Everything you need to know before the NFL Scouting Combine

More than 300 players aspiring to be selected for the NFL Draft gather this week in Indianapolis for the Scouting Combine, a week in which players undergo physical, medical and performance tests on the gridiron, as well as of interviews, to be evaluated by the 32 teams in the league.

At MARCA Claro we bring you the guide with the most important aspects of the event, including the players to follow, the events calendar and a bit of history prior to the start of activities at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Why Does the Combine Matter?

'Olympics in Underwear', named after the unusual attire worn by the players, the Combine serves as a quantitative comparison of prospects, as well as Interviews allow us to get to know the players a little better off the pitch.

Why are there so many critics of the Combine?

Because in the 1990s and early 2000s, when the event began to gain popularity, there was too much interest in some measurements, especially speed, which caused several failures like Mike Mamula, Aaron Curry, JaMarcus Russell and Vernon Gholston.

Although the Combine helps to have more data on a player, the measurements do not always transfer to the field of play and the videos, extra factors and the way he fits into the team must be analyzed before choosing a player a player.

Calendar of events

The activities that attract the most attention are the tests on the playing field, which will take place at the following times:

Thursday 1: special teams.

Friday the 2nd: offensive linemen and running backs.

Saturday the 3rd: quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends.

Sunday the 4th: defensive linemen and linebackers.

Monday 5: defensive secondary.

What are the tests to follow?

The most striking are the 40-yard sprint and the tests in which the quarterbacks throw and the running backs and receivers receive. However, one of the most followed by talent evaluators is that of the three cones, in which they see the explosion, agility, explosiveness and flexibility of the players.

The best generation of quarterbacks since 2004, but without a clear #1

As every year, quarterbacks dominate the spotlight with teams looking for the 'savior' of their franchise. This year is no exception and there could well be six picks in the first round, whose development will depend a lot on what happens with the quarterbacks.

Josh Rosen (UCLA) and Sam Darnold (USC) look like the best prospects so far. Darnold won't pitch, opting to wait until his pro day at USC, while Rosen's drawback is his character that raises questions about his leadership. Baker Mayfield is a bit behind, but there is some question about his size, closer to a Drew Brees or Johnny Manziel than a Carson Wentz or Ben Roethlisberger, but the most intriguing are another pair.

Josh Allen has the physique of a traditional quarterback, but there are questions about his accuracy, especially considering he played in a small school (Wyoming), while the other is Lamar Jackson. The 2016 Heisman winner was a threat both through the air and on the ground in his stint in Louisville, but he struggled pitching against top-tier opponents like LSU, Clemson and Florida State. Most teams prefer the legs to be a complement, not what defines it, so his launch session (if he does it, he has not confirmed) will be one of the most watched events.

Who could be the new Alvin Kamara?

The running backs, sidelined in the top 10 of the Draft for much of the past decade (from 2006 to 2015, only five were chosen in the top 10 and in 2013 and 2014 there were no runners in the first round). This year, Penn State's Saquon Barkley is considered the best prospect at the position and possibly in the entire draft, but behind him are a host of players who will be available late in the first round or in the middle rounds and could have an impact similar to what Alvin Kamara had last year with the Saints.

Derrius Guice (LSU), Ronald Jones II (USC), Mark Walton (Miami), Rashaad Penny (San Diego State), Kerryon Johnson (Auburn), Nick Chubb and Sony Michel (Georgia) and Royce Freeman (Oregon) they will seek to take a step forward and put themselves in second place among the running backs in this Draft.

Will we run out of receivers in the first round?

2008 is the only draft that hasn't taken a receiver in the first round since the leagues unified in 1970, although that's not It means no talent, since Jordy Nelson and DeSean Jackson, both Pro Bowlers, were part of the 2008 class.

2018 could follow the same fate as there is no clear leader in this group, so Calvin Ridley (Alabama), Christian Kirk (Texas A&M), Dante Pettis (Washington), Courtland Sutton (SMU) and James Washington (Oklahoma State) could benefit from a good performance in Indianapolis.

Is there a Myles Garrett this year?

The first pick of 2017, despite injuries, was a revelation with seven sacks in just 11 games. There isn't a prospect of that level among defensive ends and outside linebackers this year, but there are two that could be in-demand in the Draft: North Carolina State's Bradley Chubb and UTSA's Marcus Davenport, plus Arden Key, who disappointed in his Senior year at LSU.

Depth Among Safeties

The steady increase in the passing game in the league increases the need for more and better defensive secondary players. There's top-tier talent in the multi-talented Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) and Derwin James (Florida State), but there's first-round talent and depth at corners in Joshua Jackson (Iowa), Denzel Ward (Ohio State), sprinter Donte Jackson (LSU), Isaiah Oliver (Colorado), Mike Hughes (Central Florida) and Carlton Davis (Auburn) among the players with first-round evaluations.