Editor’s note: More than 300 prospects will convene in Indianapolis next week as they take the next step in their path to the NFL draft at the NFL Scouting Combine. NFL.com analyst and former scout Daniel Jeremiah gives his day-by-day breakdown of the top prospects to watch, and which NFL teams’ fans should be watching them, at the event.
Ways to watch: See NFL Network’s exclusive coverage of the combine on your TV (NFL Network), mobile device (NFL Mobile from Verizon), PC (NFL Network and NFL.com) and connected TV devices (XBox, Apple TV, PS4, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV).
NFL Network will have live coverage of the combine March 3-6 beginning at 9 a.m. ET each day.
Day 1 (March 3) of the combine workouts will feature running backs, offensive linemen and specialists. Here are 5 of the most notable prospects to keep an eye on, and a look at which teams should be paying particularly close attention to them.
NOTE: Click on each player’s name for a full combine scouting report.
Fournette is one of the most physically talented runners we’ve seen in the last five years. He has a rare combination of size and speed. He could shock people with his 40-yard dash time.
Cook is incredibly explosive. He should be one of the fastest players in the entire draft class. I’m eager to see how he performs in the change-of-direction drills.
McCaffrey is one of the most versatile playmakers in the entire draft. He runs routes like a receiver and he should put on a show in the field workout.
Kamara is competing Aresbet with McCaffrey to be the third running back selected in the draft. He’s a dynamic athlete and he should run/jump extremely well. He’s also an outstanding route runner.
Conner has an amazing story, having overcome cancer to return to the football field. He is one of the most physical runners in this class, but there is some concern about his long speed. A solid 40 time (under 4.60 seconds) will go a long way in helping his draft stock.
Dates: Feb. 28-March 6
TV: NFL Network
Frank Gore has been a solid stop-gap solution, but the Colts need to find an explosive runner to take some pressure off of Andrew Luck.
Ryan Mathews can’t stay healthy and Darren Sproles is best as a situational player. The Eagles need to find a true three-down back who can grow and develop with Carson Wentz.
The Panthers are at their best when they control the line of scrimmage and pound the football. A player like Fournette would fit perfectly in their system.
The Vikings have can no longer rely on Adrian Peterson to carry their offense. They need to add a young, dynamic runner into the mix. They don’t have a first-round pick, but they should have plenty of options in this deep running back class.
Unfortunately, Doug Martin had some issues this past season that kept him from realizing his potential. Jameis Winston is a budding superstar, but he needs a reliable runner to take some pressure off of him.
Follow Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter @MoveTheSticks.
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