Today's pro days: Akron, Buffalo, Dartmouth, Fort Valley State, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Nebraska, Northern Illinois, Ohio, Texas Tech, UAB, West Texas, Wofford, Youngstown State
Teams needing a wide receiver may have to spread their personnel staff thin with Randall Cobb (Kentucky), Leonard Hankerson (Miami), Tandon Doss (Indiana), Niles Paul (Nebraska) and Ricardo Lockette (Fort Valley State) all scheduled to work out today. While none of them may be a No. 1 receiver, all project to having solid careers in the NFL.
Hankerson in particular is being projected by some as a late first round pick. Doss didn't participate at the NFL Combine because he's still recovering from a torn groin. There has been no word on whether or not he'll be able to work out today. He said on March 1 that he'd be fully healed in "two to three weeks." Today could be important for Doss because he has excellent hands but hasn't been able to show them in workouts.
Wide receivers in spotlight at Thursday pro days
Everyone knows Lockette is a speed receiver, but many didn’t expect Paul to run the 40-yard dash at the Combine in 4.45 seconds. For a bigger receiver, it was an impressive time. Paul’s size should make him a solid outside target while Lockette should make his money in the slot. Cobb is another player who should excel playing the inside role. He’s really good on seam routes and just knows how to get open.
Cobb’s teammate, running back
, should also garner a lot of attention today. He’s one of the quickest runners in this year’s draft.
Paul isn’t the only player who will grab attention at Nebraska’s pro day. Of course, there will be cornerback Prince Amukamara. Following a sensational Combine performance, I’m not sure it would be wise for Amukamara to put in much work today, but he might.
One Nebraska player who absolutely needs to continue showing his merits is running back Roy Helu. In a crowded running back class, Helu helped himself by running a 4.4 40-yard dash at the Combine. Still, he’s a player who will need as many chances to show off in front of personnel guys to push himself into the first 100 picks.
Miami cornerback Brandon Harris is another player who needs to impress in every opportunity he’s given. A lot of teams are probably striking him from their draft board after he came in just under 5-foot-10 at the Combine. Now teams may consider him a nickel-only cornerback. Those players don’t get picked in the first round.
Fellow Hurricane Allen Bailey should be the star of today’s pro days. He’s one of this year’s top workout warriors at 285 pounds, he’s a physical marvel. It’s a good thing, too, because his NFL position may still be in question.
