Devin Funchess: Breaking Down Michigan WR's Pro Day Workout

Devin Funchess wasn't at his best during this past February's NFL combine in Indianapolis. But according to several reports, the former Michigan receiver gained some ground during his NFL pro day workout at Michigan. 

The 6'5", 232-pounder blew away his previous 4.7-second 40-yard dash in front of scouts Thursday at Al Glick Field House in Ann Arbor, per DraftInsider.net's Tony Pauline:

UPDATE: Funchess ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash, according to Michigan sports info director Zach Eisendrath. 

Prior to working out for scouts, Funchess trained with strength and conditioning coach Jim Kielbaso of Total Performance Training Center. Kielbaso was clearly impressed with what he saw during Funchess' sprint: 

Several scouts, per Kielbaso, clocked Funchess in the 4.5-range:

Shaving roughly two-tenths of a second from a 40-yard dash is nothing short of incredible. The additional boost could push Funchess back into the first-round conversation. He indeed proved that he possesses "sneaky" speed to complement his prototypical frame. 

See to Believe  

Delonte Hollowell, a defensive back, and Devin Gardner, a quarterback/receiver, also joined Funchess during pro day at Michigan. 

Former Wolverines star wideout Roy Roundtree showed support with fewer than 140 characters:

Michigan football Twitter posted shots of the action:

Getting Results

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Funchess left the workout with a positive outlook, per ESPN's Michael Rothstein:

During the NFL combine, Funchess posted a 4.7-second 40-yard dash, 12 bench reps of 225 pounds, a 38.5” vertical leap and 10’2” broad jump—respectable marks, no less, but not what most expected. Once thought to be a mid-first-rounder, Funchess left the combine looking like a second-rounder. He was rated the No. 66 overall prospect of the draft, ranked No. 11 among receivers.

At 6’5” and 232 pounds, Funchess has deceptive speed that isn’t always recognized by a stopwatch. He’s a player who can turn on the jets during stressful situations, which comes in handy; however, he’s certainly an on-again-off-again type of receiver who needs to work on consistency, not flash.

Funchess finished his junior year with 62 catches for 733 yards and four touchdowns, a mere fraction of what he could have done. But to be fair, he was relentlessly hampered by a lower body/leg injury for most of the season.

Draft Guys' Thoughts

Dane Brugler of CBS broke down the strengths and weaknesses of the towering down-field threat, calling Funchess a high-risk/high-reward type of player. The following is a quick summary of Brugler’s thoughts:

• Funchess has ideal size, which is his No. 1 strength.
• Funchess has shown “route development,” but still lacks focus during the catching process.
• A “lean build” could be an issue down the road for Funchess, who could stand to add bulk to his frame.
• Funchess’ reach and catch radius is an absolute plus—and so is his “freak” flexibility.

In short, Brugler feels that Funchess has the tools to be an NFL receiver—he says that Funchess just needs to work on absorbing contact and completing catches. Drops were a major issue for Funchess in 2014.

NFL.com analyst Mike Huguenin feels that Funchess could be a fit for the New Orleans Saints, who recently traded star tight end Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks.

“There's some definite upside with Funchess, and he would be an interesting fit for the Saints with their second-round pick,” he wrote prior to Funchess’ pro day.

Huguenin also noted that Funchess played just one full season as a wide receiver at Michigan—that could certainly influence the perception of Funchess come draft day.

Then again, when you're 6'5", 232 pounds and run a legitimate 4.5-second 40-yard dash, there's not much left to question. He has first-round talent. That's never been in doubt.

There are only two big questions surrounding Funchess: 1. Does he have first-round hands? 2. Does he have a first-round work ethic? 

Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81

Note: Official results will be posted Thursday night on MGoBlue, per Michigan's athletic department. Check back for the updated stats and information.