The Ringer NFL Draft Show NFL Combine Winners and Losers, Lions Trade Montgomery, Tales From Indy, and Pie for Breakfast
Mar 3, 2026
A romp through a record-breaking combine with jaw-dropping 40 times, verticals, and which prospects surged or slipped. Deep dives on freak athletes like a lightning-fast 241-pound tight end and jumbo-speed receivers. Heated takes on versatile tweener defenders and shifting running back value. Plus off-field Tales from Indy and a playful debate about pie for breakfast.
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Use Combine Times As A Cue To Rewatch Tape
- Don't overvalue raw 40 times alone; combine results should trigger deeper tape study rather than replace it.
- Danny Kelly warns to weigh testing with game film and avoid anchoring solely to stopwatch numbers.
Defense Now Rewards Versatile Tweener Defenders
- The league is favoring versatile 'B-at-everything' defenders who can cover tight ends, play slot, blitz and tackle.
- Hosts compare the trend to NBA positional flexibility and credit coordinators like Mike McDonald.
Combine Acts Like A For-Your-Board Advertising Campaign
- Strong combine testing often functions as an advertising campaign that forces teams to rewatch tape.
- Danny Kelly and Craig said elite testing gives GMs a marketing hook to dig deeper on prospects they might otherwise skim.