In the NFL everything is a competition. Teams know women are an advantage

The league has been making slow but steady progress in recruiting more women. And teams know a larger talent pool will produce results

An enthusiastic Brian Daboll walks into an invitation-only room at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, during February's NFL Combine. The New York Giants head coach looks around and beams, declaring how thrilled he is to be there and offer his advice to the young collegiate hopefuls in the room. But there are no draft prospects here. The room is full of another group hoping to get a crack at the NFL: women.

This year marked the seventh iteration of the NFL's Women's Forum, a program designed to put women with aspirations for a career in the league in the same room with NFL rainmakers.