Top 10 Players Who Need to Have a Good NFL Combine

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) runs with the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the second half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Auburn Tigers 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

3. Melvin Gordon, Running Back, Wisconsin Badgers

Yes, Melvin Gordon ran for an incredible 2,587 yards and 29 touchdowns on the year, but as an NFL running back coming out of Wisconsin, he has to prove that he’s not the product of a great running system that’s always been in place. And outrunning slow Big Ten West defenses or a soft Auburn defense behind a massive Badgers offensive line does not really cut it too much.

Gordon too often made terrible decisions with his eyes and vision but still had great runs because his line still bailed him out and everybody trying to tackle him was slower. As a result, he needs this combine to prove he has legitimate speed and agility. To be fair to him, strength is not really a question, so we can leave that alone regardless of what his bench press comes in as.

Still, Gordon’s 40-time, position drills, and shuttles are going to be extremely crucial in determining where he goes and how good he might be in the NFL, so we need to see how he fares in those drills. Remember, that great physical Wisconsin system has produced many great college running backs who had underwhelming professional careers, most notably Ron Dayne.

So for Gordon, who had no real defensive competition all year with the Badgers and plays a position that can be measured by physical attributes, this combine is huge.

Next: No. 2 Ranked Player Who Needs a Good NFL Combine