It's still early in the Pro Day circuit, but already prospects are making the most of their second chances in testing for NFL teams. Two of the draft's best at their respective positions did some at their March 6th Pro Days in Montee Ball of Wisconsin and Johnthan Banks of Mississippi State.
After posting mediocre forty times in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine, running back Montee Ball and cornerback Johnthan Banks did their best in clearing up any speed concerns teams may have had thanks to their Pro Day performance.
Montee Ball was among the worst true running backs at the Combine in terms of his forty yard dash, posting a 4.66 time. However, as I reported before Pro Days had started, there is concern that some of the Cybex testing done by the NFL Combine testing staff lead to multiple players having minor injuries before the main drills. This could be why Ball had such a big change in his 40 time.
For a running back who relies on playing behind his pads and decisive cuts, running in the 4.4s (according to BadgerNation.com), which only 3 RBs did at the Combine, is very impressive. If teams can get past the massive carry total he's piled up over his career, he could be in Top 50 consideration still.
As for Johnthan Banks, his 4.61 made him one of the trendy "losers" from the Combine because of the slow time compared to the other top cornerbacks (especially Dee Milliner). However, Banks is a physical presence as a cornerback who transitions well and rarely gives the receiver separation when working downfield. His pro day time of 4.51 (as reported by Tony Pauline) puts him right in the middle to top end of the cornerback times at the Combine.
Considered the top senior cornerback by many, Banks still would be a surprise to sneak out of the 1st round, and this 4.51 could solidify him as a Top 20 talent on some boards.
Keep in mind that this is what Pro Days are all about for players who were invited to the Combine. Both Ball and Banks showed something they weren’t able to in Indianapolis, and get a chance to show their true speed when back in their comfort zone and able to perform at their peak.
Currently, Montee Ball has a 3rd-4th round grade from us (though he’s expected to be off the board in the Top 100), while Johnthan Banks still has a 1st round grade, and likely won’t fall out of the Top 32 picks on draft day.
More Mississppi State and Wisconsin Pro Day Notes
-Marcus Cromartie, Wisconsin CB, ran a 4.41 forty time
-Wisconsin offensive linemen Ricky Wagner and Travis Frederick stood on their NFL Combine numbers
-Darius Slay, Mississippi State CB, stood on his Combine numbers
-Miss St DT Josh Boyd ran a 4.98 forty time.
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