Looking for an early favorite to run the top 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis next month?
Three possibilities surfaced Saturday night on the Reese's Senior Bowl broadcast on NFL Network, as analyst Mike Mayock suggested three wide receivers -- Miami's Phillip Dorsett, Ohio State's Devin Smith and Auburn's Sammie Coates -- had a different gear than all the rest on hand for the game.
"(Dorsett) said he's shooting for a 4.29," Mayock said. "All three of those guys could be in the 4.3 range and might compete to become the fastest official 40 time in recent history."
Of course, the 84 underclassmen entering the draft will have plenty to say about the top 40 time, as well. But if Dorsett can run the time he told Mayock he is aiming for, he'll be tough to beat. Dorsett caught 36 passes for 871 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final season with the Hurricanes, a whopping average of 24.2 yards per catch. He was unavailable for the actual Senior Bowl game due to an injury, but was arguably the most impressive receiver during the practice week.
At 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds, Coates would certainly turn heads with a time in the 4.3-range, which is typically occupied by smaller receivers and cornerbacks. Coates just missed a touchdown catch from Blake Sims in the Senior Bowl, getting just one foot in bounds rather than the two feet required in the NFL.
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