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Fact or Fiction: What to look for at the Combine

FOF-COMBINE-TICKETMASTER

The Giants.com crew is presented with four statements and must decide whether they are Fact or Fiction.

The Combine is the most important event during the pre-draft process.

John Schmeelk: Fiction - I answered "fact" when we had the same statement about the Senior Bowl a month ago, so I am not going to change my mind. You get measurements, meetings, but also real football being played at the Senior Bowl, which is why it is more important than the NFL Combine. The Combine has a good argument given all the key players in the draft are in attendance and are scrutinized to some extent, even if it is just being measured. But it isn't real football, and that will always take precedence over testing numbers.

Matt Citak: Fact - While I also answered "fact" on that same statement about the Senior Bowl a month ago, that one specifically excluded the Combine. What occurs off the field in Indy holds a ton of importance in the pre-draft process. Between the private meetings between prospects and teams, sessions with the media, and medical evaluations, NFL front offices and coaching staffs really get an in-depth look at almost everything there is to know about the prospects (outside of watching their game film). With the national spotlight that gets put onto everything that occurs in Indy during the week of the Combine, I'm giving it the slight edge over the Senior Bowl.

The thing you are most excited about seeing next week is the quarterbacks throwing.

John Schmeelk: Fiction - Quarterbacks throwing against air to receivers they do not know doesn't really do much for my evaluation process. It's nice to see how the ball comes out of their hand on the same field back to back but the accuracy and other more important aspects of quarterback play are seen on the All-22 in games, not in Indianapolis. I am more excited to see if some of the players in these groups can create some separation with one another with their testing. How long the arms of some of the offensive tackles are measured will be vitally important in terms of what position they play. How cornerbacks run will move them around the draft board. How guys on the defensive front test could separate themselves from the pack with their testing. Can a wide receiver emerge in a group that is not considered all that impressive?

Matt Citak: Fiction - I do actually enjoy seeing the top quarterbacks throw at the Combine. Most of the time, the receivers they are throwing to are guys the quarterbacks have never played with. Thus, seeing how quickly they can adjust to these new receivers does hold some value in my eyes. But similarly to John, the thing that excites me the most about next week is seeing which players can boost their draft stock with dominant showings in the on-field drills. Every year, we see some guys put up strong performances in Indy which solidifies their status as a top 5 pick, a top 10 pick, a first-round pick, etc. A few years ago, Anthony Richardson's excellent outing at the Combine led to him being drafted fourth overall. Even last year, Xavier Worthy was seen as a likely Day 2 pick until he ran a record-setting time in the 40-yard dash, elevating him to the end of the first round. There is a reason why the Combine is considered to be the ultimate job interview.

View photos of the Giants participating at the NFL Combine.

Someone will match (or beat) Xavier Worthy's record-setting 4.21 40-yard dash from last year.

John Schmeelk: Fiction - 4.21 a ridiculous time and no one from this class is likely to come close to this time. It is much more likely that no one runs a sub 4.3 than someone breaks 4.25.

Matt Citak: Fiction - This one was easy. Prior to Worthy's record time last year, the previous record had been set by former Giants wide receiver John Ross in 2017 (4.22). It took seven years for someone to beat Ross' time, and it likely will take another few years for someone to even come close to Worthy's insane time.

Following the week in Indy, the consensus will be that defensive tackle is the deepest position in the 2025 NFL Draft.

John Schmeelk: FICTION SLAM - Defensive tackle is deep, but I think the edge class will end up being deeper. Dane Brugler has a couple more edge players in his top 100 than tackles. Both groups will be amongst the deepest in the class but I think the edge group has a little bit more to it. It is much closer than it usually is because in recent years, the defensive tackle group has been wanting. That position is the strongest it has been in years.

Matt Citak: Fact - This one was a toss up between defensive tackle and running back, as I think we are going to see a crazy number of backs drafted this year. In fact, Daniel Jeremiah had three RBs going in the first round in his latest mock draft and four in his top 50 prospect rankings. But it was something Jeremiah said 10 days ago that has me so excited about this year's defensive tackle class. Last February, Jeremiah had potential starter grades on 12 DTs. This year, that number jumps up to 24. That is a level of depth at defensive tackle that we haven't seen in a draft in a long time.

NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his initial ranking of the top 50 prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.

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