2015 Pro Days

[datruth55]

thats interesting. As a guy who played G in HS, I always thought you get more strength in your technique by getting lower than the other guy. I always thought the notion of a knee bender lent itself to this very notion.

I am not an expert however.

With shorter height comes shorter arms. It's not entirely about leverage.

 

[finfan54]

With shorter height comes shorter arms. It's not entirely about leverage.

My opine on any player's prospect's regardless of so-called physical downfall is "are you a football player?"

I have no problem with John Miller's skills. And I think he fits what we do very well for a fourth rounder. But I dont think we go this direction because nothing we do ever does.

 

[datruth55]

Monmouth Pro Day

Monmouth's pro day attracted representatives from 21 teams last Tuesday. Eleven players worked out indoors on Field Turf.

Neal Sterling (6-foot-3 3/8, 238 pounds) was the standout of the pro day. He's a wide receiver with a terrific upper body, and some feel he might be a tight end in the pros; others see him as a wide receiver who'll have to cut about 10 pounds. He looked very good in his workout, running good routes and catching the ball well despite one drop.

Sterling posted 40 times of 4.62 and 4.64. He had a 35-inch vertical and 9-8 broad jump. He ran a 4.25 short shuttle and 7.07 3-cone drill, and he threw the bar up 16 times.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...nmouth-pro-day-features-bigbodied-wr-prospect

Emporia State Pro Day

Only one NFL team was in attendance for Emporia State's pro day in Kansas on Wednesday. Four players worked outdoors on Field turf.

Austin Willis (5-foot-9, 175 pounds) showed off some very good speed and athleticism in his workout, including 40-yard-dash times of 4.38 and 4.39. Willis also had a 39 1/2-inch vertical and 10-5 broad jump. He ran the short shuttle in 4.38 and the 3-cone drill in 7.12. He also had 21 strength lifts.

Willis will be a free agent, but he's the kind of fast and athletic player teams look for in wide receivers.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...ate-pro-day-speedy-wr-could-attract-nfl-teams

Marshall Pro Day

Twelve players worked out at Marshall's pro day, which brought out 11 NFL teams, and two of the prospects posted some eye-catching numbers.

Running indoors on Field Turf, cornerback Darryl Roberts clocked times of 4.39 and 4.36 in the 40-yard dash, including a 1.48 10-yard split. He also had a 39-inch vertical and 11-1 broad jump. He ran a 4.08 short shuttle and 6.66 3-cone drill, and had 23 bench-press reps. He had an excellent workout, and a number of teams will be bringing him in for interviews after his pro day. He could be a sixth- or seventh-round pick.

James Rouse (6-foot-4 5/8, 277 pounds) played defensive tackle in college but figures to move to defensive end in the NFL. He's a very strong player, as he proved by posting 38 bench-press reps, which was better than any prospect at this year's combine. Rouse also posted times of 4.89 and 4.89 in the 40 and had a 26-inch vertical, a 9-7 broad jump, a 4.70 short shuttle and a 7.56 3-cone drill. He's likely to be a priority free agent.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...day-undertheradar-cb-catches-scouts-attention

Wisconsin Pro Day

Melvin Gordon was the main attraction at Wisconsin's pro day last Wednesday, when representatives from 17 NFL teams, including five running back coaches, were on hand.

Gordon (6-foot 3/4, 215 pounds) stood on his combine numbers, but he worked out and looked pretty good catching the ball. Gordon's running style, along with his improvement as a receiver, reminds me a little of Jamaal Charles, the former Texas running back who is now a star for the Kansas City Chiefs. Gordon is likely to be a first-round pick, and I think he'll be a very good player in the NFL.

Rob Havenstein (6-foot-7 3/4, 319 pounds) only lifted weights at his pro day. He had 33-inch arms and threw the bar up 20 times. Havenstein did not run well at the combine, but he's one of those guys who plays a lot faster than his times would indicate. I think he'll be a second-day draft choice, possibly a third-day pick, but he'll be a good player in the NFL for some time.

One other notable Wisconsin player who worked out was nose tackle Warren Herring (6-foot-2 1/4, 287 pounds). Herring ran 5.2 seconds in the 40. He had a 4.57 short shuttle and 7.38 3-cone drill. He had a 35-inch vertical and a 9-8 broad jump, and he had 28 bench-press reps. He'll be a priority free agent.

Five additional players from smaller schools in the area worked out at Wisconsin's pro day, including Jake Kumerow of Wisconsin-Whitewater, whose father, Eric, was a first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins and whose sister is married to Ohio State LB Joey Bosa. Kumerow (6-foot-4 1/2, 209 pounds) ran the 40 in 4.52 and 4.56 seconds. He posted a 31-inch vertical and a 9-5 broad jump. He had a 4.26 short shuttle and 6.90 3-cone drill. He has 9 1/2-inch hands and put up 15 bench-press reps. Kumerow catches the ball well and is an athlete with good quickness.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...-day-melvin-gordon-shows-off-receiving-skills

Kentucky Pro Day

Representatives from 18 NFL teams -- including Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer and Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, as well as Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees -- were present for Kentucky's pro day on Thursday.

The workout was held indoors and run on FieldTurf.

Outside linebacker Alvin "Bud" Dupree (6-foot-4 1/8, 257 pounds) ran the 20-yard short shuttle in 4.47 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.49 seconds. He stood on his other numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine, which were outstanding. Dupree posted the top broad jump among linebackers, and was a top performer among linebackers in the 40-yard dash and vertical jump. Dupree's broad jump was spectacular, going 11 feet, 6 inches. Connecticut defensive back Byron Jones broke the combine and world broad-jump marks with a jump of 12 feet, 3 inches. Given Dupree's size, his broad jump might have been even more impressive than Jones'.

Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (6-4 5/8, 271) ran the 40 in 4.75 and 4.78 seconds. He had a 28 1/2-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-4 broad jump. He also had a short shuttle time of 4.63 seconds. He was worked out at both outside linebacker and as a hand-in-the-ground pass rusher at the pro day. His best NFL position, however, is as a pass rusher. His combination of weight and speed will be appetizing for NFL teams.

Offensive lineman Darrian Miller (6-5, 296) ran the 40 in 5.38 and 5.39 seconds. He had a 22-inch vertical jump and 8-foot-6 broad jump. He did the short shuttle in 4.95 seconds and the three-cone in 7.71 seconds. He also performed 16 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. He had a good workout, but he has to get a lot stronger to play offensive tackle in the NFL.

Running back Braylon Heard (5-9 3/4, 192) ran the 40 in 4.57 and 4.53 seconds. Then, he chose not to do a positional workout without a reason given as to why.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...es-check-out-two-kentucky-defensive-standouts

 

[datruth55]

Michigan Pro Day

Representatives from 18 NFL teams, including five position coaches, attended Michigan's pro day Thursday to watch nine prospects work out. Three of the players were at the combine.

Defensive end Frank Clark (6-foot-2 7/8, 272 pounds) ran the 40-yard dash twice, posting times of 4.64 and 4.68, and looked very good in his position drills. Clark got into some trouble last season and was dismissed from Michigan after an arrest on domestic violence charges, but if he can overcome his baggage, this is a very good player.

Devin Funchess (6-foot-4 1/4, 232 pounds) ran much better than he did at the combine, posting 40 times of 4.47 and 4.53 seconds. When asked why he ran so much better, he explained that he had been up late to do interviews at the combine and was just plain tired when he ran. Funchess also posted a 4.48 short shuttle and 6.98 3-cone drill. He had one drop in his workout, but showed he's a very good athlete and smooth in his routes. He's got a chance to be drafted in the bottom of the first round, but most likely will be a second-round pick.

Devin Gardner (6-foot-3 1/2, 218 pounds), who played quarterback and wide receiver at Michigan, was worked out as a wide receiver at Michigan's pro day and caught the ball really well. He also ran the 40 in 4.62 and 4.67 seconds. He had a 35 1/2-inch vertical and 9-9 broad jump. He had a 4.42 short shuttle and 6.96 3-cone drill, and put up 15 reps in the bench press. Gardner is a good athlete who's on the rise.

Jake Ryan (6-foot-2 1/4, 240 pounds) stood on everything that he did at the combine. He's a very smart player and has a good burst, and I think he'll be a good special teams player in addition to being a weakside linebacker in the NFL.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...nchess-frank-clark-shine-at-michigans-pro-day

That's a pretty huge improvement from Funchess...from 4.70 at the combine to 4.47? Just cause you were tired? The short shuttle time wasn't good but the 3-cone wasn't bad. Still wouldn't take him.

Oregon Pro Day

Representatives from all 32 NFL teams -- including Tennessee Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt and general manager Ruston Webster, New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan, Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider, Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht and Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan -- were present for Oregon's pro day on Thursday.

A total of 14 players worked out indoors on FieldTurf. While offensive tackle Jake Fisher helped himself as much as anybody so far at this year's pro days, quarterback Marcus Mariota eased some concerns about his ability to operate under center.

Fisher (6-foot-6 3/4, 308 pounds) has 33 1/2-inch arms and 10 3/8-inch hands. Fisher stood on his numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine, where he had the best time among offensive linemen in the three-cone drill and 20-yard short shuttle, and was a top performer in his position group in the 40-yard dash and vertical jump. Fisher is an unbelievably good athlete -- he was a high school tight end -- and was very impressive at the pro day. Fisher made some money Thursday.

Mariota (6-3 1/2, 222) has 32 1/2-inch arms and 9 5/8-inch hands. He also concentrated on his positional workout and stood on his combine numbers -- he posted the best times among quarterbacks in the 40-yard dash and the three-cone drill, and was a top performer among quarterbacks in the vertical jump, broad jump and 20-yard short shuttle. I thought Mariota had a good workout, and it's safe to say he enhanced his draft position Thursday. He made a believer of people because he worked under center (Mariota operated exclusively out of the shotgun formation in Oregon's high-tempo spread offense). Cleveland Browns quarterbacks coach Kevin O'Connell scripted Mariota's pro-day workout.

Defensive tackle Arik Armstead (6-7 1/8, 289) has 33 1/2-inch arms and 10 3/4-inch hands. Armstead stood on his combine numbers and did position drills only.

Center Hroniss Grasu (6-3, 302) ran the 40-yard dash in 5.03 and 5.01 seconds. He had a short shuttle time of 4.20 seconds and a three-cone time of 7.84 seconds. Grasu is a very fluid athlete.

Cornerback Troy Hill (5-10 1/8, 180) ran the 40 in 4.55 and 4.52 seconds. He had a 34-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-2 broad jump. He did the three-cone drill in 6.92 seconds and the 20-yard short shuttle in 4.18 seconds. He performed eight reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...f-oregon-made-some-money-with-stellar-pro-day

Gil Brandt seemed to like Mariota but the link takes you to a couple of videos where Mike Mayock says Mariota lacks polish and Daniel Jeremiah though Mariota threw better at the combine. Tony Pauline also was unimpressed with Mariota's workout but Teddy Bridgewater also had a bad workout last year and was drafted 32nd in the draft. With the lack of QB options in the draft I don't think it's going to hurt his draft status much.

Jake Fisher has been moving up boards pretty quickly too...very athletic kid.

UNLV Pro Day

Representatives from eight NFL teams were present for UNLV's pro day on Thursday, when 13 players worked out outdoors, where it was 72 degrees, on FieldTurf.

Wide receiver Devante Davis (6-foot-3, 217 pounds) ran the 40-yard dash only once, doing so in 4.53 seconds. However, he suffered a slight hamstring issue in the process. He had a 10-foot-1 broad jump and did the 20-yard short shuttle in 4.35 seconds. In the positional workout, Davis -- who is a big target -- caught the ball well.

Offensive tackle Brett Boyko (6-6, 298) ran the 40 in 5.46 and 5.48 seconds. He had a 26 1/2-inch vertical jump and 9-foot broad jump. He performed 17 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. Boyko did well in the positional workout, but he's described as a little stiff.

Defensive lineman Josh Shirley (6-1 1/2, 234) ran the 40 in 4.53 and 4.57 seconds. He had a 38 1/2-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-2 broad jump. He did the short shuttle in 4.44 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.44 seconds. He also performed 31 strength lifts. Shirley -- who transferred to UNLV after being a three-time letterman at Washington -- is an undersized pass-rushing defensive lineman who might be a 3-4 outside linebacker possibility in the pros.

Cornerback Tajh Hasson (6-0 1/8, 198) ran the 40 in 4.46 and 4.49 seconds. He had a 37 1/2-inch vertical and 10-foot-9 broad jump. He did the short shuttle in 4.35 seconds and the three-cone in 7.25 seconds. He performed 21 strength lifts. Hasson had a very good workout and might have earned his way into being a low-round draft choice in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Defensive back Mike Horsey (5-11 1/4, 194) ran the 40 in 4.5 and 4.52 seconds. He had a 32-inch vertical jump and 10-foot broad jump. Horsey is a free-agent pickup possibility for a team following the draft.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...tajh-hasson-of-unlv-might-earn-him-draft-spot

Ohio State Pro Day

Representatives from all 32 NFL teams -- including Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert, Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman, Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew and Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, plus tight end coaches from six teams -- were present for Ohio State's pro day on Friday.

The workout was held indoors and run on FieldTurf.

Wide receiver Devin Smith (6-foot-0 1/2, 201 pounds) did the three-cone drill in 6.83 seconds and then stood on the rest of his numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine. Smith had a good workout, but needs to work on how he catches the football. He doesn't catch the ball real well with his hands and has a tendency to trap the ball against his body. Former Ohio State quarterback, and 2006 Heisman Trophy winner, Troy Smith was throwing the ball during the pro-day workout.

Tight end Jeff Heuerman (6-5 /4, 253) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.80 and 4.83 seconds. He had a 34 1/2-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot broad jump. He was only able to do the bench press at the combine, but he was a top performer among tight ends in the event. Heuerman's had a recurring Lisfranc problem. He had an operation last spring and then another one in August. His production on the field dipped in 2014. He had 17 receptions for 207 yards and two touchdowns in 2014, but had 26 catches for 466 yards and four touchdowns in 2013. Prior to the foot injury, Heuerman was well-thought of as an NFL prospect.

Defensive tackle Michael Bennett (6-2 1/4, 297) ran the 40 in 4.98 and 5.03 seconds. He had a 35 1/2-inch vertical jump. He strained his right hamstring running the second 40, so he did not do the 20-yard short shuttle or three-cone drill. Bennett was outstanding in the Buckeyes' run toward the national championship last season, playing outstanding football in the final three games. If he were to play all the time at that level, he'd be a first-round draft pick.

Cornerback Doran Grant (5-10 3/8, 199) had a 35 1/2-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-5 broad jump. He did the three-cone drill in 4.18 seconds and the short shuttle in 7.04 seconds. Grant was a top performer among cornerbacks in the 40-yard dash and bench press at the combine. Grant had a good workout, but needs to work on catching the ball at the high point. Grant could go as early as the third round of the draft.

Inside linebacker Curtis Grant (6-2 1/2, 240) ran the 40 in 4.65 and 4.70 seconds. He had a 36-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-5 broad jump. He did the short shuttle in 4.46 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.15 seconds.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...raws-huge-contingent-of-notable-nfl-personnel
Gil Brandt rarely makes a critical comment about the guys he watches. I had to point that out because it was surprising he said something. Must have been pretty bad.

 

[LouPhinFan]

With shorter height comes shorter arms. It's not entirely about leverage.

Jon Miller has 33 1/4 inch arms, the same as La'el Collins and only slightly shorter than Scherff's.

 

[datruth55]

Oregon State

Representatives from all 32 teams -- including New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan, Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider and Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht -- were present for Oregon State's pro day on Friday.

There were 20 players from Oregon State, one from Western Oregon and another from Southern Oregon who worked out indoors on FieldTurf.

Quarterback Sean Mannion (6-foot-5 3/8, 233 pounds) had a lights-out pro-day workout, throwing the ball like you'd expect from an NFL quarterback. A lot of teams are likely to take a more in-depth look at Mannion in the weeks leading up to the 2015 NFL Draft.

Defensive end Obum Gwacham (6-5 1/4, 249) worked out as both a linebacker and defensive end. His best position in the NFL, however, is probably going to be as a pass-rushing defensive end with his hand in the ground. Gwacham stood on his numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine, where he was a top performer among defensive linemen in the 40-yard dash and broad jump.

Cornerback Steven Nelson (5-10 3/8, 196) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 and 4.54 seconds, and then stood on the rest of his numbers from the combine, where he was a top performer among cornerbacks in the bench press. Nelson showed quickness in his pro-day workout, but he has a tendency to grab receivers while in coverage; he was called three times in the Senior Bowl for illegal contact and once for holding. This is an aspect of his game he needs to improve on. Nelson could be selected as early as the fourth round of the draft.

Western Oregon wide receiver Tyrell Williams (6-3 1/2, 204) ran the 40 in 4.42 and 4.44 seconds. He had a 39 1/2-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-7 broad jump. He did the 20-yard short shuttle in 4.11 seconds and the three-cone drill in 6.55 seconds. Williams is a potential free-agent pickup for a team following the draft.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...oregon-state-has-look-of-an-nfl-qb-at-pro-day

Good observation by Brandt...he obviously looked at some game tape of Nelson prior to the pro day cause I've noticed the same thing. Of course I've noticed college CBs get away with a lot more stuff than NFL CBs do.

West Virginia Pro Day

Wide receiver Kevin White, a potential top-five pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, was the main attraction Friday at West Virginia's pro day.

However, while White's workout was reportedly impressive, it was his former teammate who ended up stealing the show.

Fellow wide receiver Mario Alford blazed a 40-yard dash for 4.27 seconds, NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt reported.

That's quite fast -- UAB wide receiver J.J. Nelson's 4.28 40 was the fastest time recorded at this year's NFL Scouting Combine.

Alford ran a 4.43 electronically timed 40 at the combine but as anyone who watched him during his time at Morgantown could tell you, he's a few ticks faster than that on tape. That's likely why he chose to run the 40 at his pro day instead of standing on his combine result.

The deep threat is unlikely to be taken early in the draft, but he could be a nice option in the middle or late routes for a team that needs a wide receiver who can stretch the field.

"(Alford) has some retention issues with information, so whoever takes him needs to have a plan for him," an NFC East scout told CFB 24/7. "I like him personally. I would keep him outside and use him like the Colts use (T.Y.) Hilton."

Regardless of his pro-day 40 time, it's pretty clear that Alford is already on a lot of teams' radar thanks to his speed.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...rginias-mario-alford-runs-scorching-proday-40

Georgia Tech Pro Day

There were 31 NFL teams in attendance for Georgia Tech's pro day Friday, including several wide receiver coaches. Seven players worked out indoors on Field Turf, including two players who were at the combine.

Most of the reps on hand were there to see Darren Waller. A wide receiver, Waller is a very interesting prospect not only because of his size (6-foot-6, 241 pounds), but because he runs so well. He was much faster than anyone thought he would be at the combine, where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds. He stood on all of his combine numbers, but he had a very good workout Friday, showing off very soft hands and catching the ball very well. This is a prospect you'll want to keep an eye on. Some NFL team just might get itself a steal.

DeAndre Smelter, who also was at the combine, has not been able to work out because of a torn ACL he suffered in November, but he measured in at 6-foot-2, 227 pounds. He has 11 1/8-inch hands and 33-inch arms. No date has been set yet for his workout.

One other player of note was Shaq Mason, who was not at the combine. Mason (6-foot-1 3/4, 304 pounds) ran the 40 in 4.97 and 5.00. He had a 32-inch vertical and a 9-foot-2 broad jump. He hda a 4.65 short shuttle and a 7.53 3-cone drill, and posted 25 bench-press reps. Mason was worked out as a center and looked solid. He's probably a late-round draft pick or a priority free agent.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...techs-darren-waller-could-be-2015-draft-steal

Gigantic oven mitts on Smelter...goodness.

---------- Post added at 05:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:05 PM ----------

Jon Miller has 33 1/4 inch arms, the same as La'el Collins and only slightly shorter than Scherff's.

That's good...very good.

 

[datruth55]

Michigan Pro Day

Results are starting to trickle in from Michigan, and the big news is Devin Funchess, the No. 1 tight end on my board, unofficially timed in the 4.5s (4.53/4.52). His fastest official 40 time at the Combine clocked 4.61.

Funchess is now catching passes from Tyler Wilson, the former Arkansas quarterback selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft by the Oakland Raiders.

Cornerback Raymon Taylor, who struggled with a leg injury all last season, timed 4.42 in the 40.

Linebacker Jake Ryan is standing on his Combine numbers and just doing position drills.

I'm told Devin Funchess looked good catching the ball, which is no surprise. His route running was improved, but still needs a bit of work. On the other hand, Devin Gardner had a number of drops and will probably fall out of the seven rounds.

Linebacker Jake Ryan looked solid in all his position drills. His hip turn needs a bit of work, but overall, he received positive reviews. The Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings both sent linebacker coaches.

As tweeted earlier, Vikings' general manager Rick Spielman was in attendance. Viking fans will want to consider both Funchess and Ryan at some point in their team's mock.

Numbers I'm receiving for Ramon Taylor include 40 times which clocked as fast as 4.38, 15 reps on the bench, a vertical jump of 33.5 inches, 4.11s in the short shuttle and 6.75 in the 3-cone.

Former NFL punter Zoltan Mesko was on hand and worked out, hoping to catch on with another team.

Here are the testing numbers I received on Devin Gardner: 6-3 1/2, 217 pounds, 35.5-inch vertical jump, 4.62 40, 4.38 short shuttle and a 3-cone of 6.96s.

Washington State Pro Day

Defensive tackle Xavier Cooper is sitting on his combine numbers but doing position drills. I'm told he looks outstanding, with one source describing him as a "beast." Cooper had a hand-timed best of 4.82 seconds in the 40 at the combine after weighing in at 293 pounds.

Vince Mayle, who broke his thumb during the Senior Bowl but still participated in everything but the bench press at the combine, is in a cast that comes off on March 20th. He will run the 40 for scouts on April 1st. Mayle ran at the combine, but the inability to put pressure on his right thumb hampered his start and he timed poorly.

Underrated defensive tackle Kalafitoni Pole, a lineman who stands out on film, measured 6-1 5/8, 311 pounds, posted a vertical jump of 29 inches and completed 35 reps on the bench press.

Kentucky Pro Day

The big winner at Kentucky's pro day was Za'Darius Smith. Smith was timed as fast as 4.69 seconds in the 40 with his second run coming in at 4.71 seconds, much better than his combine time. He was super impressive in both linebacker and defensive line drills, looking smooth and athletic. At 274 pounds, Smith is still measuring just 11 percent body fat, the same number posted at the combine. The San Diego Chargers are working him out tomorrow, and Smith has a workout scheduled with the Carolina Panthers.

I'm told Alvin Dupree looked tremendous in position drills yesterday, which should come as no surprise to anyone. Coupled with his incredible testing at the combine, as well as the pass-rush skills he displayed the past two seasons, I struggle to see how he gets out of the top 15.

Dupree had dinner with the Pittsburgh Steelers the night before the pro day (general manager and head coach amongst those in attendance) and also met with the Indianapolis Colts.

Yesterday, Dupree met with the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, lunched with the New Orleans Saints and then met with the New York Jets.

The Jets are everywhere, interviewing everyone.

Oregon Pro Day

What's to say about the workout of Marcus Mariota other than it was poor. I thought he looked mechanical, stiff and that his pass placement was not good. Mariota threw behind receivers or had them waiting for passes as they left breaks, and his timing looked way off as he simulated dropping back into the pocket from under center. That said, in my opinion he's still very much a top-10 pick.

On the other hand, Jake Fisher looked terrific in positiondrills. He was explosive, strong and very athletic. He displayed outstanding hand punch and looked very athletic moving around the field.

Underrated cornerback Troy Hill ran a disappointing 4.54-second 40 today, but looked quick and fluid in drills. He's very much the forgotten man from the Duck secondary.

Georgia Tech Pro Day

Linebacker Quayshawn Nealy, who stood out at the Shrine Game, was impressive during pro day. Few numbers I have include 36 inches in the vertical jump and a 40 time of 4.62. Afterward, Nealy transferred that speed into position drills and showed great range and explosion. I'm told the Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers have shown a lot of interest. I'm told the number for safety Isaiah Johnson include a 40 time in the mid to low 4.5s, a vertical jump of 34 inches and a broad of 10-4.

Impressive numbers for Nealy.

Hobart Pro Day

The accolades continue for Ali Marpet. Nine teams made their way to upstate New York to watch the offensive lineman, who continues to impress future NFL employers. As he did during the Combine, Marpet looked terrific in position drills. He moved very well and displayed violent hand punch. Many now feel confident they will be able to use him in a power-running offense, something I thought possible when he handled Danny Shelton during Senior Bowl practice.

I'm told Marpet will work out again for a collective group of scouts on April 7, the same date Syracuse holds its pro day.

Marpet has moved himself into the 3rd round. I don't think he'll go any higher than that.

These are from Tony Pauline via Walterfootball.com incidentally.

 

[xXwarXx]

Didnt know where to put this.

“@NFLDraftBites: Dolphins will add Corner mid Rds... Guys they're very interested in are off man types... Jacoby Glenn, Charles Gaines in particular”

Maybe we need some kind of random talk draft thread?

 

[j-off-her-doll]

Below average 3-Cone and 20-Yard Shuttle for Dupree (same range as Fowler), but it's not surprising. He's a tightly wound athlete with ridiculous explosion (which Fowler doesn't have). He's going to be a guy you ask to get up field, and he'll do that really well.

Remember when Gil Brandt posted that article saying that he told Xavier Cooper to go back to school and that he was a 7th-UDFA player? I think he's a 1st round player.

I think Frank Clark is too good to go undrafted. I understand that there are legitimate concerns about the guy, but he was productive on a bad D, and he's a top-notch athlete. He's worth a gamble in the 6th or 7th.

Still a big DeAndre Smelter fan.

Also like Troy Hill as a potential bargain CB. Could be a quality player in the slot.

Jake Fisher looks like a strong option and a strong fit at 14, but I don't know if the FO will see it that way.

 

[j-off-her-doll]

Didnt know where to put this.

“@NFLDraftBites: Dolphins will add Corner mid Rds... Guys they're very interested in are off man types... Jacoby Glenn, Charles Gaines in particular”

Maybe we need some kind of random talk draft thread?

Not my favorite choices, but we'll see.

 

[I am Bane]

Below average 3-Cone and 20-Yard Shuttle for Dupree (same range as Fowler), but it's not surprising. He's a tightly wound athlete with ridiculous explosion (which Fowler doesn't have). He's going to be a guy you ask to get up field, and he'll do that really well.

Remember when Gil Brandt posted that article saying that he told Xavier Cooper to go back to school and that he was a 7th-UDFA player? I think he's a 1st round player.

I think Frank Clark is too good to go undrafted. I understand that there are legitimate concerns about the guy, but he was productive on a bad D, and he's a top-notch athlete. He's worth a gamble in the 6th or 7th.

Still a big DeAndre Smelter fan.

Also like Troy Hill as a potential bargain CB. Could be a quality player in the slot.

Jake Fisher looks like a strong option and a strong fit at 14, but I don't know if the FO will see it that way.

Would be so excited to land Xavier Cooper in the second round!!!

Steven Nelson in the 4th would be awesome too!!!and yeah he is very physical down field with his hands.

 

[datruth55]

Didnt know where to put this.

“@NFLDraftBites: Dolphins will add Corner mid Rds... Guys they're very interested in are off man types... Jacoby Glenn, Charles Gaines in particular”

Maybe we need some kind of random talk draft thread?

Jacoby Glenn is projected late 3rd round...Charles Gaines is projected to go late 4th.

Xavier Cooper is projected to go early 3rd round.

Good thing we're looking at 3rd round players now that we don't have a 3rd round pick. Guess their thinking trade down and picking up a 3rd somewhere....quantity over quality.

 

[trojanma]

Jacoby Glenn is projected late 3rd round...Charles Gaines is projected to go late 4th.

Xavier Cooper is projected to go early 3rd round.

Good thing we're looking at 3rd round players now that we don't have a 3rd round pick. Guess their thinking trade down and picking up a 3rd somewhere....quantity over quality.

Who is this elite player that you keep missing out on?
I am certain that if Scherff, Waynes, Cooper, etc are there then there will be no discussion about trading down.

But if all these "elite" guys are gone yeah you trade down if get anything resembling a decent offer.

 

[xXwarXx]

CBS sports

With several NFL head coaches and general managers in attendance, cornerback Trae Waynes impressed during Michigan State's pro day on Wednesday, likely securing his status as a top-15 pick and the top prospect at his position in the 2015 NFL Draft.

At 6-0 and 186 pounds, Waynes decided to stand on most of his times from the NFL Scouting Combine, which isn't a surprise considering he posted the fastest 40-yard dash (4.31) among defensive backs. He did improve his times in the shuttles at the pro day, claiming cramps during those drills hurt his numbers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Waynes improved his 20-yard shuttle with a 4.19 (4.39 at the Combine) and in the 60-yard shuttle (11.24).

Waynes, who said he has pre-draft visits scheduled with the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars, also impressed during positional drills. Wide receiver Tony Lippett, who was Michigan State's first two-way starter since 1968, also worked out at cornerback for scouts. He was the Big Ten's receiver of the year in 2014, but several NFL evaluators think he will be a better cornerback than wide receiver at the next level. Lippett ran a 4.50 40-yard dash, an improvement from his 4.61 at the Combine.

Running back Jeremy Langford also impressed during positional drills, catching the ball well out of the backfield. He recorded 19 reps on the bench press and stood on the rest of his times from the NFL Combine, including his 4.42 40-yard dash, which ranked among the best in Indianapolis.

All 32 teams were represented in East Lansing for the pro day, including head coaches Chip Kelly (Philadelphia Eagles), Mike Zimmer (Minnesota Vikings) and Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers) and general managers Rick Spielman (Minnesota Vikings), Martin Mayhew (Detroit Lions), Kevin Colbert (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Doug Whaley (Buffalo Bills).

Other notes from Michigan State's pro day:

-- Mid-round linebacker Taiwan Jones ran a disappointing 4.95 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, but he improved that number on Wednesday, running in the 4.72-4.78 range. He also boosted his result in the vertical jump (from 32-inches to 33.5-inches) and could be the first Spartan drafted this year not named Trae Waynes.

-- Pass rusher Marcus Rush didn't receive an invitation to the NFL Combine so he needed a positive showing at Wednesday's pro day. And he stepped up with above average numbers in the 40-yard dash (4.68), vertical jump (34-inches), broad jump (9-feet-9), three-cone drill (6.73), 20-yard shuttle (4.22), 60-yard shuttle (11.49) and bench press (24 reps). A four-year starter, Rush set the Michigan State record for career starts (53) and although his tweener skill-set limits his next level options, his performance on tape and at the pro day will earn him a chance in the NFL.

-- Safety Kurtis Drummond chose to stick with most of his NFL Combine numbers, but he did improve his broad jump number, from 9-feet-11 to 10-feet-3 at the pro day.

 

[j-off-her-doll]

CBS sports

At least, now, Waynes can say his Shuttle is better than Xavier Cooper's.