2008 NFL Combine Watch List
The 2008 NFL Scouting Combine opens in Indianapolis tomorrow with more than 300 prospects scheduled to work out for pro scouts and font-office personnel in the RCA Dome. The Combine opens Thursday and runs through Tuesday, Feb. 26. The Combine is one of the critical final phases of the player evaluation process.

Photo - TE John Carlson - Notre Dame

Here are some players to watch with explanations why the NFL Combine is so critical to their professional futures:

RB Ray Rice, 5-9, 200, Rutgers
This strong and compact tailback left after his junior season. He must show that he can run a sub-4.5 time in the 40-yard dash. Rice is a chiseled athlete with natural running skills. A good time in the 40 will solidify an early selection in the draft.

RB Felix Jones, 5-11, 200, Arkansas
Jones is an explosive junior tailback and return man. He has the speed and athleticism to light it up this weekend. He could outperform his highly acclaimed college teammate, tailback Darren McFadden. If he does outperform McFadden, they could both be first-round selections in April.

TE John Carlson, 6-5, 255, Notre Dame
This athletic senior tight end hopes to impress in workouts after missing Senior Bowl week due to illness. He has recovered most of the weight he lost when he was sick. Now, Carlson needs to show he is ready to perform his positional drills.

WR Keenan Burton, 6-1, 205, Kentucky
This fast wideout/return man faces a key medical checkup after missing the Senior Bowl due to a knee injury. He is a prospect who ranks in the top ten at his position, but he must prove healthy to retain that status.

WR Dexter Jackson, 5-10, 170, Appalachian St
This fast small-college wideout is moving up charts after getting an invite to the Senior Bowl. He has elite speed that should move him up the charts significantly. I expect him to run a sub-4.4 time in the 40-yard dash this weekend.

DE Jason Jones, 6-5, 270, Eastern Michigan
This big and athletic lineman is one of the more obscure players in this class. He has the physical size and speed to be a major surprise as a professional defensive end. He has fine measureables and looks to display those skills on the big stage in Indianapolis.

DE/LB Tommy Blake, 6-3, 246, Texas Christian
This talented but troubled end/linebacker is a "tweener" who faces a critical week in all respects. He has fallen as far in the draft process as anyone in recent memory. He faces vital tests related to his physical and mental condition, in addition to his positional and weight concerns.

DT Kentwan Balmer, 6-5, 300, North Carolina
This huge defender is coming off a dominant final season. He has imposing size and athleticism and really responded to NFL-type coaching late in his career. If he performs well this week, he could move off the first-round bubble.

DT Letroy Guion, 6-4, 285, Florida St
This junior is flying up draft boards as teams are finding out more about him and analyzing his 2007 film. He could guarantee himself a top-50 selection - maybe higher - with a big workout this week.

CB Antoine Cason, 6-0, 185, Arizona
This athletic senior entered the season as the No. 1 cornerback in the draft, but must answer critical speed questions this week that will determine his final ranking. He may be the player with the most to gain or lose at the Combine.

CB Brandon Flowers, 5-10, 190, Virginia Tech
The fast junior corner looks to light it up on the speed drills and claim the top rating at this critical position. He is capable of a sub-4.4 time and should also perform well in agility drills.

CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, 6-1, 185, Tennessee St
This small-college corner is an excellent prospect who looks to take the next step on NFL Draft boards. He has the package scouts look for and could solidify a top-40 ranking and possible first-round selection with a strong showing in Indianapolis.