Biggest Non-Draft Storylines to Watch at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine
The NFL Scouting Combine is essentially a professional football convention.
Hundreds of coaches, scouts and executives converge on Indianapolis to assess hundreds of NFL draft prospects. Since all of those folks are in the same place at the same time, far more goes down during the combine than just draft prep.
With the 2018 combine set to get underway next week—it runs Feb. 27 through Mar. 5—here's a breakdown of the top non-draft storylines that could or should emerge in Indy.
Franchise Tag Watch for Le'Veon Bell, Kirk Cousins and Others
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The combine wraps up about 24 hours before the deadline for teams to designate franchise or transition players, which means teams may hand out tags throughout the proceedings. For instance, teams tagged seven players during last year's combine.
This year, all eyes are on several high-profile impending free agents.
The top name on the list of potential tag recipients is Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell, who is coming off an All-Pro season under the tag in 2017. Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum and Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson are also prime candidates, while Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry already has been tagged.
The Washington Redskins also could decide to tag quarterback Kirk Cousins despite trading for veteran signal-caller Alex Smith. Earlier this month, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Skins were considering tagging Cousins "so they can trade him and recoup some of the compensation they are sending to Kansas City" for Smith.
Regardless of whether teams tag players during the combine or on the day after it ends, there'll be plenty of tag-related buzz coming out of Indy.
Another Chiefs Trade?
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While it won't be official until the start of the new league year on March 14, the Kansas City Chiefs agreed in late January to send Smith to the Redskins in exchange for cornerback Kendall Fuller and a third-round pick, according to Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star. Kansas City also signed veteran cornerback David Amerson in mid-February, which could mean star corner Marcus Peters is available for the right price.
"Continue to hear chatter that Marcus Peters may not be long for KC," Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports tweeted Monday. "Figure that intensifies next week at the combine."
Several other high-profile players—including Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, Denver Broncos corner Aqib Talib and Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor—would make sense as potential trade targets. Considering we heard at the 2017 combine that Cousins could wind up with the Dallas Cowboys, we're sure to catch wind of plenty of realistic and unrealistic trade talk in Indy.
Which Impending Free Agents Will Gain Momentum?
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Throw agents, general managers and reporters in the same saucepan and you're going to wind up with some juice pertaining to players who are on the verge of hitting the open market. During the combine, we'll get a better feel for which impending unrestricted free agents are in line for the biggest paydays, and several lower-tier stocks should rise.
It bears watching how much buzz Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron generates, as he just found out he'd become an unrestricted free agent after an arbitrator ruled in his favor last week. McCarron's agent undoubtedly will be hard at work.
What other free-agents-to-be could make some money without doing anything in Indy? Keep an eye for news on Carolina Panthers guard Andrew Norwell, Seahawks receiver Paul Richardson, Philadelphia Eagles tight end Trey Burton, Indianapolis Colts corner Rashaan Melvin and Los Angeles Rams safety Lamarcus Joyner.
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Will Kirk Cousins Land a Fully Guaranteed Contract?
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Kirk Cousins will get more combine press than any other impending free agent. Quarterbacks with a Pro Bowl nod on their resume rarely hit free agency in their prime, but in Cousins' case, that appears likely to happen just a week after the combine concludes.
There's already talk that Cousins could strike gold on the open market. On Monday, ESPN.com's Rich Cimini reported the New York Jets are "willing to pay whatever it takes" to sign Cousins, while a source told Brian Costello of the New York Post that Gang Green could theoretically "front-load the contract and offer Cousins $60 million guaranteed in the first year."
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk even noted the Jets might consider fully guaranteeing Cousins' entire contract, which would set an interesting precedent.
We won't get word of a deal until teams can legally reach out to agents on March 12, but don't be surprised if reports continue to flood in regarding Cousins' next contract.
Who'll Get Cut?
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During last year's combine, teams officially or unofficially parted ways with big-name players such as Brandon Marshall, Adrian Peterson, Darrelle Revis, Jamaal Charles and Jairus Byrd. And while there already have been several major pre-combine cuts this offseason—David Amerson, Nick Fairley, Brian Cushing, Doug Martin and Jerrell Freeman have all been cut loose—there inevitably will be more between now and March 5.
Last week, Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski listed a dozen veterans who could be released this winter or spring, including Aqib Talib, Richard Sherman, Tyrod Taylor, DeMarco Murray, Dez Bryant, Jordy Nelson and Robert Quinn.
Expect to see news or rumors pertaining to several of those players during the combine.
What Will the Vikings Do?
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The Minnesota Vikings don't have to make a decision regarding their quarterback situation during the combine, but failing to do so would leave them just one day to utilize the franchise tag.
Minnesota could sign Case Keenum, Sam Bradford and/or Teddy Bridgewater at any point in the coming weeks, or the Vikes could slap one of them with the tag. If either move happens between Feb. 27 and Mar. 5, it'll become the talk of the combine.
Even if nothing happens, speculative reports likely will make the Vikings one of the most talked-about teams in and around Lucas Oil Stadium.
What Will Quarterback-Hungry Teams Say About the QB Carousel?
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Every year, NFL head coaches and general managers generate some of the combine's biggest headlines when they speak to the media in press conferences. In many cases, it's the first time since the end of the regular season that reporters and fans officially hear from team decision-makers.
Of particular interest could be what representatives from the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Jets, Broncos, Vikings and Bills have to say about their respective quarterback situations. You won't hear any of them discussing impending free agents, as that would constitute tampering, but the way they talk about quarterback prospects as well as the signal-callers on their respective rosters could speak volumes about what they plan to do in free agency.
Broncos head coach Vance Joseph was the first team rep to field questions at the 2017 combine, followed immediately by Sean McDermott of the Bills. Broncos GM John Elway also faced the media, as well as Browns head coach Hue Jackson, Jets GM Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles, Vikings GM Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer and Cardinals GM Steve Keim.
Expect to hear from all of them again, along with new Browns GM John Dorsey (who held a combine press conference last year as GM of the Chiefs) and new Cards head coach Steve Wilks (all but three head coaches met with the media last year).
Afterward, we might have a few more clues as to where quarterback-starved teams are leaning.
Will We Get an Andrew Luck Update from the Colts?
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At the 2017 combine, the hometown Colts weren't able to confirm whether quarterback Andrew Luck was expected to recover from early-offseason shoulder surgery in time for the start of the 2017 season. It was one of the first signs that Luck could be in for a longer-than-expected rehab, especially since both general manager Chris Ballard and then-head coach Chuck Pagano held press conferences and couldn't offer up a simple timeline.
A year later, Luck still hasn't played. And although they faced the media when they introduced new head coach Frank Reich earlier this month—Ballard clarified Luck does not require an additional surgery—another vague "update" at the 2018 combine could amplify concerns regarding Luck's future.
If Ballard does meet the media along with Reich next week, one subject is likely to dominate the conversation, and it'll have nothing to do with the draft.
Other Potential Injury Updates
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What might the Houston Texans brass say about Deshaun Watson (torn ACL) and/or J.J. Watt (left tibial plateau fracture)? Will those running the Eagles have an update on Carson Wentz (torn ACL)? Might candid Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll be able to give us more information on Richard Sherman's ruptured right Achilles tendon and/or Kam Chancellor's injured neck?
Again, this is a rare chance to pick brains and mine for information in the midst of the offseason.
Rich Eisen's 40-Yard Dash for a Good Cause
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For the 14th consecutive year, NFL Network host Rich Eisen will run the 40-yard dash at the combine. Last year, he did so in 6.02 seconds, which was his third-best time since the tradition started.
Can Eisen make a run at his personal-best time of 5.94? Many of you likely will tune in to find out. The NFL has also invited fans to post their own 40-yard dashes on social media using the hashtag #RunRichRun to help raise money and awareness for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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