Vikings GM discusses importance of behind the scenes Combine activities

Putting things like a 40-yard dash time and the number of reps on a weight bench with a player can be impressive, but the Vikings value more than just numbers.

The NFL Scouting Combine is a stressful time for NCAA players looking to impress teams heading into the 2019 NFL Draft. An impressive performance can catch the eye of a team like the Minnesota Vikings while a disappointing showing can result in sliding down draft boards or even out of the draft completely.

Fans only get to watch part of the process of the Combine at home. We get to see these young men run the 40-yard dash, hit the weight bench, and run multiple other drills on the field and be ranked based on their efforts, but perhaps some of the real tough work comes behind the scenes.

Recently, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman spoke about the 2019 NFL Combine on Vikings.com and one of the first things he mentioned is two things the public doesn’t see during the televised event.

"“I can’t put enough [emphasis] on how important it is for the physical exams we do,” Spielman added. “The interview process is extremely important, and we’ll get an opportunity to see them do some things on the field as well.”"

Of course, physicals are important. If a team like Minnesota finds a player whose body isn’t going to hold up or other red flags emerge, that would be a simple reason to avoid that prospect heading into the draft.

But the interviews are where it would be great to have a camera and watch as a fan. To hear what these young men speak like, how humble they are, how honest they seem, how coachable they are, and how they would fit with a franchise is like finding that puzzle piece that perfectly fits in the hole.

Of course, Minnesota would pair that information with the performance on the field, but finding that player to join the squad who fits in with what the team is trying to do both physically and mentally can result in a home run of a draft pick.

Fans of the Minnesota Vikings will want to watch the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine which runs from Tue, Feb 26, 2019 to Mon, Mar 4, 2019 from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana and can be watched on NFL Network.