NFL Draft 2011: 10 Players Sure to Dominate the NFL Scouting Combine
In the draft process, the NFL Scouting Combine has to rank as one of the more valuable tools in evaluating a prospect.
By measuring the physical tools along with meeting the players face-to-face, NFL teams get a much better sense of the type of athletes they might potentially select in the April draft.
Almost by default, some prospects are going to stand out more than others. Whether that is because of outstanding physical traits or a knowledge and passion of the game, more than a handful of players will come out of Indianapolis with a much improved draft stock.
Let's take a look at 10 players who could potentially improve their draft position with a dominating combine performance.
Torrey Smith, Maryland
1 of 10
Smith might not be as talented as Darius Heyward-Bey from a few years ago, but he'll have a chance to impress certain teams with a blistering speed show at the combine like Heyward-Bey did in 2009.
At the '09 combine, Heyward-Bey ran a 4.25 40-yard dash, the best of any receiver, and his draft stock took off. He was eventually took ninth overall in the draft by the Oakland Raiders.
Smith won't get himself in the top-10 in April, but a time in the 40 nearing Heyward-Bey's is definitely within his reach.
Bilal Powell, Louisville
2 of 10
Powell doesn't have the speed of Noel Devine or the strength of Mark Ingram, but his solid combination of both makes him one of the more interesting prospects at the running back position.
He should time out well in both the short-area quickness drills and the bench press, and that should attract more than a few teams.
Without a running back prospect that will steal the show at the combine, Powell has as good a chance as any as being one of the standouts in Indianapolis.
Dontay Moch, Nevada
3 of 10
While rumors exist that Moch can run in the 4.2 range, chances are low that he runs that well at the combine.
Still, for a linebacker at 235 pounds, a time in the late 4.3 to early 4.4 range is going to turn the heads of most NFL scouts.
And while Moch is still a raw prospect that's going to need time to get a grasp of the pro game, you can't teach speed like that.
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Allen Bailey, Miami (Fl.)
4 of 10
Bailey doesn't have the production or potential impact at the next level like Da'Quan Bowers or Nick Fairley possesses, but the combine is a place where he should shine.
At over 280 pounds, Bailey will have a chance to be among the fastest defensive line prospects and it's been said that he could run in the late 4.6 to early 4.7 range.
Factor in that Bailey can bench press 425 pounds and you should get a classic case of an athletic guy dominating the combine.
Blaine Gabbert, Missouri
5 of 10
There's a fairly good chance that Gabbert won't partake in any of the throwing drills at the combine, but he can dominate the quarterback class at the combine with his knowledge of the position.
While half the process at the combine is the aspect of measuring physical traits, the interviews and one-on-ones with each teams football minds can be equally important—especially for a quarterback.
Cam Newton and Jake Locker will wow the crowds with their physical attributes, but Gabbert will bring home an "A" grade for his work in the classroom.
Justin Houston, Georgia
6 of 10
Houston isn't going to blow any scouts away with a blazing 40 time, but he brings plenty to the table in terms of the combine.
First, Houston will show that he is as fluid as any linebacker in the draft at dropping into coverage.
While he won't run an eye-catching number, Houston will display plenty of the short-area quickness in the cone drills that scouts love to see when looking at a pass rusher.
Don't expect him to dominate in the traditional sense, but Houston will help his draft stock immensely at the combine.
Marcus Cannon, TCU
7 of 10
When you think of a guy that is nearing 350 pounds, the term athletic is rarely a term that comes to mind.
In the case of Marcus Cannon, that might be a fair assessment.
Cannon has run the 40 yard dash in 5.22 seconds at TCU, and while that won't be taking home the top spot at the combine or even among offensive linemen, none of Cannon's fellow prospects can match his size and speed combination.
Expect the 350-pounder to give scouts a show in Indianapolis.
Leonard Hankerson, Miami (Fl)
8 of 10
A.J. Green and Julio Jones will have the attention of most scouts, but Leonard Hankerson has been building the most momentum of any receiver in the class.
His impressive performance throughout the Senior Bowl first attracted scouts, and he'll continue that at the combine.
Because of his size, deceptive speed and solid hands, Hankerson has a chance to vault his way into the top four or five receivers at the combine.
Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
9 of 10
If Mallet should throw at the combine, his natural arm strength and ability to make every throw should immediately impress scouts.
However, concerns about his decision making will dominate the conversation over Mallett, and rightfully so. No one wants to draft another JaMarcus Russell.
Mallett needs to prove to scouts that he has the knowledge and awareness of the game to overcome some of the poor decisions he's made in college.
The arm is there, but Mallett has to show the head is too.
Curtis Brown, Texas
10 of 10
Like Hankerson, Brown has some momentum building after an impressive Senior Bowl.
His fellow Longhorn cornerback, Aaron Williams, received much of the early draft hype, but Brown is in the process of solidifying himself as one of the better corners in this class.
Brown will be able to show off his speed (4.4 range), athletic ability and hands (All-American WR in high school) at the combine, and an impressive showing could vault him into the first round.
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