray opting not to work out, Mississippi’s D.K. Metcalf was the on-field star at Lucas Oil Stadium, blazing a 4.33 40 and posting a 401⁄2-inch vertical jump. He seems like the clubhouse leader to be the first receiver drafted.
27. Meanwhile, highly regarded Clemson DT Christian Wilkins is also going to have options after football. He already has his master’s degree but is looking ahead to a possible TV job when he’s done playing, saying he needs to “use this million-dollar smile I’ve been told I got.”
28. If you were hoping for clarity on Todd Gurley’s health, Rams coach Sean McVay continues to maintain his star back wasn’t dealing with anything more than wear and tear and McVay’s criticism of his own play calling during the playoffs, so ...
29. Getting straight answers at the combine has historically been an issue given it occurs before transactions can officially be processed ahead of the NFL’s new league year, which begins March 13. As such, Ravens GM Eric DeCosta wouldn’t admit he’s dealing Flacco to Denver. Said DeCosta: “We haven’t made any decisions yet.” LOL.
30. Most any resident or visitor to Indianapolis will recommend eating at St. Elmo Steak House and understandably so. But consider CharBlue while you’re in town, too. Founded by former Colts LB Gary Brackett, it’s some good eating.