We've had a number of big school Pro Days this week that included several potential Panther prospects. Starting in the NE, we've got the collegiate Panthers and a relative unknown who stole the show:
Rob Rang - CBSSports.com CB/KR Jackson steals the show at Pitt Pro Day
Jackson, who started only one game and never recorded an interception in four seasons with the Panthers, turned in a workout that would have ranked among the elite recorded at the Combine this year. Jackson was clocked in the low 4.3s in the 40-yard dash. Central Florida cornerback Josh Robinson was "officially" recorded at 4.35 seconds, the fastest among the 325+ prospects invited to participate in Indianapolis this year. Jackson also posted an 11-9" broad jump. By comparison, the top performance at the 2012 Combine was 11 feet, one inch which was accomplished by Robinson and Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill.
Staying the same state, I finally see why Devon Still will not go top 10:
Rob Rang - CBSSports.com Still solid in Penn State pro day
Defensive tackle Devon Still, a potential first-round draft pick, impressed scouts with his impressive 40 time and lateral ability at the NFL Combine, but didn't believe it was his best performance because of a nagging toe injury. He gave pro scouts more to think about Thursday at his pro day with a 4.95-second 40-yard dash and also did the short shuttle and L drill. Still (6-5, 300), battled injuries throughout his Penn State career. He had suffered from a back injury and turf toe late in his senior year but looked healthy at the combine and again at pro day. He doesn't know which teams will be targeting him in next month's draft but is confident he'll be an early pick. NFLDraftScout.com projects Still as a first-round pick. "I met with about 22 teams at the combine and they all showed real high interest," he said.
Moving west from there, we've a QB that could warrant a Panther trade back from #40 if he is there, after the jump...:
Rob Rang - CBSSports.com More details filter out from Michigan State Pro Day
QB Kirk Cousins (6-3, 215) had already led the Spartans to 27 triumphs, including two 11-win seasons and three straight victories over Michigan. But after impressing pro scouts at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine, he was in complete control at MSU's Pro Day. Cousins again showed he could complete any kind of pass, throwing to wideouts B.J. Cunningham, Keshawn Martin and Keith Nichol, tight end Brian Linthicum and running back Edwin Baker. Though no one will ever confuse him with Robert Griffin III, Cousins' accuracy, intelligence and leadership should make him a high second-round pick.
If the Seahawks fail to get a free agent QB or one of the top 3 in the draft Cousins could be the fall back plan. They pick in the late 40's and may not want to risk him falling to them.
Now to the prospect rich South, we have a DE that has already visited the Panthers:
Rob Rang - CBSSports.com Disappointing performance by Minnifield the story at Virginia Pro Day
Pass rusher Cam Johnson enjoyed a strong workout and was asked to do drills as a linebacker and defensive lineman, according to a league source on the scene. The 6-3, 268 pounder elected not to run the 40-yard dash again after timing between 4.75-4.82 at the Combine. He did however, participate in the sixty yard shuttle and also elected to do the vertical and broad jumps again. Johnson was actually a half inch shorter Thursday in the vertical than he was in Indianapolis (35") but made a significant improvement in his broad jump, going from 8'09" at the Combine to 9'07" Thursday. Johnson also participated in the bench press after not doing this at the Combine due to a pectoral strain. He lifted the bar 16 times Tuesday.
Unfortunate for UVA CB Chase Minnifield he is still unable to work out as he recovers from an injury. I love Minnifield as a prospect but the injury history makes him a risky pick in the 2nd round. I could see him sliding to the 3rd or 4th much like Brandon Hogan did last year.
Here's a late round DE that had an unusual scare before the combine:
Rob Rang - CBSSports.com DE Alexander finally able to work out at Oklahoma Pro Day
A few weeks ago, football was the last thing on Frank Alexander's mind as doctors found a previously undiagnosed heart condition that kept the defensive end from working out at the Combine. But after further tests, those reports have been proven to be false and he was able to participate in Oklahoma's Pro Day on Wednesday. He performed well in every drill, including the 40-yard dash (4.76), vertical jump (34.5"), broad jump (9'9"), 20-yard short shuttle (4.57), 3-cone drill (7.55) and bench press (24). Alexander also measured well with 35 ¼" arm length and a 83 ½" wingspan.
On to the northwest, if you think we need a TE
RobRang Significant improvement by Oregon TE David Paulson at Pro Day. Improved in every category and went from Combine 40 of 4.93 to 4.66, 4.71.
I think we are pretty set at TE but you know with the Panthers