NFL Draft 2011: Von Miller and 10 Prospects With Most To Prove on Pro Day
Now that the NFL combine is firmly in the rearview mirror, there are a lot of prospects that could make or break their draft position based on how they perform on pro day.
Although some might throw away pre-draft workouts and simply rely on game performance and tape analysis, this is the last opportunity for draft prospects to cement their status as legitimate NFL talent.
Some players have used impressive pro days to propel them up the draft board rather rapidly, and there's no doubting that this season's crop of talent is capable of doing the same.
Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
1 of 10
Peterson sought to run in the 4.2 range on the 40 at the combine in an attempt to shed any concerns about his size, but a 4.34 mark left him just a bit shy of that.
Regardless, that mark is plenty speedy and is sure to only improve his draft stock. The thing that he'll have to prove moving forward is that he can stick with the DeSean Jacksons of the NFL.
Some have already speculated that a move to safety would prolong his career, but no matter where he winds up playing he will be a top 10 pick come April.
Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
2 of 10
Quinn could help a ton of teams in the first half of the inaugural round of the 2011 draft, but after sitting out last season due to an NCAA suspension there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the intriguing prospect.
Believed to be the first athlete to ever play with a tumor inside of his skill, Quinn was diagnosed with a benign tumor at the top of his spinal cavity in 2007. After having the fluid drained from the immediate area, he was told that he would be brain dead and never play sports again.
However, Quinn persevered and within a year later he was playing football for UNC. An incredible athlete, a 4.70 40-yard dash time certainly helped him at the combine, and his raw talent with unique story should solidify his selection as a top pick.
Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
3 of 10
Amukamara, not unlike Peterson, had to address concerns about his size and his ability to stay at the cornerback position long term.
However, he quelled those doubters with a 4.37 40 time, and even beat Peterson on the broad jump when measured. At 6'0" and 205 lbs., Amukamara should be able to effectively shadow opposing No. 1 receivers sooner rather than later.
While he'll need to prove that his skills fit the hype at Nebraska's pro day, he shouldn't slip past the first 15 spots in the draft.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
4 of 10
If Clayborn had come out before his senior season, he would've been a lock to go a lot higher than he will in 2011.
With some teams looking rather unlikely to gamble on Clayborn's production last season despite his rather obvious talent, a big pro day could propel him up several draft boards and into Day 1 of the selections.
In addition to a serious drop-off last season, Clayborn's checkered medical history probably won't sit well with a lot of medical teams league wide.
The medical red flag is among the most alarming, so look for Clayborn to give it all that he's got later this month.
Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
5 of 10
An absolute beast of an athlete, Miller is looking to use that impressive athleticism on every down he'll play in the NFL.
With some concerned that he's simply just a workout warrior (a la Vernon Gholston), Miller looks great in pre-draft workouts with shorts on, but how will he turn out with the pads on?
Perhaps the hottest name on the draft scene, Miller has seen his stock rise with every passing week and unless he completely implodes on his pro day he's got a great shot to go inside the top seven.
Da'Rell Scott, RB, Maryland
6 of 10
Scott wasn't all that flashy during his tenure at Maryland, but the late-round prospect is quickly gaining more notoriety after his 4.34 40 time at the combine.
Although he started all 13 games, he was only second on his team in rushing yards and only found the end zone five times. He ended the regular season on a rather sour note with four carries for minus-10 yards against North Carolina State, so the pro day could go a long way toward getting that bitter taste out of his mouth.
He doesn't project to be much more than the back end of a committee approach, but perhaps a positive performance on Mar. 16 could change that.
Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
7 of 10
Although you hear the term tossed around mostly in baseball, Heyward is actually recovering from Tommy John surgery but remains on track to participate in a full workout on his scheduled date of Mar. 30.
He's going to have to miss his school's pro day as he continues to rehab and prepare, but Heyward's individual workout will be his own version of the day and he'll look to lock up some high rankings from NFL scouts around the league.
With potential to be elite at the next level, some team is going to get awfully lucky when he falls into their laps because of medical concerns when the draft takes place.
If he's healthy, he could go a lot higher than most expect.
Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
8 of 10
Castonzo proved at the combine that he's undoubtedly the top offensive lineman in this year's draft, but he'll have to continue to work to fend off his position from Tyron Smith (USC).
A beast of a blocker, the biggest question mark about Castonzo is if he'll be able to stay in front of speed rushers at the next level. If he proves that he's able to do that, he could make for a franchise tackle for seasons to come.
At 6'7" and 305 lbs. he's definitely got the size to make it.
Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
9 of 10
Nick Fairley who?
Dareus is climbing up the ranks at the defensive tackle position and has overtaken Fairley at the top of several boards for multiple NFL clubs.
He'll have to prove that he's capable of doing more than just clogging the middle as a two-gap tackle, but Dareus shouldn't have much of a problem achieving that as he's already impressed early.
This kid could go as early as No. 2 overall if everything aligns itself correctly for him.
Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
10 of 10
Arguably the most stable selection of any quarterback prospect in the draft, Gabbert still has plenty that he needs to prove on his pro day.
He'll have to prove that he can read an opposing defense before the play starts, and that he can make quick decisions with efficient accuracy, but it's not as bad as it may sound.
Gabbert reportedly interviewed better than any other quarterback, and seemed like a "natural leader." He could go as high as No. 4 overall to the Bengals, who appear to be on the hunt for their next franchise player.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
