Draft season kicks into excessive gear this week on the NFL Scouting Mix in Indianapolis as groups will put prospects underneath a microscope throughout non-public interviews, information conferences and exercises at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Quarterbacks at all times dominate conversations on the mix, and this yr will likely be no totally different with USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels anticipated to be among the many first handful of picks come April. However a stellar extensive receiver group, headlined by Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU’s Malik Nabers and Washington’s Rome Odunze, may also draw loads of curiosity this week.
Past the draft prospects, new head coaches, led by the Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh, and GMs, together with the Commanders’ Adam Peters, will likely be within the highlight. And the futures of quarterbacks Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields will likely be scorching subjects.
We requested The Athletic’s workforce of beat and nationwide writers to fill us in on who or what they’ll be watching or listening for because the NFL world descends upon Indianapolis.
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How huge of a precedence is an improve at extensive receiver?
The Cardinals need assistance there. That’s not a query. However they’ve a number of wants, and two of the largest are on the offensive and defensive traces. Like a lot of his friends, common supervisor Monti Ossenfort believes the quickest technique to construct is thru the trenches. The favored idea is that if extensive receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is there, you are taking him. However what if he’s not? Does Arizona choose Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze, additionally thought-about elite receivers? Or do they go a special route and look to choose up a receiver in later rounds? Ossenfort, who traded again from No. 3 final yr, received’t reply these questions, in fact, however he would possibly make clear how he views Arizona’s roster priorities. — Doug Haller
How does Tier 2 of the quarterback class shake out?
The Falcons don’t have a shot at Caleb Williams or Drake Maye choosing at No. 8, and buying and selling as much as No. 1 or No. 2 on this draft class doesn’t appear real looking for anybody. Which means if Atlanta goes to depend on the draft to search out its subsequent quarterback, it’s going to should determine who it likes from a gaggle that features LSU’s Jayden Daniels, Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy and possibly even Oregon’s Bo Nix. Not solely that, the Falcons have to determine the place they’re going to want to choose to get the participant they need. McCarthy and Nix virtually definitely will likely be obtainable at eight, however getting Daniels would possibly require a commerce as much as as excessive as No. 3. — Josh Kendall
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Which brokers is common supervisor Eric DeCosta assembly with?
The Ravens are choosing thirtieth. They’ve myriad wants, notably on the offensive line and at working again and edge rusher. Nevertheless, they’ll keep at 30 and decide the very best participant obtainable or they’ll commerce again to accrue extra picks. What they do within the draft isn’t attractive, however it’s who they’re. It’s additionally why there will likely be no place focus on the mix. What will likely be extra notable is whether or not DeCosta can acquire any traction in re-signing his personal free brokers. The Ravens have almost two dozen, together with standouts Justin Madubuike and Patrick Queen. With a decent salary-cap state of affairs, DeCosta might want to get inventive to maintain the core of a 13-4 workforce collectively for an additional run. — Jeff Zrebiec
How will the Payments navigate their at present nonexistent cap house?
The Payments have their work reduce out for them this offseason. The workforce is in a projected $41 million gap for 2024 cap house, with solely 53 gamers on their roster and a variety of holes besides. The workforce might want to make some troublesome selections. Whom would possibly they reduce to make room? Which contracts will they restructure? Which gamers will they prolong? How a lot do they need to negatively affect their 2025 cap sheet with a few of their restructurings? Common supervisor Brandon Beane hasn’t needed to do something fairly like this since his early years because the workforce’s GM. — Joe Buscaglia
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The workforce’s new coach and common supervisor
I’m focused on listening to what Dave Canales and Dan Morgan say at their first mix as the highest of the Panthers’ soccer meals chain. The 2 spoke in principally common phrases at their introductory information convention, the place Morgan mentioned the workforce wants extra “canine.” You might need heard: The Panthers don’t have a first-round decide. However this is a crucial offseason for a workforce that should get quarterback Bryce Younger offensive line assist and extra weapons whereas determining the best way to deal with a pair of key free brokers in edge rusher Brian Burns and linebacker Frankie Luvu. — Joseph Individual
All eyes on the mix will likely be on Caleb Williams, proper, the presumptive No. 1 decide within the draft this week on the mix. (John Leyba / USA As we speak)
How will Caleb Williams deal with the limelight?
Crucial parts of the mix for the presumptive No. 1 decide will happen behind the scenes throughout his conversations with groups, beginning with the Bears. Most questions on Williams have extra to do with what he’s like off the sphere, and whereas he’s skilled extra fame than most school soccer gamers, he hasn’t skilled something just like the media onslaught that will likely be ready for him Friday morning in Indianapolis. The Bears, and different groups, will doubtless be aware of how he does in that setting. — Kevin Fishbain
The defensive sort out class
The Bengals must assault wants at inside defensive position aggressively, so how the measurables (and interviews) shake out will go an extended technique to deciding if Byron Murphy of Texas and Jer’Zhan Newton of Illinois might join at No. 18 or if a transfer up or down the board shakes them out of mid-first vary. Will any new candidates enter the equation for Day 2 with a powerful mix? The Bengals must plot the draft path at DT and in the event that they don’t see sufficient choices, they may shift to a free-agent-laden method. — Paul Dehner Jr.
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The extensive receivers
The Browns are targeted on successful in 2024, so the “good” stuff on the mix will contain Browns GM Andrew Berry speaking potential trades together with his friends and doubtlessly bumping into brokers of upcoming free brokers. None of that will likely be for public consumption. However the Browns must improve their receiving corps — now and into the long run — so it’s honest to assume they’ll give attention to their evaluations of this yr’s extensive receiver class. The Browns don’t decide till No. 54 of the second spherical, so that they’ll have to find out what number of extensive receivers will likely be lengthy gone, which of them they may like within the second or third rounds and the way these receivers would possibly match into their ever-evolving offense. — Zac Jackson
What’s the newest with Dak Prescott’s contract?
There are many areas to handle in free company and the draft, from offensive line to linebacker and defensive sort out. However Prescott’s contract is the No. 1 difficulty as a result of it impacts all the things else. The Cowboys have given no indication that they’re contemplating a right away future with out Prescott, who’s getting into the ultimate season of his present deal. The most certainly state of affairs is that he indicators a brand new contract subsequent month. If the Cowboys go away his deal as is, he’d depend slightly below $60 million towards their 2024 cap, making it troublesome to do something to enhance the roster outdoors of the draft. If Dallas is really “all in,” like Jerry Jones mentioned on the Senior Bowl, they want to determine Prescott’s future to allow them to start enhancing the remainder of the roster. — Jon Machota
Russell Wilson watch
Sean Payton mentioned after the season {that a} choice on the way forward for the 35-year-old Wilson wouldn’t be “an extended, drawn-out course of.” Just a few weeks later, on the Tremendous Bowl, Payton mentioned the choice would come “sooner slightly than later.” The Broncos seem prepared to maneuver on from Wilson, whose $37 million in 2025 wage turns into assured if he’s nonetheless on the roster on March 17, however there was no motion but publicly. I’m to see whether or not the actions on the mix reveal something about what the Broncos will do with Wilson after two underwhelming seasons in Denver and what mild will likely be shed on their quarterback plan to observe. — Nick Kosmider
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The cornerback class
It is a actually intriguing group of corners, with greater than a handful of prospects wanting like first-rounders. The Lions clearly might use some younger expertise on the place, whether or not it’s at No. 29 on the primary night time or on Day 2 with three picks — Nos. 61, 73 and 92. I’m curious to see which corners separate themselves in Indianapolis. Testing is clearly a part of the equation, however defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn believes you need to be wired a sure technique to excel on the place. Listening to from corners on the podium might assist us get a greater understanding of prospects the Lions would possibly like. — Colton Pouncy
Packers quarterback Jordan Love exceeded expectations in his first yr as a starter and now could be in line for a contract extension. (Patrick McDermott / Getty Photos)
Jordan Love extension talks
I’m going to be parked subsequent to the second-floor Starbucks on the JW Marriott for 96 consecutive hours, ready for a glimpse of Packers common supervisor Brian Gutekunst and super-agent David Mulugheta speaking with one another. I’d even take only a look in one another’s path. Then, I’ll know precisely how a lot the Packers are paying Love. Gutekunst can’t signal his franchise quarterback till Could 3 as a result of that’s 12 months after Love’s final extension, however he and Mulugheta will certainly meet in Indianapolis to trade contract numbers. — Matt Schneidman
Nick Caserio’s plan to construct on final season
This was alleged to be a gradual and doubtlessly painful construct as Caserio and new coach DeMeco Ryans started laying the inspiration final season after the GM spent the 2 earlier years dismantling and setting the desk for a real rebuild. However Caserio struck gold together with his hiring of Ryans and draft picks each in 2022 and 2023 and Houston got here out of nowhere to win its first division title in 4 years. Now Caserio should additional fortify the roster, giving C.J. Stroud further assist by the use of constant weapons and extra impactful defensive playmakers. With ample cap house and eight draft picks, the Texans have sources to construct with a mix of free-agent expertise and younger prospects. Caserio and Ryans certainly won’t give away any state secrets and techniques subsequent week, however they need to make clear a few of their highest priorities. — Mike Jones
Who will catch the attention of Colts WRs coach Reggie Wayne?
Past the first-round prospects Indianapolis will take into account with the No. 15 decide, this yr’s draft class is meant to be loaded with extensive receiver expertise. Final yr, Wayne mentioned he was very impressed with Josh Downs’ route working and sure-handedness in the course of the mix, regardless of Downs being undersized popping out of North Carolina. Wayne relayed that message to GM Chris Ballard, Downs was drafted within the third spherical and had a standout rookie season. I’ll use my binoculars to maintain an in depth eye on Wayne’s interactions throughout mix drills, whereas additionally asking a number of receivers in the event that they’ve met with him and heard any suggestions. — James Boyd
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How they deal with the tough Calvin Ridley state of affairs
By all accounts, the Jaguars need Ridley again after the 29-year-old receiver had 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season in Jacksonville. Nevertheless, Ridley’s contract expired and his state of affairs is fascinating to contemplate. If the Jaguars re-sign Ridley earlier than free company begins, it qualifies as an extension and they’d owe Atlanta a second-round decide within the 2024 draft as per the phrases of their commerce. Nevertheless, if Ridley will get to free company however nonetheless returns to the Jaguars, the brand new deal wouldn’t be thought-about an extension — slightly a free-agent contract — and the Jaguars would solely should ship Atlanta their third-round decide. Permitting Ridley to get to the open market is dangerous, but when the Jaguars play their playing cards proper, they may convey again Trevor Lawrence’s high weapon with out dropping a top-50 decide. — Jim Ayello
Tier 2 of the receiver and tight finish prospects
A significant query for subsequent season is whether or not Chiefs coach Andy Reid and common supervisor Brett Veach can return the workforce’s offense to its earlier potent type. One of many quickest methods to do this is to pick the very best pass-catching prospects obtainable late within the first and second rounds. Travis Kelce will likely be 35 subsequent season, so including one other tight finish needs to be excessive on the Chiefs’ precedence checklist. As for the receivers, the Chiefs ought to have loads of choices, contemplating the depth of this yr’s class. Reid and Veach will use the mix to start out figuring out which receiver might most excel taking part in alongside Patrick Mahomes. — Nate Taylor
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The quarterback prospects
This isn’t a singular reply, however it’s probably the most important roster query for the Raiders of their first full season underneath common supervisor Tom Telesco and head coach Antonio Pierce. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell was strong in 10 begins as a rookie, however it’s laborious to see the Raiders ending this offseason with out including competitors for the beginning job both by means of the addition of a veteran or a rookie quarterback. Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels are broadly thought-about the highest three quarterbacks on this class. The Raiders will do loads of work on them, however it’ll be troublesome for them to draft any of them contemplating they maintain decide No. 13 within the first spherical. With that in thoughts, they’ll additionally must deeply research J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. and the remainder of the category. — Tashan Reed
The NFL world will watch with curiosity to see how Jim Harbaugh and the cap-strapped Chargers retool their roster this offseason. (Kirby Lee / USA As we speak)
Their salary-cap state of affairs
The Chargers are successfully $31.7 million over the wage cap as they head into the mix, in keeping with Over the Cap. Essential selections loom, notably concerning receiver Mike Williams, receiver Keenan Allen, edge rusher Joey Bosa and edge rusher Khalil Mack. All 4 veterans have cap hits exceeding $30 million in 2024. How will new head coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz navigate these veteran contracts — and their cap state of affairs on the whole? Who stays? Who goes? Do they inquire into the commerce market? Do they provide extensions? Will they use void years? I’ll be on the lookout for solutions to those questions in Indy. — Daniel Popper
Sniffing round an offseason plan
The Rams don’t usually attend the NFL mix (right here is why) aside from their medical employees’s on-site assortment of the all-important medical info on prospects. However Indianapolis remains to be an awesome place to assemble knowledge and tidbits from brokers and different league sources about what their offseason plan could possibly be and new developments in contract constructions and team-building. The Rams could have roughly $40 million in workable cap house and a variety of wants regardless of a better-than-expected 2023 season. Additionally they have introduced in new assistant coaches — and the mix would be the excellent setting to mine for details about these additions. — Jourdan Rodrigue
Tua Tagovailoa extension talks
It definitely looks as if a Tagovailoa extension is a foregone conclusion. However what is going to it seem like and when will it occur? The Dolphins QB enters the 2024 season with a $23.1 million cap cost on the fifth-year choice. The Dolphins then have the franchise tag at their disposal, so that they don’t should signal him to a long-term deal now and even subsequent offseason. However for a workforce that would use some cap aid, decreasing his cap determine with an extension could possibly be interesting. However how a lot is it going to take to retain Tagovailoa? Is he the caliber of quarterback who needs to be paid within the neighborhood of a Joe Burrow ($55 million AAV)? Would he take much less? These are the franchise-defining questions to remember on the mix and past. — Jim Ayello
The place issues stand between the Vikings and Kirk Cousins
This topic will form the way forward for the Vikings group. Preserve Cousins, and Minnesota would doubtless be signaling its perception that it could possibly contend within the brief time period. Transfer on from him, and the Vikings can be indicating that they’d be able to chart a brand new path. Cousins’ contract is ready to void March 12. If that occurs, the Vikings will likely be on the hook for a hefty $28.5 million dead-cap hit. The one technique to prolong that cash into the long run is to return to phrases on an extension with Cousins. The NFL mix stands as a main alternative for in-person discussions on this topic between the workforce and Cousins’ representatives. — Alec Lewis
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Quarterback Jayden Daniels
The best manner for the Patriots to handle their points at quarterback is to draft a sign caller — both Daniels or Drake Maye relying on who falls to them at No. 3. With Daniels, there are extra unknowns. The Pats aren’t involved about his peak (6-foot-4) or hand dimension (9 5/8 inches), however scouts need to see him at or above 210 kilos on the mix as a result of there are considerations about his slight body and the large hits he too typically takes. The opposite query for the Patriots is how Daniels will interview and the way he’ll check once they run him by means of performs on the whiteboard. How Daniels (and Maye) do that week will go a great distance in figuring out whether or not the Patriots draft a quarterback or extensive receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the third decide. — Chad Graff
Offensive tackles and go catchers
We’ll go away the annual “too far over the wage cap” dialogue for after the mix as a result of the Saints at all times discover a manner. And this yr it ought to are available mass contract restructurings of a number of veteran gamers. As famous in our NFL reporters’ mock draft just lately, the necessity for sort out and/or guard ought to stand excessive on the precedence checklist. So that you’d think about gamers like Olu Fashanu (Penn State), JC Latham (Alabama), Taliese Fuaga (Oregon State), Amarius Mims (Georgia) and Tyler Guyton (Oklahoma) are all on the Saints’ radar. The Saints might additionally use one other piece for Derek Carr at extensive receiver (LSU’s Brian Thomas, Florida State’s Keon Coleman, Texas’ Adonai Mitchell) so as to add some extra punch with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. — Larry Holder
Saquon Barkley watch
There’s rather a lot driving on this subsequent interval of the Giants offseason after an already noisy begin to the enterprise aspect of issues with teaching modifications aplenty. However the highlight will likely be tuned to Barkley’s future on the mix because the entrance workplace and the working again’s representatives are anticipated to fulfill once more. Will they be capable to hammer out a deal? Will he get tagged once more for $12.1 million or will he lastly check the open market and enterprise into the fascinating working again market? We’ll get a clearer image by week’s finish of the place the 2 sides stand. — Charlotte Carroll
Washington’s Rome Odunze is without doubt one of the stars of a deep extensive receiver class that can draw loads of curiosity in Indianapolis. (Joe Nicholson / USA As we speak)
The go catchers
The Jets have an apparent want at offensive sort out (and/or at guard, too, relying on some offseason selections), however in addition they desperately need assistance at extensive receiver for star Garrett Wilson. Allen Lazard received’t reduce it as an choice in 2024. There are some extraordinarily gifted receivers on this class who could possibly be obtainable at No. 10 when the Jets decide — after Marvin Harrison Jr., who will virtually definitely be gone — and even when the Jets nonetheless want an offensive lineman, they is likely to be tempted by the likes of Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze — or others later within the draft, when groups have discovered stars in previous years whereas the Jets sat on their arms, like final yr. — Zack Rosenblatt
Are they organized?
Fourth-year coach Nick Sirianni overhauled each coordinator positions, and there’s nonetheless not a lot readability about how concerned he will likely be in working with newly employed offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to construct a much less predictable offensive system that provides a deeply gifted roster with extra solutions this offseason. And what sort of offense is that precisely? A Howie Roseman-led personnel division that continues to be largely intact should additionally improve a number of defensive positions. How extra favorably positioned will defenders be in a revamped “Fangio System” that can this time be coached by … nicely, Vic Fangio? — Brooks Kubena
If it’s a clear sweep regarding Kenny Pickett
The Steelers interview each single participant they’ll and so they just about use the mix as an assurance of what they’ve scouted all year long. So there’s not a lot to glean there. The place there could possibly be some clarification, or at the very least unity, is what common supervisor Omar Khan says about Pickett in contrast with what Mike Tomlin mentioned days after the season and what proprietor Artwork Rooney II mentioned two weeks later. Each alluded to Pickett being the No. 1 quarterback getting into the season regardless of not regaining his beginning place from Mason Rudolph over the ultimate 4 video games of the season. Will the Steelers triple down on that or stroll it again and hammer house that Pickett received’t be getting into the offseason because the clear-cut QB1 and both a re-signing of Rudolph or an out of doors free agent — or a possible commerce — will present respectable competitors? — Mark Kaboly
The offensive linemen
Three of the highest heart prospects — Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson, Duke’s Graham Barton and West Virginia’s Zach Frazier — ought to all have multi-positional functionality within the NFL. That could possibly be tantalizing to the 49ers, whose greatest weak spot to repair lies within the offensive line. Multiple spot was an issue this previous season. Primarily everybody however left sort out Trent Williams endured important struggles at one level or one other. So maybe the 49ers, who don’t decide till No. 31, will likely be on the lookout for an adaptable inside lineman who can instantly fortify their particularly problematic proper guard place earlier than doubtlessly turning into the long-term answer at heart. The 49ers merely want extra high quality choices up entrance. Think about the increase that would give QB Brock Purdy. — David Lombardi
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John Schneider flying solo
This will likely be Seattle’s first mix with GM Schneider main soccer operations, so his messaging from the rostrum will likely be fascinating to investigate. Whereas Schneider has lengthy figured prominently into key selections, coach Pete Carroll set the imaginative and prescient for the franchise beforehand. Schneider is doing extra of that now. We received’t hear from new coach Mike Macdonald in any respect on the mix; he and his employees are anticipated to stay behind to put in their schemes. That can put further consideration on Schneider. — Mike Sando
How they method the quarterback place
The Bucs need to re-sign Baker Mayfield, whose contract is up. Mayfield has mentioned he needs to stay in Tampa. However he additionally advised ESPN he needs market worth. That most likely means a deal just like the one Geno Smith just lately signed with Seattle — $75 million over three years. Whether or not the Bucs need to pay that’s the difficulty. A franchise tag is an choice however not ideally suited with security Antoine Winfield Jr. and extensive receiver Mike Evans additionally on expiring contracts. It will likely be fascinating to listen to what GM Jason Licht says concerning the quarterback place, together with the prospects within the draft. — Dan Pompei
Three tackles and two receivers
The free-agency image suggests the Titans can get assist at cornerback and inside offensive line earlier than the draft however will doubtless should focus their first two picks on their two greatest wants. The absence of a third-round decide will increase the urgency. Second-year quarterback Will Levis wants a long-term receiver to develop with and a left sort out to guard him. The board may go out for the Titans to decide on between Joe Alt and Olu Fashanu as a foundational sort out — however what about Taliese Fuaga? Does he proceed his momentum in Indy? May the Titans transfer down, get him and be pleased with it? The board might also let Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze slide to No. 7. Would Brian Callahan choose a playmaker over a blocker because the Bengals did when he was there and so they took Ja’Marr Chase over Penei Sewell in 2021? — Joe Rexrode
The quarterbacks
It’s no secret that the holders of the No. 2 decide are anticipated to pick a quarterback from the highest group. The trick right here is the brand new braintrust of GM Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and the scouting division holdovers are principally new to one another. Have they got Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels graded in the identical vary? If Williams is a reduce above, is the hole thought-about sufficient to supply the Bears a Godfather commerce for the primary decide? Has Daniels’ dual-threat shine caught as much as Maye or do they like the UNC quarterback’s prototypical dimension? We received’t discover out the employees’s hopes and goals, however that is the place the detective work begins by inspecting the trio on our personal. — Ben Standig
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(Prime images of J.J. McCarthy, Saquon Barkley and Malik Nabers: Gregory Shamus, Getty Photos; Jim McIsaac, Getty Photos; Matthew Hinton / USA As we speak)
