WR Jerrel Jernigan UP
Jernigan ran a 4.32 at his Pro Day, better than his 4.47 at The Combine. Normally you have to be skeptical of Pro Day 40 times, but this time was more in line with what I was expecting from this burner.
S Chris Prosinski UP
Prosinski had a very strong Pro Day with a 4.37 40 and a 11-2 broad jump. The safety out of Wyoming is a tackling machine with 230 tackles in his last 2 seasons and could get drafted late as a depth safety and a special teamer.
QB Cam Newton UP
At Cam Newton’s Pro Day, I was looking for 2 things, his footwork and his accuracy. The numbers look good for his accuracy, 50-60 with 3 drops, but he started out shaky, leaving a few balls high that, while catchable wide open in the open field, would make for tough catches in real games.
He did improve and was hitting most of his receivers in strand towards the end which was impressive, especially on some of the longer throws. His footwork was what impressed me most. This is not a guy who had to do drop backs and throws in college in a shotgun spread offense. He looked like a natural doing it today.
His Combine performance sucked, but that was with receivers he’s never thrown to before. When is he ever going to be thrown into a situation like that in the NFL? His Pro Day more than makes up for that and I still like that he was competitive enough, even as a top pick, to go out and throw at The Combine. He’s cemented himself as my top quarterback (though that’s not saying much) and he’s a lot more likely to go #1 overall to the Panthers after today than he was before today.
Other possibilities for him include #3 to the Bills (they took him and his agent out to dinner this week), the Bengals at #4, the 49ers at #7, the Titans at #8, the Redskins at #10, and the Vikings at #12. I can’t see him slipping out of the top 12 and it’s doubtful he falls out of the top 3.
TE Lance Kendricks UP
Kendricks improved on almost everything at his Pro Day, cutting his 40 time from 4.66 to 4.50, which would have been the fastest Combine time for a tight end (though take Pro Day times with a grain of salt). He increased his vertical from 34.5 to 38 inches and he also weighed in at 4 pounds heavier, now at 6-3 247. He’s still a bit undersized, but he can grow into his frame and I think he has a very good chance to come off the board in round 3, as the #2 tight end off the board, after Kyle Rudolph and before Luke Stocker.
G John Moffitt DOWN
Moffitt looked out of shape at his Pro Day. He was down to 315 from 319, which is fine, especially considering his terrible Combine 40 time, 5.51, but he looked sluggish in almost all his drills and didn’t run again.
3-4 DE JJ Watt UP
He didn’t run, but he didn’t have to, wowing scouts in almost every drill. I can’t see him slipping by the Chargers at #18, but the Cowboys at #9, the Redskins at #10, the Texans at #11, the Vikings at #12 and the Jaguars at #16 will all give this kid a look. He’s got an excellent motor and he’s proving to be much more athletic than previously believed this offseason.
OT Nate Solder DOWN
Solder lost 12 pounds off his already skinny frame in 2 weeks, a very bad sign. He’s at 6-8 307 now and may have maxed his frame after putting on 25-30 pounds in the last 3 years to convert from tight end to left tackle.
NT Frank Kearse UP
In a weak nose tackle class, Kearse’s strong day, as a small school kid out of Alabama A&M, could have gotten him drafted.
G/OT Marcus Cannon UP
Cannon had a good Combine, as his measurables proved he could play offensive tackle. He also was surprisingly nimble for a 357 pounder and excelled in the drills. He was in even better shape at his Pro Day down to 349 pounds, roughly 20 pounds less than he was during last season. He’s going to be a good player no matter what position he plays.
RB Jacquizz Rodgers UP
In 2010, I lowered Dexter McCluster’s stock when he ran a slow 40 at The Combine, but I boosted it when he ran a 40 time at his Pro Day because that was more expected from him. Same thing with Jacquizz Rodgers this year. He was too small at the Combine at 4.64, but his 4.47 at his Pro Day makes more sense.
RB Bilal Powell DOWN
Just like at his The Combine, Powell hurt his hammy at his Pro Day. This could be a significant problem and injury problems can really hurt late round prospects.
RB Nic Grigsby UP
If he gets drafted, it’s as a 3rd down back, but his measurable were very impressive at his Pro Day. He ran a 4.38, had an 11 foot broad jump, and a 43.5 inch vertical.
DE Brooks Reed UP
Brooks Reed can do no wrong this offseason. He dominated the Senior Bowl. He dominated The Combine and now he has dominated his Pro Day. He’s an explosive, high character pass rusher who can play both a 3-4 and a 4-3. He’s drawn many comparisons, and I have to agree with this, to at least a poor man’s version of Clay Matthews. I have a tough time seeing Reed slip out of the first half of the 2nd round and he could go in the late first to a team like Atlanta (#27), New England (#28), New York (#30), or Green Bay (#32). Click here for my interview with him.
NT Anthony Gray UP
This nose tackle prospect looked very nimble in drills for a 330 pounder.
WR Stephen Burton UP
An athletic freak, Burton ran a 4.38 at 6-1 224, with an incredible 10 yard split. He also looked good in drills.
QB Pat Devlin DOWN
Remember how I thought this guy was a solid quarterback prospect? Whoops! Pat Devlin was the anti-Charlie Sheen at his Pro Day. He was bi-losing, losing here and losing there. First he showed up 30 minutes last (WTF?) and then he was so inaccurate with his throws that some scouts left midway. He’s got a big arm, but he’s a much bigger project than he looked on tape against mediocre competition at Delaware. Kyle Boller and Jevan Snead both had big arms and look where they are now. Devlin is looking like a 5th round pick at best and could undrafted at his miserable Pro Day, whereas a good Pro Day could have put him into day 2.
S Will Hill DOWN
First there were the concerns about his “twittergate” where he bragged several times about smoking marijuana (along with getting blow jobs, but nothing bad about that), but character concerns aside this former top high school prospect just looks really stiff. His 40 times have all been in the 4.6s and he sucked at both Combine and Pro Day drills. He’s looking like a late rounder at best.
S Ahmad Black DOWN
Mike Mayock loves him, but simply put he’s too small and too slow to be anything other than a special teamer at the next level. His 40 times have all been in the 4.7s at 5-10 184 and he’s looked stiff in drills.
QB Blaine Gabbert UP
Reports leading up to his Pro Day were that the NFL as a whole was not sold on Gabbert. That’s probably going to change now. Gabbert looked great in his Pro Day, completing 47 of 50 with 2 drops. He probably won’t slip past the 49ers at #7 and could easily go #1 overall.
The Broncos, the Bengals, the 49ers, the Titans, and the Vikings all sent their head coaches to Missouri’s Pro Days (note the absences of Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals coach). Chan Gailey wasn’t there either, but they dined with Gabbert the night before. Ron Rivera didn’t attend, but the Panthers have a private workout set up with him Saturday. They have said they are not sold on him, but that was before his Pro Day so things could have changed.
I had a 3rd round grade on Gabbert before today. I’m moving it up to a 2nd round grade. He still didn’t produce in a system that is catered towards quarterbacks producing. He’s got upside, but I still have him ranked behind Cam Newton and Ryan Mallett.
CB Kevin Rutland UP
Rutland ran a 4.46 at 6-0 188 at Missouri’s Pro Day and looked very good in drills. That could get him drafted.
CB Rashad Carmichael UP
Carmichael’s Combine 40 time for 4.49 wasn’t that impressive for his size 5-10 192, but he did that on a bad ankle. His ankle was healed for his Pro Day and he ran a 4.39 and looked great in drills. He solidified a 2nd round grade in my book and won’t fall out of day 2.
RB Ryan Williams UP
Williams improved on his Combine 40 time of a 4.55 with a 4.45. At one point he was a popular Heisman prediction for 2010 before he got hurt and he seems healthy now. If he can stay that way, he’ll be a hell of a player at the next level. He rushed for 1655 yards and 21 scores on 293 carries in 2009. I think he’ll be the 2nd back off the board.
MLB Mario Harvey UP
Harvey ran about .3 seconds faster than expected with a 4.43 at 6-0 257 and impressed in the drills. He could be a nice mid-day 3 value.
CB Davon House UP
House, fresh off dominating the WAC as a 2 time 1st team All-WAC for New Mexico State, ran a 4.35 at 6-1 200 at his Pro Day. He’s only been playing football for 6 years, which makes where he is in terms of his football skills very impressive and he’s a great athlete. He’s pretty much a day 2 lock now and could wind up a very good player.
3-4 DE Christian Ballard UP
Running a 4.70 once is impressive. Matching that at your Pro Day is even more impressive. I loved that Ballard didn’t opt to stand on his times, for fear of messing anything up. He went out there trying to improve on his already amazing time and he matched it, despite having bulked up to 286 pounds. He also had a 34 inch vertical. He could very easily be drafted in the top 50.
QB Ricky Stanzi DOWN
Stanzi once again didn’t look great throwing, this time at his Pro Day. He’s still a solid mid round prospect, but I’m moving him down a bit.
WR Edmond Gates UP
Christian looked great in drills and had an 11-2 broad jump. Combine this with a 4.35 40 and a 40 inch vertical, this is one hell of an athlete. Level of competition is an issue with him, but with players like Mike Wallace and DeSean Jackson being all the rage around the NFL, Gates could get drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round.
DE Justin Houston UP
Down 3 pounds from The Combine, Houston looked even more athletic, running a 4.57, with a 1.62 10 yard split, and moving well in the drills.
QB Colin Kaepernick UP
Kaepernick threw very well. His footwork and his delivery have come a long way from The Senior Bowl, where, at least in the game, he looked very raw. He cemented his status as a 2nd round pick in my opinion.
WR Lyle Leong UP
Leong was looked at as a late rounder before his Pro Day. However, Leong, who caught 74 passes for 926 yards and 19 touchdowns in Texas Tech’s stat inflating offense, ran a 4.31 at his Pro Day at 6-0 171. That will get him some looks in rounds 4-6.
OT James Brewer UP
Brewer is on the day 2 radar after a strong Pro Day. He moved very well for a 320 pounder in drills.
DE Greg Romeus DOWN
Reports say Romeus might not be healthy enough to work out until the mid summer.
S Shiloh Keo UP
Another leftover, Keo impressed with his hustle and instincts at both the Combine and his Pro Day. At 4.72, he’s slow but he’s being talked about as a 4th rounder. Worst case scenario with this kid, you get a strong special teamer and a great locker room guy.
DE Ricky Elmore UP
Another leftover, Elmore impressed at his Pro Day with Arizona. His 40, 4.83 and 4.91 at The Combine, leaves a lot to be desired for his size (6-5 256), but he had 21 sacks in the last 2 years, which is more than Brooks Reed, a more hyped prospect. Elmore is a very one dimensional player, but can fit both a 3-4 or a 4-3. He’ll probably come off the board early day 3.
RLB Bruce Miller UP
Making up for his 4.82 at The Combine, the 248 pound Miller ran a 4.65 at his Pro Day. He was very productive on a small school level at UCF with 37 sacks in 4 years, but he’s undersized and he’s looking at mid day 3 still.
OT Jah Reid UP
Reid is moving up boards after a strong workout at UCF’s Pro Day. He gets lumped in with right tackle prospects like James Brewer, Chris Hairston, Marcus Gilbert, DeMarcus Love, James Carpenter, Derek Hall, Jason Pinkston, Darius Morris and Derek Newton, and could go anywhere from round 3 to round 5 or 6.
WR Vincent Brown UP
Brown made up a little for his 4.66 at The Combine with a 4.56 at his Pro Day.
DT Terrell McClain UP
McClain wowed at his Pro Day with a 4.82 at 6-2 291. This is a strong defensive line class, but he could sneak into round 3.
G Clint Boling UP
I liked Boling before the season, but I soured on him because he didn’t seem athletic enough to play tackle. However, he is having a good offseason working out as a guard and he’s got experience all over the line. He could end up a 2nd rounder.
RB Dion Lewis UP
Another leftover, Dion Lewis had a very strong Pro Day. He was excellent as a redshirt freshman in 2009, but struggled in 2010 thanks to poor quarterback play. He is under 200 pounds, at 192, but at 5-7, he’s about as thick as someone who is 5-10 205. That’s not ideal size, but with his quickness and production, he’s got a 4th round grade from me. I still don’t understand why he declared this year. It seems like everyone from Pittsburgh who could declare, did declare.
RLB Chris Carter UP
Carter had a great Pro Day. The Fresno State showed great explosion at 248 pounds, up 13 from what he was listed during the season. He had a solid 40 and a very impressive 10 yard split and looked great in drills. This guy is entrenched as a 3rd rounder. He’s a little undersized, but I love his motor and he had 11.5 sacks last year.
G Orlando Franklin UP
A final leftover, Franklin impressed in his Pro Day with Miami earlier this month. I have a 3rd round grade on him, but he’s probably looking at the 2nd round. Todd McShay has him in the first round, but at the same time, Todd McShay is an idiot.
RB Noel Devine UP
So much for his bullshit weight gain from 160 at The Senior Bowl to 179 at The Combine, where he didn’t work out. Devine ran a 4.26 at his Pro Day. That’s pretty fucking fast. He’s back into day 2 consideration, even with his lack of size. Dexter McCluster went in the 2nd round last year despite his small size.
CB Brandon Hogan DOWN
Still recovering from ACL surgery, he didn’t run or work out at his Pro Day. His stock is falling and he might not get drafted.
S Robert Sands DOWN
Sands was really stiff in Pro Day drills and, reportedly, teams see him more as a linebacker than a safety. At 217 pounds, that’s not a good sign.
RLB Akeem Ayers UP
Ayers cleaned up that nasty 4.80 40 at The Combine with a 4.68 at his Pro Day. Pop in the tape and there’s doubt this is an athletic guy. He can do everything you want an outside backer in any scheme to do, stuff the run, drop into coverage, and pass rush. He has a little bit more value in a 3-4, but 4-3 teams like the Giants and the Eagles will look at him 19 and 24 respectively, as well as the Patriots at 17 and 28, the Chiefs at 21, and the Ravens at 26.
CB Ras-I Dowling DOWN
Dowling is hurt again. After missing most of the season with injury, missing the Senior Bowl with injury, and pulling his hammy running at The Combine, Dowling couldn’t do anything at Virginia’s Pro Day. He’ll have own more shot at it with his own Pro Day next month, but the injury red flags are there. He’s a first round talent, but can he stay healthy at the next level?
OT Tyron Smith UP
Smith is a beast. Smith, who was listed in the 280s at USC last year, is up to 310. Despite insanely long arms, 36 3/8 inches, he benched 31 reps of 225. Just watching him, you can tell he’s insanely athletic. He carried the weight well, running a 4.93 after not running at his Pro Day. He excelled in drills. Everyone’s big knock him is that he was USC’s right tackle last year and has never started on the left side. The reason for that is Matt Kahil, a projected 2012 top 5 pick, who is starting at left tackle for USC. It’s not a knock on Smith’s talent. He has the talent to go top 10, like another athletic freak Trent Williams did last year, but teams could be scared off by the fact that he’s going to be switching positions in the pros. Minnesota at 12 is going to give him a long look, as is Detroit at 13, and New England at 17.
3-4 DE Cameron Heyward UP
Heyward finally got a chance to work out after elbow surgery. He ran a 4.95 at 6-5 295 pounds, which was to be expected, but it’s definitely a plus that he is healthy and was cleared to do everything, including bench, though he opted against benching. The Chargers at 18 will consider him and he probably won’t drop into the 2nd.
QB Jake Locker DOWN
You’re probably thinking, Locker went 39 of 41, why are you knocking him? He had what was called a “deliberately easy” work out. Do I really want a signal caller who doesn’t challenge himself? Where’s the confidence? It’s also worth noting that the Seahawks were the only ones who sent their head coach to watch him and the Titans were the only ones who had decision makers, upper level executives, there. I would be really surprised if he went 12th to Minnesota like some are projecting. He’s probably a 2nd rounder.
DT Jurrell Casey DOWN
Casey looked very slow and sluggish in his Pro Day. For a sub 300 pound one gap penetrator, that’s a bad sign.
TE Jordan Cameron UP
Could Cameron by this year’s Jimmy Graham, an inexperienced former basketball player with freak measurables who went 3rd round to the Saints in 2010? Maybe. His workout was reminiscent of Graham’s. I’d say 4th round for him, but he could go higher.
C Zane Taylor UP
Taylor benched 44 reps at his Pro Day and looked great in the drills. In a weak center class, that’s going to go a long way.
DT Marvin Austin UP
Austin had a phenomenal workout at his Pro Day, after a very strong Combine. Mike Mayock thinks he’ll be a first rounder and he worked out for the Bears afterwards, so it’s very possible, if all first round offensive linemen are off the board, that he’d be the pick at 29 for the Bears. He’s clearly in amazing physical shape, even after sitting out a year, with a 4.80 40 at 6-2 309, 38 reps o the bench press, and a 30.5 inch vertical.
CB Kendric Burney DOWN
Burney’s Pro Day wasn’t terrible impressive. There’s a chance he slips out of day 2 now.
OLB Bruce Carter DOWN
Carter once again could not work out after knee surgery.
WR Greg Little UP
The character problems are there, and he never did quite produce in college, but he’s definitely a very talented player and he had a great workout today. He’s a former running back and he’s a load to bring down in the open field at 6-3 231. If Mike Williams can go in the 4th round, so can he.
DE Robert Quinn UP
Cutting his 40 time to 4.58 was just the start. Quinn had an amazing workout after having to sit out all year. If he had played last year, he could have easily gone #1 this year. Scouts have concerns about his ability to drop into coverage, but he’s only 20 and he’s athletic enough to learn.
S Deunta Williams DOWN
Still nursing a leg injury and didn’t run or jump.
QB TJ Yates UP
Yates threw very well at his Pro Day. He’s got a decent arm and I think he’ll make a nice backup at the next level.
DE Da’Quan Bowers UP
Once a potential #1 pick, Bowers’ stock is now slipping like a rock. He says his knee is 100%, yet he ran a 4.95 at 6-3 276. He hobbled around in drills and looked terrible on the field. The injury concerns, combined with his “one year wonder” label, make him someone who would scare NFL scouts to death when it comes to using a top 10 pick on him, and I don’t blame them. He could fall to Minnesota at 12 or Detroit at 13 now.
TE Colin Franklin UP
Franklin was productive on the small school level at Iowa State and he impressed at his Pro Day, both in the drills, and with his 4.69 and 10-4 broad jump at 6-6 256. That could get him drafted.
DE Allen Bailey DOWN
The 10 pounds Bailey gained for the Combine were gone by his Pro Day. Weight fluctuating are bad signs for defensive linemen and at 276, he might have trouble as a 3-4 end. Some are saying he has a future as a 3-4 linebacker, which I don’t buy at all.
G Will Rackley UP
Rackley is a hot prospect of late after a strong Pro Day and could go as high as round 2. I’m conservatively giving him a 3rd-4th round grade.
CB Ras-I Dowling UP
Dowling finally finished a workout! He didn’t just finish. He lit it up. After running a 4.40 at The Combine, despite pulling a hammy, he ran a 4.37 at his Pro Day. He also had a 10-8 broad jump and a 38 inch vertical. He looked great in the drills. Health problems are there, but he’s still got a first round grade in my book, and he has had for 2 years. He’ll probably go in the 2nd round, but several draftniks have given him a first round grade, as I have.
TE Kyle Rudolph UP
He’s a first round talent, but he’s got 7th round durability. He eased some of his injury concerns at his Pro Day.
3-4 DE Adrian Clayborn DOWN
Nothing new, but his Erb’s Palsy in his right arm, which limits his strength, is really starting to scare me a little. Between that, his history of the off field problems, and his lack of production this year, it’s really hard for me to give him a first round grade.
OT Benjamin Ijalana UP
Ijalana had a great Pro Day and could sneak into the first round. He reminds me so much of Rodger Saffold.
DE Da’Quan Bowers DOWN
Bowers’ stock is dropping like a lead balloon. His medical recheck with the NFL did not go well. His knee has been described as “arthritic” and will probably need surgery some day and could significantly reduce the length of his career. This is not a guy you take a risk on in the 1st round, especially after only one good year of production. He could easily drop out of the first round. Some teams might just have a “do not draft” label on him.
RB Taiwan Jones UP
Finally able to work out after a broken foot, Jones ran a 4.29 at 6-0 194 at his Pro Day. He rushed for 2955 yards and 29 touchdowns with an average of 7.7 per carry in the last 2 seasons. He also caught 64 balls for 903 yards and 7 more scores. Between his small school domination and his amazing speed, he’s going to conjure up a lot of memories of Chris Johnson. I’m not saying he’s going in the first round, but it would really surprise me if he fell out of day 2. As for me, I see more CJ Spiller with him than Chris Johnson because of his running style, but either way he’s going to have a role in the league.
RB Mark Ingram DOWN
His knee problems are worse than previously though and his knee is being described as arthritic. Running backs have a short “life expectancy” anyway and a potential chronic knee problem like this one could make his career even shorter. It’s a shame because he’s such a talented player, but I’m moving him down some.
QB Ryan Mallett DOWN
A report has come out that Mallett admitted to his drug use in private interviews at The Combine. I’m not moving him down in my mock draft because teams have known about this for months and he’s still getting a ton of first round buzz, but I can’t give this kid a first round grade anymore. You might think it’s just drugs. Plenty of college kids do them. That’s true, but Mallett isn’t just some college kid. He’s a potential NFL franchise quarterback.
Quarterback might be the most cerebral position in all of sports and if your heart and your head aren’t in it, you will fail, even if you can throw the ball 80 yards down field with ease. Just ask JaMarcus Russell. The fact that he did drugs in college shows raises a lot of questions about his commitment. Plus, remember what happened with Aqib Talib, who did drugs in college. He thought he was above the law in college and now a few years later he’s looking about 5 years in jail for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
This quarterback class sucks. The top 4 quarterbacks are a one year wonder with off the field issues, a druggie, a spread quarterback with just 16 touchdowns to 9 interceptions, and a quarterback who completed just 54% of his passes last year.
There’s a very good chance that we could look back at this quarterback class in 4 years time the way we look at 2007, where the closest thing we got to a franchise quarterback was Kevin Kolb in the 2nd round (JaMarcus Russelll, Brady Quinn, Trent Edwards, John Beck, Drew Stanton all went in the first 3 rounds). There’s also a very good chance that someone like Colin Kaepernick ends up being the best quarterback from this class, if he’s put in the right situation.
NT Phil Taylor DOWN
Reports have surfaced that Taylor has an inoperable foot condition that could limit his career length.
Inoperable foot condition + 330+ pound body = not a good combination.
DE Justin Houston DOWN
Houston failed a drug test for marijuana at The Combine. This is more of a stupidity test than anything. You know you’re going to be tested. I’m not dropping him too far. Remember Percy Harvin’s failed drug test? Unless it’s a quarterback, this isn’t a major issue.
DE Christian Ballard DOWN
See above.
OT Marcus Cannon DOWN
Cannon has been diagnosed with lymphoma and will undergo 12 weeks of chemotherapy. Best of luck to him in his recovery, but I’m moving him down for obvious reasons. 12 weeks puts us in late July, at best, and chemotherapy isn’t something you can just come off of and be in game shape immediately. I had a late first round grade on him. I’m dropping him to the 3rd round because this really is a talented player and pro athletes have bounced back from lymphoma before (Jon Lester) and had great careers.
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