NFL Scouting Combine 2020: 10 Players to Watch in Indianapolis
Some of college football's best prospects will be in Indianapolis this week when the NFL Scouting Combine gets underway.
While the more than 300 players will arrive in Indianapolis today, on-field workouts will not start until February 27, when quarterbacks, tight ends, and wide receivers take the field.
Kickers, special teams, offensive linemen, and running backs will start on Friday, with defensive linemen and linebackers taking the field on Saturday and defensive backs completing the frame on Sunday.
The NFL draft is scheduled for April 23 - 25 in Las Vegas.
Newsweek has picked out some of the players to keep an eye on at the combine.
Joe Burrow—QB, LSU
Burrow took college football by storm last season, becoming the first player in SEC history to throw for at least 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns in the same season and setting a new school and conference record with 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns. Burrow brought LSU a perfect 15-0 season and the national title, adding the Heisman Trophy—which he won by a landslide—to his personal trophy cabinet. A first overall pick-in-waiting, expect the quarterback to capture the lion's share of attention in Indianapolis.
Chase Young—DE, Ohio State
The Ohio State edge-rusher is widely expected to be selected by the Washington Redskins with the second overall pick. Young finished last season with 46 tackles, six forced fumbles, and led college football with 16.5 sacks, despite missing two games due to an eligibility issue. Technically advanced for his age, Young's physical prowess could make him an instant shoo in for the NFL.
J.K. Dobbins—RB, Ohio State
A key component of Ohio State's high-octane offense, the junior running back proved the perfect foil for Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields. Dobbins finished with 2,003 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns—both figures making him jointly the third best in college football—and will be a closely-monitored at the combine.
Justin Herbert—QB, Oregon
The Ducks signal-caller finished the season with 3,471 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and six interceptions. His height and strong arm made him one of the best quarterbacks in the FBS and a really intriguing prospect ahead of the draft. With Tua Tagovailoa not taking part in on-field drills, a lot of attention will focus on the Oregon quarterback.
Isaiah Simmons—LB, Clemson
The recipient of the 2019 Butkus Award, Simmons racked up 67 tackles, seven sacks, and three interceptions this year. A crucial cog in Clemson's defense since making his debut as a safety in 2017 and then switching to cornerback a year later, the junior will be a highly-sought player in the NFL draft.
K'Lavon Chaisson—DE, LSU
A starter during his two years at LSU, Chaisson's athleticism caught the eye of scouts and he figured heavily in defensive coordinator Dave Aranda's plans. He finished the season with 34 solo tackles, 6.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. He received the Tigers' coveted No. 18 jersey ahead of last season, which is presented to a player who "does all the right things."
D'Andre Swift—RB, Georgia
Considered a potential Heisman winner at the beginning of the season, Swift was overshadowed by J.K. Dobbins and Clyde Edwards-Helaire as the most exciting running back in college football. Nevertheless, the junior had a solid season, finishing with 1,218 rushing yards and seven touchdowns at an average of 6.2 yards per carry.
Tristan Wirfs—OT, Iowa
Wirfs has been a rock-solid option for the Hawkeyes during his three years in Iowa and was named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2019. His versatility makes him at ease at both left and right tackle, a trait that will not be lost on NFL teams looking to beef up their offensive lines in the draft in April.
Brandon Aiyuk—WR, Arizona State
Aiyuk finished his senior season with the Sun Devils with 1,192 receiving yards and eight touchdowns over 65 receptions. Touted as a potential first-round pick, the wide receiver missed out on the Senior Bowl after a hip injury. The issue has since been resolved and he'll be looking to impress teams and scouts at the combine.
Derrick Brown—DT, Auburn
"Derrick does things that only the best of the best of the best can do," Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele said of Brown. The praise is well-justified, as Brown was a starter during his three years at Auburn, during which he displayed great athleticism and versatility both as a run defender and pass rusher.
