While there is still one Vikings game left this season, the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine is on the docket in two months.
The league's annual event will be held in Indianapolis, but will also have some changes going forward.
Ron Maaddi of The Associated Press recently wrote that teams are now liable to be docked high draft picks based on the prospect interview process.
Maaddi wrote:
In a memo obtained by the AP that was sent to clubs on Wednesday, the league said a team would forfeit a draft pick between the first and fourth round and be fined a minimum of $150,000 if it's determined a club representative displayed conduct that is "disrespectful, inappropriate, or unprofessional" during an interview. Fines and/or suspensions of individual club employees also could be imposed, according to the memo.
Maaddi spoke with Troy Vincent, the league's Executive Vice President of Football Operations about the changes.
"We aim for dignity, respect and professionalism," league executive Troy Vincent told the AP. "It's that simple."
Maaddi also noted that the league is doing away with the Wonderlic test at the combine, along with making some other on-field alterations.
He wrote:
The league also plans to eliminate the Wonderlic test for prospective players, and it is revising some of its scouting combine drills to better simulate game-related movement. Wide receivers and tight ends will run crossing routes instead of wheel routes, and running backs will run option routes instead of corner and post-corner routes.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network also provided information about the upcoming changes.
The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine is scheduled to take place March 1-7 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
ESPN's Clay highlights battle of the 'JJs' on Sunday
It looks like Sunday will be the battle of the 'JJs' at U.S. Bank Stadium.
For the Vikings, that's obviously superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
And for the Bears, they will counter with cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
ESPN's Mike Clay dove into that matchup ahead of Week 18:
When these teams met in Week 15, Chicago was literally missing its entire secondary. Kindle Vildor subbed in for No. 1 corner Johnson and shadowed Jefferson early in the game, but not the whole way. Jefferson didn't dominate like you might have expected, but he still produced a solid 4-47-1 receiving line on 10 targets. Johnson has shadowed the likes of Odell Beckham Jr., Davante Adams, Mike Evans, DeAndre Hopkins part- or full-time this season and is a decent bet to travel with Jefferson this week, especially with Adam Thielen sidelined.
Johnson has been decent this season … but he hasn't been much of a detriment when shadowing, and Jefferson sees way too much volume to be concerned. As long as Kirk Cousins is back from the COVID-19 list, Jefferson should be all systems go for another solid to strong game.
Cousins was activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday. Jefferson, who ranks second in the NFL with 1,509 receiving yards, is in range of Randy Moss' single-season franchise record of 1,632 yards.
Johnson has started 14 games for Chicago and has one interception and nine passes defensed in 2021.
Jefferson was the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, while Johnson was tabbed at No. 50 overall.
