NFL Combine 2020: 10 NFL Draft prospects with most to prove
The NFL Combine isn’t the end-all, be-all for prospects but which players have a lot to prove in Indianapolis to help their 2020 NFL Draft stock?
If it wasn’t already, it’s officially 2020 NFL Draft season as the NFL Combine has now arrived at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Starting on Monday, Feb. 24 through Sunday, March 1, the over 300 invited draft prospects will go through interviews, medical testing and athletic testing in front of all 32 teams. And while film matters, this can all have a big effect on their draft stock.
Many people look at the NFL Combine with too much simplicity — something to the effect of, if a guy runs fast, he’s worth a high draft pick. It’s much more nuanced than that, however. Not only are the interviews and medical reports just as crucial as the athletic testing but the key is to let the 40-yard dash, bench press and so on confirm or call into question the things that you’ve already seen on tap.
So as the first group of players is just getting measured on Monday and the athletic testing doesn’t begin until Thursday, March 27, let’s take a look at 10 prospects who, by one way or another, have a lot to prove at the 2020 NFL Combine.
10. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Tua Tagovailoa entered the 2019 college football season as the crowned jewel of a loaded quarterback class in the 2020 NFL Draft. Fast-forward to now and there’s the chance that he can be a gem, though it does appear that Joe Burrow has supplanted him at No. 1. And a big reason for that is his injury history, which culminated in a serious, season-ending hip dislocation, an ailment that will keep him from throwing or doing drills at the NFL Combine.
Scouting Outlook
"Tua Tagovailoa features a skill set that translates wonderfully to the style of offense that productive NFL teams employ. His quick processing skills, trigger, accuracy and ability to remain comfortable under duress are exceptional qualities that give him a great chance to succeed at the next level. Tagovailoa does have a concerning injury history, some room for mechanical improvement and modest throwing power to be mindful of. From an intangibles and leadership perspective, Tagovailoa has the right DNA to become the face of the franchise his organization can be proud of. He has the upside to start when he’s cleared medically and develop into an unquestioned starter for a prolific offense. – Joe Marino, The Draft Network"
What to prove at NFL Combine?
Because Tagovailoa’s hip injury happened only in March, medical testing is going to be absolutely pivotal to his draft stock. Many people — myself included — project that he’s still going to be a top-five pick. For teams to feel comfortable making that the case, however, he needs to stay on the track he’s been on medically in his recovery.
You could also say that Tagovailoa needs to handle the interviews well but, given what we know and have seen from him throughout his Alabama tenure, that’s far less of a concern than what comes up when he gets evaluated by doctors.