1. At one point in the draft process there was a question as to who would be the first pick running back off the board between Leonard Fournette and Dalvin Cook. In recent months Fournette has created some space in between him and the rest of the running back class, but Dalvin Cook was very, very impressive at his pro day. While Cook registered a 4.49 40 yard dash at the combine, which some were disappointed with, he improved his time's slightly and even ran a sub 4.4 according to some scout's clocks. Beyond his forty time Cook was impressive with his foot speed and agility in short areas. While the Jaguars are commonly mocked to take Leonard Fournette with the fourth overall pick in the upcoming draft Jalen Ramsey clearly would like to see Cook in black and teal next year:
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) March 28, 2017
2. Inside linebacker Jarrad Davis and safety Marcus Maye both helped themselves a lot. After not working out at the NFL combine both players needed a strong showing at their pro day, and that's exactly what both players got. Davis ran a 40 yard dash in the 4.5 range and showed explosive leaping ability, while Maye was able to run a sub 4.5 second 40 yard dash. Davis will likely be the second or third inside linebacker off the board come draft weekend, while Maye's future is less certain in a deep safety class. But even with the depth at his position it would be surprising if Maye lasts through the first three rounds.
3. Teez Tabor followed up a disappointing combine with an even worse pro day. After running a 4.6 40 yard dash at the combine Tabor was even slower at his pro day. He ran in the 4.7 range during his 40 at his pro day. His slow times will certainly have a negative impact on his draft stock, but teams rely more on tape than anything else and Tabor's tape is that of a top 15 type player. The question for me isn't his speed, but more so his work ethic. Tabor rarely got beat in college, even when playing against impressive competition, and no-one would have ever called him slow prior to the combine. I would be surprised if Tabor falls out of the second round.
4. DeMarcus Walker, who is FSU's all time leading sack master, also impressed scouts at his pro day. The defensive end from Jacksonville register a faster forty time than Teez Tabor - WOW. While Walker has elite college production many have viewed him as a tweener between DT and DE. That tweener status gives many teams pause because they don't know where to line him up. Is he too small to play on the inside? Is he long enough with enough power and explosion to win off the edge? The answers are unclear, but at his pro day Walker showed the ability to bend around the edge, he showed incredibly quick feet for a man his size, and he proved a lot of detractors wrong. Walker may not be a first round pick, but whoever lands the Jacksonville native will be getting a very special player.
5. Beyond just Jarrad Davis and Teez Tabor the Gators have a ton of defensive talent that will come off the board in the first two days. Oft injured linebacker Alex Anzalone is big, fast, and has great length - he may be coming off the board quicker than people think and could be a second or third round pick despite his lengthy injury history. Quincy Wilson is an impressive specimen at cornerback that will go in round one or two. Marcus Maye with his impressive 40 time could see a similar rise up the boards to his former teammate Keanu Neal. These gator defenders are going to have a big impact in the NFL sooner rather than later.
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