NFL Scouting Combine 2016: 5 players to watch

A few players have a great chance to improve their draft stock next month with a strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine.

With just one game remaining on the NFL schedule for this season, many teams and fans have moved on to thinking about next year. The Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers will remain focused on the results of Super Bowl 50 until February 7 in Santa Clara. Every other team will be trying to determine what exactly they need to do during the offseason to reach Super Bowl 51 in 2017.

One of the key early events of the offseason is the NFL Scouting Combine, held from February 23-29 in Indianapolis. While the Scouting Combine is just one factor that helps determine a prospect’s draft grade, it proves critical for a number of players every year, for better or worse.

This year’s Scouting Combine figures to be particularly interesting. Many of the teams with high draft picks have a number of intriguing options available to them, and the Scouting Combine will help determine how the top-10 picks and beyond play out. Add in the fact that this quarterback draft class appears to be thin with plenty of question marks, and the Scouting Combine could have a huge influence on the direction a few teams go.

For a few top prospects like Laremy Tunsil, Joey Bosa and Laquon Treadwell, the Scouting Combine will only move the needle so much. While a good combine performance always helps, they’ve already proven their ability on the field and figure to go in the top 10 with even sub-par showings.

Other players will need to put up huge combine numbers to justify a draft selection. These five prospects figure to put on a show with their physical abilities while also having a great chance to improve their draft stock.

Next: Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State