It’s the Combine edition of Monday Musings! With the quarterbacks and receivers weighed and measured, let’s start off with the rumblings making their way through the Indiana Convention Center as the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine kicks off.
Make no mistake about it, the CBA will dominate the conversation at the Combine until such time an agreement is reached. We’ve been ahead of the curve on what’s been going on behind the scenes – so what’s the latest?
CBA negotiations slowing down free agency?
During last week’s edition of The Draft Insiders podcast, I mentioned that the restructuring of veteran contracts had almost come to a halt as general managers await details of the new collective bargaining agreement – assuming there is an agreement reached.
This evening I’ve learned the slow down of operations has extended to contract offerings of restricted free agents and players expected to be tendered. Sources tell me they also expect free agent talk at the Combine to be lighter than usual until such time that teams have a better idea of what the future holds.
Latest on Tua Tagovailoa
As we published earlier today on PFN, the father of Tua Tagovailoa will be in Indianapolis to join his son. It’s rare for family members to travel to the Combine due to the lack of access, but Tua and his dad have a close bond.
Also mentioned in our earlier reporting, Tua has an “official 45” meeting with the Redskins.
There are some in the Washington front office who are not sold on Dwayne Haskins, last year’s first-round selection. But this is more about the franchise doing their due diligence than anything else.
First two days of NFL Draft to be loaded with wide receivers?
Right now most NFL general managers expect six receivers to be selected in the first round and a total of 15 off the board by the time the second round is complete – a testament to the strength of the receiver position in this year’s draft.
Who could those 15 receivers be?
Based on my board and coupled with what I’m hearing, the first-round selections include Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, KJ Hamler, Henry Ruggs III, and Laviska Shenault Jr.
After that, it’s a mishmash of receivers with some liking Justin Jefferson or Jalen Reagor or Tee Higgins.
Five more names for round two include Gabe Davis, Bryan Edwards, Quintez Cephus, Denzel Mims, and K.J. Hill. The final two wideouts are wildcards, though I was told at the Senior Bowl that Van Jefferson could pop into the top 60 choices if he runs well.
Remember, though, that this is the belief going into the Combine and much depends on how the receivers test in Indianapolis. And in some cases, like that of Bryan Edwards, it also depends on a prospect’s injury status.
Memphis RB Patrick Taylor injury update
I previously reported on the situation surrounding Memphis running back Patrick Taylor and his injured foot, which will require a second surgery. Here’s an update.
Taylor will workout at the Combine so scouts can get testing results and will then have surgery after he leaves Indianapolis. His post-surgery rehabilitation will take 4 to 6 months. There is speculation that the initial surgery done on Taylor’s foot last year was not completed properly causing the need for a second operation.
Scouts I talk to believe Taylor has a lot of David Johnson in his game.
Tony Pauline is Pro Football Network’s NFL Draft Analyst and Insider. Follow him on Twitter @TonyPauline. Follow PFN on Twitter @PFN365.