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5 Players Who Will Improve Their Stock at the NFL Scouting Combine
Find out which players are going to make some money at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Every year, over 300 prospective NFL players travel to Indianapolis in hopes of improving their draft stock in the eyes of each team. These players will go through various interviews, medical checks and drills to help determine where they should be selected in the NFL draft. Many people discuss how overrated the NFL combine has become, but the fact of the matter is that it does matter and there is significant value to what happens at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at five players who will improve their draft stock at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami
The 40-yard dash is the most watched event at the NFL Scouting Combine and everyone watches with baited breath to see who will run the fastest time. One player who has a real shot at winning the pseudo-track meet is former Miami wide receiver Phillip Dorsett.
Dorsett is an extremely speedy receiver who can take the top off a defense. However, he has also shown the capability to win in other ways besides just a nine-route. He is not just a linear player as he also showcases quickness and explosiveness in and out of his cuts.
Dorsett will likely run one of the fast 40-yard dashes in Indianapolis, but expect him to test extremely well in the other drills as well.
He is seen as a second or third round player at the moment, but if he blows up at the combine like he expects to, don’t be surprised if he gets picked early in the second round.
Eli Harold, EDGE, Virginia
The reality of this edge-rusher class is that there are numerous players who have a chance to really improve their stock with a great combine. Players like Alvin “Bud” Dupree have the opportunity to really put on a show in front of the scouts; however, he is already a near consensus as a first-round pick.
One player who has a great opportunity to become a first-round pick with a stellar combine is Eli Harold. He has shown elite athleticism in every single game this past year. He has the explosiveness, agility and change of direction skills that will allow him to really stand out in combine drills.
However, the most important part of Eli Harold’s combine may be when he gets measured in. He is listed at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, but he doesn’t look like a very big edge rusher. If he can weigh in in the 240 to 255 range, his stock will soar after the combine due to his elite athleticism.
Kwon Alexander, OLB, LSU
Former LSU linebacker Kwon Alexander is another one of the undersized linebacker types entering the draft. He has very good skills on the field, but his size will give teams pause. However, the success of a player like Telvin Smith and Chris Borland last year should lead to teams softening their stances on undersized linebackers.
Another way Alexander can ease the minds of NFL scouts, coaches and evaluators is by putting up some gaudy numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine. It is easy to see Alexander’s explosion and speed when he fills in the run game and when he blitzes the passer. Nevertheless, it will certainly help teams envision him in their defense when they can put a number to his athletic ability.
Alexander is a player who is trending as a day-three pick at the moment; however, he is primed to significantly rise after he puts up a great workout at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Duke Johnson, RB, Miami
At the moment, the national consensus is that Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon are the top two running backs in the 2015 NFL draft; With an impressive combine, Duke Johnson should be able to enter that top-tier of running back prospects.
Johnson is an explosive back who displays some of the best agility and change of direction skills in the draft class. Even though Johnson won’t win the weigh in, he has the potential to put together one of the best all-around combine performances in the draft. He has the speed, explosion and agility to do well in the athletic drills and he has the ball skills and intelligence to do extremely well in the field drills.
The most important part of the process for Johnson will be the medicals as he has suffered through a myriad of injury issues throughout his college career. If his health checks out and there aren’t any lingering or long-term injury concerns then expect Johnson to possibly rise as high as the late first round when the NFL draft rolls around.
Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
Jordan Phillips may be one of the best pound-for-pound athletes in this year’s draft class. Despite being listed at 6-foot-6 and 324 pounds, Phillips has wowed his Oklahoma teammates with his athleticism.
“He’s the only 300-pound guy I’ve ever seen do a standing backflip in his pads,” said fellow defensive tackle Jamarkus McFarland. “And he can dunk with two hands, which is amazing,” per ESPN’s Jake Trotter.
A player with that type of explosiveness and overall athleticism is sure to blow up at the NFL Scouting Combine. Even though he won’t be asked to do any backflips, Phillips will surely impress in the explosive drills like the broad and vertical jumps.
At the moment, Phillips draft stock is hovering around the late first-round area, but with a stellar combine, he could definitely make his way into the top half of the first round.
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