The players with the most to gain at the NFL Scouting Combine are also the ones with some of the biggest questions. Here are 10 players who can erase all doubt in Indianapolis:
Ten players with the most to gain at the NFL Combine
1. Jason Pierre-Paul | Defensive end | South Florida
This is it for Pierre-Paul. Forget only playing one year of top-level football. Forget just getting 6.5 sacks. Indianapolis should be a showcase for the lanky pass rusher. Although the agility and speed test will be important for Pierre-Paul, interviews will be critical. His football acumen will be put to the test.
2. Jared Veldheer | Offensive tackle | Hillsdale
A lot is expected of the massive Veldheer. His agility is supposed to be excellent and his 40-yard dash time is rumored to be below five seconds. While Veldheer may need to learn a lot about playing tackle, this could show he has the athleticism to do so.
3. Taylor Mays | Safety | Southern California
Mays has been under intense scrutiny, and with just cause. He’s been exposed as taking poor angles and not being a sure tackler. But there may be no more impressive player in shorts and a t-shirt than Mays. Fair or not, the combine matters to personnel men and Mays could quiet some of the criticism with a good week.
4. Jevan Snead | Quarterback | Mississippi
With Sam Bradford, Jimmy Clausen, Tim Tebow and Dan LeFevour not throwing in Indianapolis, the combine is Snead’s to steal. No one is questioning his raw tools, which he’ll put on display. If he’s on rhythm in passing drills, don’t be shocked if Snead gets himself into the first three rounds.
5. Arrelious Benn | Wide receiver | Illinois
Benn has the chance to show that his down year in 2009 was because of bad quarterback play at Illinois. With Demaryius Thomas out with an injury, Benn can show he’s fast and has good hands. A good combine for the plus-size receiver could push him ahead of not only Thomas, but a player like Damian Williams whose size is average.
6. Armanti Edwards | Wide receiver | Appalachian State
Can the two-time Walter Payton Award winner transition from quarterback? Edwards is a playmaker who is just too short to be an NFL signal caller. But his open field agility is excellent. If he can display that in the wide receiver drills, Edwards can turn some heads.
7. Greg Hardy | Defensive end | Mississippi
It’s not what Hardy will show on the field in Indianapolis, but what he’ll show off it. How will he check out medically? How will he interview after being having his maturity and dedication questioned?
8. Jacoby Ford | Wide receiver | Clemson
Two years ago Chris Johnson stole the combine by running a 4.24 40-yard dash. What’s scary is that Ford may be faster. The reigning NCAA 60-meter champion is more of a football player that some other pure speed guys and that could entice some team into using a third-round pick on him.
9. Toby Gerhart | Running back | Stanford
No one doubts Gerhart as a power runner. But some wonder about his lateral movement and agility. By showing good footwork and quickness, Gerhart could elevate his stock greatly and maybe be one of the top three running backs selected.
10. Dez Bryant | Wide receiver | Oklahoma State
After being suspended most of the 2009 season, Bryant will have to answer plenty of questions about his character, fair or not. Bryant will also have to show he’s as quick and fast as he’s projected. If he times well, Bryant will cement his spot in the top 10 picks.
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