The same question was scattered across social media last week, albeit with some of the words shuffled around.
“Why does the NFL Scouting Combine matter?” If the answer is “It doesn’t,” then why go through the whole performance at all? It does matter, just not in the way you might suspect.
It’s only the Underwear Olympics (hardy har-har). Fast guys run fast, and the freaks are on parade. The point so often missed is each player’s draft capital. I’m with the jaded critics who believe the Combine shouldn’t affect where and when a player is drafted (if at all), but it does. Everyone in Indianapolis is running for something, whether it be their future or, in Rich Eisen’s case, charity.
Fantasy value, especially in dynasty formats, is heavily dependent on draft capital. Where I don’t necessarily give a flying frittata about WR 40 times, the fluctuation in acquisition cost cannot be ignored. Let’s examine a few dynasty rookie draft prospects that saw their values fall during the NFL Combine.
- 2024 NFL Mock Drafts
- Expert Consensus 2024 NFL Mock Draft
- 2024 NFL Draft Guide
- 2024 NFL Draft Prospect Profiles
2024 NFL Scouting Combine: Risers & Fallers
Fallers
Joe Milton III (QB – TENN)
Tennessee runs a full-on gimmick offensive scheme, and Joe Milton III might have the strongest throwing arm of all time. Neither of these statements is a full indictment or endorsement of Milton’s prospects at the NFL level. Milton lacks eye discipline, footwork and consistent accuracy. He was erratic throughout his on-field drills, save for an effortless 74-yard flick on a 9-route that he finished with a finger pistol. Milton is a steep project, but the underlying diamond is flawless.
Bucky Irving (RB – ORE)
There isn’t a rule against RBs under 200 pounds. Plenty of very successful players have overcome a smaller frame to become All-Pro players. Most of those players were pretty fast and have athletic traits that excite scouts from across the league. Bucky Irving is a prominent “Wow” player on Oregon game tape. He is quick, decisive and has incredible tackle-shedding ability for his size. He is not very fast, clocking a 4.55 40. He is also not very good at pass protection, a trait that could see him struggle to earn snaps at the NFL level. This might have been the most shockingly precipitous decline in value for any skill player in the 2024 class.
I, personally, did not take offense to Audric Estime’s 40 time. It was reportedly recorded using a sundial at 4.71 seconds. Estime looks fast as hell on tape, especially for a player who was playing at around 235 pounds for the Fighting Irish. He is explosive. His 38-inch vertical jump was among the best marks at RB. Estime is a bruiser with great vision and success in both gap-iso and zone-running schemes. Whether the league gives a hoot about a 40 time is yet to be determined, but the fantasy community is blue in the face holding their breath.
Dynasty Rookie Mock Drafts
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Two Rounds (10-Team, 1QB)
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Two Rounds (12-Team, 1QB)
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Superflex, 5-Round
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: 10-Team, Superflex
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: 12-Team, Superflex
Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice
- 2024 Dynasty Superflex Rookie Draft Rankings: Fitz’s Top 40 Pick
- Erickson’s Top Dynasty Rookie Wide Receivers
- Erickson’s Top Dynasty Rookie Running Backs
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Rankings & Tiers: Wide Receivers
- How to Prepare for Your Dynasty Rookie Draft: Feb |
- 3 Overvalued Dynasty Rookie Draft Picks to Avoid
- 3 Undervalued Dynasty Rookie Draft Picks to Target
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