2015 NFL Combine: Playmakers with Most to Gain in Indianapolis

On-field workouts for the skill-position players at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine will get underway this Saturday in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Among the drills to be done are the 40-yard dash, the vertical jump, bench press and other agility activities that promise to help certain playmakers' stocks.

CBSSports.com draft expert Dane Brugler does a nice job summarizing the combine's significance:

A lot of the evaluation in Indianapolis should center on getting to know players through interviews. Watching players on tape and meeting them in person is critical, but some prospects can truly show their skills through these tests of measurable athleticism.

Below is a breakdown of several skill-position players who figure to be workout wunderkinds and perhaps vault themselves up draft boards in the process.

Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami (Florida)

Fitting that Bleacher Report draft guru Matt Miller would compare Dorsett to Indianapolis Colts star T.Y. Hilton in the video above. Dorsett will try to wow scouts on Hilton's home turf and perhaps boost his way into the first-round discussion as a result.

Despite having a modest 36 receptions in 2014 for the Miami Hurricanes, Dorsett certainly made the most of his opportunities, averaging 24.2 yards per catch for 871 yards and 10 touchdowns.

How did Dorsett manage to stretch those relatively few catches into big plays on a regular basis? Pure speed. To get an idea of what Dorsett might show at the combine, check out this from NFL.com's official Twitter account:

As Brugler points out, Trindon Holliday holds the combine record for 40-yard dash time with a blazing 4.21 seconds back in 2010, according to Brugler. There is reason to believe Dorsett could match the mark—or at least come darn close.

NFL.com's Chris Trapasso points out how Dorsett should show he can snag the ball at its highest point:

Dorsett can boost his profile even more by recording a massive vertical leap, which in tandem with his ball skills would help make up for his listed 5'10" height.

The modern NFL rules favor more diminutive players like Dorsett, who may struggle to beat press coverage. Once Dorsett is off the line, though, he can blow the top off any secondary.

Beyond the straight-line speed Dorsett promises to unveil in the 40, he'd benefit from showing quick change of direction in the 20-yard shuttle and three-cone drill. Those attributes will come in handy and intimate to NFL personnel evaluators that he can eventually thrive as a route-runner, an area he's currently raw in.

Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin

Perhaps the top running back in what should be a loaded class at the position, one may not believe Gordon has too much to gain.

However, based on the depth of backfield talent, it's critical for Gordon to put on a show to maintain his momentum to become possibly the first RB taken in the opening round since 2012.

DraftTV.com's Shane P. Hallam highlights Gordon's skill set, which seems to translate to being an every-down back at the NFL level:

Gordon has sensational speed and college production, having run for 2,587 yards and 29 touchdowns this last year. What he could really prove at the combine in drills is his ability to catch the ball, something he didn't do too often with the Badgers.

One concern is that Wisconsin has produced a bundle of offensive linemen and hasn't seen many of its successful backs go on to pro success. Ron Dayne and, from early indications, Montee Ball are standout examples.

But none of them had the raw ability Gordon possesses. Tom Pelissero of USA Today expects big things from Gordon at Lucas Oil Stadium:

Running back is as volatile of a position as there is in the NFL. Teams will have to be convinced in Indianapolis that Gordon matches up with the game tape and thus warrants a heavy first-round investment.

Indications are that Gordon will be everything he's expected to be—and perhaps more. Maybe those needing a backfield difference-maker might consider Gordon a bit higher rather than letting him fall to a reigning playoff team.

DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

There is real depth to this receiver class. It's not on par with the previous, historic pool, but a lot of first-round-caliber players are available.

Parker is in the conversation for being the best along with Alabama's Amari Cooper and West Virginia star Kevin White. Armed with experience in a pro-style offense—alongside Teddy Bridgewater and playing 2014 in coach Bobby Petrino's system—gives Parker sophisticated schematic savvy.

That ought to impress those who interview Parker in Indy. What Parker stands to benefit most from is checking out fine medically after being banged up in college—and showing he's a better athlete than meets the eye on the field.

White boasts great size and is lauded for how he attacks the football, while Cooper is viewed as the best jack-of-all-trades. This is where Parker gets overlooked to a degree.

In addition to his knowledge of complex offenses, Parker has great size, can win jump balls better than just about any of his peers and is better after the catch than he's given credit for. He's a tough runner in the open field.

With regard to the theme of "game film matching combine performance," NFL Network scouting expert Daniel Jeremiah expressed surprise in relaying Parker's projected 40 time.

"When you watch him, he's kind of a long-strider, so you don't necessarily think he's that fast," said Jeremiah on NFL AM, via NFL.com's Mike Huguenin. "But I've been told he's going to run in the high 4.3s/low 4.4s (in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine)."

Miller actually finds Parker to be the best athlete among 2015 wideouts:

The three latest CBSSports.com mock drafts by Brugler, Rob Rang and Pat Kirwan have Parker behind Cooper and White. Based on the current perception, it seems White has the most to lose at the combine, while Parker could really gain some ground.

Should Parker run what Jeremiah estimates, he could even vault into the No. 1 slot at the position. If he is the best athlete and shows off strong change of direction, that ought to surface through drills at the combine.

It's at least reasonable to believe Parker has been hearing he's third on the wide receiver totem pole. A strong showing in Indianapolis could change that overnight.