INDIANAPOLIS – Here are five storylines to watch over the next few days of the NFL Scouting combine:
1. Top quarterback: Tampa Bay has the No. 1 pick and must decide between Florida State's Jameis Winston (heavy baggage) and Oregon's Marcus Mariota (system guy?). "Both of them have won a lot of games," Tampa Bay coach Lovie Smith said on Wednesday.
2. Gurley watch: Will Georgia running back Todd Gurley finally address being suspended for signing autographs during the season? Or will he continue to duck the media?
3. 40-yard dash record: Miami wide receiver Phillip Dorsett is a contender to break the combine record in the 40-yard dash. Running back Chris Johnson ran a 4.24 back in 2008. Dorsett claims to have run a 4.21 last season. (BTW, he's note related to the great Tony Dorsett)
4. How will Florida defensive end Dante Fowler perform? NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock believes that Fowler is the best pass rusher in the draft because of his size. He could be a target for the Falcons. He played under new coach Dan Quinn early in his career with the Gators. "I think it's really critical to get the edge guy at No. 8 and get that pick right," Mayock said about the Falcons. "I seem to be in the minority with the media people with having Dante Fowler at No. 1 (ranked edge rusher).
5. How fast will Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon run? The Falcons will be in the market for a running back. Alabama's T.J. Yeldon could impress with a fine showing at the combine. "For Yeldon, if he's healthy he should run his 40 at the combine," Mayock said. "I tell kids and parents this all the time, why not get two bites at the apple? If T.J. Yeldon goes out and runs a time that he finds acceptable then he never has to run a 40 again, including at his pro day. He can stand on the time and all he has worry about after that is his positional drills at the pro day."
WORKOUT SCHEDULE
Friday: Specialists, offensive linemen, tight ends
Saturday: Quarterbacks, running backs, receivers
Sunday: Defensive linemen, linebackers
Monday: Defensive backs
Here's Mayock's ratings of the top five players heading into the combine.
YOU PICK THE ROSTER
THE STORY: Should they stay or should they go
THE INTERACTIVE POLL: Defense -- are you going to Keep 'im or Sack 'im?
THE INTERACTIVE POLL: Offense -- are you going to Keep 'im or Sack 'im?
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