NFL Scouting Combine: 5 prospects with the most to prove in 2018

The NFL Scouting Combine is an annual event that can make or break prospects’ draft stock. Niner Noise looks at five prospects with the most to prove in 2018.

The NFL Scouting Combine is held every year at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, giving NFL Draft prospects various tests to go through, such as the 40-yard dash, bench press and more. The combine mostly tests for physical attributes of players, like speed, strength, agility, etc.

However, I’m actually not a big fan of the combine. You’re not running with pads on and you’re not throwing or catching balls with huge NFL defenders in your face.

Look at wide receiver John Ross from last year, who ran a 4.22 time for his 40-yard dash, breaking the NFL Scouting Combine record.

San Francisco 49ers

Prior to the combine, Ross was projected to be a second-round pick. He ended up being picked ninth overall in the draft later that year. His stock skyrocketed after the Combine, but he showed nothing in his rookie season that warranted him being an early first-round pick. Yes, his season was plagued with injuries and I’m not completely writing him off as a bust yet, but his arrow is pointing in the wrong direction.

Now look at a guy like Trent Taylor, a receiver drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round. He ran a 4.63 time for his 40-yard dash, which is below average for a wide receiver, but if you looked at his college tape, you could tell that he had that game speed, constantly burning secondaries and gaining yards after the catch.

Drafted his lower draft stock, Taylor was third in the league in number of receptions for a rookie wide receiver.

However, scouts and general managers still view the combine as an important factor of their complete scouting report of a draft prospect, which greatly impacts every prospect in Indianapolis.

Here are five draft prospects who have the most to prove at the NFL Scouting Combine this year.