A look at the Baylor Bears participating the 2022 NFL Combine
The NFL Combine ramps up on Thursday as televised on-field drills begin airing on NFL Network, with the QB/WR/TE group up first in front of league scouts, coaches, and management. The Combine marks a second phase in the Draft process, with Pro Days and private workouts for some still to come.
The Bears will host their annual Pro Day on Wednesday, March 30. That should prove a big day for OL Xavier Newman-Johnson, who received the Combine snub despite what was reportedly a strong week at the Shrine Bowl last month.
Over the years, I've known people who love the Combine with a passion - reveling in every second - and heard plenty who believe it's merely the underwear Olympics, with no severe bearing on a player's pro prospects compared to other aspects.
Whatever side you sit on, there's no denying the positive exposure for the player, school, and program that can come with NFL attention.
For Baylor Football, there has been good news aplenty recently - knock on wood - and that stands to continue with seven prospects going under the pro microscope in Indianapolis over the next few days.
In particular, this is a super intriguing group regarding speed, making the 40-yard dash of far more interest to me than usual, just out of curiosity.
Baylor's magnificent seven gives them the second-most Combine reps in the Big 12, behind only Oklahoma (11). And together, the Bears and Sooners represent over half of the conference's 35 invites this year.
Jalen Pitre easily remains the strongest candidate to go off the board first in April, most likely on Day 2 (rounds 2-3). Beyond Pitre, where the rest land is a total guess at this point.
Here's the TV workout schedule for Baylor's future pros for those interested.
Thursday, March 3 - QB/TE/WR Drills
NFL Network, 3 pm - 10 pm
WR, Tyquan Thornton
Thornton made some positive impressions in front of scouts during Shrine Bowl week. He won't wow with strength, but he might with speed. A Day 3 guy right now.
Friday, March 4 - OL/RB/ST Drills
NFL Network, 3 pm - 10 pm
RB, Abram Smith
RB, Trestan Ebner
Smith had a solid Senior Bowl week but remains consistently rated behind several other running backs, it appears. Scouts love watching his tape, but there are some questions as it translates to NFL impact. Likewise, it's been kind of quiet around Trestan Ebner. Both are looking at Day 3 projections.
Saturday, March 5 - DL/LB Drills
NFL Network, 3 pm - 10 pm
LB, Terrel Bernard
Bernard showed up to Senior Bowl week injured and ultimately missed most practices, plus the game. So here's hoping he's all healed up and ready to rock. There are some questions about his size and how he'll hold up in the league, another Day 3 projection.
Sunday, March 6 - DB Drills
NFL Network, 1 pm - 6 pm
DB, Jalen Pitre
DB, JT Woods
DB, Kalon Barnes
Pitre is a Draft community favorite and shined as expected in Mobile. Woods was a late Senior Bowl addition and sealed the all-star game with an interception. Barnes' athleticism is the stuff of legend, but that didn't always translate to stellar play or technique. Pitre is a Day 2 guy, and it's just a matter of how high he could rise in that round 2-3 range. Woods could be a Day 3 guy, while Barnes is more likely an undrafted free agent candidate.