NFL Combine 2016: What to Watch For on Day 1

The 2016 ​NFL Scouting ​Combine commences Wednesday, marking the first major event of the offseason​. Front-office members, coaches and scouts ​will have a chance to interact with draft prospects and agents. What takes place inside of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis could lead to massive changes for your favorite team as the offseason progresses.

Drills will be ongoing from February 24​-​29 ​while participants look to increase their ​value to NFL franchises. Live coverage will ​start Friday on NFL Network and NFL.com. We’ll have the chance to see top prospects running 40-yard dashes and​ completing​ position-specific tasks throughout the event.

We’ve got you covered for Day 1​ ​in Indianapolis and ​every action-packed day ​that follows. Each day​,​ we’ll preview the events, so make sure you return to get the latest information.

Schedule of events courtesy of NFL.com.

Overview

STEVEN CANNON/Associated Press

Before digging into what Day 1 will entail for teams and players, we need to provide context regarding what exactly the NFL Scouting Combine is.

Over 300 participants were invited to attend the massive event. Teams gather in-depth information that ranges from medical reports and interviews to personality tests and physical drills. Some of the most important findings never see the public eye, as confidential medical reports and interviews are conducted.

The combine is a calculated risk for prospects. NFL teams have almost limitless access to players who attend, so it’s important for each participant to be prepared to answer the wide assortment of questions that may arise. Those who knock the process out of the park can endear themselves to coaching staffs and scouts.

Day 1 of the combine features media interviews with running backs, special teamers and offensive linemen. The NFL is desperately lacking talent at offensive line, as the number of impact pass-rushers continues to rise. Given the emphasis on protecting the quarterback, expect this first day to be heavily scrutinized.

Early Arrivals

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

​The first day of the combine marks the arrival of running backs, offensive linemen, kickers and punters. While the latter positions aren’t jam-packed with household names, plenty of top-100 players will be on display in this group. Everyone from draft hopefuls to first-round locks needs​ to stay sharp throughout this process.

Here is a quick look at what the week will look like for these prospects, per the official combine website:

• Day 1: registration, hospital pre-exams and X-rays, orientation and interviews
• Day 2: measurements, more medical examinations, media interviews and team interviews
• Day 3: NFLPA meeting, psychological testing, bench press, special teams drills and yet more interviews
• Day 4: a full day of on-field workouts and then departure from Indianapolis

It’ll be a busy week filled with action for participants. As soon as the players hop off their respective planes, they must register and then start the evaluation process. Staying fresh mentally and physically will be a major challenge in and of itself.

Three days of interviews and measurements can separate some of the weak from the pack. Watch for the players who lag behind as the week progresses. Those who trained hard and were well-coached should stand out as top performers.

Wednesday Interviews

Rick Bowmer/Associated Press

Players will interview with teams over the course of three days in addition to the time media members are afforded to prod. Every team has 60 interview slots that can take 15 minutes each. With 32 teams given that amount of time, a total of 1,920 interviews that encompass 480 hours will take place.

These questions aren’t like the ones we’d hear at an interview in our non-NFL world. According to Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News, the behind-the-scenes questions are powerful but can seem irrelevant. Examples include which fast-food restaurant a player prefers and whether a pillow or blanket is more comfortable.

The ability to handle such odd questions with composure and poise is something NFL teams desire. High-pressure scenarios can reveal a person’s true character, and going off script can help turn up the heat.

One of the prospects with questions to answer is top left tackle Laremy Tunsil. The athletic yet dominant tackle was arrested on domestic violence charges that were later dropped, and he also had eligibility issues in 2015. He is supremely talented on the field, but teams need to figure out what exactly led to these issues.

Character will continue to be important for franchises given all of the off-field incidents that have occurred in recent years. Highly talented players might get more slack than fringe roster players. Having character issues and borderline NFL talent is a recipe for a bad combine performance.

Medical Testing

Danny Moloshok/Associated Press

If you’re wondering why your favorite prospect takes a tumble come draft time, it could be related to an injury. NFL teams swarm over medical tests as they try to mitigate their chances of acquiring a player with a broken-down body or significant health defect. After signing rookie tackle Garrett Scott to a contract in 2014, the Seattle Seahawks waived him shortly thereafter, as their doctors discovered that he had an "irregularity" in his heart, per Jack Bogaczyk of HerdZone.com.

This 2016 group has two players whose examinations will be especially scrutinized because they’re coming off significant injuries. USC center Max Tuerk tore his ACL on October 8, prematurely ending his collegiate career. The long and athletic blocker has experience playing multiple positions along the line. If he’s healthy, he will be a valuable commodity.

Another injured lineman is Boise State guard Rees Odhiambo. The 6’4”, 305-pound senior broke his ankle on October 24. While that likely won't threaten his career, a strong athletic performance this week could be huge for his stock. He has mid-round potential as a zone-blocking fit.

Specialists like kickers and punters rely heavily on their lower bodies to be productive. Teams interested in upgrading either position should thoroughly check for strained ligaments or pulled muscles before each player participates in the week ahead. Having to shut down a combine due to a pre-existing injury would be unfortunate but best for a player's long-term health.

Who to Watch

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Since we won’t be able to watch the interviews or medical tests, we can’t say who the guys to literally watch are. But we can identify the individuals who will be closely scrutinized behind closed doors. Some must answer questions about play style, fit in the NFL and mental aptitude with situational football.

Notre Dame left tackle Ronnie Stanley is an excellent pass-protector and a top prospect at the position. He plays with a finesse style that could make teams wary of his projection, as recent top tackles with the same style have struggled early on. Teams must ask why he doesn’t play with a mean streak and whether that’s something he can improve.

Ohio State tackle Taylor Decker may have to answer questions about his fit in the NFL. While he can be a solid left tackle, his road-grading style may endear him as a right tackle or even a guard to certain teams. His willingness to be versatile could be attractive to teams in the top 20.

One of the head-scratching early entrants to the draft is UCLA tackle Caleb Benenoch. CBS Sports projects the 6’5”, 305-pound junior to be a late-round selection. He is a raw athlete who may be years away from contributing. Teams will grill him about whether he is willing to work hard and improve.

If you start to hear talk about stocks dropping, that may stem from leaked medical reports. Teams may be politicking a little by spreading false information, too. Take everything with a grain of salt and consider who could gain from every bit of information that finds its way out.

All stats used are from Sports-Reference.com.

Ian Wharton is an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.

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