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Who has the most to gain?

Twenty prospects with a lot on the line at combine

Posted: Wednesday February 22, 2006 11:40AM; Updated: Wednesday February 22, 2006 5:57PM
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USC running back LenDale White could be a top 10 pick if he has a good combine.
USC running back LenDale White could be a top 10 pick if he has a good combine.
John Biever/SI
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By Tony Pauline, Special to SI.com

The NFL is in Indianapolis this week as scouts, coaches, general managers, medical staffs and even a few owners take over the city. They are joined by more than 300 NFL prospects eligible for April's draft. The week will be full of medical exams, physical tests and psychological exercises as players hope to impress future employers.

As is the case every February, draft boards will shake-and-bake after the results of the '06 combine are in the books. Here are the players with the most to gain next week.

OFFENSE

1. Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt: After a good Senior Bowl performance last month, Cutler could cement himself in the top eight with a solid throwing workout.

2. Omar Jacobs, QB, Bowling Green: The underclassman looked like a world-beater in '03, but he struggled at times last season.

3. LenDale White, RB, USC: Taking a backseat to Heisman winner Reggie Bush, White is preferred by many scouts as a "feature runner" at the next level. Fast 40 times will push him into the upper Round 1.

4. Quinton Ganther, RB, Utah: A favorite of NFL scouts, the Utes' back is one of the most underrated ballcarriers in the draft.

5. Demetrius Williams, WR, Oregon: Rising up draft boards faster than any other receiver in the nation, Williams is another player who had a splendid week at the Senior Bowl.

6. Mike Hass, WR, Oregon State: A forgotten man in the receiver corps, the ultra-productive Hass was snubbed by the most important All-Star games.

7. Joe Toledo, OT, Washington: The former tight end looked dominant during his initial campaign at offensive tackle. Weighing near 330 pounds, Toledo can push into the top 75 with good performances during the skill drills.

8. Charles Spencer, G, Pittsburgh: He played left tackle as a senior, but Spencer looked more natural and dominant at guard during the Senior Bowl. A top 3 player at his position, he will head into Round 2 with good results at the combine.

9. Greg Eslinger, C, Minnesota: Snubbing several postseason invitations, Eslinger has been on a free fall down draft boards and must stop the bleeding.

10. Jahri Evans, OG, Bloomsburg: One of the few Division II invitees, Evans played tackle in college but could project as a guard at the next level.

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