We know when we're officially into NFL Draft season when the Scouting Combine officially comes around each year in Indianapolis.
NFL executives and coaches from all 32 teams descend into Indy to find the potential next face of their franchise, and it all starts here.
In this series of articles, we'll be breaking down the notable news from each day of the heralded event, some impressive performances, and the latest rumors that you need to know.
2023 NFL Combine Recap: Day 1
Notable News Of the Day
Anthony Richardson will throw at the Combine.
There were questions regarding whether or not the ultra-talented QB prospect out of Florida would throw at the Combine, but he's chosen to participate in the on-field drills that will take place on Saturday. We should expect to see an absolute show from him.
C.J. Stroud will participate in on-field drills.
It's common for the top prospects to choose not to participate in these passing drills for many reasons, but we're going to see several of the top guys participate here this time around. The Ohio State prospect is currently projected to be a top-5 NFL Draft pick.
Bryce Young will wait until his Pro Day to throw.
Young is apparently fully recovered from his AC joint injury this past season, but he'll choose to wait until his Pro Day to participate in on-field drills. This isn't an uncommon practice for top prospects as the Pro Day allows them to rehearse and script out their throws while throwing to receivers that they're familiar with and have worked with for months.
Poise and Escapability are a lethal trait combination.
— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) January 12, 2023
Bryce Young is fun, man. pic.twitter.com/ypfO6shGMb
Tyree Wilson will wait until his Pro Day to do drills and testing.
Wilson, the edge prospect out of Texas Tech, is recovering from a foot fracture and will wait until his Pro Day to showcase his athleticism.
Will Anderson will participate in some on-field work at the NFL Combine.
Anderson appears to be a top-five lock already for this NFL Draft, so there were questions on whether or not he would end up partaking in the drills or athletic testing. We'll get to see the talented edge rusher out of Alabama alongside his peers, but it remains to be seen just how much work he'll actually do on the field in Indianapolis.
Will Levis also plans to throw at the NFL Combine.
Levis can also be added to the list of top quarterback prospects that will throw in Indianapolis. The Kentucky quarterback prospect faces numerous questions about his accuracy, decision-making, and mental processing on the field, but his arm talent is undeniable. With a solid showing in Indy, he could remain in the top-10 discussion.
Zach Evans will not participate this week due to an injury.
Evans reportedly is dealing with a minor hamstring injury that will sideline him this week in Indianapolis. Evans had a lot to gain this week as numerous questions face him regarding his lack of production at TCU and Ole Miss, but it looks like talent evaluators will have to wait for his Pro Day.
DeWayne McBride is rehabbing an injury and will not test this week.
McBride has his fans out there in the NFL Draft community, but they'll have to wait to see his athletic testing numbers as he's rehabbing a hamstring injury he sustained while training.
Hendon Hooker will not throw this week as he rehabs his injury.
This was expected as Hooker is still rehabbing the ACL tear he suffered toward the end of the College Football season.
Bijan Robinson will participate in drills this week.
The consensus RB1 in the class will get to show off his athleticism this week.
Bijan Robinson is THAT dude.
— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) December 16, 2022
(@Bijan5Robinson) pic.twitter.com/P76tDMLUzI
Dalton Kincaid will not participate in drills due to a back injury.
Kincaid reportedly suffered a small fracture in his back in the final game of the regular season for Utah, and he played through it in the Pac-12 title game. He's still recovering, though, and he'll most likely work out at his Pro Day.
The Washington Commanders released Carson Wentz.
This was fully expected as the Commanders save $26,000,000 this season with zero dead money. At this point, Wentz will likely serve as a backup somewhere in 2023.
The Latest Rumors
Jameis Winston is likely to be released by the New Orleans Saints.
Winston sat on the bench for the majority of last season behind Andy Dalton, which was an incredibly puzzling decision as the Saints continued to lose games down the stretch. Now it sounds like the Saints are prepared to move on from Winston with a post-June 1 designation, and that would save them $12,800,000 this season.
The Chicago Bears are "leaning towards" moving the No. 1 overall pick.
This was the expectation all along, but Adam Schefter reported early Monday morning that Chicago has already begun discussing trade packages with multiple teams for the No. 1 overall pick. Essentially, this report coming out at this time is a report to other franchises around the league to come to Indianapolis with their best offer. We could potentially see a deal struck here very soon.
Derek Carr and the Jets do not have a deal in place...yet.
The report here is that Carr and the Jets do not have a deal in place, and the veteran quarterback will continue to "shop around" for his 2023 home. This doesn't mean Carr won't end up a member of the Jets at some point this offseason, but there's little incentive for either side to rush this deal.
The Packers are reportedly ready to move on from Aaron Rodgers.
There are many layers to this story and report, but it's looking more and more likely that Rodgers will be traded this offseason, and the Packers will move into 2023 with Jordan Love as their starting quarterback. We'll see what Rodgers' thoughts are as he has now emerged from the darkness, but it sounds like the team is ready to move on to the next chapter.