INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – When workouts begin Friday, the annual competition will be on to determine the fastest player in the 2015 NFL Draft Class. Most expect that title to go to Miami wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, the same guy who told reporters at the Senior Bowl that he had been clocked under 4.3 seconds.
Titans Online caught up with draft experts from the combine to share who might be able to keep up with the Hurricane's speedster.
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: "Dorsett is the hands on favorite. He is explosive. He's one of the more explosive guys that I've seen on tape. I don't know if anyone can keep up with him. He's a legitimate track guy, but his speed translates to the pro game. By far he's the most explosive receiver that we have. If I had to pick someone, maybe it's Devin Smith from Ohio State. He's pretty explosive, I don't know how fast he is going to run on the field, but he's one of the more explosive guys on tape."
Matt Miller, Bleacher Report: "It's either Phillip Dorsett or Sammie Coates. Coates is an interesting one to watch because he's a freak athletically. It will be a fun race to watch those two guys go. Alphabetically they're pretty close, too, so we won't have to wait long to watch them go."
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Rob Rang, CBS Sports: "I do think somebody can beat Dorsett. I think there are a couple of players in this class who have similar straight-line speed.Sammie Coates** from Auburn is a guy who I think is really going to turn heads. He might not be quite as fast as Phillip Dorsett, but he's going to be in the 4.3's, so Dorsett will need to have eaten his Wheaties that day because I think Sammie Coates is going to be one of the most dynamic overall athletes this week."
Bryan Fischer, NFL.com: "I'd say Dorsett is the fastest guy here based on what you see on tape and with his track background. If anyone can come close it's probably Devin Smith who has that straight-line speed. It's definitely Dorsett's 'Fastest Man'" title to lose when they're running 40's."
Dane Brugler, CBS Sports: "I think Sammie Coates, who is from Auburn and is a lot bigger than Dorsett. He's 6-foot-1, 212 pounds and in that Terrell Owens mold. He has a lot of questions whether or not he's a natural hands catcher or a precise route runner. Those could keep him out of the first round. After he runs in the 4.3's or whatever he ends up running, he could end up fighting for a first round spot because he will do well this week and test off the charts."
