NFL Scouting | Pre-Combine Report 2022

By
Derek Fuchs
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With the 2022 NFL Combine starting this week, The Undroppables staff wanted to send out some information on what to look for from the incoming draft class. Follow our rookie/devy experts Kyle, Jake, and Tommy and also our analytics guru Blake for plenty of information on these rookie prospects. These prospects have already been hard at work grinding the tape and running the numbers on these rookies. And the results of the NFL Combine testing will add more data to their grades and models. Despite what some may think, the Combine is important, but not just because of the testing numbers but because of the medical evaluations, interviews, and media discussions. It all gets put into the evaluation pot in order to find the best guys for the NFL, and thus, the best guys for your fantasy teams.

Importance of the NFL Combine

There has been a lot of talk over the past couple of years on the importance of the NFL Combine for a draft prospect. The recent withdrawal from the Rams staff from attending again has added some legitimacy to the “Tape > Times” crowd. Most analysts have found that the measurements and recorded drills have little effect on the draft prospects’ careers, but analysts are not the ones making the decisions on where they get drafted. Still, the debate over which tests “truly matter” wages on in the Twitterverse.

NFL organizations and their scouting departments are spending months going through the tape but use the combine to validate their concerns on specific prospects, get to interview them, and have in-depth medical evaluations. Of course, we know other factors weigh heavier when evaluating prospects for fantasy, but this is still an essential piece of the process for everyone to take a look at. Having everyone together in one controlled environment is supposed to provide standardized results across the board. That’s one of the major benefits of the Combine.

Yet, players continue to sit out of certain tests only to test later during their Pro Day in their own controlled environment where the conditions are familiar. Some players won’t even throw or catch at the Combine so they can showcase that talent with receivers they’re familiar with. And as our own Kyle Larson examined last month, some players don’t even get invited to the Combine who have a legitimate shot to make the league. Granted the percentage of Combine snubs that go on to become fantasy relevant is very small (10% at most for any position) and a lot lower than the percentage of undrafted free agents that make the NFL (~30%). But it shows there are always outliers and multiple ways to make the league. The Combine matters, but isn’t everything.

Prospect Measurements

Thanks to the Senior Bowl, we already got some measurements for incoming running backs for this draft, i.e., Brian Robinson and Dameon Pierce. Significant factors in determining the success of RBs have been their size (height and weight) combinations. With the underclassman in the group, we will pay attention to measurements for players like Kenneth Walker III, Isaiah Spiller, and Breece Hall.

As for the other positions, this will confirm our specific “fears” with players. For example, quarterback hand sizes have always been a topic for scouts and analysts. In addition, there are concerns with shorter wide receivers and their actual heights this year, especially with Wan’Dale Robinson.

Look to see how these come out, and we will come back with a Post-Combine article if any of their measurements come back as a concern.

Malik Willis – Liberty QB

As the offseason has progressed, the clear-cut top quarterback prospect has become cloudier than more recent drafts. However, at the Senior Bowl, Malik showcased his skills and displayed some great throws and mobility. His film showed that he could make the big throw and the running ability of a Jalen Hurts, so look for him to try and cement himself as the top QB prospect at the combine this week.

Drake London – USC WR

via GIPHY

Considered one of, if not the top, wide receiver this draft class, there are still concerns about him and his health. We know his talent is still winning Pac-12’s Offensive Player of the Year even though he broke his ankle halfway through the season. While he is drawing comps to Mike Evans for his size and catching ability, the only concern would be to see if his ankle is fully healed and how he looks running and performing after it.

Isaiah Spiller – Texas A&M  RB

The youngest RB in the draft class, this pass-catching RB has an early breakout and a tremendous 3-year collegiate career to showcase his abilities. He could easily be the first RB taken in the draft, with Breece Hall being his primary competition for that claim. One way for Spiller to help his case would be to run a fast 40-yard time than expected. There are concerns about his top-end speed, and he could quiet them with a good time.

Trey McBride – Colorado State TE

He is probably the best tight-end prospect in this draft class; he definitely can start to move his stock up in the draft if he can improve or show his athleticism. The biggest knock he has is that he can be stiff and hasn’t shown to be the best athlete either. However, he has a good frame and shows he can block, so he has a chance to be an every-down TE; he needs to show that he is athletic enough.

Conclusion

We are entering the start of the next NFL season with a fresh new crop of rookie prospects to hopefully add to our favorite NFL teams and more importantly, to our dynasty rosters through Rookie Drafts. With initial talks starting two years ago about how underwhelming this draft class will be compared to other years (look out 2023) the strategy became finding the diamonds in the rough. But after our initial team review of the top 2022 NFL Draft prospects, you’re going to be happy that you held on to those First and Second Round 2022 dynasty rookie picks. Follow The Undroppables as they continue to evaluate these prospects through the draft and into training camp. Check our Rookie Rankings frequently as we update them throughout the offseason to get you ready for next season.

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