The 2022 NFL season is officially in the books with the Kansas City Chiefs emerging as the Super Bowl Champions. Now it is draft season, with the LA Chargers and every other team turning their attention to the 2023 NFL Combine and the subsequent NFL Draft.
The NFL Combine has grown in popularity in recent years and rightfully so. Nothing shakes up a team's big board and draft focus like the NFL Combine. This is the place where certain prospects come to climb up the ranks, or where others come to fall down the board.
With the Chargers' financial restrictions this offseason, the 2023 NFL Draft is extremely important if the team wants to improve next season. With that in mind, the NFL Combine might be appointment-viewing for Chargers fans who want to get a glimpse of who the Bolts may target.
When is the NFL Combine 2023?
The NFL Combine is already around the corner with the first day of action starting on Tuesday, February 28 (only 16 days after Super Bowl LVII). It is a week-long event, with action wrapping up on Monday, March 6.
Where is the NFL Combine?
As has been the case since 1987, the NFL Combine will take place in Indianapolis with Lucas Oil Stadium serving as the main hub for the activities. Indianapolis will extend its streak of hosting the combine as the city has already been confirmed for 2024 as well.
Who is invited to the NFL Combine?
Not every draft-eligible prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft was invited to the NFL Combine. In total, there are 319 prospects that have been invited to participate. NFL teams can still gain info on those who were not invited by attending their pro days or any individually-scheduled workouts.
What positions will the Chargers focus on during the NFL Combine?
The NFL Combine is interesting as it takes place before the start of free agency. With the Chargers needing to free up over $20 million in cap space, there could be potential roster needs during the 2023 NFL Draft that do not look like roster needs right now.
That being said, there are still several positions that Chargers fans can hone in on during the 2023 NFL Combine. Here are the five most prevalent to keep an eye on:
- Wide receiver: Even if Keenan Allen sticks around, the wide receiver room is incredibly thin. As of right now, the only reliable options are Allen, Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer. Depth is needed at the very least.
- Edge rusher: The Chargers have only drafted two edge rushers since taking Joey Bosa in 2016 and that needs to change. This is probably Khalil Mack's last year with the team, so getting his replacement now is best.
- Tight end: Gerald Everett is a potential cut/trade candidate, so we could see an early-round tight end taken by the Chargers.
- Offensive tackle: If Trey Pipkins leaves then this will be a legitimate first-round need for the Bolts. If not, the team still needs a quality backup tackle so they don't have to rely on someone like Storm Norton.
- Safety: Nasir Adderley is a free agent and likely is not returning in 2023. Alohi Gilman and JT Woods are the current safety options and the team likely needs more depth beyond those two.
NFL Combine events:
There are seven different events that are not position-specific that prospects will participate in. Prospects do not need to participate in all seven of the events, but they are there to showcase a prospects' skillset.
- 40-yard dash
- 20-yard shuttle
- 60-yard shuttle
- 3 cone drill
- Broad jump
- Vertical jump
- 225-pound bench press
There are also drills that are position-specific as well as interviews, physicals and tests (like the Wonderlic test) that go on behind closed doors.
How to watch NFL Combine 2023:
Fans can livestream NFL Network's coverage of the NFL Combine via the NFL app or on NFL.com/watch (if you are watching from a browser). Fans can also watch the even via their cable subsription on NFL Network.