2011 NFL Draft: Predicting the Top 15 40 Times at This Month's Pro Days

The NFL Scouting Combine is not kind to everyone but it does offer players the opportunity to be seen, for good or bad, and helps the draft process overall.

Pro day workouts are of the same vein, but also need to be taken with a grain of salt because home turf is almost always more welcoming than any other surface. (Essentially you can expect players to look/run better at pro days)

Running a fast 40-yard dash at the combine draws a ton of attention and running a fast 40 at a pro day workout can answer (and/or save) any questions teams have about a player's deep speed.

Mind you, not all these players will run again, but teams love to see players say, "Hey, I really am fast and can run any time you want."

Here are 15 of fastest projected 40-yard dash times for the pro days.

Jerrel Jernigan, WR, Troy

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Jerrel Jernigan #3 of the Troy Trojans gets loose for a second quarter touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 20, 2008 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

We will start with one guy who already blazed a path at his pro day.

Jerrel Jernigan, one of the top slot receivers in the draft, ran a surprising 4.46 40-yard dash in Indianapolis.

I say surprising because I expected him to run much faster and I did not think he was satisfied with his time.

While 4.46 certainly is not something to get upset about, many expected better and Jernigan delivered at his recent pro day.

The wide receiver ran a 4.32 at his pro day, improved on his combine numbers and showed teams he certainly is one of the top slot receivers available.

Edmund Gates, WR, Abilene Christian

The Abilene Christian star receiver produced really well in Indianapolis running a 4.37 and many expected to see that from him.

Gates is a gifted athlete who physically stands out amongst almost any player in the draft and will likely make some improvement on his time at his pro day.

Again, remember that campuses are usually very kind to their player's times and I expect Gates to be in the low 4.3 range.

Ricardo Lockette, WR, Fort Valley State

Ricardo Lockette is a track guy that happens to play football.

He ran a 4.37 in Indianapolis but I actually think he can do much better than that.

Lockette has solid size at 6'2," 211 pounds and loves to run. I expect him in the high 4.2, low 4.3 range.

Da'Rel Scott, RB, Maryland

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MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29: Running back Da'Rel Scott #33 of the North Team rushes for a first down against the South during third quarter of the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner

The Terrapin running back posted the best time of any running back at the combine and looked good doing so.

At 5'11," 211 pounds, Scott has solid size for the running back position and possesses untrainable natural speed.

If he wants continue moving his draft stock up, I would expect to see him run again.

Scott should be in the low 4.3 range on the Maryland campus.

Derrick Locke, RB, Kentucky

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LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 18: Derrick Locke #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball during the game against the Akron Zips at Commonwealth Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Kentucky Wildcat running back may be small but he is an impressive player.

At only 5'8," 188 pounds, Locke has to have some type of speed to make himself a threat in the NFL.

He ran a 4.4 flat at the NFL Scouting Combine and I would expect to see him improve on that number at his pro day workout.

DeMarcus Van Dyke, CB, Miami

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 11: DeVier Posey #8 of the Ohio State Buckeyes battles with DeMarcus Van Dyke #8 for possession of a pass at Ohio Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. The pass was incomplete. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The Hurricane defensive back ran the fastest time of any player at the NFL Scouting Combine (4.28 unofficial) and put himself on the map as a potentially draftable player.

He's small, thin and still needs work, but a lot of teams are big fans of speed at the cornerback position (naturally every team wants speed but there are some that look at it exclusively) and could take a chance on him.

I expect to see Van Dyke in the high 4.2, low 4.3 range.

Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 1: Defensive back Patrick Peterson of LSU looks on during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The LSU prospect is the top prospect on my big board and really "wowed" scouts in Indianapolis.

His size and speed is uncanny and he ran a 4.34 at the combine.

He may not have to run again, but if he does I would expect to see him in the high 4.2 (he says he can run 4.2), low 4.3 range.

Chimdi Chekwa, CB, Ohio State

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Chimdi Chekwa #5 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is unable to come up with an interception as he goes up for the ball against Cobi Hamilton #11 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second quarter during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at th

The Ohio State kids almost always perform well, but Chekwa gave a great performance in Indianapolis with a 4.4 40-yard dash.

He's still got a ways to go to as a prospect in my mind, but his speed certainly helps him.

If he decides to run again I would expect to see him in the high 4.3, low 4.4 range.

Chris Culliver, CB, South Carolina

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 25: Chris Culliver #17 of the South Carolina Gamecocks against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The South Carolina Gamecock has had some trouble in the past, but his size and speed are very attractive.

Culliver is a 6'1," 200-pound prospect that could play cornerback or safety at the next level.

He ran 4.4 in Indianapolis and I would expect to see him in the low 4.4 range if he decides to run again.

Dontay Moch, DE/OLB, Nevada

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Defensive lineman Dontay Moch of Nevada runs a drill during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The Nevada defensive end prospect is one of the top workout warrior prospects in the draft and has been rumored to run in the high 4.2 range.

He did not match that number in Indianapolis but he did run a 4.44 which is still mighty impressive for a defensive end prospect.

I expect him to to better that number during his pro day workout.

DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: DeMarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the football to score a touchdown in the first quarter against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in G

The Sooner star is one of the most explosive players in the draft.

He was extremely productive during his college career and has the potential to help a team immediately out of the backfield in the NFL.

He ran a 4.41 in Indianapolis and if he runs again I would expect to see him in the same range.

Jordan Todman, RB, Connecticut

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Jordan Todman #23 of the Connecticut Huskies stiff arms Jamell Fleming #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the second quarter during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Ariz

The UConn Husky tailback is a bit undersized at 5'8," 201 pounds, but showed that he has the straight line speed to make a difference in the NFL.

He was very productive in the Big East, ran a 4.4 flat in Indianapolis and has the potential to be a good player.

If he decides to run again I would expect to see him in the same range.

Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland

Torrey Smith still has a ways to go as a complete receiver but he certainly can get downfield in a hurry.

Smith ran a 4.43 in Indianapolis but I think he can do better.

He's not sensational, but his speed is undeniable and I would expect to see him better that time if he runs again.

Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Danny Amendola #20 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders is tackled by Ras-I Dowling #19 of the Virginia Cavaliers during the Gator Bowl at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on January 1, 2008 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam

The Virginia Cavalier has been plagued by injuries this season and it struck again in Indianapolis

Dowling has the potential to be a first- or second-round pick but his injuries are a concern.

He started to run at the combine and pulled up with a hamstring injury and still ran a 4.46.

If he is healthy then I would expect to see him better that time.

Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies attempts to avoid the pass rush by Owen Marecic #48 of the Stanford Cardinal during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Stanford won 4

The Virginia Tech quarterback is a sensational athlete and may have to switch positions if his try at quarterback does not work out.

He's undersized for an NFL quarterback but is average size as a wide receiver.

Taylor ran 4.51 in Indianapolis but the Virginia Tech campus is notorious for fast times and I would not be shocked to see Taylor improve on that number.