Pro Day Recap: Oklahoma State, Missisippi State
Yesterday Oklahoma State had their Proday.
There were two major prospects at Oklahoma State (both play offense-surprise). Justin Blackmon and QB Brandon Weeden.
At Oklahoma State’s pro-day this morning, Blackmon unofficially clocked a 4.45 in the 40. His 7.15 time in the 3-cone drill was less impressive.
It’s worth noting that Oklahoma State is known for having a fast track. Many scouts add time to the unofficial results to factor in the track. Regardless, Blackmon’s 40-time is not likely to drastically change anyone’s opinion on him one way or the other. Teams will look to see how he runs on tape, rather than how he ran on OSU’s notoriously fast track.
Justin Blackmon went into Oklahoma State’s pro day workout Friday as the top-rated wide receiver for the 2012 NFL draft—and came out of it running fast enough to make sure no other prospect will catch him.
Sources at the workout told Sporting News that Blackmon ran both of his 40-yard dash attempts in the mid-to-high 4.4-second range. Even though those 40 times likely will be adjusted based on the fast surface, it still was an impressive showing.
In addition to running well, Blackmon also showed explosiveness. He vertically jumped 35 inches and broad jumped 10 feet 4 inches. The skills he has displayed in drills ease any concerns he lacks the quick twitch and speed needed get consistent separation from defensive backs and make big plays in the NFL.
Scouts thought quarterback Brandon Weeden turned in a solid showing. There’s no questioning his arm strength and, except for a few passes that had receivers adjusting vertically or backwards to grab the ball, Weeden was accurate throughout the workout. His ability to put deep passes on the money stood out to those in attendance. Several teams told Weeden he’s “NFL ready” as he moves to the next phase of his football career.
Levy Adcock, who did not receive a combine invitation to the surprise of many, also proved he’s next-level material. The big lineman looked terrific in bag drills and moved around the field with ease. As described by those at the workout, Adcock is more athletic than given credit for and can line up at any of three positions on the offensive line. The prevailing thought is Adcock will be selected at the start of the draft’s final day.
Here’s a note on Brandon Weeden from Sportingnews:
Weeden once again proved the only concern with him is his age (28). He was consistently accurate throwing the ball and showed the arm strength needed to make every NFL throw with ease. One scout in attendance, however, noted Weeden’s arm doesn’t quite match the zip of elite passers such as the Bears’ Jay Cutler. Although his age will prevent him from being a first-round pick, Friday’s performance probably locked Weeden into a second-round pick
I’m still in the minority here, but I think his age has everything to do with it and I wouldn’t draft him on day one or two. Just my own personal bias. He’s in the prime of his career already. Even the most pro-ready quarterbacks often taken a few years to get acclimated to the game, but that time he’ll already be 31. He’s going to cost too much for me and I’d stay away.
From Oklahomastate.com some more notes:
Weeden was also strong at Pro Day, running the 40 yard dash in 4.87 and his 4.45 in the 20-yard shuttle was the fastest among non-receivers or cornerbacks. With every NFL representative watching him, Weeden looked sharp in his position work, completing pass after pass to the combination of Blackmon, Josh Cooper, Colton Chelf and Jarrod Fields.
“I don’t think (the scouts) expected me to run the way I did,” Weeden said. “I think I’ve thrown the ball well. I think with all the games on tape, the Senior Bowl, the Combine and this, I think teams will hopefully recognize my ability to throw the football. It will all work out. It’s a long process, but it’s a fun one, and we have six weeks left until the day everybody is looking forward for.”Highlighted 225-pound bench-press marks came from Nick Martinez (32 reps) and Richetti Jones (30 reps). Of the 14 Cowboys who participated in the vertical jump, 10 cleared the 30-inch mark, led by cornerback Jarrod Fields’ 39-inch leap and Hubert Anyiam’s 36 ½-inch performance. In addition to being the fastest Cowboy in the 40-yard dash, Blackmon’s 10’3″ leap in the broad jump was also the best of the day, followed closely by Fields’ 10’2″.
Defensive end Jamie Blatnick ran a 4.90 at the NFL Combine, but improved on that time by clocking a 4.76 Friday.
Here’s a note about the speedy T.Y. Hilton
A different receiver is lighting it up in South Florida. TY Hilton, who did not workout at the combine due to a leg injury, ran in the mid-4.3-second range this morning, his official time coming in around 4.36 seconds. Scouts say Hilton looked incredibly explosive in his 40 and during drills. Evidently the game-breaking receiver/return specialist dropped just a single pass during drills. He did pull up late in the workout and it looked to many that the strained hamstring which kept Hilton from participating in the Senior Bowl and combine may have flared up.
Here’s Mike Mayock Video report from Oklahoma State’s Proday
Ole Miss Pro day
The junior lineman, who surprised many by entering the draft, stood on all of his combine numbers but participated in position drills and looked outstanding. One coach from Mississippi said Massie looked better today than at any point in his college career. That statement is not surprising considering the big tackle has been working with former All-Pro center LeCharles Bentley since December. Massie will be back on the Mississippi campus to privately work out for NFL teams during the week of March 18 and is now projected in the top half of round two.
Running back Brandon Bolden also performed well today. His 40 time, which clocked 4.46 seconds, was significantly better than his mark from the combine. Bolden displayed that speed later in the workout during position drills.
Defensive end Kentrell Lockett struggled through the workout. At one time highly rated by scouts prior to his knee injury from September 2010, he struggled to get under 5.0 seconds in the 40 and did not look like the “Lockett of old,” as expressed by many on hand.
A total of 18 teams were on hand Thursday to watch Mississippi State’s pro day, where the performance of DT Fletcher Cox likely cemented his status as a late first-round pick.
The defensive line coaches for the Steelers and Chiefs were on hand, as well as Packers director of college scouting John Dorsey, who usually shows up at a workout when there’s a prospect he’s interested in.
In all, 16 players worked out indoors on artificial turf.
Vick Ballard, RB (5-foot-10 1/8, 215 pounds) — He ran 4.55- and 4.53-second 40-yard dashes and had a 6.99-second three-cone drill. Ballard looked very good in a blitz pick-up drill and caught the ball well. He has good quickness and really helped himself with this workout. He would probably be picked at the top of the second round if he were a lineman, but will probably be picked in the third round despite being a second-round talent. He’s a top-10 back overall
Follow us on twitter @NFLmocks