INDIANAPOLIS -- How the top quarterbacks at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine are perceived by NFL scouts when they leave is what's most important, but before they've even thrown the first pass at Lucas Oil Stadium, this much can at least can be said about them: they're unafraid.
The top passers at the annual event in Indianapolis -- North Dakota State's Carson Wentz, Cal's Jared Goff, Memphis' Paxton Lynch, Michigan State's Connor Cook, Penn State's Christian Hackenberg, Ohio State's Cardale Jones and Mississippi State's Dak Prescott -- all intend to participate in passing drills this week, according to NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport.
It's an unusual alignment for the combine, where top quarterbacks often choose to skip passing drills and wait until their on-campus, pro-day workouts to throw for NFL scouts and coaches. Among the top quarterbacks to skip combine passing drills in the last two years include Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr. Prior to that, however, there was plenty of precedent. Robert Griffin III did not throw at his combine workout, nor did Matthew Stafford, Sam Bradford or Andrew Luck.
Goff and Lynch might have put some pressure on their combine peers by announcing weeks ago that they would throw. Goff indicated he would throw the week of Super Bowl 50, and Lynch followed two days later confirming his own participation in passing drills. Last year, top quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota both threw.
NFL scouts will no doubt be pleased with the heavy participation this year. But scouts had better get a good look now, because pro-day passes might be deemed unnecessary for those quarterbacks who excel at the combine.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
