2023 NFL Scouting Combine: Top Prospects Take to the Field in Indianapolis
The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine is here, and the best prospects for the upcoming draft are beginning their workouts in Indianapolis. Hundreds of players will take part in various drills and on-field testing, meet with teams for in-depth interviews and get pre-draft measurements over the next few days.[0]
Our coverage of the 2023 NFL Combine begins with a look at some of the top wide receivers and linebackers to watch in Indianapolis.[1] The on-field workouts for these positions begin on Thursday, March 2. On Friday, defensive backs and special teams will be on the field at 3 p.m.[2] ET, followed by quarterbacks and pass-catchers on Saturday (1 p.m. ET) and offensive lineman and running backs on Sunday (1 p.m. ET).[3]
On Friday, March 3, the participants will begin their orthopedic exams, media interviews, NFLPA meetings and team interviews. On Saturday and Sunday, the players will have their measurements, pre-exam and on-field workouts.
Notable performances from the first day of the combine include Pittsburgh's Calijah Kancey, who ran the fastest 40-yard dash by someone 280+ lbs since 2003 (4.67).[4] Tennessee linebacker Byron Young had an official 40-yard dash time of 4.53, while Georgia's Nolan Smith ran a 4.39 40-yard dash. Georgia Tech edge rusher Keion White and Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson are also two players to keep an eye on.
On the defensive line, Florida’s Gervon Dexter had a 4.88-second 40 at 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds, and Northwestern’s Adetomiwa Adebawore clocked in at 4.90. Auburn’s Owen Pappoe had the best 10-yard split for linebackers at 1.52 and ran a 4.39 40-yard dash.[5]
Georgia has the most players invited to the Combine, with 12 Bulldogs set to compete this week.[6] Will Anderson Jr., the best player in college football and a potential top-five draft selection, is set to workout on Thursday and could help his stock with an impressive performance.[7]
Overall, this year’s Combine is sure to be filled with excitement, as the best players in the Class of 2023 look to stand out from the rest.
0. “2023 NFL draft combine workouts preview: Top prospects, predictions” ESPN, 26 Feb. 2023, https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/35759783/2023-nfl-draft-combine-workouts-preview-top-prospects-predictions-potential-risers-buzz-40-yard-dash-burners
1. “2023 NFL Combine: Schedule, position previews & how to watch workouts” The Falcoholic, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2023/3/2/23619534/2023-nfl-combine-falcons-draft-drills-schedule-preview-how-to-watch
2. “2023 NFL combine: Top draft prospect workouts, risers, fastest 40s” ESPN, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/35763334/2023-nfl-combine-top-draft-prospect-workouts-risers-fastest-40s-takeaways-buzz-every-position-group
3. “Live updates: following Vols' at the NFL Combine” On3.com, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.on3.com/teams/tennessee-volunteers/news/nfl-combine-updates/
4. “2023 NFL Combine results: 7 standouts from the defensive tackles” Pride Of Detroit, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/3/2/23622404/2023-nfl-combine-results-7-standouts-defensive-tackle-group
5. “2023 NFL Combine: Winners from Day 1 of DL, LB workouts” Windy City Gridiron, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2023/3/2/23623079/2023-nfl-combine-winners-day-1-workouts-defensive-line-linebacker-edge-nolan-smith-will-anderson
6. “Ella on the Scene: Sibling rivalry at the NFL Scouting Combine?” PhiladelphiaEagles.com, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/ella-on-the-scene-sibling-rivalry-at-the-nfl-scouting-combine
7. “2023 NFL Scouting Combine Open thread — Day 1: DL and LB workouts” Buffalo Rumblings, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2023/3/2/23621686/2023-nfl-scouting-combine-open-thread-day-1-dl-and-lb-workouts
