With the 2022-2023 NFL season ending last month the offseason drama approaches, first with the NFL combine and then the draft. 

The number one pick belongs to  the Carolina Panthers who just made a blockbuster deal with the Chicago Bears, acquiring the number one pick, and it is still unknown what they will do with it. Rounding out the  top 5 picks are the Colts, Texans, Seahwawks, and Cardinals who are all looking for top players in the draft to fill a much needed spot on their roster.

One major way for teams to see how players have gotten better in the offseason is the The NFL Scouting Combine, a week-long showcase occurring every February or March at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. At the combine college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of NFL coaches, general managers, and scouts. ”The combine is the start of it all, where football off-season madness begins and we get to see who they are physically and mentally, “ junior Ethan Prophett said. 

Some of the top players performing at the combine were Jalen Carter, CJ Stroud and Bijan Robinson. All are predicted to be high first round picks, who will make an impact immediately on any team. “CJ Stroud is the person I’m looking for to perform the best, he has been great at Ohio State and I hope he can succeed in the NFL,” Prophett said. 

Stroud did just that at the combine. Turning heads with his deep ball and precision passing, he is now the favorite to be the number one draft pick.

The combine lasted four days and each position went on a different day showcasing different skills and doing drills and events based on their position. “My favorite day is the QB, WR day because of the 40 yard dashes and seeing how fast they are, and seeing all the potential candidates for the Packers,” junior Cameron Gales said. 

The player who is speculated as a top prospect for the Packers because of his performance at the combine is WR Jaxon Smith Njigba, someone who will help build on to the young WR room Green Bay is creating.