Silverman: NFL Scouting Combine Is Set To Separate Men From Boys

By Steve Silverman
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It's all about talent.

NFL teams are in the talent-acquisition business, and it is a cold and cruel one.

The college players who have gathered this week in Indianapolis don't realize this yet, because they are about to put their abilities on display and many of them will be celebrated quite a bit in the weeks and months to come as the draft approaches.

But as the young players put their considerable skill sets on display at the Scouting Combine, veteran players are about to get tossed aside.

Superstars and rising players don't have any problems, but average and even good players are often discarded for younger and cheaper models.

There are a number of stories to follow as players get tested, poked, prodded, and, perhaps most important of all, interviewed by their prospective employers.

The most essential part of scouting players has taken place already as the college hopefuls have completed their 2015 seasons. In many cases, teams can base their draft on what happened during the season as well as the Senior Bowl, because that game pits the best college players against each other in an NFL-style setting. But the Combine provides fairly definitive information on heights, weights and 40-yard dash times as well as the medical history and physical condition of each player.

Carson Wentz of North Dakota State may be the most popular player at this year's Combine. He has already had a strong draft season, because he went from a relatively unknown quarterback at North Dakota State to a potential star, largely due to his work at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

At 6-foot-5 and 233 pounds, Wentz has the kind of size that attracts scouts and coaches, and he threw the ball beautifully. He will next be asked to show off his arm strength, quick release and accuracy at the Combine, and that should not be a problem for him.

However, he is going to go under the interview microscope, and while he is smart, well-spoken and apparently quite prepared, there will be a lot of pressure on him. If he puts on a great show with his arm and comes across as a thoughtful player with leadership skills, he could end up as a top-three pick in the draft.

If he struggles in any aspect, questions will pop up and he could fall quickly.

Defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche projects to be a late first-round pick at this point in the process, and that's somewhat curious. Nkemdiche will likely be one of the three or four most gifted players at the Combine, and the Ole Miss standout could turn out to be a legitimate defensive Rookie of the Year contender.

Nkemdiche was the top recruit in the country when he arrived at Ole Miss, and his explosive quickness, spin move and use of his arms to disengage from blockers are notable when you get a chance to watch him on tape.

Nkemdiche is the kind of player who can embarrass opponents as he requires a double-team in all passing situations. If he can become just a bit more consistent -- some have questioned his hunger -- he has a chance to be a game-changing star.

One of the more interesting aspects of this year's Combine is the plethora of linebacker prospects at the Combine. Players like Myles Jack of UCLA, Darron Lee of Ohio State, Jaylon Smith of Notre Dame and Leonard Floyd of Georgia are top outside linebacker prospects, while Reggie Ragland of Alabama and Kentrell Brothers of Missouri are the top inside linebacker choices.

Jack is the most intriguing of the crew. His 2015 season was ruined when he tore a meniscus in September, so he is going to have to show that he is ready to run and compete at some point before the draft.

If Jack is able to show off his skills to the maximum, he could end up being the rarest of prospects. His athleticism is off the charts, and he has the speed and quickness to cover fast receivers as well as bring the pain when he is tackling running backs.

If he can prove he is healthy, Jack appears to have game-changing ability and could help any defense in the NFL.

Running back Jordan Howard of Indiana is not a prospective first-round pick. However, he could become an effective star who goes in the third round. Howard transferred to Indiana from UAB, and he averaged 134.8 yards per game.

More than the numbers, Howard combines a physical style with excellent running instincts. He can string moves together and once he gets to the second level, he can take off and run away from the pursuit. He is also very aggressive, and won't hesitate to take on tacklers.

Howard could turn out to be one of the stars of the Combine or he could turn out to be overlooked as scouts concentrate on the potential superstars.

However, Howard is the kind of player that will leave it all on the field every time he competes, and he will do the little things that help his team win.

He's precisely the kind of player that scouts are looking for.

Follow Steve on Twitter at @ProFootballBoy