The NFL combine rarely makes or breaks a prospect, but it frequently affects where he falls on a team's draft board. With that in mind, here are the five prospects with the most to lose this week in Indianapolis.
An important note to keep in perspective: One of the reasons these players have the most to lose is they project as early-round picks. So all five of these players clearly put together good tape during their college careers. While underwhelming combine performances may cause them to drop on some boards, it's important not to overreact.
Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
Hargreaves is currently our No. 2 defensive back, just behind Florida State's Jalen Ramsey, and No. 3 overall prospect. He's a playmaker with outstanding cover skills and instincts on tape. If there's a concern, it's how he physically matches up with bigger receivers such as the Falcons' Julio Jones and the Jets' Brandon Marshall. Front offices will be eager to see if he's as big as his listed size (5-foot-11 and 199 pounds). They'll also want to see his arm length. If he's undersized and/or has shorter arms, his draft stock could take a hit.
Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
Alabama's leading tackler and anchor on defense measured a shade over 6-foot-1 and weighed in at 259 pounds the week of the Senior Bowl. Ragland is an effective interior run stuffer thanks in part to that size. But he looked like he was carrying unnecessary weight in Mobile, and there are concerns about his ability to make plays in space. The on-field testing -- particularly the three-cone drill and the 20-yard shuttle -- will put Ragland's lateral quickness and agility under a microscope. Teams will also want to see how he runs the 40 and performs during position-specific drills.
Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
Conklin is a former walk-on who developed into one of the best collegiate tackles in the country at Michigan State. He's a powerful run blocker with the strength to move defenders off the ball and the nasty disposition teams covet. But didn't grade out as high in pass protection as the two tackles ranked ahead of him -- Ole Miss' Laremy Tunsil and Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley. So like Ragland, teams will want to see how Conklin performs during agility testing and position-specific drills. Arm length will also be something to keep an eye on. Anything shorter than 34 inches could negatively affect his stock.
Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
Lawson broke out as a junior, leading the nation with 25.5 tackles for loss in 2015. While he's an outstanding run defender who plays with great effort, his tape raises questions about his athletic ability and he doesn't show great speed rushing off the edge. His 10-yard splits, vertical jumps and broad jumps will give front offices insight into whether his explosiveness is a significant issue. Teams will gauge his agility in the three-cone and 20-yard shuttle, while also keeping an eye on the way he moves during the DE-specific drills.
Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Alexander, who left Clemson following his redshirt sophomore season, is the 26th-ranked prospect on our board. He has one of the higher ceilings in this corner class, thanks to his quick-twitch athleticism and above-average balance and closing speed. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Alexander's measurables during Saturday's weigh-ins will be as important for him as they are for Hargreaves. Another thing to keep in mind: Alexander failed to intercept a pass in his 27 starts at Clemson, so his hand span and the way he plays the ball during on-field workouts on Monday are also important.