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10 Players Who Need To Impress Scouts The Most At 2016 NFL Scouting Combine

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The 2016 NFL Scouting Combine kicks off on Feb. 23 and runs through Feb. 29. There were 332 players invited to Indianapolis this year and each player’s goal will be to prove themselves to the scouts, coaches and executives in attendance so that they can improve their draft grade and earn bigger contracts. Here are the 10 players who need to impress the most at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine.

10. RB Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech

RB Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech Getty Images
Dixon is one of the best all-around backs in this class, but he's only projected as a mid-round pick. If he can run his 40-yard dash in under 4.50, he could find himself in the second round or even higher.

Dixon is one of the best all-around backs in this class, but he's only projected as a mid-round pick. If he can run his 40-yard dash in under 4.50, he could find himself in the second round or even higher.

9. WR Leonte Carroo, Rutgers

WR Leonte Carroo, Rutgers Getty Images
Carroo is the best receiver in this draft who no one's talking about. The key for him will obviously be to perform well, but also show some maturity by explaining in detail (in interviews) what led to him being suspended for a couple games last season.

Carroo is the best receiver in this draft who no one's talking about. The key for him will obviously be to perform well, but also show some maturity by explaining in detail (in interviews) what led to him being suspended for a couple games last season.

8. DE Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State

DE Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State Getty Images
There are scouts who don't believe Ogbah will have success in the NFL because he doesn't have all the measurables, but I think those guys are insane. If Ogbah can show good straight-line speed and a little more fluidity in his hips, his motor will make him a sure-fire first-round pick.

There are scouts who don't believe Ogbah will have success in the NFL because he doesn't have all the measurables, but I think those guys are insane. If Ogbah can show good straight-line speed and a little more fluidity in his hips, his motor will make him a sure-fire first-round pick.

7. QB Paxton Lynch, Memphis

QB Paxton Lynch, Memphis Getty Images
Back in November, Lynch was being talked about as the No. 1 overall pick and now he's not even a first-round pick in some scouts' eyes. An ugly performance against Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl hurt his stock, but he can help improve it with a nice showing at the combine.

Back in November, Lynch was being talked about as the No. 1 overall pick and now he's not even a first-round pick in some scouts' eyes. An ugly performance against Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl hurt his stock, but he can help improve it with a nice showing at the combine.

6. WR Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma

WR Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma Getty Images
Shepard has all the tools you want in a wide receiver. He has great hands, runs polished routes and knows how to get open, but his 5-foot-10 frame and questions about his straight-line speed have scared some teams off. If he can run under 4.5 in the 40-yard dash, he could make himself some money.

Shepard has all the tools you want in a wide receiver. He has great hands, runs polished routes and knows how to get open, but his 5-foot-10 frame and questions about his straight-line speed have scared some teams off. If he can run under 4.5 in the 40-yard dash, he could make himself some money.

5. DE Dadi Nicolas, Virginia Tech

DE Dadi Nicolas, Virginia Tech Getty Images
Nicolas will be forced to move from defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL because of his smallish frame. If he can show an ability to drop into coverage in the drills at the combine, he could move up in the draft.

Nicolas will be forced to move from defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL because of his smallish frame. If he can show an ability to drop into coverage in the drills at the combine, he could move up in the draft.

4. QB Dak Prescott, Mississippi State

QB Dak Prescott, Mississippi State Getty Images
Prescott was an afterthought entering his junior year as he showed zero potential to make it to the NFL as a quarterback. Then came 2015 and massive improvements in his decision-making and technique took place, which led him to complete a career-high 66.2 percent of his passes and throw for 29 touchdowns as opposed to only five interceptions. Prescott won the Most Outstanding Player at the Senior Bowl and could really skyrocket up draft boards if he has a strong combine.

Prescott was an afterthought entering his junior year as he showed zero potential to make it to the NFL as a quarterback. Then came 2015 and massive improvements in his decision-making and technique took place, which led him to complete a career-high 66.2 percent of his passes and throw for 29 touchdowns as opposed to only five interceptions. Prescott won the Most Outstanding Player at the Senior Bowl and could really skyrocket up draft boards if he has a strong combine.

3. DE Carl Nassib, Penn State

DE Carl Nassib, Penn State Getty Images
For whatever reason, dominating the Big 10 isn't enough to move Nassib into the first round according to experts. If he can pair the tape with a strong showing at the combine, he should enter the first-round discussion.

For whatever reason, dominating the Big 10 isn't enough to move Nassib into the first round according to experts. If he can pair the tape with a strong showing at the combine, he should enter the first-round discussion.

2. WR Josh Doctson, TCU

WR Josh Doctson, TCU Getty Images
At one point this season, Doctson was the top wide receiver in college football, but injuries derailed the second half of the season. If he can show up to the combine weighing about 210, instead of his current 195, run somewhere in the 4.45 range and perform well in drills, he could easily move himself up into the late first-round discussion.

At one point this season, Doctson was the top wide receiver in college football, but injuries derailed the second half of the season. If he can show up to the combine weighing about 210, instead of his current 195, run somewhere in the 4.45 range and perform well in drills, he could easily move himself up into the late first-round discussion.

1. QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State

QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State Getty Images
Wentz is one of the top quarterback prospects in this draft and he could put himself in the discussion of be selected No. 2 overall by the Cleveland Browns with an impressive combine showing.

Wentz is one of the top quarterback prospects in this draft and he could put himself in the discussion of be selected No. 2 overall by the Cleveland Browns with an impressive combine showing.

Jason Fletcher is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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