2022 NFL Scouting Combine: Day One Notes

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The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine kicked off with day one on Tuesday. There was no NFL Scouting Combine last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, this was the first day in a long time that head coaches, general managers and scouts had been able to return to this kind of setting. Many of the coaches expressed how excited they were to be back in person, citing some sense of normalcy.

We will still have to wait until Thursday to see 2022 NFL Draft prospects begin on-field workouts. However, there were plenty of headlines that stood out from day one of this week’s event. Quarterbacks dominated the conversations, as usual. Some points were more eye-popping than others. We have also seen a mixed reaction to a possible change of the NFL’s overtime rules. Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians narrowed down Tom Brady‘s options, so to speak, if he ever comes back. Furthermore, are both of the New York teams that share MetLife Stadium firmly set on remaining in the top ten come April? Let’s kick it off with Tuesday’s edition of the FPC 2022 NFL Scouting Combine notebook.

Broncos Leaving “No Stone Unturned” About Addressing QB Position

When addressing the media on Tuesday afternoon, Denver Broncos general manager George Paton talked about the quarterback position. It has obviously been a spot that has been severely lacking for this franchise since Peyton Manning retired after winning Super Bowl 50. Ten different passers have started at least one game for the Broncos since the beginning of 2016, leaving much to be desired.

The Broncos have their👀set on the QB position. #BroncosCountry #FPC #NFL #NFLTwitter pic.twitter.com/NXtrYTosgD

— Full Press NFL (@FullPressNFL) March 1, 2022

When talking about how the Broncos could address the position in 2022, Paton mentioned how there would be “no stone unturned on that. We know we need better play at that position,” he said. Last season was Paton’s first as Denver GM. He traded a 2021 sixth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers in order to acquire Teddy Bridgewater. He won a quarterback competition against incumbent third-year man and former Broncos’ second-round pick Drew Lock.

Bridgewater started the majority of the games in 2021, going a combined 7-6 in 13 starts. Paton certainly attempted to infuse a new light into the Broncos quarterback room last year. Yet, he had a chance in the 2021 NFL Draft to do so and chose not to. Both Justin Fields and Mac Jones were still on the board when Denver was selecting with the ninth overall pick. Paton and the Broncos opted to select Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II.

While Surtain II enjoyed a fine rookie campaign, the team had a prime opportunity to take a franchise signal caller. Fast forward to 2022 and they are again slated to select at ninth overall. Though, the quarterback draft class looks less fruitful. Denver is also surrounded by other top of the line passers within the AFC West like Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. As for Derek Carr, he has been much more reliable in crucial moments. The Broncos will have to fully embrace Paton’s statement sooner rather than later.

Shoulder Surgery Surrounds Two QBs

Shoulder surgery was revealed for a couple of quarterbacks. These were two of the NFL’s playoff bound quarterbacks from the NFC side last January. One of them has already had their surgery. Meanwhile, the other passer could be limited until the summer, once he undergoes his surgery.

Dak Prescott underwent shoulder surgery near the beginning of the offseason. #DallasCowboys #FPC #NFL #NFLTwitter pic.twitter.com/OuuiqJ4tYO

— Full Press NFL (@FullPressNFL) March 1, 2022

The one that has already undergone surgery was Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys. Mike McCarthy, the team’s head coach, mentioned that it was a “cleanup surgery,” via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. This was a procedure that was done on his left shoulder, or non-throwing shoulder. This is something that is not expected to affect Prescott during his offseason workouts.

Shoulder surgery is near for Jimmy G #FPC #NFL #NFLTwitter pic.twitter.com/lcyPjEaq0A

— Full Press NFL (@FullPressNFL) March 1, 2022

The other passer is Jimmy Garoppolo. Of course, he is still currently a member of the San Francisco 49ers for now. There is a widespread expectation that Garoppolo will no longer be with San Francisco in 2022. Perhaps, an impending shoulder surgery could limit his trade appeal. That is not the case as ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted on Tuesday. He could be sidelined until the summer, as mentioned above. Garoppolo has yet to have shoulder surgery. It is getting closer, however.

OT Rules Changing? It’s A Mixed Bag

Changing the NFL overtime rules has been a topic that has been here and there over the last few offseasons. Many people that are in favor of a change are basing their reasoning on wanting to see each team possess the ball in overtime. That of course happens already, if the first team to have possession scores a field goal or does not score at all. There appears to be some head coaches that are more in favor of a change than others, as we heard on Tuesday at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.

Favoring A Change

“Experiencing what we experienced, I think there’s better ways out there,” said Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott. His team was obviously on the wrong end of an OT thriller in this year’s Divisional Round against the Kansas City Chiefs. McDermott also mentioned how “you want to evolve the game.” The Bills head coach acknowledged that Buffalo’s organization has “got some ideas that will move the game forward,” via Adam Beasley of Pro Football Network.

Some May Be Opposed

There are also some head coaches or organizations that may not be in favor of a rules change for NFL overtime. Judy Battista of NFL Network referenced on NFL Network on Tuesday that the AFC Championship Game did go to overtime between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Chiefs. And even though Cincinnati did not get the ball first, they still won the game and went on to Super Bowl LVI. Could this make some coaches believe that overtime is just fine the way it currently is?

Others Are Indifferent

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid also mentioned how he is a bit more neutral on an overtime rule change this year. He said, “I’m for whatever the league decides to do. I kind of left it open this year,” via the Chiefs’ YouTube channel. He also made a point that this is something that “is not going to be perfect no matter what. There’s no perfect remedy of this thing.” I ultimately feel the same way that Reid does. If I had a vote, I would personally go back to immediate sudden death in overtime, where even a field goal on the first position ends the game.

Bucs Leaving “Light On” For Tom Brady

It has been just around month since Tom Brady announced his retirement from the game of football. Speculation on if he will eventually return has been running rampant, however. Buccaneers’ general manager Jason Licht made it a point that Brady is always welcome back in Tampa Bay. Licht said, “You always leave the light on for a guy like Tom Brady,” via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

The aforementioned head coach took things a step further. When asked if Brady would want to be traded, should he return, Arians quickly closed the door on that. It would be “bad business,” Arians mentioned. “I’m not trading the best quarterback ever.”

The Buccaneers would still hold Brady’s contractual rights if he did ever come out of retirement. Arians has obviously wanted it to be known that Tampa Bay would not move him. And when you consider where the Buccaneers were before Brady came, it makes plenty of sense.

Could The Jets Or Giants Trade Out Of The Top Ten?

The New York Jets and the New York Giants currently hold four of the NFL’s top ten first-round selections for this upcoming April. The Jets currently hold picks number four and number ten. The tenth pick is via the Seattle Seahawks because of the Jamal Adams trade. Whereas, the Giants currently hold picks number five and number seven. The seventh pick is via the Chicago Bears because of last year’s trade in the first round, where the Bears traded up to select Fields at quarterback.

New Giants general manager Joe Schoen did not waste any time in saying that he would be willing to move around the draft board. “I’m definitely going to listen and be open to the situations that are best for the New York Giants,” he said via Scott Thompson of Yahoo Sports. Schoen also discussed factors into picking at those spots. “Position specifics, critical factors, the type of football makeup and the type of character that we want to bring into our building,” could help justify them taking players that high.

It was announced that New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh would not be attending the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. But under his new leadership, nothing has been off the table for the Jets franchise. One would think that a possible trade down the draft board would be included.

Be on the lookout for our notes surrounding day two of the FPC 2022 NFL Scouting Combine notebook tomorrow. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.