2012 NFL Mock Draft: Brandon Weeden and Others Who Improved Stock After Pro Days

Although we still have a few weeks left for the 2012 NFL draft prospects to increase their stock via pro days, there's already been those who have impressed once again.

And with the draft only a little over a month away, a lot can happen between now and late April.

To that end, let's take a look at some notable prospects who have improved stock through the first couple weeks of campus workouts.

View all dates for pro days.

Brandon Weeden: QB, Oklahoma State

On Friday, March 9, the Oklahoma State Cowboys had a pro day that involved wide receiver Justin Blackmon—who is considered a Top-10 selection—and quarterback Brandon Weeden.

Throughout the course of the 2011 season, Weeden bounced back and forth between an early and late mid-round selection. Despite throwing for over 4,700 yards, 37 touchdowns and a completion percentage of 72.3, Weeden did throw 13 interceptions.

Unfortunately, after a solid finish to the Pokes' Fiesta Bowl win, Weeden dropped back down with a poor Senior Bowl (five-of-nine, two interceptions).

Weeden did, however, impress at the combine as well as his pro day; which solidified himself as a legit second-round pick.

According to Michael David Smith of NBC Sports, Weeden is better than given credit for:

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“He made every throw you can make,” [Mike] Mayock said. “The ones I wanted to see were outside the numbers. I know he can drive it inside the numbers, I know he can throw the seam, the deep in cuts—he showed me that in the game. What I saw today was the ability to drive it outside the numbers. . . . He showed every throw, he made every throw and it was really impressive.”

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If anything, Weeden has also proved legit consistency during his time under center. His first year as a full-time starter in 2010, Weeden threw for over 4,200 yards, 34 touchdowns and a completion percentage of 66.9.

Isaiah Pead: RB, Cincinnati

One of the first school's to have a pro day this year, the Cincinnati Bearcats had a lot to offer NFL scouts in early March.

And one of those players was running back Isaiah Pead, who has emerged as a potential mid second-rounder, but no worse than early in Round 3.

Throughout his career with the Bearcats, Pead accumulated almost 3,300 rushing yards, over 700 receiving yards on 87 receptions and 33 total touchdowns.

Even before his pro day, Pead was beginning to impress.

At the Senior Bowl, he gained 36 rush yards on eight carries and returned two punts for 98 yards. After a strong combine where he displayed even more agility, body control, quick explosion when changing direction and top speed, his pro day was the icing on the cake.

There, according to Rob Rang of CBS Sports, Pead shined once again:

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Pead was clocked at 4.25 seconds in the short-shuttle and 6.86 in the three-cone drill. Pead's times in these drills, designed to show burst and change-of-direction ability, were nearly a tenth faster than his times recorded in Indianapolis (4.32, 6.95). According to the source, Pead also fared well catching passes out of the backfield and when fielding punts.

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Now viewed as a dual-threat back and return specialist, it will be surprising if Pead slips into the third round.

Nick Toon: WR, Wisconsin

Easily one of the most overlooked receivers in the draft, Wisconsin's Nick Toon has a lot to offer.

For starters, it's no surprise to see him go overlooked as the Big Ten isn't viewed as a pass-dominant conference and the Badgers are anything but a pass-first offense. Despite Russell Wilson's impressive season, Wisconsin still only ranked No. 61 in passing offense, while ranking No. 11 in rushing.

As for Toon, he was as reliable as anyone with 926 yards on 64 receptions, including 10 touchdowns, for a 14.5 yards per catch average.

From a career perspective, Toon totaled over 2,400 yards on 171 catches and scored 18 touchdowns. Not the sexy numbers like Justin Blackmon, Michael Floyd or Kendall Wright, but solid nonetheless.

Regarding his pro day; according to Rob Rang of CBS Sports, Toon got the job done:

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The 6'2", 215-pound Toon was clocked at 4.43 seconds Wednesday. The improved time is important as average straight-line speed is considered to be Toon's biggest shorting. He also improved upon his vertical jump (39") from the Combine (37.5) and registered a 10'10" broad jump, as well.

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Currently slated to go early in Round 4, Toon has made a strong case to be an early or mid third-rounder. By comparison to the other top receivers, Toon can run, jump, catch, break on routes and get up field as good as any of them.

Separating him, though, would be his ability to run-block. You know playing receiver for the Badgers he had to develop that aspect of his game before anything else. Which in short, significantly improves footwork.

Trumaine Johnson: CB, Montana

After the 2011 season concluded, Montana's Trumaine Johnson was considered to be a good third- or fourth-round selection.

Fast-forward to mid-March and Johnson's legitimacy continues. He is now projected to be drafted in the early- to mid-second round. Despite being 6'3", 210-pounds (big for a cornerback), Johnson has proven to have great body control, maintaining a low center of gravity and ability to make plays.

In 2011, Johnson recorded 54 tackles, picked off two passes, defended a total of 14 and forced one fumble. As a junior in 2010, Johnson accounted for 44 tackles, 11 defended pass and four picks.

Even more impressive, the high-level of consistency began in 2010 where Johnson made 54 tackles, defended 17 passes and recorded five picks. He even led the Grizzlies with four picks as a freshman in 2009.

Simply put: Trumaine Johnson knows how to find the rock and make things happen. And in an article by Fritz Neighbor of The Missoulian, Johnson was pleased with his pro day:

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“They want to see change of direction, and a lot of hip turns, and staying low,” said the three-time all-Big Sky performer. “Me being so big, they wanted to see how it went. I think it went well.

“Some other scouts brought me aside and did some individual workouts, and so that was good – a lot of individual attention.”

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Yes, he's from an FCS school that didn't play the top-notch competition like those coming out of the Big Ten or SEC. However, there's no denying Johnson's consistency and dominant size and athleticism.

As a rookie, don't be surprised to see him earn some time at the safety position either.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)
2. Washington Redskins: (From STL): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	18. San Diego Chargers: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	20. Tennessee Titans: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
6. St. Louis Rams (From WAS): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)	22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Detroit Lions: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Nick Perry, DE (USC)	25. Denver Broncos: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Fletcher Cox, DT (Mississippi State)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Melvin Ingram, LB (South Carolina)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, WR (Georgia Tech)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	31. New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
16. New York Jets: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)	32. New York Giants: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)

John Rozum on Twitter.