NFL REDUCES TEAMS TOTAL COMBINE FORMAL INTERVIEWS FROM 60 TO 45

Each team has heretofore had 60 fifteen minute formal interviews with Combine Prospects, but the NFL has reduced that number to 45, but has given each team and extra three minutes (18 total minutes) with each prospect.

This will likely put more work on team's talent scouts to do their homework early, as they will not get as much one-on-one with prospects during the Combine.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001...m-60-to-45

Ask any coach or GM the most important part of the NFL Scouting Combine, and they'll likely come back with two responses: The medical checkups and the formal interviews.

Unfortunately, teams will be conducting fewer of those interviews in 2020.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Thursday that clubs were informed recently they'll be granted 45 18-minute formal interviews at the combine, rather than the standard 60 15-minute interviews, per sources informed of the situation.

The change drops the total time teams are with players from 900 total minutes to 810. The adjustment is related to schedule changes that move on-field drills to primetime this year.

For the casual fan, this change means zilch. For teams, however, it's a big modification. They might get three extra minutes to prod 45 players, but they'll have to do leg work on the 15 missing candidates another time.

The adjustment makes interviews with prospects at this week's Senior Bowl that much more important to clubs as they attempt to uncover hidden gems in the middle-to-late rounds of the draft who will become keys to the future of their teams.

I'm not sure this is as important as we are made to believe. By the time the combine rolls around, teams pretty much have their big board set.....or at least have a solid foundation on the major talent in the draft. These interviews are "important" sure. But mostly just as a final tuning to actual position on the board. There are very few players whose future is dependent on their combine interview. Their draft value is decided "on the field" long before the combine comes into play.
Any team that 'needs' the interview can use one of their 45 OR plan an interview separately at a bowl or a visit.

I just don't think it's going to make that much difference......