2015 NFL Draft: This Week in Pro Days

By Scott Anderson 

Pro days are a great chance for a player that either didn’t perform well at the combine or wasn’t even invited to show off their skills to NFL scouts. A pro day can either validate or diminish a players skills in the eyes of the public, just ask former Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgwater who went from top 5 to the last pick of the first round. Here are some quick notes on the second week of pro days.

March 10th Pro Days

• It’s a rare occurrence when NFL scout flock to Harvard to see a prospect, but that was the case on Tuesday with over a dozen teams on hand to watch linebacker Zack Hodges. Those in attendance were not disappointed as Hodges looked tremendous in the agility workouts. His short shuttle time was also nearly one-tenth of a second better than the combine.
• At Kansas State’s pro day, WR Tyler Lockett stood on his 40 time but went through the on field workouts and caught the ball very well, and may have answered some questions about his hands.
• Wildcats center B.J. Finney looked great as well, and will be in consideration for the first center selected.
• The big winner of Tuesday was UCLA’s quarterback Brett Hundley. The quarterback rankings behind Mariota and Winston are changing every day and his performance vaulted him into third for the time being. Hundley put his arm on display during the scripted workout, and threw the ball very accurately.
• Fellow Bruin Owamagbe Odighizuwa showcased his athleticism once again and should have his named called at the end of the first round or the top of the second. His pro potential may be defined by what defensive scheme he is drafted into. Odighizuwa fits more into a 4-3 system as a defensive end

March 11th Pro Days

• Alabama’s pro day drew representatives from all 32 teams. Wide receiver Amari Cooper caught the ball incredibly well once again and will be in contention for first WR taken with West Virginia’s Kevin White.
• Running back T.J. Yeldon improved on his 40 times with marks of 4.52 and 453 seconds. The 6’1 1/2 220 pound back also caught the ball incredibly well out of the backfield.
• Safety Landon Collins is the top prospect in a weak defensive back class and did nothing to hurt his stock on Wednesday. His pro day workout was ran by Bengals defensive backs coach Mark Carrier and could be a fit for them in the first round.
• Louisville WR DeVante Parker put his talents on display for scouts as well, catching everything that was around him.
• Parker also said that he met with Minnesota (11th pick), Miami (14), San Franscisco (15), and San Diego (17). All of those teams could use a receiver like Parker, who at 6’2 5/8 and 209 pounds would fit nicely as the teams number one receiver.
• The draft’s most enigmatic prospect, WR Dorial Green-Beckham, took the field at Oklahoma’s pro day. The 6’5 237 pound receiver is a matchup nightmare and has all of the on the field makings of the next great NFL WR. His hands are great, and he can run all of the routes. His footwork is a little rough, but not playing for a year will do that to a player. The real question is his off the field risks. Where we comes off the board will all depend on if the team thinks he can stay off the front page for the wrong reasons.
• After the Titans locked by Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan in free agency, they can now take aim at USC’s defensive lineman Leonard Williams. His workout was ran by the Tennessee Titans defensive line coach and it was a masterful performance. If Jameis Winston was not in this draft, Williams would be the sure-fire number one pick. He’s that good.
• One of my favorite players in this class is the Trojans’ Buck Allen. The running back stood on his numbers from the combine, and answered scouts questions by running extra routes to show he can be an every down running back.
• Colorado State quarterback Garrett Grayson is still recovering from a minor injury, and will have a personal pro day on March 24th.
• Rutgers TE Tyler Kroft delivered a 4.67 40 after being unable to run at the combine. Kroft also ran incredibly good routes and looked fully healthy after taking his time to heal.
• Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon has heard time and time again that his weakness is catching the football, so his pro day was all about catching the football. Gordon looked good doing, bringing in the majority of the balls thrown in his way while running a variety of routes.

March 12th Pro Days

• Marcus Mariota, Jake Fisher, Arik Armstead among others took the field Thursday for the Oregon pro day.
• Kentucky’s Bud Dupree sometimes feel like the forgotten man among the top pass rushers in the class even after dominating the athletic portion of the combine. Dupree looked quick going through the position drills and will hear his name called in the middle of the first round. I feel like he was misused at Kentucky and will one of those players who is much better in the pros than he was in college.
• Miami (OH) cornerback Quinten Rollins only has one year of college football under his belt but after a tremendous 2014 he could hear his name called in the second round. The former Redhawks basketball star stood on his combine numbers and used his position workouts to showcase his fluid lower body and his ups to high point the football.
• Delaware tight end Nick Boyle may be the best blocking tight end in the draft, but in todays NFL he has to be able to catch the ball. Boyle did that incredibly well and improved his draft stock by doing so. He will most likely be the only Blue Hen selected, and could be a steal for a team in the 4th or 5th round.
• Michigan’s Devin Funchess improved his poor combine 40 time of 4.70 to 4.48 at his pro day, which could lower the concerns teams have about his speed. Either way Funchess will be a tough red zone matchup and his willingness to go across the middle will benefit his quarterback.
• Washington State’s Xavier Cooper keeps rising up draft boards after another good showing at his pro day. Cooper has quick feet and a very powerful upper body. He’s creeping into the upper portion of the second round.

March 13th Pro Days

• West Virginia’s Kevin White put on a show during his pro day on Friday showcasing his hands and agility during his position workout. The JUCO transfer only played one season for the Mountaineers but flashed on to the scene with his play and only seems to be getting better.
• Oregon State cornerback Steven Nelson had a solid pro day as he continues to improve his stock through the draft circuit. The 5’10 3/8 196 pounder has some rough areas, especially when it comes to grabbing the receiver and committing penalties but with some good coaching Nelson could be a great pickup on day 3.
• At Ohio State’s pro day, defensive tackle Michael Bennett was planning on going through all the workouts but he pulled his hamstring during his second 40 run and couldn’t go the rest of the day.
• WR Devin Smith chose not to run on his pro day, and just focus on catching the ball. The speedy deep threat showed good hands and his world class speed will make his a great asset to a team looking for a vertical passing attack.
• Hobart’s Ali Marpet is looking to become the first Division 3 offensive line prospect picked since 1996. Marpet is becoming a star before the draft and could realistically go in the second round. His versatility and ability to play all five offensive line positions will have teams salivating to pick him up. My guess is that a team trades up into the late second and picks him up.