Workouts at the NFL combine officially begin Friday, which means it's time to take a look at the prospects who will test the best in Indianapolis.
One important note before we dive in: The combine is just one part of the evaluation process as the draft nears. As I said in my story breaking down every combine drill, NFL teams are really watching to see if a player's measurables correlate with his tape, and which prospects triggered red flags with their results. So, just because I include a player here, it does not necessarily mean he'll be moving up my board if he wows inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
Without further ado, let's go position-by-position and predict who will steal the show in Indy.
Quarterback
Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
I've been told Wentz could have an Andrew Luck-type workout on Saturday. That does not mean he's the next Andrew Luck, but it gives you a sense of what people think of him as an athlete. All indications are that he's going to participate in the throwing drills, and if his performance at the Senior Bowl is any indication, he should excel under that spotlight. And perhaps most important, Wentz is expected to impress during interviews with teams. I haven't heard a negative word about his work ethic and football character, and that should come through during those 15-minute conversations.
Running back
Derrick Henry, Alabama
Henry is an exceptional worker, and his raw power will be evident from his vertical jump, bench press and broad jump. I would not be surprised if he ran the 40 in the 4.4s -- and that would really turn heads after he weighed in at 247 pounds. I want to be clear about one thing: Henry's weight is a negative. He's too big, but you don't see very often guys that size run that fast.
Wide receiver
Will Fuller, Notre Dame
Fuller could run the 40 in the 4.3s, and that would mesh with his tape. He's a vertical burner who has potential to develop into a good deep threat at the next level. It's worth monitoring Fuller's change-of-direction ability in the three-cone and short shuttle. He runs pretty crisp routes on tape, but I'll be interested to see if that translates to the drills. Two other players to mention: Baylor's Corey Coleman might have been my choice here had he not decided against running the 40, and TCU's Kolby Listenbee might leave Indy as the fastest guy of the combine.
Tight end
Jerell Adams, South Carolina
A raw prospect with some upside, Adams is going to check in around 6-foot-5, 244 pounds. I've been told his 40 could be in the 4.6s, which would certainly earn some attention. He's still a work in progress as a blocker, but Adams flashes big-play ability as a pass-catcher. In a weak TE class, a good combine workout from Adams could entice a team to bet a mid-round pick on his potential.
Offensive lineman
Jason Spriggs, Indiana
I haven't been as high on Spriggs as others -- he has been a little too inconsistent in the tape I've watched -- but he's obviously a great athlete. That much is clear when watching him as a pass-protector. His quick feet often get him in the right position; it's just a matter of getting the job done from there. His long arms and natural agility will be on full display during the combine.
Defensive lineman
Shawn Oakman, Baylor
Oakman is well-known for his exploits in the weight room, so he's supposed to perform well in the bench press. And at 6-7, 269 pounds, his size/speed ratio is going to be off the charts in the 40-yard dash. But this is the ultimate case where the tape does not match the athleticism. Oakman is not as physical and strong at the point of attack as he should be, and he's stiff when trying to turn the corner. Buyer beware here.
Linebacker
Darron Lee, Ohio State
On tape, Lee shows very good initial burst and closing speed to the ball carrier. The former high school QB is a true sideline-to-sideline run defender who's comfortable playing in space, and I expect that explosiveness and fluidity to show up during drills. Running in the 4.5s is doable, and Lee should jump well, too.
Cornerback
Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
Ramsey was an All-American for Florida State's track and field team, so for him, the combine is simply another arena in which to display his athletic gifts. Back in October, when I called the FSU-Syracuse game, I compared him to the Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson. Part of the reason for that is Ramsey's unique speed/agility combination. When the ball is in the air, he has make-up speed that you just can't teach.
Safety
Jayron Kearse, Clemson
Kearse was listed at 6-5, 220 pounds by Clemson. We'll see where his official measurables end up, but that's a rare body type for a safety. He can supposedly run in the low 4.4s, which would be quite a feat at that height. He will intrigue a lot of DB coaches -- and will get a lot of Kam Chancellor comparisons during the next two months -- but from what I've seen, his tape is underwhelming. He didn't make nearly as many impact plays as his athleticism would suggest.