INDIANAPOLIS — Much of the attention at the NFL scouting combine has been focused on quarterbacks and defensive players, but game-breakers such as Golden Tate, Dez Bryant and Jahvid Best are also vying for first-round consideration.

Tate had the greatest season for a receiver in Notre Dame history, with 93 catches for 1,496 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2009. He set school records for receptions and receiving yards and won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver.

He's just 5-foot-10 and 196 pounds, but he's a downfield threat with the skill of a running back after the catch.

His best quality could be that he played in Charlie Weis' prostyle offense. Tate knew that could benefit him when he chose to play for the Fighting Irish.

"Coach Weis is a professional caliber coach," Tate said. "I knew I was going to have a headstep when I decided to pursue my dream and play professional football. That's one of the things going into college I understood."

Dez Bryant's challenge will be answering questions about why he lied about a trip to former NFL star Deion Sanders' house. The NCAA suspended the Oklahoma State receiver for 10 games last season after an investigation.

Bryant played in Oklahoma State's first three games of the season before being suspended. He declared that he would enter the draft soon after the NCAA rejected his appeal.

Bryant had 147 catches for 2,425 yards and 29 touchdowns in 28 career games. He had 87 receptions for 1,480 yards and 19 touchdowns in his sophomore year, and 17 catches for 323 yards and four scores last season before the suspension.

His physical tools might be enough to make teams overlook his fib. Bryant is 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, and his downfield speed and ability to attack the ball in the air make him a top prospect.

Oozing confidence, he said he most resembles Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald and New England's Randy Moss.

"They've just got that knack for going up for the ball. I have that same knack."

Best, a 6-1, 219-pound wideout with exceptional leaping ability, had a breakout season two years ago with 67 catches for 1,055 yards. He didn't get much action last season, catching 38 passes for 490 yards while Illinois struggled with its passing game. He's still projected by many as a first-round draft pick, but said he doesn't think playing for a passing team would have made a difference.