NFC combine watch: One player each team should have on its radar

With the Super Bowl far in the rearview, all NFL teams are turning their attention to the NFL Scouting Combine (Feb. 27-March 2), free agency (March 12) and NFL Draft (April 24-26). 

Ahead of the combine in Indianapolis, Yardbarker NFL writers select one player each team in the NFC should have on its radar. (2024 regular-season records and first-round draft positions are in parentheses.)

NFC East

DALLAS COWBOYS (7-10 | First-round pick: No. 12) | Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty | With Malik Davis and Deuce Vaughn the only running backs signed for 2025, the Cowboys must address a rushing attack that averaged just 100.3 yards last season, sixth fewest in the league. At 5-foot-9 and 215 pounds, Jeanty won’t be the biggest running back at the combine, but he rushed for 2,601 yards with Boise State last season, more than any running back to enter the NFL Draft since 2010.

NEW YORK GIANTS (3-14 | First-round pick: No. 3) | Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter | The Giants need help on both sides of the ball, something the dual-threat Heisman Trophy winner (6-foot-1, 185 pounds) provided for Colorado from 2023-2024. New York desperately needs a QB, but it could look to maximize Hunter's unique talents if it misses out on QB prospects Shedeur Sanders of Colorado and Cam Ward of Miami. 

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (14-3 | First-round pick: No. 32) | Texas A&M DE Nic Scourton | Scourton made 72 tackles in two years with Purdue, led the Big Ten with 10 sacks in 2023 and had five sacks for Texas A&M in 2024. He’ll need time to develop, but at 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds, Scourton has the size and speed to play multiple positions, which could be necessary if free agents Milton Williams and Josh Sweat sign elsewhere.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (12-5 | First-round pick: No. 29) | Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka | Terry McLaurin led Washington pass-catchers with 1,096 yards receiving last season, but TE Zach Ertz, WR Olamide Zaccheaus and WR Noah Brown — the team’s second-, third- and fourth-leading receivers — are pending free agents. Egbuka (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) posted a career-high 81 catches for 1,011 yards and 10 TD catches last season and set a school record for career catches with 205, 130 more than McLaurin had as a Buckeye. — Bruce Ewing

NFC West 

ARIZONA CARDINALS (8-9 | First-round pick: No. 16) | Tennessee edge-rusher James Pearce Jr. | According to Pro Football Reference, the Cardinals ranked 26th in the league in pressures (119) in 2024, so addressing their lackluster pass-rush would be wise. Pearce (6-foot-5, 243 pounds) — who tied for the FBS’ 12th-most pressures (55 in 13 games) in 2024, per PFF — could be an intriguing option.

LOS ANGELES RAMS (10-7 | First-round pick: No. 26) | Texas QB Quinn Ewers | Whether starting QB Matthew Stafford remains in L.A. or not, the Rams should consider selecting a potential successor in Ewers (6-foot-2, 210 pounds). He tied for sixth in the FBS in TD passes (31 in 14 games) in 2024. Rams HC Sean McVay, a wizard on offense, could maximize his skills.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-11 | First-round pick: No. 11) | Missouri OT Armand Membou | The 49ers may need a replacement for left tackle Trent Williams, who turns 37 on July 19 and missed seven games because of an ankle injury in 2024. Membou (6-foot-3, 325 pounds) — who allowed zero sacks in 12 games in 2024, per Pro Football Focus — seems like an excellent fit.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (10-7 | First-round pick: No. 18) | Alabama guard Tyler Booker | In 2024, Seahawks QB Geno Smith was sacked a career-high 50 times in 17 games. Booker, a 6-foot-5, 325-pound second-team All-American, could help Seattle ensure that Smith isn’t under constant pressure in 2025. — Clark Dalton

NFC North 

CHICAGO BEARS (5-12 | First-round pick: No. 10) | Missouri OL Armand Membou | The Bears must upgrade their offensive line after giving up the most sacks in the NFL this past season (68). Membou (6-foot-3, 325 pounds) is a freak athlete who is versatile enough to play tackle or guard in the NFL.

DETROIT LIONS (15-2 | First-round pick: No. 28) | Texas DB Jahdae Barron | The Lions are in great shape on offense, but their 31st-ranked passing defense desperately needs a makeover, especially with CB Carlton Davis set to hit free agency. Barron (5-foot-11, 200 pounds) is a ballhawk who recorded five interceptions and 11 passes defended for Texas this season, exactly what Detroit needs.

GREEN BAY PACKERS (11-6 | First-round pick: No. 23) | Georgia center Jared Wilson | The Packers might be in need of a new starting center with Josh Myers heading to free agency, and you can’t go wrong rebuilding the trenches with a Georgia Bulldog. Wilson (6-foot-3, 310 pounds) is going to light up the combine with his athleticism.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (14-3 | First-round pick: No. 24) | Kentucky DT Deone Walker | The Vikings could use more beef in the middle of their defensive line, and Walker would be a great fit at 6-foot-6 and 350 pounds. The Kentucky standout was a monster at the Senior Bowl, and he’s going to turn even more heads at the combine. — Jack Dougherty

NFC South

ATLANTA FALCONS (8-9 | First-round pick: No. 15) | Marshall DE Mike Green | The Falcons can’t neglect their weak pass rush any longer. They could be in play to trade for a veteran D-lineman such as Maxx Crosby of the Raiders or Myles Garrett of the Browns, but Green’s showing in Indianapolis could make the rising draft prospect (6-foot-3, 251 pounds) a perfect option for Atlanta at No. 15.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (5-12 | First-round pick: No. 8) | Michigan DT Mason Graham | The Panthers’ shaky QB situation overshadowed an awful Carolina rush defense that allowed 179.8 rushing yards per game and 5.2 yards per attempt in 2024, both league-worst marks. The Panthers desperately missed injured lineman Derrick Brown, and pairing him with an All-Big Ten talent in Graham (6-foot-3, 320 pounds) could make the unit one of the league’s most improved in 2025.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-12 | First-round pick: No. 9) | Alabama QB Jalen Milroe | Of the potential rookie fits in recently hired head coach Kellen Moore’s offense, Milroe (6-foot-2, 225 pounds) is the most fascinating. He must make significant strides as a passer, but the Saints could deploy Milroe similarly as do-it-all playmaker Taysom Hill, whose $17.99M cap hit could make the 35-year-old a cap casualty for New Orleans, which is a little more than $47M over the projected 2025 cap, per Over The Cap.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (10-7 | First-round pick: No. 19) | Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell | The Bucs are old at linebacker, but 13-year veteran Lavonte David is still productive. Campbell (6-foot-3, 244 pounds) had 117 tackles (12 for loss), an interception and two forced fumbles in 2024, making him an enticing heir to David. — Eric Smithling