Michael Fabiano Reveals Why the NFL Combine Doesn't Matter

Michael Fabiano explains why players performing well at the NFL Combine does not mean much.

The 2024 NFL Combine has wrapped up, and there are plenty of players who got to showcase their athleticism to the many NFL scouts and coaches who attended the yearly event. While this acts as a sort of final interview and demonstration, not everyone feels like the Combine matters that much. 

The Combine is when most college players demonstrate their skills one final time, but it does not necessarily mean they will be drafted by an NFL team. In fact, even if Combine performances are stellar, it does not mean players will be stellar at the pro level. 

Michael Fabiano of the Bleav Fantasy Football show breaks the Combine down in the latest episode.

"I don't think you can accurately diagnose or analyze a player from a fantasy perspective without knowing where the hell that player is going to be playing. It doesn't matter. A guy could be the most talented player in the world if he lands in a lousy spot, Jaxon Smith-Njigba... Well, guess what? He ain't going to be that good."

via Michael Fabiano, Bleav Fantasy Football

Fabiano is alluding to not being able to determine the fantasy football upside of a player until they are drafted to a team. Also, the team they are landing with might not also be in the best place. 

Jaxon Smith-Njigba was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks, but losing QB Geno Smith may have curtailed the season he could have had if he had been drafted by someone like the Kansas City Chiefs instead.  

"How many guys have killed the combine and gone into the NFL and sucked, right? So like, I mean, Darrius Heyward-Bey. The list is a mile long. So, it's just not my thing. That's not my jam, that's all. It's not Gucci to me. I'd rather watch, like, you know, reruns of Game of Thrones or something like that, or go play with my dog."

via Michael Fabiano, Bleav Fantasy Football

Fabiano states that the Combine is not a deciding factor in whether players will be great or not. Many players who are expected to be NFL-ready are designated that far before the Combine even takes place.