• The annual NFL Scouting Combine held their first on-field workouts Thursday, Feb. 27, as players look to improve their draft stock. 329 players were in attendance.
• The first group to perform were the defensive ends and linebackers, but Penn State star Abdul Carter did not participate.
• Several other college stars also skipped on-field drills, like Cam Ward, Ashton Jeanty and Shedeur Sanders.

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Over the last decade, the NFL Scouting Combine has morphed into one of the league’s biggest offseason events. This year 329 players are going through tests, interviews and workouts to improve their draft stock.

On Thursday, Feb. 27, the defensive linemen and linebackers were first, running the 40-yard dash, jumping, lifting weights and running through cones for the scouts.

What position will Travis Hunter play?

Colorado’s two-way star Travis Hunter won’t workout with defensive backs until Saturday, March 1, but answered questions from the media. He met with teams about playing cornerback and talked with others about being a wide receiver. He says he has let every team know he wants to play both positions for whichever team drafts him. Being the #1 overall pick is the goal.

“It’s super important. It was one of my dreams to go number one and be the best I can be,” Hunter said.

When asked about playing both positions, he added, “They say nobody has done it for real the way I do it, but I tell them, I’m just different, I’m a different person.”

Why Abdul Carter believes he should be #1

The difference in salary between the top pick in the draft and the fifth pick is a little more than $6 million. Another player who wants to go number one is former Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter, who is at the combine but will not work out. He believes his 12 sacks and 23 tackles for loss speak for themselves.

“In my opinion, style doesn’t matter; it’s all about heart. It’s all about will. And I feel like nobody has more of that than me,” Carter said. “That’s what my game is based off; that’s what my whole life has been based off. My heart, my will.”

Who is skipping on-field workouts?

Carter, who’s nursing a couple injuries, isn’t the only big-time prospect that will skip the workouts in Indianapolis, Indiana. Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty, quarterbacks Cam Ward of Miami and Travis Hunter’s teammate Shedeur Sanders will all meet with teams and go through medical exams but will not suit up.

Trade rumors are also swirling around the Lucas Oil stadium. The 49ers are looking for someone to take wide receiver Deebo Samuel off their hands. And surprisingly, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford’s name is being thrown around. The combine runs through Sunday and is open to fans.