NFL free agency has consumed the football world, but pro days are still ticking along across the country. While front offices are busy hammering out deals with players that have hit the open market, scouts are busy scouring workouts for the next best talent.
2013 NFL Draft stock report: Arthur Brown, Datone Jones moving up
Pro days usually do more to help a player than hurt a player, and it’s been a mixed bag so far for the 2013 NFL Draft’s top players.
Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE
Since our last stock update, we have had three days of pro day workouts, and players both helped and hurt themselves this week.
Stock up:
Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas
After a shoulder injury kept Brown from participating at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine, the pressure was on for his full workout at Kansas State's pro day. Brown did not disappoint, running in the 4.5-second range in the 40-yard dash and put up 21 reps on the bench press, which should answer some questions about his shoulder. He grades out as the top inside linebacker in this class and has the versatility to play multiple positions in multiple schemes.
Datone Jones, Defensive Line, UCLA
The UCLA pro day was closed to the public and the media, but according to Tony Pauline Datone Jones cemented his status in the first round with an impressive workout. Jones stood out at the combine, so he chose to sit on his numbers. The positional drills are where Jones shined on Monday, though.
Aaron Dobson, Wide Receiver, Marshall
Dobson turned heads at Marshall’s pro day on Wednesday, running a 4.4-second 40-yard dash after not being able to run at the combine. One of the top senior receivers in this year’s class, Dobson gets a stock bump for proving the speed on tape matches the speed in the drills. He has a chance to be a day two pick.
Stock Down:
Joseph Fauria, Tight End, UCLA
Fauria isn’t much of an inline blocker and will rely on his receiving ability in the NFL. However, his time of 4.78 seconds in the 40-yard dash at UCLA’s pro day (per Tony Pauline) isn’t going to do him many favors. While Fauria is a natural pass catcher and a solid red zone target, teams have reason to be concerned about whether or not he can be a complete player.
Eddie Lacy, Running back, Alabama
Lacy was unable to participate in Alabama’s pro day on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury. This missed opportunity hurts his chances of being drafted in the first round. He should be able to work out for scouts before the draft, and will have a lot riding on those workouts. With the positional value of running backs diminishing, Lacy needs to seize every opportunity he has to make an impression on scouts.
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