After the Super Bowl ended, fans of NFL teams throughout the league immediately began to look at their futures. Even with the drafts being a couple of months away, speculation about which players would be taken by franchises became a top storyline in sports media. This week, the NFL draft combine will occur in Indianapolis as it does every year. Superstar talents such as Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Marvin Harrison Jr. will be in attendance, as well as two stars from UConn, Eric Watts, and Christian Haynes. Everyone invited to the combine is expected to attend but certain draft prospects will only be competing in some skill events. This column will touch on the star plays to watch as well as each Husky prospect.
Caleb Williams
The heavy favorite to become the number one overall pick, the former USC quarterback will have all eyes on him this week. Despite all the attention surrounding him this week, the D.C. native is not expected to throw at the combine and will wait for his Pro Day to do so. He has meetings scheduled with the Bears, Commanders and Patriots.
Drake Maye
The North Carolina product comes into the combine with plenty of potential and many questions. While many believe that the Tarheel would join his mentor and former teammate, Sam Howell, in Washington; others believe he could fall in the draft. Like his peer Williams, Maye will not throw at the combine and will do so on his pro day.
Marvin Harrison Jr.
The son of an NFL legend, Harrison Jr. is widely considered one of the most talented wide receiver prospects of all time. Every mock draft has the Buckeye in the top five with many of them having him go No. 3 to the Patriots. The reigning Biletnikoff award winner will only focus on interviews during the combine and will hold off on showing his skillset for his pro day.
Jayden Daniels
The reigning Heisman trophy winner may end up being the most talked about name in Indianapolis this weekend. Many believe the Patriots will select him with the No. 3 overall pick but there is also talk of teams like the Minnesota Vikings that are actively seeking a trade for him. Daniels will not be throwing at the combine, the theme amongst the top quarterbacks.
Eric Watts
The former Husky defensive lineman enters combine week after lots of buzz following his performance in the Senior Bowl. The 6-foot-5 270-pounder from South Carolina rose up mock draft boards and is looking to climb again at the combine. Mock drafts have Watts as high as a second-round pick and as one of the best defensive linemen in the draft.
Christian Haynes
The standout offensive guard, who spent his whole collegiate career with UConn, will enter the draft as one of the best interior offensive linemen. After dominating at the Senior Bowl, where he went viral for standing up to LSU defensive lineman Jordan Jefferson, Haynes has even more potential to move up draft boards. Haynes is a second-round pick, but with a good combine, he may blossom into a first-rounder.
Tune in to the NFL Combine on NFL Network to see how the stars and former Huskies do.