INDIANAPOLIS — The 2020 NFL Draft season has officially been kicked into gear.
Just 62 days remain until the Cincinnati Bengals are set to go on the clock with the No. 1-overall pick, and many teams, including the Indianapolis Colts, have already started the process of building their draft boards.
Currently sitting with eight selections in this year's draft, including the 13th-overall pick, the Colts have a good idea what they're looking at in terms of available prospects, but a few key evaluation opportunities remain until general manager Chris Ballard, head coach Frank Reich and their staffs will officially be ready to call in their selections.
One of the more crucial evaluation points kicks off next week in Indianapolis: the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, where medical evaluations and formal interviews take precedence … but it also never hurts to see who rises to the occasion throughout the on-field workouts and drills.
So what should Colts fans be looking for specifically at this year's Combine? We've got that covered for you right here:
Participants
Get a full list of the 337 prospects invited to take part in this year's NFL Scouting Combine by clicking here.
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General schedule
Sunday, Feb. 23:
» Tight ends, quarterbacks and wide receivers arrive in Indianapolis; begin team interviews.
Monday, Feb. 24:
» Kickers, special teamers, offensive linemen and running backs arrive in Indianapolis; begin team interviews.
» Tight ends, quarterbacks and wide receivers get their measurements and continue team interviews.
Tuesday, Feb. 25:
» Colts general manager Chris Ballard is scheduled to speak to the media at 11:30 a.m. ET; head coach Frank Reich, meanwhile, is scheduled to speak to the media at 3:45 p.m. ET. Both press conferences will be livestreamed on Colts.com, via the Official Colts Mobile App and on the Colts’ Facebook page.
» Defensive linemen and linebackers arrive in Indianapolis; begin team interviews.
» Tight ends, quarterbacks and wide receivers conduct media interviews, begin medical and psychological testing and conduct position coach interviews.
» Kickers, special teamers, offensive linemen and running backs get their measurements and continue team interviews.
Wednesday, Feb. 26:
» Defensive backs arrive in Indianapolis; begin team interviews.
» Tight ends, quarterbacks and wide receivers continue team interviews and psychological testing and do the bench press station.
» Kickers, special teamers, offensive linemen and running backs conduct media interviews, begin medical and psychological testing and conduct position coach interviews.
» Defensive linemen and linebackers get their measurements and continue team interviews.
Thursday, Feb. 27:
» Tight ends, quarterbacks and wide receivers go through on-field workouts (4-11 p.m. ET; NFL Network) and wrap up limited testing and team interviews.
» Kickers, special teamers, offensive linemen and running backs continue team interviews and psychological testing and do the bench press station.
» Defensive linemen and linebackers conduct media interviews, begin medical and psychological testing and conduct position coach interviews.
» Defensive backs get their measurements and continue team interviews.
Friday, Feb. 28:
» Kickers, special teamers, offensive linemen and running backs go through on-field workouts (4-11 p.m. ET; NFL Network) and wrap up limited testing and team interviews.
» Defensive linemen and linebackers continue team interviews and psychological testing and do the bench press station.
» Defensive backs conduct media interviews, begin medical and psychological testing and conduct position coach interviews.
Saturday, Feb. 29:
» Defensive linemen and linebackers go through on-field workouts (4-11 p.m. ET; NFL Network) and wrap up limited testing and team interviews.
» Defensive backs continue team interviews and psychological testing and do the bench press station.
Sunday, March 1:
» Defensive backs go through on-field workouts (2-7 p.m. ET; NFL Network) and wrap up limited testing and team interviews.
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Colts' targets?
The Colts currently have eight picks in April's NFL Draft, including the No. 13-overall selection in the first round and two second-round picks. Many outside experts consider the Colts' most pressing needs heading into the draft are at defensive tackle, wide receiver and quarterback.
Who will the team be watching extra carefully over the next week? Here, via NFL.com, are the top five prospects at each of those positions heading into the Combine:
Defensive tackle:
» Derrick Brown, Auburn
» Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
» Jordan Elliott, Missouri
» Ross Blacklock, TCU
» Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M
Wide recevier:
» Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
» CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
» Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
» Laviska Shenault, Colorado
» Tee Higgins, Clemson
Quarterback:
» Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
» Joe Burrow, LSU
» Justin Herbert, Oregon
» Jordan Love, Utah State
» Jacob Eason, Washington
Who do the experts believe will be selected by the Colts with the 13th-overall pick? Check out our latest installment of Mock Draft Monday.
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Workouts
The on-field workouts are perhaps the most popular portion of the Combine for those watching at home, and this year those workouts have been moved to primetime on Thursday through Saturday on the NFL Network.
Here, via NFL.com, is a breakdown of each of the measurable drills:
» 40-yard dash
The 40-yard dash is the marquee event at the combine. It's kind of like the 100-meters at the Olympics: It's all about speed, explosion and watching skilled athletes run great times. These athletes are timed at 10, 20 and 40-yard intervals. What the scouts are looking for is an explosion from a static start.
NFL Combine record holder (since 2000): John Ross, 2017/Donte Stallworth, 2002; 4.22 seconds
» Bench press
The bench press is a test of strength -- 225 pounds, as many reps as the athlete can get. What the NFL scouts are also looking for is endurance. Anybody can do a max one time, but what the bench press tells the pro scouts is how often the athlete frequented his college weight room for the last 3-5 years.
NFL Combine record holder (since 2000): Stephen Paea, 2011; 49 reps
» Vertical jump
The vertical jump is all about lower-body explosion and power. The athlete stands flat-footed and they measure his reach. It is important to accurately measure the reach, because the differential between the reach and the flag the athlete touches is his vertical jump measurement.
NFL Combine record holder (since 2000): Gerald Sensabaugh, 2005; 46.0 inches
» Broad jump
The broad jump is like being in gym class back in junior high school. Basically, it is testing an athlete's lower-body explosion and lower-body strength. The athlete starts out with a stance balanced and then he explodes out as far as he can. It tests explosion and balance, because he has to land without moving.
NFL Combine record holder (since 2000): Byron Jones, 2015; 12 feet, 3 inches
» 3-cone drill
The 3-cone drill tests an athlete's ability to change directions at a high speed. Three cones in an L-shape. He starts from the starting line, goes 5 yards to the first cone and back. Then, he turns, runs around the second cone, runs a weave around the third cone, which is the high point of the L, changes directions, comes back around that second cone and finishes.
NFL Combine record holder (since 2000): Jordan Thomas, 2018; 6.28 seconds
» Shuttle run
The short shuttle is the first of the cone drills. It is known as the 5-10-5. What it tests is the athlete's lateral quickness and explosion in short areas. The athlete starts in the three-point stance, explodes out 5 yards to his right, touches the line, goes back 10 yards to his left, left hand touches the line, pivot, and he turns 5 more yards and finishes.
NFL Combine record holder (since 2000): Kevin Casper, 2001; 3.73 seconds
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Fan activities
Get in on the action like never before at NFL Combine Experience at the Indiana Convention Center from Wednesday, Feb. 26 through Saturday, Feb. 29. Watch the bench press up-close, take a photo with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, get an up-close look at the complete display of Super Bowl rings and more.
For more information — including the hours of operation, all available ticketed events, photo opportunities and more — click here.
