NFL Scouting Combine: What to Watch For This Week for Colts

The NFL Scouting Combine hits Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, where more than 300 prospects will participate in the hopes of making their NFL dreams become reality. The event will officially run from February 17-23rd.

As far as the on-field workout schedule is concerned:

Friday, February 20: Specialists, offensive linemen, tight ends

Saturday, February 21: Quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers

Sunday, February 22: Defensive linemen, linebackers

Monday, February 23: Defensive backs

(These workouts will occur starting at 9 A.M ET daily) 

Earlier we took a look at the draft philosophy and what to target for the Colts, while also analyzing various mainstream experts mock drafts. It figures that the Colts will be looking to lean towards defense with their overall draft; however, the team could also look to pick up young talent along their offensive line, running back, and wide receiver.

In the mean time, here are NFL.com Draft Expert Mike Mayock’s positional rankings for the 2015 NFL Draft heading into the combine:

Quarterback
1. Jameis Winston, Florida State
2. Marcus Mariota, Oregon
3. Bryce Petty, Baylor
4. Brett Hundley, UCLA
5. Garrett Grayson, Colorado State

Running back
1. Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
2. Todd Gurley, Georgia
3. Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
4. Duke Johnson, Miami (Fla.)
5. Tevin Coleman, Indiana

Wide receiver
1. Kevin White, West Virginia
2. Amari Cooper, Alabama
3. DeVante Parker, Louisville
4. Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri
5. Devin Funchess, Michigan

Tight end
1. Maxx Williams, Minnesota
2. Clive Walford, Miami (Fla.)
3. Nick O’Leary, Florida State
4. Tyler Kroft, Rutgers
5. Ben Koyack, Notre Dame

Interior offensive linemen
1. Brandon Scherff, Iowa
2. Cameron Erving, Florida State
3. Laken Tomlinson, Duke
4. A.J. Cann, South Carolina
5. Tre’ Jackson, Florida State

Offensive tackle
1. T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh
2. Andrus Peat, Stanford
3. La’el Collins, LSU
4. Ereck Flowers, Miami (Fla.)
5t. Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
5t. D.J. Humphries, Florida

Interior defensive linemen

1. Leonard Williams, USC
2. Danny Shelton, Washington
3. Malcom Brown, Texas
4. Arik Armstead, Oregon
5t. Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma
5t. Eddie Goldman, Florida State

Edge rusher
1. Dante Fowler, Jr., Florida
2. Randy Gregory, Nebraska
3. Shane Ray, Missouri
4. Vic Beasley, Clemson
5. Bud Dupree, Kentucky

Linebacker
1. Paul Dawson, TCU
2. Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
3. Denzel Perryman, Miami (Fla.)
4. Eric Kendricks, UCLA
5. Stephone Anthony, Clemson

Cornerback
1. Trae Waynes, Michigan State
2. Marcus Peters, Washington
3. Jalen Collins, LSU
4. P.J. Williams, Florida State
5. Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest

Safety
1. Landon Collins, Alabama
2. Shaq Thompson, Washington
3. Derron Smith, Fresno State
4. Jaquiski Tartt, Samford
5. Ibraheim Campbell, Northwestern

With the Colts needing obvious size and strength along their defensive line, here are two prospects that Mayock thinks will shine athletically looking in:

"Two candidates: Arik Armstead, a 6-7, 297-pound defensive end from Oregon, and Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma’s 6-6, 336-pound nose tackle. “I can’t wait to see them run 10-yard dashes [the first 10 yards of their forties],” Mayock said. “That’s the important time for those guys.”"

As well as a few bold comparisons Mayock makes beforehand:

"A few comparisons Mayock sees now, prior to the workouts:Defensive tackle Leonard Williams, USC :: Richard Seymour.Nose tackle Danny Shelton, Washington :: Haloti Ngata.Safety/linebacker/running back Shaq Thompson, Washington :: Deone Bucannon.Outside linebacker Dante Fowler, Florida :: Justin Houston.Wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, Miami :: Mike Wallace."

P.S.– If you are looking for something to do this weekend, are a beer drinker, and of legal age of course, I highly recommend attending a Tweetup with the always great Sports Illustrated Monday Morning Quarterback’s Peter King at renowned local craft brewery in Sun King Brewing Company:

"We’re having a Tweetup in Indianapolis this week.A Tweetup, for those who haven’t been to one, is an informal meeting of people who, theoretically, have encountered one another on Twitter. For the past six years in Indianapolis, some of my readers/followers/hecklers have come to a public place or bar when the combine is in town, and I’ve brought some of my media friends, and we talk football for a while. This year, we’re changing things up a bit.Where: Sun King Brewing Co., 135 North College Ave., Indianapolis (about seven blocks from downtown).When: Friday, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.Tickets: $10. Yes, this used to be free. We decided to charge this year, with all ticket money going to Thrive360 (formerly Kids Against Hunger of Central Indiana), a group that packs meals for the needy and the hungry. You must 21 or over to attend. Beer will be sold at the event. Buy your tickets here.Follow me on Twitter, and when I know more details about the event, I’ll pass them along. Hope to see you there."