Pro Day Reports

[DesperateDerelict]

From Pauline at Sports Illustrated: ( Link )

Within days of the completion of the NFL combine, scouts from around the league began criss-crossing the country to evaluate pro-day workouts. Throughout March, players will test for NFL teams at their respective schools. Here's a look at how the first week went.

Risers

Andre Woodson, QB -- Kentucky

Woodson turned in a solid performance under a microscope in Lexington. He ran the 40 in 4.86 seconds and looked physically imposing. Woodson threw the ball well and was accurate with his passes. Scouts said it was obvious the Kentucky signal-caller has been working on his throwing mechanics since the Senior Bowl. He was late with a few passes and also underthrew a number of deep passes. But overall, Woodson came away with solid grades.

David Roach, Safety -- TCU

The TCU safety rested on his combine times but stood out in the position drills. Scouts on-hand said Roach turned in one of the most impressive safety workouts they had ever witnessed. He is now being given consideration at cornerback, and a number of teams came away thinking this one-time middle-round choice could slide into the third round.

Paul Hubbard, WR -- Wisconsin

Hubbard significantly improved on his combine performance. He scorched the track with 40 times that clocked between 4.38 to 4.45 seconds, a full .15 faster than his runs in the RCA Dome. His vertical jump was also at least six inches better. Hubbard kept the momentum going by turning in a terrific pass-catching workout.

Ryan Clady, OT -- Boise State

The Boise State junior did not participate at the combine but turned in a first-round performance at his pro day. Clady ran times of 5.20 seconds after tipping the scales at 311 pounds. His three-cone time of 7.05 seconds eclipsed that of any offensive linemen at the combine by almost a half-second. He also looked good in position drills.

Martellus Bennett, TE -- Texas A&M

Bennett stood on most of his combine times and participated in the pass-catching workout, where he looked outstanding. He caught the deep ball well and was fluid in making all the downfield receptions.

Tracy Porter, CB -- Indiana

The Hoosier cornerback was considerably faster during his pro-day workout. He clocked 4.45 seconds in the RCA Dome, but some watches had Porter as fast as 4.33 seconds in Bloomington.

David Vobora, LB -- Idaho

Vobora was yet another who improved on his combine performance. His vertical jump of 35.5 inches was 6.5 inches better than his leap at the RCA Dome. He ran his 40 in the 4.58 range, almost two-tenths faster than his combine time.

Jalen Parmele, RB -- Toledo

Parmele is still struggling with a hamstring injury, which slowed him at the combine (even though he ran impressively). He improved his vertical jump significantly at Toledo -- jumping 42 inches, eight better than his Indianapolis performance.

Sliders

Calais Campbell, Defensive End -- Miami (Fla.)

Campbell chose not to compete on the bench press, which surprised many after his poor performance at the combine (16 repetitions). He tried to better his 40 time, yet ran an uninspired 5.06 seconds.

Kenny Phillips, Safety -- Miami (Fla.)

Philips decided not to run as he and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, decided to stick with the 40 times from the combine, which averaged in the 4.5 area.

Notes

• Linebacker Beau Belle, a top 75 pick in April's draft, is still suffering lingering effects from the knee injury he sustained during the Senior Bowl. He was unable to run at the combine or the UNLV workout earlier this week, but hopes to workout by the end of March. The same holds true for wideout Luke Swan. The Wisconsin receiver underwent surgery in mid-October to repair a torn hamstring. He is considered one of the better pure-possession receivers in the draft. On Wednesday, he performed some stationary pass-catching drills for scouts and hopes to complete a full workout on March 31.

• Martin Rucker is another pass-catcher on the shelf with hamstring woes. He did not participate at the combine or Thursday's pro day in Missouri because of the ailment. Rucker hopes he'll be ready to go during the Tigers' second pro day March 20.

From Walter Cheripinski ( Link )

2008 Pro Day Draft Stock Report

Here's a list of prospects who improved and worsened their draft stock at their Pro Days (listed alphabetically).

This page has been updated on March 10, 2008. Updates will be posted here daily as the Pro Day results roll in.

2008 NFL Draft Stock - On the Rise

Kirk Barton, OT, Ohio State

Height: 6-5. Weight: 311.

Projected 40 Time: 5.08.

Combine 40 Time: Did not run.

Pro Day 40 Time: 4.95.

Arm: 33 1/4. Benchx225: 34.

Projected Round: 3-4.

Kirk Barton expelled all concerns about a lingering knee injury by looking very impressive in the drills at his Pro Day. He also ran a 4.95 and benched 225 pounds 34 times.

Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State

Height: 6-3. Weight: 266.

Projected 40 Time: 4.58.

Combine 40 Time: 4.64.

Pro Day 40 Time: 4.58.

Benchx225: 37. Vertical 42.

Projected Round: Second overall pick.

After posting an incredible 40 time at Indianapolis, most people expected Vernon Gholston to rest on his laurels. That wasn't the case at Ohio State's Pro Day. Gholston actually improved his 40, notching a 4.58. He also had a 42-inch vertical. There is no doubt in mind that if Chris Long is off the board, the Rams will take Gholston with the second-overall selection.

I'm glad I predicted Gholston to go second in my 2008 NFL Mock Draft prior to the combine. Gholston was every bit as good as Chris Long, running a 4.64, benching 225 pounds 37 times, jumping 35.5 inches off the ground. He also had a broad jump of 10'5", which is much better than Gaines Adams' sub-10. There's no doubt in my mind that unless Chris Long is on the board, the Rams are going with Gholston. It just makes too much sense at this point.

Gholston had a great game against Michigan, beating Jake Long on more than one instance.

Vernon Gholston essentially came out of nowhere to record 8.5 sacks in 2006. How will he fare now that offensive coordinators will be focusing on him? Remember, Quinn Pitcock, David Patterson and Jay Richardson all left for the NFL.

Tavares Gooden, OLB, Miami

Height: 6-1. Weight: 234.

Projected 40 Time: 4.41.

Combine 40 Time: 4.64.

Pro Day 40 Time: 4.53.

Benchx225: 22. Vertical 39.

Projected Round: 2-3.

Tavares Gooden improved his 40 by .1 and increased his vertical by four inches. He's probably a lock to go in the third round. I would still be worried about his injury history.

Tavares Gooden's workouts will have scouts salivating, but the coaches won't be so impressed. First of all, Gooden's not that productive. In fact, he started just four of the 10 games he played in last year. Secondly, he's very injury-prone. Still, his combine numbers may propel him into the second or third round (see Chris Henry, circa April 2007).

James Hardy, WR, Indiana

Height: 6-5. Weight: 217.

Projected 40 Time: 4.53.

Combine 40 Time: 4.47.

Vertical: 37. Broad 10-5.

Projected Round: Top 25 Pick.

James Hardy all but cemented his status as a first-round pick with a solid combine. He didn't run the 40, but he notched a 37-inch vertical and dropped only two passes in the drills. The only thing keeping him from being the No. 1 wide out on this list are his character concerns.

Paul Hubbard, WR, Wisconsin

Height: 6-2. Weight: 221.

Projected 40 Time: 4.43.

Combine 40 Time: 4.47.

Pro Day 40 Time: 4.38.

Vertical: 39.5. Broad 10-6.

Projected Round: 3-4.

After seeing his draft stock drop since the beginning of the year, Paul Hubbard put himself back on the map with a tremendous Pro Day. He ran a 4.38 and notched a 39.5-inch vertical. He also dropped one pass in the drills. I don't think too many teams will shy away from a 221-pound wide out who runs in the 4.3s. Paul Hubbard's 40 is decent at his size. He's very athletic. as you can tell by his broad jump. So, what's the problem. Other than the fact that he's coming off a knee injury, Hubbard drops too many easy passes. He could be the wide receiver version of L.J. Smith - a talented specimen who just can't live up to his potential.

Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana

Height: 5-10. Weight: 188.

Projected 40 Time: 4.33.

Combine 40 Time: 4.37.

Pro Day 40 Time: 4.29.

Benchx225: 18. Vertical .

Projected Round: 1-2.

Tracy Porter, who doubles as a return specialist, may have inched closer to first-round consideration with a 4.29 40 at his Pro Day.

Recorded four interceptions and a blocked field goal in 2006, earning himself a spot on the All-Big Ten Second Team. Porter has 10 picks in his collegiate career.

Orlando Scandrick, CB, Boise State

Height: 5-10. Weight: 192.

Projected 40 Time: 4.43.

Combine 40 Time: 4.32.

Benchx225: . Vertical 38.5.

Projected Round: 4-5.

Orlando Scandrick didn't run the 40 at his Pro Day - based on his 4.32 at the combine, you can understand why - but he did manage a vertical of 38.5. He's definitely moving up some draft boards.

Mixed reviews. Scandrick had solid numbers but he looked mediocre during the drills.

Ernie Wheelwright, WR, Minnesota

Height: 6-4. Weight: 215.

Projected 40 Time: 4.66.

Pro Day 40 Time: 4.50.

Vertical: 36. Broad .

Projected Round: 6.

Ernie Wheelwright's production in 2006 sucked. So did his projected 40 time. That has all changed. Wheelwright, who notched 66 receptions for 775 yards and nine touchdowns in 2007 despite having a mediocre quarterback, improved his workout numbers at his Pro Day. He posted a 4.50 40 and 36-inch vertical, both of which are great at his imposing size.

Kyle Wright, QB, Miami

Height: 6-3. Weight: 218.

Projected 40 Time: 4.84.

Combine 40 Time: 4.85.

Combine 40 Time: 4.84.

Hand Size: .

Projected Round: 7.

Despite his inability to play well at Miami, Kyle Wright actually impressed scouts and GMs at the combine and Miami's Pro Day.

Benched in favor of the mediocre Kirby Freeman.

In 2005, threw 18 TDs and 10 INTs. In 2006, had 8 TDs, 7 INTs and a thumb injury after he accumulated those stats.

2008 NFL Draft Stock - On the Decline

Tommy Blake, DE, TCU

Height: 6-2. Weight: 272.

Projected 40 Time: 4.67.

Combine 40 Time: Did not run.

Pro Day 40 Time: 4.78.

Benchx225: 23. Vertical 30.5.

Projected Round: 5-6.

How do you lose 10 pounds and add .1 to your 40 time? Then again, Tommy Blake actually showed up to his Pro Day, so that's an accomplishment in itself.

Blake, a guy with a shady habit of quitting on his team, gained 25 pounds since the end of the season. He didn't work out either. Caveat emptor.

Where is Tommy Blake? The former Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year has missed four straight practices because he went home, more than 300 miles away from campus. Rumors are Blake is struggling with high expectations. Will he ever return to the team? That remains to be seen.

Calais Campbell, DE, Miami

Height: 6-7. Weight: 290.

Projected 40 Time: 4.77.

Combine 40 Time: 5.03.

Pro Day 40 Time: 5.00.

Benchx225: . Vertical 34.5.

Projected Round: 2.

Showing up slow and overweight to your Pro Day isn't a good way to improve your draft stock. Seriously - if Calais Campbell is this lazy now, imagine how lethargic he'll become once he earns his first paycheck.

Not a good showing from Campbell, who needed to follow up a disappointing red-shirt junior season with a solid combine. Instead, he ran a 5.03. He could be out of the first round.

Glenn Sharpe, CB, Miami

Height: 6-0. Weight: 185.

Projected 40 Time: 4.38.

Combine 40 Time: Did not run.

Pro Day 40 Time: 4.52.

Benchx225: 15. Vertical 37.

Projected Round: 6-7.

Glenn Sharpe didn't run the 40 at the combine, and now we can see why. A 4.52 from a 185-pound corner isn't going to cut it.

[chrishcovga]

Word out of NFL NETWORK was that all of the vertical jumps tested in the RCA Dome were off, because of a mis-measurement.

So the numbers that are coming out of the pro-days should be the actual verticals, and the ones tested in INDY, can be written off.