NFL 2020 Scouting Combine Info and Schedule

    The NFL Scouting Combine will be held February 23 – March 2, 2020

The best college football players are invited to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. This year 337 players are scheduled for extensive testing over a week as a critical part of the scouting progress for the NFL Draft. Top NFL Executives, coaching staffs, Player Personnel departments and medical personnel from all 32 NFL teams will be on hand to evaluate the nation’s top college football players eligible for the upcoming NFL Draft. This intense, four-day job interview is an exciting time for the athletes and a vital step in achieving their dreams of playing in the NFL.

The NFL Scouting Combine will shift to prime time this year in Indianapolis during the week.

2020 NFL Scouting Combine On-Field Workout Schedule

QB Tua Tagovailo Commits only to medical and interview processes

   Thursday, Feb 27 – Running Backs, Offensive Linemen, Placekicker and Special Teamers
   Friday, Feb 28 – Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends
   Saturday, Feb 29 – Defensive Linemen, Linebackers
   Sunday, March 1 – Defensive Backs

 With increasing interest in the NFL draft, the scouting combine has grown in scope and significance, allowing personnel directors to evaluate upcoming prospects in a standardized setting. Its origins have evolved from the National, BLESTO and Quadra Scouting organizations in 1977 to the media event it has become today.

The NFL Combine 2020 features the national champion LSU with 16 players followed by Michigan and Ohio St (11) and Georgia and Alabama with 10 players each invited. Teams with 9 players invited are Notre Dame, Utah and Auburn.

On average, there are approximately 100+ NFL Combine players who will go undrafted while on average, 35+ non-invited NFL Combine players are drafted each April.

NFL Combine Invitations – Leading Schools

LSU (16)
Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
K’Lavon Chaisson, LB, LSU
Saahdiq Charles, OL, LSU
Lloyd Cushenberry, OL, LSU
Grant Delpit, DB, LSU
Michael Divinity, LB, LSU
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
Blake Ferguson, LS, LSU
Kristian Fulton, DB, LSU
Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Rashard Lawrence II, DL, LSU
Damien Lewis, OL, LSU
Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU
Jacob Phillips, LB, LSU
Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Stephen Sullivan, TE, LS

Michigan (11)
Ben Bredeson, OL, Michigan
Lavert Hill, DB, Michigan
Khaleke Hudson, LB, Michigan
Sean McKeon, TE, Michigan
Josh Metellus, DB, Michigan
Mike Onwenu, OL, Michigan
Shea Patterson, QB, Michigan
Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan
Cesar Ruiz, OL, Michigan
Jon Runyan, OL, Michigan
Josh Uche, LB, Michigan
 
Ohio State (11)
Damon Arnette, DB, Ohio State
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
Jordan Fuller, DB, Ohio State
DaVon Hamilton, DL, Ohio State
Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State
K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State
Jonah Jackson OL, Ohio State
Austin Mack, WR, Ohio State
Jeff Okudah, DB, Ohio State
Ben Victor, WR, Ohio State
Chase Young, DL, Ohio State
 
Alabama (10)
Shyheim Carter, DB, Alabama
Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama
Trevon Diggs, DB, Alabama
Anfernee Jennings, LB, Alabama
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Terrell Lewis, LB, Alabama
Xavier McKinney, DB, Alabama
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Jedrick Wills, OL, Alabama
 
Georgia (10)
Rodrigo Blankenship, K, Georgia
Lawrence Cager, WR, Georgia
Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
Brian Herrien, RB, Georgia
Solomon Kindley, OL, Georgia
J.R. Reed, DB, Georgia
D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
Andrew Thomas, OL, Georgia
Isaiah Wilson, OL, Georgia
Charlie Woerner, TE, Georgia
 
Athletes attend by invitation only. An athlete’s performance during the NFL Combine can affect their draft status and salary, and their career. The NFL Draft has popularized the term “workout warrior”, whereby an athlete’s ‘draft stock’ is increased based on superior measurable qualities such as size, speed, and strength, despite having an average or sub-par college career.

               * Select players from any Group may arrive one day prior to their scheduled date listed above in order to assist with medical scheduling. This will be based on flight schedules and medical tests only and no players arriving early will have advanced contact with teams.

NFL Scouting Combine 2020 –

The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine is here with the event scheduled to begin Feb. 23-March 2nd. The NFL committee invited 337 draft-eligible players to the annual event in Indianapolis, where they will go through the gauntlet of team and media interviews, physical and medical testing, and more.

The NFL Network channel will televise the NFL Combine 2020 event again for several days will workouts starting Thursday, Feb. 27th

On the NFL Combine list are all of the top prospects in the draft, as well as many players who will inevitably go undrafted. There will be additional players who are selected despite not being invited to Indy. Several top prospects were not invited to this year’s NFL Combine including offensive players, QB Tyler Huntley of Utah, RB Deshawn McClease of Virginia Tech, WR Diondre Overton of Clemson, OG Kevin Dotson of Louisiana-Laf, OG Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms of Missouri, Center Zach Shackleford of Texas. Defenders omitted from NFL Combine lister include OLB Oluwole Betiku of Illinois, DEs Jashon Cornell of Ohio St, Joe Gaziano of Northwestern, and Christian Rector of Southern Cal. Also defenders OLBs Marcel Spears of Iowa State and Jordan Glasgow of Michigan along with safeties Myles Dorn of UNC, Luther Kirk of Illinois St and David Dowell of Michigan St.

They will prep for the next stage of the scouting process at their pro days where they get probably with last chance to impress NFL personnel men.

             NFL Combine Player:     http://www.nfl.com/combine/participants

NFL Calendar 2020

NFL Important  Offseason Dates
Updated  3/3/2020

February
Feb. 27-March 1 – NFL Scouting Combine Player Workouts
Feb. 24-March 2 – NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Feb. 25 First day for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March

March – early – NFL Office announces 32 Compensatory Selections for NFL Draft 2020 from 3rd thru 7th Rounds after NFL Combine

March 10 – Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
March 16-18 – During the period beginning at 12:00 noon, New York time, on March 16 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 18, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2019 Player Contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 18.
During the above two-day negotiating period, a prospective UFA who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor is permitted to communicate directly with a new club’s front office officials (excluding the head coach and other members of the club’s coaching staff) regarding contract negotiations.
No prospective Unrestricted Free Agent is permitted to execute a contract with a new club until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 18.
March 18 – The 2020 League Year and Free Agency period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time.
The first day of the 2020 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 18. Clubs will receive a personnel notice that will include all transactions submitted to the League office during the period between 4:00 p.m., New York time, and 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 18.
Trading period for 2020 begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time, after expiration of all 2019 contracts.
March 29-April 1 Annual League Meeting, Palm Beach, Florida.

April
April 6 – Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2019 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.
April 17 – Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
April 20 – Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
April 22 – Deadline for prior club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents.

April 23-25 – NFL Draft 2020, Las Vegas, Nevada.

May
May 4th – May 4th is the CBA-mandated date by which 5th Year Options must be exercised for 4th year players who were drafted in the 1st round. For the Ravens, this would be the deadline to exercise the 5th Year Option for CB Marlon Humphrey. As they did last year with OT Ronnie Stanley, it’s pretty much a no-brainer that the Ravens will exercise Humphrey’s option.

May 5th – The “May 5th Tender” date. This date, which was moved forward from June 1st a couple of years ago, is essentially the last date that the signing or losing of a free agent will count toward the Compensatory Draft pick calculation. The May 5th Tender – which rarely happens – is a way a team can potentially obtain exclusive negotiating rights with a player later in the summer. It also provides extended Compensatory pick eligibility if the player is tendered a contract of at least 110% of his prior year’s compensation by May 5th. Otherwise, if the player is not given the May 5th Tender, he no longer counts toward the Comp pick formula and the team cannot gain any special negotiating advantage later in the off season. As a practical matter, very few free agents who remain unsigned by May 5th are worth such a tender.

June
June 1st – In past years this was the last day that teams could release a player and have all of the dead money from that release count against the present year’s Salary Cap. If released after June 1st, only the present year’s bonus prorations counts against the Cap in that year and all future bonus prorations would count against the following year’s Cap.

If there is no new CBA agreed to before then, there will be no June 1 Cap relief this year.

July
July 15th – This is the deadline for signing a player who has received the Franchise or Transition tag to a long-term deal. If no long-term deal can be reached by this date, the player must play that year under the 1-year contract provided under the Franchise/Transaction Tender and cannot sign a long-term deal until after the season is over.

Late July – NFL training camps start opening.

Rookie Wide Receiver Deebo Samuel Provides Impact in Big Games
Draft Insiders’ Yearbook Scouting Report – NFL Draft 2019

Rookie receiver Deebo Samuel has been a major difference maker for the 49ers after being taken in Round Two last April, #36 overall.  Frank Coyle of Draft Insiders’ ranked him as the receiver with the best hands and one of premier playmakers in the NFL Draft 2019 class. Samuel was arguably one of the best values in the entire draft class.

Draft Insiders’ Review 2019 – June 2019
49ers Report

With their 2nd round pick, they added WR/RS Deebo Samuel, a quick versatile playmaker with fine production. He was a fine addition and brings skills as both a receiver and returner. He runs fine routes and shows very good run after the catch skills with impact ability especially in the slot with versatility as a returner.

Wide Receiver Class
Draft Insiders’ 2019 Yearbook Scouting Report – March 2019

Deebo Samuel #1 5-11 215 South Carolina – Sp. 4.45
     Player Comparison: Percy Harvin
Fast compact senior wideout/returner has been one of the most dangerous playmakers in the nation over recent seasons. Athletically gifted with deceptively strong frame and good quickness and speed to make plays consistently as a receiver, runner and returner. He got reps as a wideout, slot receiver, third down back and return specialist. When he lines up in the backfield, he ranks as one of the better 3rd down backs in this class. His return skills are amazing and can be an immediate difference maker both on punts and kickoffs. Used in a number of roles where he performs at an elite level. Very instinctive and intelligent receiver and developing quickly in running the entire route tree. Footwork is crisp and allows him to run precise routes and retain his speed well at the break point. Displays a fine burst out of his cuts to create consistent separation. Well-rounded complete athlete who is gaining a nice understanding of multiple positions to provide a very unique weapon for the pro game. Shows the instincts and feel for finding the soft spots in zone coverage and presenting a good target for the passer. Knows when he needs to come back to the throw on digs and hook routes. Always looking to run after the catch with the burst to create immediate space from defenders. Used in a number of ways, including jet sweeps, bubble screens and third down back situations. Very natural and reliable hands to extend and pluck the ball consistently. Knows how to track over the shoulder passes and displays good sideline awareness. He is both quick and fast with the suddenness in small areas to create space. As a receiver, he is a deep threat who can blow the top off a defense. Short strides allow him to cut on a dime and get behind safeties to make big plays. He handles bigger, stronger press corners and rarely is pushed off his routes. Reads coverage well and knows how to find soft spots. Needs to prove he can hold up physically working over the middle when taking a big hit. Good effort as a blocker. Dangerous as a punt returner where his short area suddenness, long speed, elusiveness and strength allow him to be dangerous every time he touches the ball. Natural runner and good at setting up blocks with the vision and awareness of a scatback to cut back against the grain. Can eat up the corner’s cushion quickly and come out of his breaks with sharp cuts and retain his top end speed to separate. Good cutting skills to change directions and maintain speed. As a runner, he has the ability to take the simple slip screen for huge gains, combining acceleration with the separation speed to run away. Athlete with highly-developed overall skill set and should be capable of contributing as rookie and playing key roles at a high level.
The Numbers: As a senior, he started each game and totaled 62 receptions for 882 yards, a 14.2 yard average and 11 TDs. Earned first team SEC honors. As a junior, he missed the season after a knee injury in the third game. Started 3 games and caught 15 passes for 250 yards, a 16.7 yard average and 3 TDs. Over his career, he had 148 receptions for 2076 yards, 16 TDs and an average of 14 yards per catch. Rushed for 154 yards on 25 carries and 7 TDs. Excellent returner and ranks with best prospects as a specialist. At the NFL Combine, he checked in at 5’11” and 214 lbs. and did 15 reps. Ran a good 4.48 time with a 39” VL and a 10’2” BJ. Added a 4.14 shuttle and 7.03 three cone. Fine positional and agility drills. Similar to NFL playmakers Percy Harvin and Randall Cobb in size, speed, running style and versatility.
The Skinny: Talented versatile playmaker with impact ability in a few roles. Developed receiving skills and best suited for the slot or 3rd down role in backfield. Top return skills and a difference maker for field position. Playmaking ability should earn him early slot time. Well-rounded athlete with speed and natural running skills with game changing ability. Game changer and marginal top 40 athlete with the talent to give an offense a boost and difference maker early.
Draft Projection: 2nd Round

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years. He was a 20 year Scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl.