2010 NFL Combine: How It Can Impact Dez Bryant's 2010 NFL Draft Stock

With the NFL Draft approaching, the anticipation continues to rise each and every week.

From individual workouts to the NFL Combine, these next few events can really determine a rise in one prospect's draft stock, or can greatly hurt them if they do not perform well.

The NFL Combine is in four days, beginning on Feb. 24th and ending on March 2nd.

This year's draft class is one of the more deeper ones we have seen in awhile, with every position being very steep.

Prospects continue to rise on many experts draft boards, especially on the defensive side.

However, today I am going to talk about a prospect who has always ensured himself of being one of the top 15 selections in this years draft: Wide receiver Dez Bryant.

This season, Bryant was known for seeing his college football season shortened after he lied to NCAA officials regarding his friendship with Deion Sanders.

In a receiver class that may not flash the big name, Bryant leads this years pack by a wide margin.

So, if he's a top 15 selection already, then what can he possibly improve with the NFL Combine? I believe he can really do some positive work over the next week.

Though teams admire his talent, there are somehow questions as to whether or not he can succeed at the next level.

Some believe him missing his apparent last year of college ball not only judges his ability athletically, but personally as well.

Bryant is thought by many as a diva for the actions that occurred here, even if that doesn't seem to be the case. He made a mistake, but he was a young college student, and I expect him to mature at the next level.

The question also arises about rookie wide receivers. Over the past decade or so, not many first round receivers have turned out to be as great as believed—Charles Rogers, Mark Clayton. 

However, I see Bryant being similar to one of these receivers that actually panned out, Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions. Bryant brings the overall package that we simply have not seen.

He brings the rare size of a receiver that makes him very hard to cover down in the open field. From watching him in college, I love his ability to break tackles and continue the play, even better then Mr. Johnson in this case.

You also can't ignore the top speed of Bryant. Even though at times there were questions about his speed, Bryant was one of the best in college football at getting himself open despite tough coverage.

At the NFL Combine, he will obviously be tested on his speed. Whether fans around the country agree with it or not, most of the time a prospect may be drafted higher than expected because of that compound.

Take Darrius Heyward-Bey from the Oakland Raiders. Projected as a late first rounder, he was a huge reach by Al Davis simply because of his speed.

People may think it's the Oakland Raiders, so why should you be surprised. But in many scouts minds, speed can be everything.

Some teams may take the option of getting to know Dez personally over the next week, to determine his maturity as a person, and if he is a fit for their franchise.

I believe he shouldn't be labeled as a diva, and some organizations may see that through the interviews.

In this year's draft, there are a handful of teams that can certainly use a receiver. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins, and the Baltimore Ravens just to name a few.

More teams may even become interested if Bryant has a great NFL Combine. Teams may realize the talent that Dez Bryant possesses, and may take him over a higher need.

The NFL Combine can be a make or break Dez Bryant. He can either stay within the top 15 selections, or he can really make an impact and draw top pick consideration from many of our NFL franchises.

Matt Miselis is an NFL writer for BleacherReport.com. He also writes for NFLTouchdown.com