Saturday will be a big day for the NFL Combine because the quarterbacks will take the field for their workouts.
This year's class of passers is not considered to be particularly strong, but there are plenty of teams with a glaring need at QB. Since the position is so valuable, some of the prospects taking the field Saturday will likely be some of the draft's highest picks.
During a recent conference call that covered many of this year's top collegiate prospects, the NFL Network's Mike Mayock reinforced the narrative that Cal's Jared Goff and North Dakota State's Carson Wentz are clearly the top two QBs in the class.
That classification, in addition to the lack of depth at the position, may well result in both QBs going early in the first round, though both will likely come off the board in the first 15 picks.
Here are the prospects to watch on Saturday:
Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State, and Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
Mayock dubbed these two "wild cards" because they are considered to have a world of talent with significantly less polish on the mental part of the position when compared to someone like Connor Cook. Their ability being their primary selling point, they will have to perform well in physical and skill drills to convince potential employers to take them on.
Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
Whereas Wentz is coming from the FCS, Lynch played in a non-Power-5 conference, so they are almost in the same boat. If Wentz and Goff go in the first 10 selections, Lynch could follow shortly after. Mayock listed the 49ers, Eagles, and Rams as Lynch's potential suitors, especially if Wentz and Goff come off the board early on.
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss, and Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
Both these players will likely be among the first wide receivers taken in the draft, as they both have a desirable skill set and size for the position. Treadwell is currently considered by many to be the top prospect at the position, and his decision to not run the 40-yard dash could be an attempt to protect his stock.
Doctson, on the other hand, needs a good 40 time just be considered in the first round. Mayock deemed his speed a "big question" mark, but there is little doubt about his hands and ball skills.
Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor, and Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
Fuller may look a lot more appealing to evaluators just for having the number six at the start of his height, even if the following number is zero. But Coleman is only an inch shorter, and both have similar skill sets: they are both really fast.
Mayock projected Coleman going in the first round and Fuller being taken as early as the second round, but wide receivers can sometimes be less predictable. Part of that is because of the athleticism required for the position, and their workout performance at the combine can make or break their draft stock.
