2018 NFL Scouting Combine preview
It's almost time to prod, dissect, and examine every inch of the NFL hopefuls who will be at the league's "Underwear Olympics" - the scouting combine, set to take place March 2-5 in Indianapolis, as always.
From first-round locks to players who will likely be fighting for roster spots come July, the potential draftees will need to leave everything they have on the Lucas Oil Stadium field to impress NFL decision-makers (some take this too literally).
This year's combine isn't short on stars or intrigue, with the likes of Saquon Barkley, Baker Mayfield, and Minkah Fitzpatrick set to appear, and questions still surrounding what the Cleveland Browns will do at the top of the draft.
Here are the biggest stories heading into the combine:
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This year's quarterback class boasts a lot of standout names, but none who are seen as surefire franchise players - at least not enough to make it obvious which one should go No. 1.
Quarterbacks aren't best positioned to stand out at the combine, which largely focuses on a range of physical abilities rather than mental acumen. Still, the all-important interviews and the chance to show off passing ability in less-than-ideal circumstances cannot be underestimated.
Josh Rosen, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Josh Allen are all locks to hear their names called within the first 32 picks, and former Heisman winner Lamar Jackson shouldn't be far behind.
Someone has to emerge. Darnold and Allen have the prototypical physical traits, Rosen has polish and composure, Mayfield as the "it" factor, and Jackson could be a star with a team that understands the value of his skill set.
Whatever happens, the combine will provide a close look at a quarterback class with the potential to shake up the entire league.
Related: 7 prospect battles to watch at the combine
Will Barkley make it impossible for Browns to pass?
Barkley's being touted as a potentially transcendent talent, just as pass-rusher Myles Garrett was a season ago when the Cleveland Browns opted to take him instead of Mitch Trubisky or Deshaun Watson.
So, will the Browns relent and finally secure their franchise quarterback? Or, will they again opt for the perceived best talent, regardless of position and in spite of the criticism they've faced for passing on Watson and Carson Wentz in recent years?
Barkley could certainly use the combine to make new Browns general manager John Dorsey's predicament even more difficult by blowing away the athletic tests. His athleticism and burst are off the charts, and if he exceeds expectations and confirms he's as close to a sure thing as you can get in the draft, Cleveland could be convinced to go the safe route and hope to snag a quarterback with the fourth overall pick instead.
It would be an amazing turnaround for running backs if Cleveland goes with Barkley. Many were pronouncing the death of the position's draft value after none were taken in the 2014 first round, so it would be remarkable for a runner to go No. 1 overall for the first time since 1995 just four years later.
Could the 40-yard dash record last just 1 year?Chris Johnson was the NFL's king of speed ever since running the 40-yard dash in 4.24 seconds back in 2008. But records are meant to be broken, and Cincinnati Bengals wideout John Ross did just that last year, beating Johnson's time by a mere .02 seconds.
However, Ross' reign might be much shorter than Johnson's if this year's top contenders have anything to say about it.
LSU cornerback Donte Jackson and Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward are among those with a shot at taking down Ross' time.
Jackson, in particular, said he's gunning for the record, adding that he's previously been timed at 4.24 seconds, according to NFL.com's Dan Parr, so it should be must-see TV when the cornerbacks take the field March 5.
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