The NFL Scouting Combine — also known as the "Underwear Olympics" — has begun with medical evaluations for players and more. But on-field workouts will not start until Thursday (3 p.m. ET), when defensive linemen and linebackers go through drills at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
On Friday (3 p.m. ET), defensive backs and tight ends will work out, followed by drills Saturday (1 p.m. ET) for quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs. Offensive linemen will work out Sunday (1 p.m. ET) and bench press Monday.
Yardbarker NFL writers Eric Smithling and Clark Dalton dive into the annual event, available on NFL Network and via streaming on fuboTV.
1. Will Miami QB Cam Ward set himself apart as QB1?
Ward is trending upward entering the Combine, where his trajectory could skyrocket. The three-year starter began his collegiate career at Washington State before transferring to Miami in 2024. He was one of the country’s best QBs with the Hurricanes, ending the season 305-of-454 (67.2 percent) for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdown passes and seven interceptions..
Along with Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, Ward (6-foot-2, 223 pounds) is considered a first-round pick, and he has begun to separate himself as the top QB in his class.
“He directed that passing attack down in Miami this year with the kind of precision and kind of maturity that is worthy of being considered a No. 1 overall pick,” ESPN’s Louis Riddick recently said on “First Take.”
The big question is whether Ward will throw at the Combine (and whether that even matters). On Sunday, NFL Network reported Sanders won’t work out, instead saving himself for Colorado’s pro day in March. (h/t ESPN). As of late last week, according to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, “Ward is preparing as if he’ll participate in drills.”
At the Combine last year, Bears QB Caleb Williams, Commanders QB Jayden Daniels and Patriots QB Drake Maye — selected 1-2-3 in the 2024 draft — didn’t work out. — Eric Smithling
2. Who will emerge as QB3?
It’s anyone’s guess.
Ahead of the event, Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart (6-foot-2, 225 pounds) is the favorite. He’s the only other QB to appear in the top 50 of big boards from Pro Football Focus, ESPN, The 33rd Team, Tankathon and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah. (He ranked No. 36, according to ESPN, and No. 41, per Jeremiah and Tankathon.)
Alabama QB Jalen Milroe (6-foot-2, 225 pounds) could also claim the spot directly behind Ward and Sanders. He has excellent speed, which could be intriguing to certain teams. Per Pro Football Focus, Milroe gained 679 rushing yards on designed QB runs, the most among Power Five QBs in 2024.
It will be interesting to see where College Football Playoff QBs land in the 2025 pecking order. National champion Ohio State QB Will Howard, Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard, Texas QB Quinn Ewers, Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke and Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel received invites and could use the opportunity to remind scouts why they were successful in college. — Eric Smithling
3. Will we see any trades?
Trades can’t be formalized until March 12, but teams can agree in principle before the 2025 league year commences. The Titans are reportedly exploring all options with the No. 1 pick, including trading down. If Tennessee isn’t sold on this year’s QB class but another team is, talks could accelerate toward the end of the Combine.
In 2023, the Bears traded that year’s No. 1 overall pick to the Panthers on March 10, four days after the Combine ended March 6.
The Rams could loom large over the Combine. On Saturday, NFL Network insiders Pelissero and Ian Rapoport shared that Los Angeles had allowed QB Matthew Stafford’s agent to gauge other teams’ interest in the 16-year veteran. The team has already told wide receiver Cooper Kupp it plans on trading him.
A potential trade the Combine won’t impact is one involving Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. Cleveland would incur a $36.2M dead-cap charge by trading Garrett before June 1, giving the Brown no rush to trade the star before the draft in April. — Eric Smithling
4. Which of Ohio State’s 15 prospects stands out?
The national champions have the most draft prospects scheduled to attend.
Of the 15 Buckeyes, left tackle Josh Simmons (6-foot-5, 310 pounds), who suffered a season-ending knee injury in October, is arguably the best available. After Simmons declared for the draft in December, agent Drew Rosenahus told ESPN the lineman “will be fully cleared for practice by the start of NFL training camp.”
Among Ohio State players expected to participate at the Combine, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) and running back TreVeyon Henderson (5-foot-10, 208 pounds) should stand out. In 2024, Egbuka had 81 receptions for 1,011 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns. In 2024, Henderson averaged a Big Ten-high 7.1 yards per carry and rushed for 1,016 yards and 10 TDs.
Defensively, lineman Tyleik Williams (6-foot-3, 327 pounds) and edge-rushers Jack Sawyer (6-foot-5, 260 pounds) and J.T. Tuimoloau (6-foot-5, 269 pounds) are worth monitoring. Williams was arguably the team’s best run defender, while Tuimoloau had a conference-high 12.5 sacks, and Sawyer led the team with 64 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. — Eric Smithling
5. Why could Pitt kicker Ben Sauls be one of the week’s biggest stars?
Sauls is the one thing rarer than a unicorn: a left-footed kicker. Alex Katson wrote for WideLeft.Football about the dearth of lefty kickers in the modern NFL.
Katson noted that Sauls is the first left-footed kicker to be invited to the Combine since 2008, when two attended — Wisconsin’s Taylor Mehlhaff and Louisville’s Art Carmody. Digging further, Katson found that of the 181 players to make a field goal since 2000, 15 were left-footed, including two punters (Jamie Gillan, Micah Knorr) and a wide receiver (Wes Welker).
From 2022-24, Sauls was 52-of-64 (81.3 percent) on field-goal attempts and automatic on extra points, going 119-of-119 (100 percent). In 2024, he was 21-of-24 on field goals, including 6-of-7 on attempts over 50 yards. — Eric Smithling
6. Will a clear position for Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter emerge?
Per the Associated Press’ Michael Marot, Hunter (6-foot-1,185 pounds) may work out with the WRs and DBs at the Combine, but don’t count on the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner playing both ways extensively in the NFL.
The Ringer’s Todd McShay recently told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer Hunter’s pass-catching skills are similar to those of New York Jets wideout Garrett Wilson, who has 1,000 or more yards receiving in each of his three seasons in the NFL. However, McShay believes Hunter will play corner because NFL defenses typically don’t have “package” players.
Teams that interview Hunter at the Combine may agree with McShay. In 13 games in 2024, he had four interceptions and 11 passes defended. In a recent scouting report, CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso compared Hunter to Pro Football Hall of Fame CB Champ Bailey. — Clark Dalton
7. Will Deion Sanders pull an Eli Manning?
Before the 2004 NFL Draft, Manning and his father, Archie, told the Chargers (then in San Diego) he would refuse to play for them. After the Chargers took him with the No. 1 overall pick, he subsequently was traded to the New York Giants for a package that included QB Philip Rivers.
Sanders — the father of Colorado QB Shedeur — has already hinted he may do the same as the Mannings. During a recent interview with “The Dan Patrick Show,” the HOFer said he has some teams on his “do not draft me” list.
Some QB-needy teams (Tennessee Titans, New York Jets) don’t look like a great landing spot for a young passer. — Clark Dalton
8. Will anyone challenge Kansas City Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy’s 40-yard dash record?
At the 2024 Combine, Worthy — a former Texas star — broke the 40-yard dash record (4.21 seconds). A prospect matching or surpassing that mark seems unlikely, but some could come close.
Georgia WR Arian Smith (5-foot-11, 175 pounds) was also a track star in five seasons with the Bulldogs. According to The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler, Smith ran the 100-meter dash in 10.18 seconds during his college career.
Also, keep an eye on Texas WR Isaiah Bond. “Bond might be faster than Worthy,” an NFL scout texted ESPN’s Matt Miller in September. In the Longhorns’ 56-7 Week 5 win over UTSA last season, the 5-foot-11,180-pounder clocked a top speed of 22.1 mph on a 50-yard touchdown (via Reel Analytics). — Clark Dalton
9. Which prospect will be the biggest riser at the combine?
Teams have recently avoided taking safeties early in the draft. No safeties were selected in the first round in 2024. But would teams make an exception for South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori if he aces the combine?
The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman recently reported Emmanwori (6-foot-3, 227 pounds) has run a 4.35-second 40-yard dash, squatted 565 pounds and had a 42-inch vertical jump. That would’ve tied for the fifth-highest vertical jump at the 2024 Combine.
Emmanwori also had solid numbers in his final season at South Carolina. In 13 games, the first-team All-American had four interceptions, including two pick-sixes. Per Pro Football Focus, he allowed a stellar 37.1 passer rating in coverage. — Clark Dalton
10. Which player will solidify himself as RB2 behind Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty?
On Monday, Jeanty’s agent, Henry Organ, told NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero he isn’t planning on working out at the Combine. Jeanty (5-foot-9, 215 pounds) — who won the 2024 Doak Walker Award as college football’s best RB — headlines the 2025 RB class, but he’s not the only back who could become a star in the NFL.
Breer suggested five RBs could be drafted within the top 40, including North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton (6-foot, 220 pounds), Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins (6-foot, 219 pounds) and Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson (6-foot, 225 pounds).
Hampton — who rushed for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns in 12 games in 2024 — could be a name to remember. Jeremiah told Breer, “I wouldn’t be shocked if some teams ended up having Hampton as their top running back.” — Clark Dalton
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The Pittsburgh Steelers' signing of quarterback Aaron Rodgers was an immediately polarizing move that did not sit well with large portions of the fan base. It also did not sit well with one of the team's all-time greatest players, four-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Terry Bradshaw. Bradshaw initially referred to the signing of Rodgers as a "joke" and that he should "stay in California and go chew bark" in reference to Rodgers isolating himself in a darkness retreat last year. On Saturday, Rodgers finally had a chance to respond to Bradshaw and did so with a combination of taking the high road, and also trying to make light of it. “I whisper to the gods every single day. I’ve known Terry for a long time, being a part of Fox. Terry’s a legend. He’s an absolute legend. He won four Super Bowls. He’s had a legendary career in the media. But Terry, like a lot of people, doesn’t know me. And so, he’s got an idea of what he thinks about me based on what I’ve done, the documentary, what I’ve said, darkness retreat, whatever the hell you want to talk about. I’d love to get to know Terry on a deeper level. I feel like if he gave me a chance to get to know him, then we’d have a good friendship." He ended the answer by saying, "So, I’d love to get to know Terry on a deeper level if he’s open to it. And maybe we can go chew some bark or whatever the hell he’s talking about together.” The Steelers were in a pretty desperate quarterback situation this offseason after completely overhauling the position for a second year in a row. They missed out on the chance to re-sign Justin Fields, let Russell Wilson walk, missed out on every other veteran who changed teams and passed on the opportunity to select a quarterback near the top of a weak quarterback draft class. (They ultimately selected Ohio State's Will Howard in the sixth round.) The whole Rodgers saga has been quite a soap opera for the Steelers as they waited around for months while he decided on whether or not he wanted to play this season, and if he wanted to play for the Steelers. Add in the fact he has had a tendency to cause some off-field distractions with his comments and weekly "Pat McAfee Show" appearances, as well as the fact he will turn 42 years old this season and hasn't been a top-tier quarterback in three years, and a lot of Steelers fans — and former players — were put off by the idea. The only thing that will matter in the end, however, is how Rodgers plays on the field. He has said all of the right things since joining the team, and his new teammates have all spoken highly of him so far, but it will still come down to results on the field. The Steelers have not won a playoff game in eight years and are facing added pressure each year to end that drought. They are hoping Rodgers has one more good year in him to help them advance in the postseason.
The Hurricanes announced Thursday night that they’ve signed winger Jackson Blake to an eight-year, $45M extension that will kick in for the 2026-27. While that would normally mean an average annual value and cap hit of $5.625M, the actual cap hit of the contract will fall in the $5.1M range due to deferred compensation, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports. The contract buys out the extent of Blake’s RFA eligibility and will make him a UFA following the 2033-34 season. Blake’s stock has been on the rise since immediately after Carolina selected him in the fourth round in 2021. He was a USHL All-Star in his post-draft season with the Chicago Steel before making the jump to NCAA hockey with North Dakota, where he totaled 102 points in 79 games in two seasons — earning a Hobey Baker finalist nod in his sophomore year. He signed his entry-level contract with the Hurricanes in April 2024 and joined them for the brief remainder of the regular season. In his first full pro season, Blake hit the ground running. He made the Canes out of camp and had five points through his first nine games despite seeing less than 12 minutes of ice time per night. That offense didn’t quite hold up the rest of the way, though. While he ended up seeing significant deployment alongside Sebastian Aho at even strength, he ended up finishing the year with a 17-17–34 scoring line in 80 games, finishing ninth on the team in scoring and ninth in Calder Trophy voting as the league’s Rookie of the Year. That’s fine production, especially considering he averaged under 14 minutes per game on the year. He’ll need to build on it to justify that cap hit, though, especially with so much risk attached to a max-term deal. The good news is that Blake has another year left on his entry-level contract to continue his development before he’ll need to start justifying that cap hit. The son of former NHLer Jason Blake turns 22 next month, yet with this deal, he’s guaranteed to surpass his dad’s career earnings. The Hurricanes have historically opted to sign their young players for as long and as early as possible, a trend that continues here. Sometimes, it’s paid off — their eight-year, $59.4M commitment to Seth Jarvis last offseason looks like a steal after he put up a repeat 67-point performance in 2024-25. There’s also the glaring example of where that strategy has failed regarding center Jesperi Kotkaniemi, whose $4.82M cap hit looks more stomachable now with a rising ceiling but is still well above his market value four years into the deal. The jury is still out on newly acquired Logan Stankoven, who they inked to an eight-year, $48M extension at the beginning of the month. Blake’s deal will be one of the last of its kind. It contains two elements — deferred compensation and an eight-year term — that will be outlawed when the new CBA Memorandum of Understanding takes effect on Sep. 15, 2026. If he waited until reaching RFA status next summer to sign, a lengthy negotiation could have lost him that eighth year if the two sides didn’t come to terms until the beginning of training camp. With the salary cap’s upper limit projected to reach $104M in 2026-27, the Hurricanes have around $16M in projected space with Blake’s and Stankoven’s deals taken care of. While they’re projected to be Carolina’s 11th- and 12th-highest-paid forwards on their opening night roster this season, they’ll be their fifth- and sixth-highest-paid forwards in 2026-27.
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese missed Thursday night's game against the Seattle Storm due to a back injury. It was the second blowout loss in as many games for the Sky, who now sit at 7-17 on the WNBA season, five losses back of a postseason spot. The injury to Reese is a concerning development for a Sky team with little to no margin for error right now. An All-Star for the second straight season, Reese has averaged 13.8 points and 12.5 rebounds in 22 games for Chicago in 2025. As they eye a date with the Indiana Fever on Sunday, the Sky have announced an official Reese update. Seen going through individual drills on Saturday, Reese was on the court seemingly testing out her back ahead of Sunday's afternoon affair in Chicago. Following her morning work, Reese was officially listed as questionable on the injury report. Reese is joined on the injury report by several of her teammates, including rookie guard Hailey Van Lith who was a surprise addition with an ankle injury. As it pertains to Reese, this update should not come as much of a surprise. While she was eventually ruled out against Seattle, she did start the day questionable, which is the same approach Chicago is taking on its latest injury report. That said, Reese not being ruled out a day in advance is good news. It indicates she has a chance to play, which also suggests the injury is not too serious — aligning with comments made by head coach Tyler Marsh who has been reiterating Reese is day-to-day with this back injury. With Caitlin Clark expected to miss this game with a groin injury, the contest could be without both she and Reese.
The New York Rangers are adding to their forward depth ahead of their upcoming training camp. The Rangers are entering a new chapter of their organization under new head coach Mike Sullivan. After missing the postseason last year, the organization is trying to rebound and respond accordingly in 2025 and 2026. Former Stanley Cup champion forward Conor Sheary is the latest player to join the new-look Rangers. The veteran forward agreed to a professional tryout agreement (PTO) with the club and will look to earn an NHL deal with his performance in training camp and the preseason. Sheary is a veteran of 593 NHL games. Originally an undrafted free agent, he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins after completing his collegiate career. Following a year with the Penguins' AHL affiliate, he forced his way onto the NHL squad after posting 36 points in his first 30 games of the 2015-2016 season at the AHL level. His debut NHL season went better than ever expected, and he was a key part of the Penguins' lineup that won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Sheary's coach at the time, both at the AHL and NHL levels, was Mike Sullivan. Now, he'll get the chance to reunite with the coach under whom he won two championships. In addition to playing for the Penguins, Sheary has played for three other NHL franchises. The Pens dealt him to the Buffalo Sabres before the 2018-2019 campaign, but he would return to Pittsburgh the following season at the trade deadline. After his second stint with the Penguins, he joined the Washington Capitals. He played three seasons in Washington, D.C. before landing with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he spent the past two years. Over his 593 career games, he's compiled 124 goals and 143 assists for 267 points. His best NHL season came during the 2016-2017 campaign, his second in the league. He scored 23 goals and added 30 assists for 53 points in 61 regular-season games.