2013 NFL Combine: Defense Hits the Field

For the last two days, the focus in Indianapolis has been on the offensive side of the ball. Day four (day one for on-field activities and the NFL Network) saw offensive linemen and tight ends take on the timers. Yesterday, it was a chance for the QBs, receivers and running backs to ploy their wares in front of the cameras.

Today, we move to the other side of the ball. Defensive linemen and linebackers are due up today in what has been a headlining and headline-filled group.

One one hand, you have the impact that this group will have on the first, and therefore those subsequent, round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Consider Josh Norris' mock from two weeks ago when defensive linemen made up for more than 1/3 of the first, and you should sense how important this group is to charting a course on the Thursday in April. And that's without even mentioning the linebackers...

On the other, you've got plenty of news that's surfaced during the combine that puts a negative spin on a couple players. Most notably, there was the news that Utah DT Star Lotulelei won't be participating today after his medical check revealed a heart condition. It puts a similar concern flag on his report to that of Georgia OLB Jarvis Jones whose spinal stenosis condition will have teams double and triple-checking their medical evaluations. There were also reports circulating that LSU DE Sam Montgomery has been having a rough go of the interview process.

One of the things I've noted a couple times so far this draft season is that the Rams need players they have no interest in drafting to come off the board in those first 20 of the top 22 picks they don't own. Quarterbacks, cornerbacks, defensive ends, middle linebackers (read: Manti Te'o) -- the more that teams draft, the more feasible options the Rams have to consider. That's a good thing.

It certainly looks, though, like the quarterback class didn't do enough to elicit a reach pick in the top 10 outside of Geno Smith (who, to me, is a reach pick there). There's still plenty of time, but a couple strong performances today and in the weeks ahead might help the Rams to make sure they have an optimal list to choose from come draft day.