The 2018 Combine begins this week — one of the important, marquee events of the NFL offseason. Each of the league's 32 teams will send a contingent to Indianapolis, Ind. for what amounts to a significant data-gathering exercise on the league's top incoming rookies.
Rams general manager Les Snead isn't quite sure how many times he's attended the Combine, but said in an interview with therams.com last week that he expects the number is at least approaching the 20s. And though the Rams had their most successful season of Snead's tenure with the franchise in 2017, he's not changing his approach to this year's Indy trip.
"If you're trying to win the West, you should probably have an urgency to win that Combine. But if you're trying to repeat as champions of the West — guess what — you should try to win that Combine," Snead said. "And whatever side of the coin you're on, there's an urgency there. And there's not one that's more important than the other."
But in order to get the most out of the Combine, Snead says there's an intentional method to preparing for it.
"In terms of, 'If there's 300-plus players at the Combine, what are we trying to do?' You can't just go there and get the same thing for each of those 300," Snead said. "Each one has a file. And when are we going to close that file and say, 'Are we OK drafting him? Or are we OK not drafting him?'"
The Combine, according to Snead, aids significantly in understanding how much more information L.A. will need — and how the club can get it — to ultimately be satisfied with closing that file on each player.
"And what the Combine really will do is really set the blueprint for how we handle, let's call it, March and April," Snead said. "And by that it's, we're getting close to the draft, so there's less time. So you've got to start eliminating players — and not necessarily taking them off your draft board, but more, 'You know what, we're done. We've done enough, we're good. If they're there when we pick, we'll take that player.' Or, 'Oh by the way, we need to go see this person, we need to bring this person in.'"
While the Combine is a key factor in player evaluations, the Rams have been hard at work preparing for the 2018 NFL Draft essentially since the end of the same event last year. Within Los Angeles' front office, that means establishing draft grades on the many different eligible players.
"Let's just say we have a numbers scale. And from the beginning, it starts right after the draft. So all of our scouts are going to send in [what] we call the summer grade — prospects for next year," Snead said. "And what that allows us to do is [determine] who are our directors and senior personnel staff going to go out and see? And then you get their fall grades, and we come in in December and we grind through and try to basically get it to, 'Hey, can a guy start for you? Can he have a role for you or does he not?'
Check out photos of Los Angeles Rams players at the NFL Combine through the years. (Credit: Associated Press)
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Jared Goff - 2016
Washington defensive back Taylor Rapp runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michael Brockers - 2012
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey runs the 40 yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Aaron Donald - 2014
Todd Gurley - 2015
Bryce Hager - 2015
Malcolm Brown - 2015
Rob Havenstein - 2015
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Troy Hill - 2015
Aaron Donald - 2014
Cory Littleton - 2016
Michael Brockers - 2012
Rob Havenstein - 2015
Bryce Hager - 2015
Josh Reynolds - 2017
Jared Goff -2016
Cory Littleton - 2016
Troy Hill - 2015
Robert Woods - 2013
Cooper Kupp - 2017
Josh Reynolds - 2017
Malcolm Brown - 2015
Gerald Everett - 2017
John Johnson - 2017
Cooper Kupp - 2017
John Johnson - 2017
Andrew Whitworth - 2006
University of Southern California defensive back Nickell Robey runs the 40-yard dash at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Gerald Everett - 2017
Robert Woods - 2013
TCU offensive lineman Joe Noteboom runs a drill during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Oregon State University wide receiver Brandin Cooks at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
TCU offensive lineman Joe Noteboom runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee running back John Kelly runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks makes a catch as he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser (LB24) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Maine offensive lineman Jamil Demby runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler participates in the broad jump during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen participates in the vertical jump during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Tennessee running back John Kelly (RB19) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Iowa offensive lineman Austin Blythe during the 40 yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Washington linebacker Cory Littleton runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
California quarterback Jared Goff runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler sticks his tongue out while stretching before drills at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo at the NFL scouting Combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
TCU offensive lineman Joe Noteboom runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo at the NFL scouting Combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Iowa offensive lineman Austin Blythe runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee running back John Kelly runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
TCU offensive lineman Joe Noteboom runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Southern California receiver Robert Woods runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Iowa offensive lineman Austin Blythe, left, blocks North Dakota State offensive lineman Joe Haeg during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Southern California defensive back Nickell Robey runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp poses for a picture during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Images taken of Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis, IN. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
LSU defensive lineman Michael Brockers looks on at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Southern California defensive back Nickell Robey runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
California quarterback Jared Goff runs the 40 yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
University of Southern California wide receiver Robert Woods looks on at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp poses for a picture during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Washington defensive lineman Greg Gaines runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Aaron Donald runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Southern California defensive back Nickell Robey runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Southern California wide receiver Robert Woods poses for a portrait at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 22 in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Texas running back Malcolm Brown runs the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, February 21, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
University of Pittsburg defensive tackle Aaron Donald runs through drills at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Wisconsin offensive lineman Rob Havenstein runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Memphis running back Darrell Henderson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
South Alabama tight end Gerald Everett runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks makes a catch as he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Boston Colllege defensive back John Johnson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M wide receiver Josh Reynolds runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Boston Colllege defensive back John Johnson runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, March 6, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
California quarterback Jared Goff runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
California quarterback Jared Goff performs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
South Alabama tight end Gerald Everett, right, blocks Mississippi tight end Evan Engram as they run a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
California quarterback Jared Goff throws a pass during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Boston College safety John Johnson competes in a drill at the 2017 NFL football scouting combine Monday, March 6, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Michigan defensive back David Long runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey is seen at the NFL football scouting combine Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
University of Southern California linebacker Clay Matthews Jr. during the NFL Scouting Combine held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on February 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Memphis running back Darrell Henderson during the 2019 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Friday, March. 1, 2019. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Washington defensive back Taylor Rapp runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oklahoma offensive lineman Bobby Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
"And those grades we do when we first set that board in December allows you to look up and go, 'OK, wait a minute, might be deep at some positions,'" Snead continued. "Again, it's all subjective — it's our grades. Or it might be a little thin at some positions, so if we want to fill one of those needs, is it better to do it in free agency? Is it better to do it early in the draft? Things like that."
Aside from the on-field drills, one way the Rams will continue to answer those kinds of questions at the Combine is through the formal interviews. Teams may have as many as 60 interviews with individual players throughout the week — a process which Snead calls one of his favorite parts of the event.
"You've been looking at these players, they're wearing a helmet, they've got a college logo on it, they've got a number, they've got a last name on their jersey. Finally, you can see a personality — you feel someone, a human," Snead said. "Because at the end of the day, you know what, it's the human being that's going to end up starting, or end up having an All-Pro career, or Hall of Fame career. So that's the most fun part."
And even with as many times as Snead has made the winter trip to Indianapolis, he still gets excited for the Combine.
"I'm not tired of going to Indy," Snead said. "It's that part of the year where, OK, we've had a little dead time. And OK, let's go to a different environment. The nice thing about it, too, is it's just focused. There's nothing you do during the day but that. So that's always fun."
