How Good Is the NFL Combine as a Predictor of Future Success?

The Combine has come and gone, making and destroying many fortunes. The results further confirmed my suspicion that this year’s draft crop is weaker than last year’s, as very few top prospects came through without some blemish on their reputation.

And what’s with all the hamstring injuries at the combine?

Is it that too many prospects didn’t stay in shape after the season? Probably not. Or is it the surface they run on in Indianapolis?

That is my top suspect. Either that, or it’s just random bad luck.

I am rather skeptical of the combine’s usefulness in determining who is NFL-ready. It always produces some workout warriors whose skills don’t translate too well to real game play.

Conversely, it makes a lot of great game players look like less than they are. However, last year’s results undermine my cynicism here, as several of the combine’s stars, including Joe Flacco, Chris Johnson, Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, Eddie Royal, Dustin Keller and Jake Long, all flourished in their rookie year.

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