The 2015 NFL Scouting Combine is a great opportunity for the top college football prospects to show off their tangible skills and traits in order to impress the coaches and officials from around the league.
Players who run faster or lift more weight than expected will climb the draft boards, while those athletes who struggle at the combine will see their stock plummet. This could be make-or-break for many young prospects.
Here is all the vital viewing information for the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine and the top stars to watch.
| Wed., Feb. 18 | 2 p.m. | Press Conferences | NFL Network |
| Thu., Feb. 19 | 2 p.m. | Press Conferences | NFL Network |
| Fri., Feb. 20 | 9 a.m. | Workouts (OL, TE) | NFL Network |
| Sat., Feb. 21 | 9 a.m. | Workouts (RB, QB, WR) | NFL Network |
| Sun., Feb. 22 | 9 a.m. | Workouts (LB, DL) | NFL Network |
| Mon., Feb. 23 | 9 a.m. | Workouts (DB) | NFL Network |
Source: NFL.com
*Live stream via NFL Now.
Offensive Player to Watch: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama Crimson Tide
There are a plethora of talented offensive players who will be on display at the combine, but the player fans should be watching closest is Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper.
Cooper is one of the top receiver prospects, and the scouting combine will be his chance to show just how much talent he truly possesses. He is already one of the strongest players at his position in the draft, and he has the jumping ability to match almost anyone.
When asked to find a fitting NFL comparison for Cooper, former Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage told Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, “Amari is super athletic, very fluid and highly skilled as a route runner and hands catcher. Because of his reserved demeanor and similar ability, I compared him to Marvin Harrison during the season.”
The biggest question mark for Copper will be the time he runs in the 40-yard dash.
What makes Cooper so dangerous is his ability to run precise routes before going up and catching the football at its highest point. He showcased elite speed at times, but how well he runs at the scouting combine could impact where he eventually lands.
A team like the Oakland Raiders picking at No. 4 overall needs a player who can step right in and make an impact, and if Cooper tests as well as most expect he will, there is little doubt that he will be a top-five selection in the 2015 draft.
Defensive Player to Watch: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images While many fans will be looking for the flashy players on the offensive side of the ball, hardcore football fans who appreciate great defense will have their eyes focused on a deep class of elite defenders.
The player to watch in 2015 is Mississippi State inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney.
At 6’5” and 249 pounds, McKinney is a physical specimen who can get even bigger with the proper time in an NFL training room. He lacks the ideal speed for a linebacker in the league, but his instincts are high and he is a beast against the run.
Bob Carskadon of HailState.com shared draft analyst Mike Mayock’s ranking of McKinney:
As a tall player, McKinney is still learning how to play the position against smaller competition. He will have to lower his center of gravity, as Zierlein suggests on NFL.com, in order to blossom into the dynamic middle linebacker he has the potential to become.
One aspect of the game McKinney has thrived in is the mental toughness. With the ability to understand his assignments and break down plays as they happen, he has the natural instincts to make an impact at the next level.
Now it’s just about how well McKinney handles the pressure of the scouting combine.
*Stats via NFL.com .
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