Mocking the Draft

2013 NFL Draft: Tracking the best pro days and prospects to watch

Plenty of prospects still have something to prove at their school's pro days in the coming months.

By Matthew Fairburn Mar 2, 2013, 8:00am EST

The NFL Scouting Combine is thought to be an even playing field. The prospects can't control the environment and are stacked up against their peers in drills to jockey for position on draft boards.

Pro days aren't quite an even playing field. The players are running through drills in an environment that is familiar and comfortable to them. The quarterbacks are going through scripted route trees and putting their absolute best on display.

Despite the often predictable nature of pro days, they are still a piece of the draft evaluation process, and a few stand out on the schedule this season for various reasons.

March 14: West Virginia, Geno Smith, Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey

Geno Smith was just average on the field at the NFL Combine. He didn't hurt himself by any means, but Smith still has something to prove before April. He has a chance to go No. 2 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars if he keeps building momentum. If nothing else, West Virginia's pro day should be entertaining. Tavon Austin blew the doors off the combine, and Stedman Bailey is the most under appreciated wideout in the NFL Draft. These three should impress in Morgantown.

March 19: Florida State, Bjoern Werner and Xavier Rhodes (Menelik Watson and E.J. Manuel)

The two biggest prospects coming out of Florida State this season had combine performances that landed on opposite ends of the spectrum. Bjoern Werner was disappointing in speed and agility drills, while Xavier Rhodes stood out and solidified himself as the No. 2 cornerback in this draft class.

Meanwhile, offensive tackle Menelik Watson and quarterback E.J. Manuel will be hoping to improve upon solid performances in Indianapolis. Watson has an outside shot at the first round, while Manuel is an intriguing options for teams hoping to incorporate the read option into their offensive plans.

March 20: Utah, Star Lotulelei

An unexpected medical red flag was discovered during Star Lotulelei's medical exam at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. A heart condition prevented the massive defensive tackle from running through drills for NFL Scouts. Lotulelei is expected to be ready to perform at his pro day, and his draft stock will depend on it. If teams have concerns about his long-term health, the fact that he may be the most talented player in the draft won't matter much.

March 20: Tennessee, Cordarrelle Patterson, Justin Hunter, Tyler Bray, Mychal Rivera

Tennessee's NFL talent didn't translate on the field this fall, but the Volunteer passing attack will be on full display in Knoxville for the school's pro day in March. They all still have something to prove after an underwhelming season. Bray threw well at the combine, and his wide receivers both ran well. Can they maintain that momentum?

March 21: Georgia, Jarvis Jones

Georgia will have plenty of NFL prospects on display at its pro day on March 21. But all eyes will be on linebacker Jarvis Jones, who didn't workout at the combine. His medical questions have raised red flags for teams picking int the top 10, and Jones needs to prove himself to scouts to warrant a high selection.

April 9: Keenan Allen personal pro day

Keenan Allen was unable to participate in on-field workouts at the combine due to a setback with the knee injury that ended his 2012 season. He has a ton to prove when he works out for scouts in early April. If he doesn't run in the 4.4 range and check out medically, he could fall to the end of the first round.

April: Tank Carradine, Defensive End, Florida State

Last Saturday in Indianapolis, Tank Carradine said he would do a full workout for NFL teams prior to April's NF Draft, Considering Carradine tore his ACL in Novemeber, that would be an amazing feat. If he has a successful showing in front of NFL teams, Carradine will be a first round pick.