Pro Day – Big 12 Conference Combine 2024

 137 Prospects Invited to 1st Ever – Big 12 Pro Day

 Frank Coyle/ Head scout

The Big 12 is hosting a joint pro day featuring prospects from multiple schools (Baylor, BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech and West Virginia) at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on March 27-30. This will be one of several workouts telecasted by the NFL Network. Draft Insiders will have a few scouts at the event and include reports into our NFL Draft Yearbook.

Draft Insiders’ – NFL Draft Yearbook out next week- over 250 in-depth Reports

 2024 NFL Draft – April 25-27 – Detroit

The full list of participants has been released for the 2024 Big 12 Pro Day, presented by the Air Force Reserve. A total of 137 prospects will participate in the inaugural Conference-wide Pro Day which will take place in Frisco, Texas at the Ford Center at The Star from March 27-31.

The first-ever Big 12 Pro Day will be operated in cooperation with the National Football League. The Big 12 and NFL are partnering to reimagine student athlete evaluations with player skill assessments designed to maximize the prospect experience.

The event will also feature Zebra Technologies, the Official Real Time Location Solutions Provider of the NFL. Zebra generates data for the NFL’s Next Gen Stats platform, and will apply this same tracking technology to spotlight player performance at the Big 12 Pro Day.

On Thursday, March 28, Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers and Tight Ends will work out from 7:15 a.m. to 10 a.m. Running Backs will take the field from 10:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. followed by Defensive Backs from 2:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Saturday, March 30 will see Specialists work out from 7:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. followed by Offensive Linemen from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Defensive Linemen will be on the field from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. before Linebackers conclude the weekend from 2:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. (all times Central).

Player workouts will be open to the public Thursday, March 28 and Saturday, March 30 from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. CT.

NFL Network will showcase coverage with an hour-long broadcast on Thursday, March 28, and Friday, March 29 at 7 p.m. CT each night. Saturday’s events will be featured as part of NFL Network’s Path to the Draft weekly coverage leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft.

Pro Prospects Participating in Big 12 Combine

     Listed below sorted by position:

Quarterbacks
John Rhys Plumlee, UCF
Emory Jones, Cincinnati
Jason Bean, Kansas
 
Running Backs
Aidan Robbins, BYU
Deion Smith, BYU
Mark-Antony Richards, UCF
Ryan Montgomery, Cincinnati
Dylan McDuffie, Kansas
Elijah Collins, Oklahoma State
Emani Bailey, TCU
 
Wide Receivers
Javon Baker, UCF
JaJuan Forte, UCF
Corey Gammage, UCF
Daquris Wiggins, Cincinnati
Dimitri Stanley, Iowa State
Phillip Brooks, Kansas State
Erik Pizarro, Kansas State
Seth Porter, Kansas State
Arland Bruce IV, Oklahoma State
Leon Johnson III, Oklahoma State
Jaylon Robinson, TCU
Warren Thompson, TCU
Xavier White, Texas Tech
Devin Carter, West Virginia
 
Tight Ends
Isaac Rex, BYU
Alec Holler, UCF
Zachary Marsh Wojan, UCF
Michael O’Laughlin, Houston
Easton Dean, Iowa State
Mason Fairchild, Kansas
Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
Braden Cassity, Oklahoma State
Josiah Johnson, Oklahoma State
Curtis Raymond III, TCU
Jared Wiley, TCU
Baylor Cupp, Texas Tech
Noah Massey, West Virginia
 
Offensive Linemen
Clark Barrington, Baylor
Paul Maile, BYU
Tylan Grable, UCF
Lokahi Pauole, UCF
Alexx Schmidt, UCF
Trevor Radosevich, Cincinnati
Jack Freeman IV, Houston
Patrick Paul, Houston
Michael Novitsky, Kansas
Dominick Puni, Kansas
Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
Christian Duffie, Kansas State
Hayden Gillum, Kansas State
KT Leveston, Kansas State
Andrew Coker, TCU
Brandon Coleman, TCU
Willis Patrick, TCU
Cole Spencer, Texas Tech
Rusty Staats, Texas Tech
Dennis Wilburn, Texas Tech
Zach Frazier, West Virginia
Doug Nester, West Virginia
 
Defensive Linemen
TJ Franklin, Baylor
Gabriel Hall, Baylor
Justin Sambu, Baylor
Jackson Cravens, BYU
Atunaisa Mahe, BYU
Tre’Mon Morris-Brash, UCF
Jowon Briggs, Cincinnati
Malik Vann, Cincinnati
Austin Booker, Kansas
Patrick Joyner, Kansas
Devin Phillips, Kansas
Khalid Duke, Kansas State
Anthony Goodlow, Oklahoma State
Nathan Latu, Oklahoma State
Tico Brown, TCU
Rick D’Abreu, TCU
Soni Misi, TCU
Myles Cole, Texas Tech
Jaylon Hutchings, Texas Tech
        
Defensive Linemen / Linebackers
Byron Vaughns, Baylor
Daniel Grzesiak, Cincinnati
Nelson Ceaser, Houston
David Ugwoegbu, Houston
Davoan Hawkins, West Virginia
 
Linebackers
Mike Smith Jr., Baylor
Maxwell Tooley, BYU
AJ Vongphachanh, BYU
Jason Johnson, UCF
Shaun Peterson Jr., UCF
Walter Yates III, UCF
Malik Robinson, Houston
Gerry Vaughn, Iowa State
Hayden Hatcher, Kansas
Rich Miller, Kansas
Craig Young, Kansas
Daniel Green, Kansas State
Xavier Benson, Oklahoma State
Jamoi Hodge, TCU
Tyrique Matthews, Texas Tech
Lee Kpogba, West Virginia
 
Defensive Backs
Kamden Garrett, BYU
Eddie Heckard, BYU
DeJordan Mask, UCF
Decorian Patterson, UCF
Jireh Wilson, UCF
Taj Ward, Cincinnati
Antonio Brooks, Houston
Malik Fleming, Houston
Brian George, Houston
Alex Hogan, Houston
Hasaan Hypolite, Houston
Ben Nikkel, Iowa State
T.J. Tampa, Iowa State
Kalon Gervin, Kansas
Kwinton Lassiter, Kansas
Kenneth Logan, Kansas
Andrew Russell, Kansas
Millard Bradford, TCU
Josh Newton, TCU
Mark Perry, TCU
Malik Dunlap, Texas Tech
Tyler Owens, Texas Tech
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech
Rayshad Williams, Texas Tech
Beanie Bishop Jr., West Virginia
Marcis Floyd, West Virginia
Malachi Ruffin, West Virginia
 
Long Snappers
Gavin Gately, Houston
Randen Plattner, Kansas State
Zeke Zaragoza, Oklahoma State

Place Kickers
Chase Contreraz, Iowa State
Seth Keller, Kansas
Alex Hale, Oklahoma State
Griffin Kell, TCU
 
Punters
Ryan Rehkow, BYU
Laine Wilkins, Houston
Jordy Sandy, TCU
Austin McNamara, Texas Tech
 
 

NFL Draft 2024 – First Round Mock Draft – 6.0

March, 2024 – Underclassmen –   New Selection order
NFL League Trading Period Open

All underclassmen had until Jan. 15th to declare for the NFL Draft 2024. Players had three days to rescind their decision and return to school and still retain their college eligibility. No underclassmen rescinded their decision.

Post NFL Combine/ League Trade Opens – Super Bowl winner Kansas City drafts last in every round.

Frank Coyle / Head scout

First Round Mock Draft

1st Round

#           Team              W/L         Pos      Player                          School

1 Chicago (Carolina – 2-15)        QB       Caleb Williams             Southern Cal

2 Washington (4-13)                  QB       Jayden Daniels             LSU

3 New England (4-13)                QB       Drake Maye                  North Carolina

4 Arizona (4-13)                        WR       Marvin Harrison Jr         Ohio State

5 Los Angeles Chargers (5-12)   WR       Rome Odunze               Washington

6 New York Giants (6-11)           QB       JJ McCarthy                  Michigan

7 Tennessee (6-11)                   OT        Olu Fashanu                 Penn State

8 Atlanta (7-10)                         CB        Terrion Arnold               Alabama

9 Chicago (7-10)                       WR       Malik Nabers                 LSU

10 New York Jets (7-10)             OT        Joe Alt                         Notre Dame

11 Minnesota (7-10)                  Edge    Dallas Turner                Alabama

12 Denver (8-9)                         WR       Brian Thomas               LSU

13 Las Vegas (8-9)                    OT        Taliese Fuaga               Oregon State

14 New Orleans (9-8)                TE        Brock Bowers                Georgia

15 Indianapolis (9-8)                  CB        Quinyon Mitchell            Toledo

16 Seattle (9-8)                         Edge    Jared Verse                  Florida State

Order Deluxe Package – NFL Free Agency Newsletter available
Draft Insiders’  Yearbook out early April

17 Jacksonville (9-8)                  CB        Nate Wiggins                Clemson

18 Cincinnati (9-8)                     OT        JC Latham                    Alabama

19 Los Angeles Rams (10-7)      OT        Troy Fautanu                Washington

20 Pittsburgh (10-7)                   OT        Amarius Mims               Georgia

21 Miami (11-6)                         Edge    Laiatu Latu                    UCLA

22 Philadelphia (11-6)                CB        Ennis Rakestraw           Missouri

23 Minnesota (Houston-Cleve – 11-6)     C     Jackson Powers-Johnson   Oregon

24 Dallas (12-5)                        OL        Graham Barton             Duke

25 Green Bay (9-8)                    OT        Tyler Guyton                 Oklahoma

26 Tampa Bay (9-8)                   Edge    Chop Robinson             Penn State

27 Arizona (Houston – 9-8)         DL        Darius Robinson            Missouri

28 Buffalo (11-6)                       DB       Cooper DeJean             Iowa

29 Detroit (12-5)                        S          Tyler Nubin                   Minnesota

30 Baltimore (13-4)                    OL        Jordan Morgan              Arizona

31 San Francisco (12-5)            DL        Byron Murphy               Texas

32 Kansas City (11-6)                         CB       Kool-Aid McKinstry     Alabama

‘Word on the Street’

NFL Free Agency 2024

Frank Coyle/ Head scout
www.draftinsiders.com

The official start of NFL Free Agency period begins today at 4 pm with a few clubs expected to release more veterans to get under the new salary cap. The ‘legal’ tampering opened Monday midday and the player rush began with NFL clubs prepared to make huge offers to new free agents. The new $30+ million-dollar increase added to up a $255.4 million salary cap per team which made most club instant bidders on the open market.

The premier positions took the focus especially the QB market after the 2023 season saw 60+ starters at the position and raised the bar again at the game’s most important position. QB Kirk Cousin’s was again a huge winner in the open market with an incredible 4-year $180 million deal with the Falcons. His presence makes the Falcons dangerous in the NFC South with a young talented group of playmakers and a solid offensive line around him. Their defense will demand the focus of most future signings and many of the premier draft selections in April.

Most of the early FA movement at the QB spot has been the extensive change at the #2 role, following a season with multiple injuries and rotation at the position. The Browns actually made the playoffs last season, relying on the strong performance of backup Joe Flacco who signed late in the 2023 season after his release from the Jets. He stepped up big and delivered multiple 300-yard passing performances. He was the Browns 5th starter as they continue to stabilize offensively after a year of multiple injuries and erratic performances. Flacco is a FA and will not resign with the Browns. They have already signed vet Jameis Winston for their deep QB room.

The Browns’ blockbuster deal for QB DeShaun Watson three years ago is still highly questioned after his second season in Cleveland on a trade which costed three #1 selections and a whopping #230 million contract. He enters training camp hoping to justify the enormous bounty the Browns relinquished.

In addition to Cousins with a new contract, Baker Mayfield re-signed with the Bucs for $100M on a three-year deal. He directed the Bucs to the playoffs after coming off the QB scrap hill and not re-signed in Carolina last offseason. Veteran Russell Wilson was released by the Broncos after two horrible seasons in Denver, leaving a ton of dead money on their salary cap books. He signed with the Steelers where he will compete with young Kenny Pickett who the starting job.

Backup QBs moved quickly prior to the official opening with clubs determined to land veteran backups who can hold the fort during any interruptions of the long 18-week NFL schedule. The 2023 The NFL Draft will also see the QB movement dominate the early action with the top 3 selections expected to be young passers and possibly 5-6 chosen in the first round.  The trade market will also be a factor in the domino effect at the position. The Bears’ hold two #1 picks, the first and #9 overall which makes Justin Fields expendable this offseason. His mediocre three-year early career will probably end in Chicago. Most clubs move on from incumbents when #1 overall pick allows them to add a top prospect to begin a new era. Fields may not command more than a 3rd round selection or possibly later with conditions. He was an expensive trade with the Giants to move up in the 2021 NFL Draft which cost two #1 picks plus a few middle round throw-ins.

The 2024 NFL Free Agency bell rings in minutes with many deals agreed upon over the past 48 hours. The upcoming player movement will change the landscape of NFL rosters for the season.

The impact of new additions will play a huge role in the makeup of the divisional races which bring many surprises annually in the ever-changing NFL.

NFL Compensatory Selections Awarded

The NFL announced on Friday it has awarded 34 compensatory picks to 14 teams for the 2024 NFL Draft, which will be held April 25-27 in Detroit.

The 34 compensatory picks include two special selections that were awarded at the end of the 3rd round to the teams, the Rams and 49ers that had a minority employee hired as a head coach or primary football executive by another club. The special compensatory picks were instituted as an amendment to the 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement in an effort to promote equal employment opportunities within NFL teams.

Separate from the special compensatory picks, a team that loses more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks, per the league. The compensatory picks are positioned from Round 3 to Round 7 based on the value of the compensatory free agents lost. The formula that determines compensatory free agents is based on salary, playing time and postseason honors.

Below is the full list of compensatory picks awarded to teams ahead of this year’s NFL Draft (special compensatory picks denoted by an asterisk):

Round 3
96) Jacksonville Jaguars
97) Philadelphia Eagles
98) Los Angeles Rams*
99) San Francisco 49ers*

Round 4
132) San Francisco 49ers
133) Buffalo Bills
134) Baltimore Ravens

Round 5
167) New Orleans Saints
168) Green Bay Packers
169) New Orleans Saints
170) Philadelphia Eagles
171) Philadelphia Eagles
172) Kansas City Chiefs
173) Dallas Cowboys
174) New Orleans Saints
175) San Francisco 49ers

Round 6
208) Cincinnati Bengals
209) Los Angeles Rams
210) Philadelphia Eagles
211) San Francisco 49ers
212) Jacksonville Jaguars
213) Los Angeles Rams
214) Cincinnati Bengals
215) San Francisco 49ers
216) Dallas Cowboys
217) Los Angeles Rams
218) New York Jets
219) Green Bay Packers
220) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Round 7
253) Los Angeles Chargers
254) Los Angeles Rams
255) Green Bay Packers
256) New York Jets
257) New York Jets

Here’s a breakdown of the number of compensatory picks allotted by team (asterisk denotes a special compensatory pick is included in the team’s total):

Team Total Compensatory Picks
Los Angeles Rams 5*
San Francisco 49ers 5*
Philadelphia Eagles 4
Green Bay Packers 3
New Orleans Saints 3
New York Jets 3
Cincinnati Bengals 2
Dallas Cowboys 2
Jacksonville Jaguars 2
Baltimore Ravens 1
Buffalo Bills 1
Kansas City Chiefs 1
Los Angeles Chargers 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1

NFL Draft 2024 – Pro Day Schedule

 Frank Coyle
www.draftinsiders.com

With the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine completed last weekend, the next stage of the prospect-evaluation process continues with the extensive pro day schedule.

Photo – QB Caleb Williams – USC
                 (Pro day – March 20th)
     Photographer Jessica Alcheh – USA Today Sports

2024 NFL Draft – April 25-27 – Detroit

NFL personnel offices will canvas the nation, to scout the top players perform on-field drills and interviews.Workouts at team facilities will be in April and limited by league rules.

The Big 12 is hosting a joint pro day featuring prospects from conference schools (Baylor, BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech and West Virginia) at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on March 27-30. This will be a few of several workouts telecast by the NFL Network

Completed Pro Days
March 4
Ball State
 
March 5
Indiana
 
March 6
Northwestern
 
March 7
Purdue
 

Pro Schedule Through April

March 8
    Illinois
    Monmouth University (N.J.)
    Southeast Missouri State
 
March 11
    Oregon State
    Western Michigan
 
March 12
    Oklahoma
    Oregon
    South Carolina
 
March 13
    Arizona State
    Arkansas
    Georgia
    Michigan State
 
March 14
    Arizona
    Clemson
    Colorado
    Minnesota
 
March 15
    Penn State
    UCLA
    Wisconsin
 
March 18
    Colorado State
    Fresno State
    Georgia State
    Iowa
    Miami
    Syracuse
    Texas A&M
    Troy
 
March 19
    Toledo
    Wyoming
 
March 20
    Alabama
    Connecticut
    Liberty
    Ohio State
    Texas
    USC
 
March 21
    California
    Eastern Kentucky
    Florida
    Holy Cross
    Houston Christian
    New Hampshire
    Notre Dame
    Rice
    Stanford
    Utah
    Virginia State
 
March 22
    Auburn
    Boston College
    Florida State
    Kentucky
    Michigan
    Missouri
 
March 25
    Louisiana
    South Dakota
    South Dakota State
    Southern Mississippi
    Temple
    Western Kentucky
 
March 26
    Boise State
    Louisville
    Mississippi State
    N.C. State
    North Dakota State
    Tulane
    UTEP
 
March 27
    Big 12 pro day (offensive skill players and DBs report)
    LSU
    Mississippi
    Pittsburgh
    Tennessee
    Wake Forest
    Washington State
 
March 28
    Big 12 pro day (offensive skill players and DBs work out)
    Charlotte
    Duke
    Howard
    Marshall
    North Carolina
    Rutgers
    Washington
 
March 29
    Big 12 pro day (O-linemen, D-linemen, LBs, specialists report)
    Maryland
 
March 30
    Big 12 pro day (O-linemen, D-linemen, LBs, specialists work out)
 
April 3
    Yale
 

‘Word on the Street’

Frank Coyle
www.draftinsiders.com

NFL Combine Report – Defensive Players

With the skilled positions getting the primary focus at the NFL Combine, especially the weekend exposure, the talented defense class quietly stepped up with strong impressions for scouts. The defensive back class presented several blue chip cornerbacks, one of the premier positions in the game and a group which will provide at least 15 prospects in the top 100 selections in April.

Edge defenders Dallas Turner, 6-4, 245 – Alabama, Laiatu Latu, 6-5, 260 – UCLA and Chop Robinson, 6-3, 255 – Penn State had impressive weeks. Turner displayed quick strong hands and the lateral movement to attack the line. He is very developed and improved his stock and probably top 6-10 selection. Latu is blazing quick off the edge and displayed that skill set in the positional drills. He moves easily and has the explosive first step to gain an advantage and bend the edge. Robinson had a strong performance. He showed a powerful punch and quick feet at over 250 lbs. He moved well in the coverage drills which impressed scouts.

DT T’Vondre Sweat, 6-4, 366, Texas, Byron Murphy, 6-1, 310, Texas and Braden Fiske, 6-4, 295, Florida State lived up to expectations. Sweat is a massive athlete who moves well and looked sharp in drills despite the 366 lbs. He has developed athletic ability to beat the double team, push the pocket and hold the point. Playing in the 340 lb. area may allow him to realize his incredible potential. Murphy is an explosive interior lineman with fine technique and power to penetrate. He moves well along the line which he displayed in the agility drills. Fiske is a fast riser. He has quick strong hands to win early on the down. He ran a blazing 4.78 sprint with a 1.68 ten split. He added 26 reps in the lifting while running drills very well. His efforts may push him into the first round.                            

LB Payton Wilson, 6-4, 235, North Carolina State was lightning fast with explosive quickness and keen instincts in drills. He dropped easily in coverage and is a well-rounded defender with the development to be a three down early starter. He can play a few positions and is scheme diverse. Edgerrin Cooper, 6-3, 235, Texas A&M is a ripped athlete who runs well and ran a 4.51 sprint. He added 34.5” VL and 9’10” BJ He was an easy mover in drills and is a prospect on the come. Cedric Gray, 6-2, 234, North Carolina is a rangy athlete who ran a 4.64 time. He did 17 reps and added a 35.5 VL. His positional drills were excellent, moves quickly laterally and can drop into the deep zones in coverage. Shows the skill set of a three-down starter, though may be limited to a 4-3 on either outside.

Cornerbacks, Terrion Arnold, 6-0, 198, Alabama, Quinyon Mitchell, 6-0, 195, Toledo and Nate Wiggins, 6-1, 173, Clemson separated themselves from in a high-quality class. Wiggins ran a blistering 4.28 time, the best of the entire defensive class.  His 173 lbs. is a concern, though he has developed coverage skills, including smooth hips, quick feet and the speed to ride a receiver down the field. Arnold came in just under 6’ and had a good performance in drills, though ran only a solid 4.51time. His length, agility and instincts are developed and NFL ready. He added a 37” VL and is an explosive mover. Mitchell shined in the workouts. He has the prototypical corner skill set and displayed this over the drills. He runs well (4.33) with quick feet, flexible hips, fast reads and the long speed to mirror top receivers. He leaped 38” and added a 10’2” BJ and 20 reps in the lifting. He was very quick in agility drills with loose hips and explosive acceleration.

NFL Free Agency Tag Deadline

Nine Players Receive Labels
Seven Defensive Players Head List

All Franchise Tags were Non-Exclusive labels
One Transitional Tag

 Offense
Wideouts
Tee Higgins – Bengals
Michael Pittman – Colts

Defense

Edge Defenders
Josh Allen – Jaguars
Brian Burns – Panthers

Interior Linemen
Justin Madubuike – Ravens

Corners
Jaylon Johnson – Bears
L’Jarious Sneed – Chiefs

Safeties
Antoine Winfield – Bucs
Kyle Dugger – Patriots (Transition Label – Top 10 at position)
 
There are three tender options: 1) Non-exclusive franchise tag; 2) Exclusive franchise tag; 3) Transition tag.

Non-exclusive Franchise tag:
The most commonly used tag. When most refer to the “franchise tag,” they generally talk about the non-exclusive version. This is a one-year tender of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position over the last five years, or 120 percent of his previous salary, whichever is greater. The tagged player can negotiate with other teams, but his current team has the right to match any offer or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation if he signs with another club.

Exclusive Franchise tag:
Unlike the non-exclusive version, the tagging team retains the sole right to negotiate with the player. The exclusivity raises the pay scale (current average salary versus averaging of the previous five years). This is a one-year tender offer of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position for the current year, or 120 percent of his previous salary, whichever is greater. Few receive the exclusive tag. Generally, players for whom other teams would gladly give up two first-round picks receive this version of the tag — read: quarterbacks.

Transition tag:
The transition tag is a one-year tender offer for the average of the top 10 salaries at the position — as opposed to the top five for the franchise tag. It guarantees the original club the right of first refusal to match any offer the player might receive from another club. The tagging team is awarded no compensation if it chooses not to match a deal

‘Word on the Street’

Frank Coyle
www.draftinsiders.com

2024 NFL Combine

The NFL Combine 2024 concluded an excellent week-long event on Monday with the offensive linemen and special teams lifting. Most of the 321 pro prospects exited Indianapolis by the weekend after extensive testing, including the important on the field workouts.

The usual number of high prospects opted out of the workouts, including QB Caleb Williams and wideout Marvin Harrison who will compete at their school Pro days in March.

This NFL Draft 2024 class features strong groups at QB, WR, OL and CBs, the premier positions in the game. The workout results reflected those assumptions with excellent performances by numerous prospects. The talented QB class saw a few prospects sit out the drills especially the passing event, including Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels. The second tier of QBs, JJ McCarthy, Bo Nix and Michael Penix did participate in the passing drills and all left strong impressions. The passing drills included all the throws with movement in the pocket and was a well-rounded workout which impressed scouts. The pro day season starts and is the final opportunity for the Big Three and other QBs to leave a lasting impression.

The wide receiver group will rival the best classes at the position especially the great 1996 class. Wideout Rome Odunze put on a terrific all-around workout which most likely keeps him in the high 5-8 selections. Wideout Xavier Worthy ran two incredible 40-yard sprints including a new record 4.21 time that established the NFL Combine mark. Worthy is blazing fast at 165 lbs. with experience both outside and inside plus return skills. He can take the top off the defense and his excellent performance probably earns him a first round late grade.

Wideouts, Roman Wilson, AD Mitchell, Ladd McConkey and Ricky Pearsall all had impressive performance including fast sprints and excellent positional workouts. They will be a run-on receivers following the top three prospects with many in the first or early second rounds. The wideout position could provide 15+ prospects in the top 100 selections. McConkey is just one prospect who continues to impress scouts. After interviewing him in Indy, he handled the environment like a pro and was focused on business and preparation. He was precise in positional drills, showing excellent routes, body control and hands with the ability to separate consistently. He should hit the ground running as a rookie in the NFL and can provide impact in three wideout and multiple sets.

A huge contingent of offensive linemen was invited to the event with arguably the best group of prospects in recent history. The line will provide at least 8 prospects for the first round. There could be as least as another 10 chosen in the top 3 rounds. This class will provide an incredibly deep tackle class with several kicking inside to guard to earn early starting time.

RT Roger Rosengarten of Washington ran the fastest among the linemen with a 4.92 time and a fine 1.73 yard split. This follows a strong week at the Senior Bowl where he displayed core strength and consistent technique. Frank Crum of Wyoming ran an excellent 4.94 sprint with a quick 1.70 yard split. He elevated his stock showing both power and agility for a massive prospect. Christian Jones of Texas continued a strong postseason and ran a 5.05 time with a 1.78 ten. His level of play has progressed fast over the past year which will allow him to compete for early NFL starting time.

John Alt ran a 5.05 time with a 1.74 ten, Kingsley Saumataia did a 5.06 time with a 1.74 ten, Tailese Fuaga at 6-6, 330 ran a 5.14 sprint and Tyler Guyton at 6-7, 330  did 5.19 sprint. All impressive tackle sprints with early draft grades. Alt and Fuaga look like top ten selections and NFL ready starters.

Troy Fantanu, 6-4, 315   of Washington ran a 5.01 with a fast 1.71 ten. He is an amazing mover with an easy slide to adjust and strong hands and top balance to mirror defenders. He lacks great length, though could plug and play at guard as a rookie and become a fixture there for a decade. He is a highly developed blocker with toughness, savvy and intangibles to excel in the NFL.

OL Tanor Bartolini had an impressive workout with a 4.94 time and a 1.74 ten. He moved efficiently and flashed strong hands and the base to get movement on contact. He helped his cause further here after a solid Senior Bowl effort. OL Cooper Beebe ran well with a 5.03 time at 322 lbs. He utilizes great power relying on his strong base, long arms and developed technique to move defenders. He is highly developed with extensive experience to start day one in the NFL.