NFL Scouting Combine 2020: Dates, Time, How to Watch Online, Participants and Drills Explained
One of the most anticipated events of the National Football League offseason, the NFL Scouting Combine, begins Sunday. While on-field workouts do not begin until Thursday, the more than 300 prospects invited to the combine by the NFL will start arriving in Indianapolis this weekend.
Starting Monday, some of the top college football players will have four days to showcase their skills to scouts and executives from the 32 NFL franchises who attend the event.
Here is all you need to know about the NFL Scouting Combine.
When is the NFL Scouting Combine?
The combine officially starts Sunday, February 23. On-field workouts begin at 4 p.m. EST on Thursday and run until 7 p.m. EST on Sunday.
Where is the NFL Scouting Combine?
As has been the case since 1987, the NFL Scouting Combine takes place in Indianapolis. Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, will again host the event as it has each year since 2008.
NFL Scouting Combine schedule (All times EST)
Thursday, February 27
- Tight ends, quarterbacks, wide receivers—4 - 11 p.m.
Friday, February 28
- Kickers, special teams, offensive linemen, and running backs—4 - 11 p.m.
Saturday, February 29
- Defensive linemen and linebackers—4 - 11 p.m.
Sunday, March 1
- Defensive backs—2 - 7 p.m.
NFL Scouting Combine coverage
All four days of on-field workouts will be broadcast live by NFL Network, with a live stream also available online through the broadcaster's digital platforms.
Which players are attending?
According to a list released by the NFL earlier this month, 337 prospects have been invited to Indianapolis.
Per the NFL Scouting Combine rulebook, the league works with the 32 franchises to draw up a list aimed at including every player who will be drafted in the upcoming NFL draft. Each of the suggestions the NFL and the teams make are then reviewed and voted on by the Player Selection Committee.
First-overall pick in waiting Joe Burrow will attend with his Alabama counterpart Tua Tagovailoa, Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm, and Oregon signal caller Justin Herbert. Tagovailoa, however, will not take part in the on-field drills as he recovers from hip surgery.
Among running backs, Ohio State J.K. Dobbins, LSU's Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Georgia's D'Andre Swift will likely take the lion's share of the spotlight.
Heisman Trophy finalist and Ohio State defensive end Chase Young is the standout defensive lineman in attendance and Clemson's Isaiah Simmons will be one of the best linebackers in action in Indianapolis.
What does the NFL Scouting Combine involve?
The combine features a series of on-field tests including the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, 60-yard shuttle, a three-cone drill, and bench press.
Off-field evaluations include interviews with the teams and the Wonderlic test, a 50-question intelligence and problem-solving test. Both the on-field workouts and the theory tests have long been criticized for being outdated methods to evaluate players, but remain staples of the combine.
