NFL Draft Prospects With Important Pro Day Workouts Looming

Every year, there are a few NFL prospects that fail to meet expectations—in what can be called the, "Underwear Olympics"— better known as the NFL Scouting Combine.Traditionally, the top prospects opt to not take part in the work outs; as their draft stock is some what guaranteed— to land them a spot in the first round.

After the Combine is in the books, the next major event for NFL hopefuls are their College Pro Day work outs.These work outs are just as important as the combine work outs—as scouts travels to these schools to gather concrete information that's vital to the evaluation process.

Here's a list of guys that either decided to not work out in Indy by choice or due to injury,that have important pro days coming up.For some this is a make or break day in terms of we they'll fall in the draft.For others, its an opportunity to improve their combine numbers.

Bruce Campbell OT, Maryland

Bruce Campbell showed up at the 2010 NFL Combine in tip-top shape. Not only did he look the part (6'6'' 314 lbs) but he performed extremely well in the work outs.He ran the fasted 40 yard dash (4.85 40) of all the offensive linemen.

With out a question he was the most athletic among the other offensive linemen.However, there are rumblings that he is the workout warrior of the 2010 combine.If there are any tags or labels that NFL prospects hate its—work out warrior.

This usually means that the prospect looks great in gym shorts but when in games, he struggles with inconsistent play. Bruce Campbell needs to deliver a solid pro day work out to put to rest some of the concerns about his inconsistent techniques and work ethic on the field.

Dez Bryant WR,Oklahoma State

Every year there's always a handful of prospects in the Draft, that have all the talent in the world but with that comes their immaturity.Dez has the build of a prototypical NFL wide receiver and was very productive at the collegiate level. With all that talent and potential he has, it comes with his character issues.
He was suspended by the NCAA, for lying to NCAA investigators about a visit he made to Deion Sanders house.

Scouts are questioning his condition and want to know what kind of shape he's in—considering, that he was out of football for a year. A solid pro day work out could be the difference between Dez, being the first wide-receiver taken or second to Golden Tate, who had a great combine.

Joe Haden CB, Florida

If the Draft took place immediately following the combine, Joe Haden would have fell out of the top 10 due to his 40 time at the combine (4.57 40).Joe is still the consensus top corner back in the Draft, but his 40 time at the combine, had a lot of scouts scrambling to revisit his play in games.

Joe Haden is one of the top prospects that have a lot to gain or lose with his pro day work out. If he runs anything below 4.5 40, that will solidify him as a top 10 pick.Anything above and there's a good chance he'll fall out the coveted top 10 slot.

Sam Bradford QB, Oklahoma

Sam Bradford, is the best QB prospect in the weak quarterback class entering the 2010 NFL Draft. Bradford is a victim of bad timing; had he enter last years Draft, he would have been the first quarterback taken.Instead of entering the Draft last year, Bradford decided to go back to Oklahoma for his senior season— where he later sustained two shoulder injuries.

Simply put,if Bradford throws well at his upcoming pro day and show the scouts that his shoulder is healthy—He'll be the first overall selection.The NFL, is a quarterback driven league and I would be hard pressed to think that the Rams would pass on Bradford knowing that his shoulder is healthy.

Rolando McClain ILB, Alabama

With all the accolades and accomplishments that Rolando McClain has,there's still some questions about his game.While everyone can agree that he has what it takes mentally to be a force Sundays.Its his athleticism that's in question; many question whether he can be a "3-down" linebacker in the NFL.

McClain didn't get to participate in the on field work outs at the combine, due to a "tweaked" hamstring(most wonder if this was just an excuse to not perform).A lot of teams are interested in his services, among those are the Giants—who are in dire need for a stud to play MLB.At his pro day, he has to show that he's agile enough to drop back into coverage and fast enough to chase down plays.

Tim Tebow QB, Florida

Tim Tebow is arguably the best player to ever play college football.While Tebow has been extremely successful and dominant on the collegiate level.Many, question whether he'll be able to make the difficult transition to the pro game.

At Florida in Urban Meyer's spread-option offense, Tebow wasn't asked to go under center to receive the snap.In the NFL this is paramount for quarterbacks.The likes of Alex Smith and Vince Young, that played in spread offenses in college, have all struggled at making the transition to the NFL.

Scouts question Tebow's well publicized elongated throwing delivery.He has been working with former NFL coaches, to adjust his throwing motion before taking the field for Florida's pro day.Another knock on Tebow is that he has inconsistent footwork; with a solid pro day work out Tebow will be a bona-fide 2nd round pick.If he doesn't improve his footwork and throwing motion he'll be viewed as a 3 year project and may slip into the 3rd round.

Lamarr Houston DT, Texas

Lamarr Houston is currently riding the wave of; a successful senior season,outstanding performance in the national championship game,great senior bowl practices and performance in the game—to top it all off he had a great showing at the combine.

Lamarr is climbing his way up Draft boards with his consistency and physical style of play.Unlike most prospects,he can mail it in for his pro day, because his combine work out was great. With his competitive nature, scouts expect him to perform at his pro day.

Right now, most have Lamarr Houston slated as a 2nd rounder, if he performs even better at his pro day,than he did at the combine he may sneak into the bottom of the first round.

Dan LeFevour QB, Central Michigan

Dan LeFevour is the MAC(Mid-American Conference) all-time leader in total offense in a career.He currently holds Mid American Conference records for career completions, attempts, passing yards, passing touchdowns, total touchdowns, and total offensive yards.

Among all these great career accomplishments, LeFevour went to the Senior Bowl and delivered a solid performance.Heading into the Combine LeFevour generated quiet a buzz based on his performance at the Senior Bowl.

However,LeFevour shocked everyone at the Combine by deciding to not throw, even though he was not injured.With that decision he placed a lot of pressure on himself to throw well at his pro day.Anything but a solid performance will hurt his Draft stock even more.