Written by Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz at USAToday.com
For many NFL teams and draft prospects, the scouting combine is more about confirmation that revelation.
Drills act as one piece of the evaluation process and won’t trump all the previous scouting and research. And information gleamed from medical evaluations and interviews can be even more important than the testing.
Still, with individual workouts beginning Friday in Indianapolis, we decided to highlight some of the players who might be talked about after the combine. Here’s a look at 10 prospects who could stand out:
DeForest Buckner, DE/DT, Oregon: Buckner would stand out for his 6-7, 300-pound physique alone. But his strength and movement make him one of the most disruptive defenders in the draft. A more developed prospect than former teammate and current San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead, Buckner offers a tantalizing package for an NFL defensive line coach to bring along.
Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State: The do-everything defensive back’s athleticism has been evident since his freshman season. Now he has the chance to showcase why he was a long jump champion and track standout. If teams are convinced he can play cornerback, his build (6-1, 202 pounds) will give him an advantage over his mostly diminutive competition in this class.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State: Elliott’s well-rounded skill-set should stand out in a group of running backs filled with specialists. He should test well across the board, and his versatility as a ball-carrier puts him well ahead of his peers. Though they are distinct players, Elliott likely will draw comparisons to Todd Gurley as a running back worth an early first-round selection.
Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis: Don’t expect to establish even a preliminary pecking order among Lynch, Jared Goff and Carson Wentz based off the quarterbacks’ performances in Indianapolis. Still, the combine format should be a good showcase for the 6-foot-7 Lynch. His strong arm and ability to throw on the run should be evident, but he’ll need to convince teams in interviews he’s not just a long-term project.
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