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INDIANAPOLIS — The hopes of many NFL teams will start taking shape this week as the league’s annual scouting combine begins in Indianapolis.
As usual, there will be plenty to debate.
There doesn’t appear to be a clear-cut No. 1 overall pick or a top quarterback yet. Scouts are still trying to determine whether Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter would be more productive as a shutdown cornerback, a playmaking receiver or both.
Here’s a look at what could lead the discussions between players arriving in town Tuesday and the conclusion of workouts Monday.
Cam Ward, QB, Miami Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The two former Pac-12 rivals will share the big stage again this week — even if neither actually participates in Saturday’s on-field drills as they try to be the first quarterback selected in April.
They took very different journeys to Indianapolis.
Ward had one scholarship offer coming out of high school and parlayed a successful career at FCS school Incarnate Word into a starting job at Washington State. He even declared for last year’s draft before re-entering the transfer portal and landing at Miami, where his decision paid off handsomely.
Ward broke the NCAA’s career record with 158 TD passes split between his FCS and FBS stints, led Miami to the cusp of a playoff berth and wound up a Heisman finalist.
Sanders, the son of Hall of Fame cornerback and Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders, seemed primed to be in this mix for years. He reportedly will not work out in Indy, but plans to meet with teams there.
Jalon Walker, LB/Edge, Georgia
The former Bulldogs star could be the top edge rusher in this year’s draft class, perhaps supplanting Penn State rusher Abdul Carter, should everything fall into place.
First, though, Walker must answer questions about where he fits best into an NFL defense.
His productivity and overall skills are unquestioned. But in college, he was listed at 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, making some wonder whether he’s a better pass rusher or a better traditional linebacker.
This week’s numbers could help settle a debate that could linger into draft day.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Jeanty looks like a virtual lock to be the top running back chosen after producing the second-highest single-season rushing total in FBS history.
He has the combination of power and breakaway speed teams typically covet.
The question is how high will he go? Many teams have opted to wait for running backs to slide, and they undervalued the position in free agency, too.
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Johnson didn’t have the final college season he envisioned after winning a national championship primarily because a bruised shoulder and a turf toe limited him to eight games.
When healthy, Johnson is among the best at his position.
Teams will likely spend extra time making sure he’s ready to start on time. If so, Johnson should be a top-15 pick and could move into the top 10 with a good time in the 40.