INDIANAPOLIS -- Friday marked the second day of on-field events and third day of prospect press conferences at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. Defensive backs and tight ends will be working out, while quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs stepped up to the podiums. Here are the biggest things we learned from the day's events.
Tune in to NFL Network and NFL+ for live coverage of the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine beginning at 3 p.m. ET on Friday and 1 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday.
1) Williams takes center stage. The most anticipated press conference of the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine was held on Friday morning, with presumptive No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams stepping to the podium.
Williams was asked about why he declined to participate in the medical exam portion of the combine -- considered an important part of the evaluation process -- telling reporters he plans to check off that box in the weeks leading up to the draft.
"I'll be doing the medical stuff, just not here in Indy," he said. "I'll be doing it at the team interviews. Not 32 teams can draft me. There's only one of me."
There's no debating that last point, with Williams rated the top prospect in the draft and drawing comps to NFL elites like Patrick Mahomes. Not surprisingly, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner is currently the favorite to be picked by the Chicago Bears with the first overall selection in this year's draft.
Williams returned to the media center of the Indiana Convention Center after his press conference, stopping at USC receiver Brenden Rice's podium to play the role of reporter, having some good-natured fun with his former teammate. If the pressure of the moment is getting to Williams at all, he didn't show it when the cameras were rolling on
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