NFL Draft Grapevine: Pro Days review – Part 1

Welcome to the first edition of this year's NFL Draft Grapevine! I will be right here each week throughout the draft season to cover key items that lead us up to the big event.

Today's topic: recent Pro Days.

Texas Christian University

General notes

Jim Harbaugh (San Francisco 49ers), Dirk Koetter (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Jay Gruden (Cincinnati Bengals) were attendance as part of a 46-person group that represented 21 teams.

Andy Dalton, quarterback

• Completed 50 passes and looked really sharp doing so, according to published reports. He displayed his athleticism and velocity.
• Private workouts are scheduled with the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns, per NFL.com's Gil Brandt.

California

General notes

Thirty scouts from 15 NFL teams were on hand.

Solidified his stock

Cameron Jordan, defensive end

• 6-foot-4 3/8, 286 pounds
• Reportedly looked very sharp and solidified his billing of a middle-round pick in the first, according to Brandt.

Mike Mohamed, inside linebacker

• 6-foot-3, 241 pounds
• Participated in positional drills

Chris Conte, free safety

• 6-foot-2 5/8, 199 pounds
• 4.55-second 40-yard dash (twice)
• Participated in positional workouts

Darian Hagan, cornerback

• 5-11 5/8, 180 pounds
• 4.59 and 4.61 seconds in the 40
• 4.26-second short shuttle
• 7.28-second three-cone drill
• 9-foot-7 broad jump
• 34-inch vertical jump
• five repetitions at 225 pounds

Shane Vereen, running back

• 5-foot-10, 211 pounds
• Performed positional drills only

Jeremy Ross, wide receiver

• 5-foot-11 7/8, 209 pounds
• 4.46- and 4.48-second 40-yard dashes
• 4.24-second short shuttle
• 7.19-second three-cone drill
• 9-foot-9 broad jump
• 39-inch vertical jump
• 22 reps on the bench

Nebraska

General notes

Cincinnati Bengals defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle was in attendance and was believed to be focusing on cornerback Prince Amukamara.

Niles Paul, wide receiver

• 6-foot-1 1/2, 225 pounds
• 4.45- and 4.42-second 40-yard dashes
• 36-inch vertical jump
• Stood on all of his other numbers from the Scouting Combine

Roy Helu Jr., running back

• Stood on his numbers from the Combine and only participated in positional drills

Eric Hagg, free safety

• 6-foot-2, 206 pounds
• 4.57 and 4.55 seconds in the 40
• 38 1/2-inch vertical jump

DeJon Gomes, strong safety

• Only participated in the short shuttle (4.15 seconds) and the three-cone drill (6.82 seconds)

Alex Henery, place kicker

• 6-foot-1 7/8, 178 pounds
• Worked out for scouts

Oregon

General notes

The NFL sent reps from 25 teams to check out Oregon's prospects.

Casey Matthews, linebacker

• 6-foot-1 1/2, 232 pounds
• 4.79 and 4.80 seconds in the 40
• 4.13-second short shuttle
• 7.09-second three-cone drills
• 9-foot-5 broad jump
• 32 1/2-inch vertical jump

Matthews isn't known to be great in physical tests and drills; his best showings come on the field.

Brandon Bair, defensive end

• 6-foot-6 1/4, 274 pounds
• Stood on numbers from the Scouting Combine

Spencer Paysinger, outside linebacker

• 6-foot-2 3/4, 234 pounds
• 4.76 and 4.74 seconds in the 40
• 4.33-second short shuttle
• 6.91-second three-cone drill
• 10-foot broad jump
• 31 1/2-inch vertical jump

Jeff Maehl, wide receiver

• 6-foot 7/8, 189 pounds
• 4.65-second 40-yard dash (twice)
• 3.95-second short shuttle
• 33 1/2-inch vertical jump
• 10-foot-1 broad jump
• Completed eight reps of 225 pounds on the bench

Reportedly, Maehl fell several times while participating in the three-cone drill and did not finish the drill.

Kenny Rowe, outside linebacker

• 4.86 second in the 40 (twice)
• 4.43-second short shuttle
• 7.32-second three-cone drill
• 32 1/2-inch vertical jump
• 9-foot-9 broad jump
• 20 reps on the bench

Mississippi State

General notes

Two assistant offensive line coaches from the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals were present among 16 represented teams.

Derek Sherrod, offensive tackle

• 6-foot-5 7/8, 311 pounds
• 5.30 and 5.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash
• Stood on the rest of his NFL Scouting Combine numbers

By most accounts, Sherrod was just OK during his workouts and didn't improve his stock.

Pernell McPhee, defensive end

• 6-foot-3, 274 pounds
• 4.86- and 4.87-second 40-yard dashes
• Completed individual drills

K.J. Wright, outside linebacker

• 6-foot-3 3/4, 242 pounds
• 4.75 and 4.73 seconds in the 40
• 34-inch vertical jump
• 4.33-second short shuttle
• 7.25-second three-cone drill

Alabama

General notes

Approximately 100 NFL personnel people representing every team were in attendance.

Slightly faster

Mark Ingram, running back

• Slightly improved his 40 time by posting 4.53- 4.56-second runs after completing the drill in 4.62 seconds at the Scouting Combine.

Marcell Dareus, defensive tackle

• According to Brandt, Dareus looked every bit the part of being a real deal as one of the top players at his position.

Quarterback Greg McElroy (hand), wide receiver Julio Jones (foot) and tight end William Dial (hernia) did not participate. McElroy and Dial will participate in individual workouts April 5.

James Carpenter, offensive tackle

• 20 1/2-inch vertical jump
• 8-foot-10 broad jump
• 4.85-second short shuttle
• 7.52-second three-cone drill

Miami (Fla.)

General notes

The Pro Day was postponed until March 25 because of inclement weather.

Oklahoma State

General notes

Twenty NFL teams sent representatives to watch OSU's outdoor workouts on FieldTurf.

Kendall Hunter, running back

• 5-foot-7, 200 pounds
• 4.52-second 40-yard dash with the wind, 4.58-second run against it

Orie Lemon, inside linebacker

• 6-foot 3/4, 243 pounds
• 4.87 second in the 40 (pulled a hamstring)
• 9-foot-5 broad jump
• 31-inch vertical jump
• Did not perform in any other drills

Ugo Chinasa, defensive end

• 6-foot-5, 263 pounds
• 4.70 and 4.65 seconds in the 40-yard dash
• 4.58-second short shuttle
• Stood on other Scouting Combine numbers

Wisconsin

General notes

Every NFL team was present in some form, totaling 90 members in all. This group included Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.

J.J. Watt, defensive end

• Stood on his Combine numbers
• Watt participated in a 15-minute workout that was specific to his position. He reportedly looked smooth and displayed why he has top-10 NFL draft potential.

Gabe Carimi, offensive tackle

NFL.com's Bucky Brooks described Carimi's workout: " He showed good footwork and lateral quickness in drills, and his body control is surprising given his frame. Although he might experience some problems against speed rushers, teams will certainly start him out as a left tackle and move him to the right if he falters. Regardless, he comes away from the workout viewed as a first-round lock."

Lance Kendricks, tight end

• 6-foot-3, 247 pounds
• 4.50-second 40-yard dash
• 38-inch vertical jump

Published reports describe his explosiveness, body control, fluidity and quickness. However, he dropped a few passes along the way. Put on the tape - his hands are pretty darn soft.

John Clay, running back

• Posted 4.72-second 40-yard dash
• Showed consistency catching the ball

John Moffitt, offensive guard

• 6-foot-4, 315 pounds
• Performed positional drills only

Scott Tolzien, quarterback

• 6-foot-2, 210 pounds
• Reportedly was very impressive during the positional workout

Check back Saturday for continued Pro Day review.