NFL invites trio of prospects back to combine for medical evaluations only
The NFL has long shown that it does not know how to properly handle players who have pasts as violent offenders. Now it’s sending a confusing message too.
In the last two months, the league rescinded its invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine to three players: Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, Louisiana Tech defensive end Jaylon Ferguson and Colorado State receiver Preston Williams. But on Saturday, the league told teams the players would be allowed to attend the combine, just only for medical evaluations.
In not allowing teams to talk with these prospects, the NFL is depriving the players a chance to show remorse and preventing teams from getting a better look at their characters. Furthermore, the league makes it seem like an invitation to the combine is an honor rather than a necessary step to play in the league.
Despite the slaps on the wrist for these players, the NFL has never taken steps to suspend rookies upon their entry to the league for domestic violence in their past. Instead, the Tyreek Hills and Joe Mixons of the world are celebrated for their on-field contributions.
Will this affect the players’ draft stock?
Simmons will certainly hear his name called early in the draft process, as he was considered a potential top-10 pick despite video emerging in 2016 of him punching a woman repeatedly as she laid on a street. His medical tests may be the most notable considering he tore his ACL in training on Tuesday.
Ferguson, meanwhile, is the NCAA’s all-time sacks leader and is considered a mid-round prospect. He was convicted of simple battery in 2015 for a fight in a McDonald’s and also face a separate charge for public intoxication. Williams was suspended in 2017 for domestic violence and harassment of a former girlfriend and is considered a late-round prospect.
It’s hard to imagine that medical evaluations will change the draft prospects for any of the three very much. It’s a safety precaution for teams to avoid selecting a player with a previously unknown injury, but teams really need a chance to talk to the players one-on-one to better determine if they are worth an investment.
If the NFL really wanted to crack down on domestic abusers, it wouldn’t be so easy for the most talented violent offenders to play in the league. Being forced to sit out the combine is an inane punishment, and players like former Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt face a tougher penalty than being forced to the waiver wire for a few months.
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