NFL Draft news: When is the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine?
By Jerry Trotta
The 2023 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and the Dallas Cowboys are hoping to replicate their showing last year when they landed impact players Tyler Smith, Sam Williams, DaRon Bland, Jake Ferguson, and Damone Clark.
Watching film is ultimately the best way to evaluate prospects, but the NFL Scouting Combine isn’t far behind in that regard.
After multiple years of the Combine being upended in some fashion, there’s widespread hope the annual event will finally return to normal this year.
Prospects can either improve or damage their draft stock based on their Combine performance. The ever-popular relative athletic score (RAS) delivers the best results as far as determining rising/falling stock, but interviews and physicals offer another platform for players to impress potential suitors.
Let’s run through some key information to know about this year’s Combine.
When is the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine
The 2023 NFL Combine will commence on Monday, Feb. 27. It runs for a full week (through Monday, March 6.), but the first few days are designated for player registration and medicals. The real fun doesn’t start until mid-week.
Drills begin Thursday, March 2. Every position is separated into groupings of at least two. Here’s a position-by-position breakdown:
- Thursday, March 2: Defensive linemen, linebackers
- Friday, March 3: Defensive backs (cornerbacks, safeties)
- Saturday, March 4: Quarterbacks, receivers, and tight ends
- Sunday, March 5: Running backs, offensive linemen
Where is the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine?
In keeping with tradition, the Combine will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts’ home stadium has hosted the event every year since 1987. There was actually a chance the Combine would relocate for 2023. The host was put up to a bid, but Lucas Oil Stadium ultimately won out.
Who is invited to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine?
Not every draft-eligible prospect gets an invite to Indianapolis. This is why the Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl are so important for some prospects. In total, 319 players were invited to participate in the Combine. Catch the full list here.
Alabama, Georgia, TCU, Penn State, Florida, Ohio State, Michigan, LSU, and Clemson are among the schools with the most prospect invites.
Those prospects who didn’t receive an invite can still engage in similar drills and workouts at their school’s respective pro days. Pro days offer a second chance for prospects who damaged their draft stock at the Combine, too.
How to watch 2023 NFL Scouting Combine
NFL Network will have around-the-clock coverage of the Combine. If you’re unable to watch on television, NFL Network will carry a stream through the NFL app or NFL+. Where will you be watching?
