INDIANAPOLIS >> DeMeco Ryans has experienced the NFL scouting combine as a player, assistant coach and head coach.

He values the opportunity to meet draft prospects this week.

“It’s being able to sit down across from the player face to face and be able to hear their story, hear their background, their upbringing, but also getting to feel their energy,” Ryans said. “Feel their passion and love for the game of football. It comes off in those 15-minute interviews and I can feel that energy very instantly.”

A second-round pick by Houston in 2006, Ryans was a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker in six seasons with the Texans and four with the Philadelphia Eagles. He began his coaching career as an assistant with the San Francisco 49ers from in 2017 before going back to Houston to serve as head coach.

A total of 329 college players were invited to the combine to showcase their skills in front of general managers, coaches, scouts and other team personnel. They’ll endure medical evaluations and rounds of interviews with various teams.

For Ryans and many coaches, those conversations are vital. Scouts will dissect the 40-yard dash times, the vertical jump and all the other measurables.

But the interviews determine the intangibles like heart, character, leadership ability.

“I can’t replace that face-to-face energy and human element that is so important,” Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “I’m hard-pressed with how important the decisions are for the fabric of your team when it comes to the NFL draft. Everybody can do it a different way. I need to see people in person for me to kind of complete the whole picture of what I’m seeing on film.”

Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead and coach Sean McVay again are skipping the combine this year, relying instead on their scouting department. But they’ll still get a chance to interview players on formal visits.

The nature of interviews has been scrutinized over the years because there were instances where players were questioned about their sexual preference or whether their mother worked as a prostitute.

NFL executive Troy Vincent sharply criticized the process a few years ago and the league has warned teams they could be fined and forfeit draft picks for any conduct that is “ disrespectful, inappropriate, or unprofessional” during an interview.

Ryans makes sure prospects have a pleasant experience because he knows what it’s like going through all of these interviews.

“A meeting with the Texans here at the combine, we hope it comes off as very loose,” he said. “We’re not trying to grill guys too much. I want to make them at ease because I remember being here at the combine where I had some of those meetings where they were very tense. And so, I just want to make sure guys are at ease and they’re comfortable and we just get to know the person. That’s the main thing. We get a chance to watch as much tape as we can on these guys. But it’s really just sit down, helmet off, and let’s know your background, let’s know why do you love the game of football and what’s your why.”