Tag: NFL Pro Day

32 things we learned from 2021 NFL draft prospects’ pro days

With less than a month until the 2021 NFL draft, the pro day circuit is almost complete. Here are 32 things we learned on NFL pro day 2021.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published by USA TODAY Sports and has been republished in its entirety below. 

With less than a month until the 2021 NFL draft, the pro day circuit is almost complete.

The workouts provide prospects a final chance to show off for scouts, coaches and general managers. And with the COVID-19 pandemic prompting the NFL to cancel the scouting combine, the spotlight on the sessions only intensified.

But while pro days naturally spark a lot of hype, they’re only a small part of the overall evaluation puzzle and often only amount to an exercise in confirming one’s scouting report. Think of them as more of a Rorschach test than a litmus test.

With that in mind, here are 32 things we learned from NFL draft prospects’ pro days:

Kadarius Toney’s broad jump from pro day bolsters his stock

Former Florida receiver Kadarius Toney posted an impressive broad jump length at the pro day as he continues to bolster his NFL stock.

Dozens of NFL scouts and personnel are in Gainesville for the Florida Gators pro day as former players are attempting to impress ahead of April’s 2021 NFL draft.

Already Twitter has been buzzing about both Kyle Pitts and Kadarius Toney‘s 40-yard dash times as both turned in impressive showings. But for Toney, he had another number that stood out to scouts during Wednesday’s pro day.

Per Jim Nagy and Scott Carter, Toney recorded a broad jump of 11-feet-6-inches on his pro day:

That’s a pretty damn good number for the broad jump for Toney, a player that needed a big day on Wednesday to potentially boost his stock come April.

The 6-foot, 193-pound Toney is considered a top 10 player at his position for the draft but has seen his stock fall anywhere from a first-round pick to the second round in some mock drafts. Still, one has to believe his name will be called among the first 32 picks come April 29.

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Safety Shawn Davis injured on Florida’s NFL pro day

It was a scary scene during Florida’s pro day as safety Shawn Davis exited the field with an injury suffered while running the 40-yard dash.

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It was a scary scene on Wednesday during Florida’s pro day, as safety Shawn Davis exited the field with an apparent injury suffered while running the 40-yard dash. Davis fell during his run and limped off the field. According to the SEC Network’s Chris Doering, he injured his hamstring and did not take part in the defensive back drills in the afternoon.

Injuries are nothing new for him, as he saw much of his collegiate career limited by injuries. Davis missed the first month of the 2018 season with an injury, and after deciding to return to UF for his senior season in 2020, he only appeared in seven games and missed five.

Though Davis has some injury concerns, his versatility as a coverage safety makes him an intriguing mid-to-late-round prospect. Despite the limited action this season, he still managed 40 tackles (two for loss) with two interceptions.

Hopefully for Davis’ sake, that injury doesn’t limit him in the long-term.

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WATCH: Kadarius Toney runs blazing fast 40-yard dash at NFL pro day

Former Florida Gators wide receiver Kadarius Toney ran a blazing fast 40-yard dash time at the Pro Day on Wednesday afternoon.

Former Florida Gators wide receiver Kadarius Toney is one of the more intriguing prospects in the 2021 NFL draft as part of what should be another loaded receiver class.

With first-round talent, Toney is hoping to hear his name called early in April’s draft. On Wednesday, he had the chance to impress NFL scouts at Florida’s pro day with a good showing just a month away from the draft.

And Toney didn’t disappoint.

The 5-foot-11-inch, 194-pound Toney put on a show with a blazing fast 40-yard dash time, being clocked in at 4.39. Check out the video of Toney running his 40 below:

On his second attempt, Toney was right there near that mark as he was clocked in at 4.39. Still, a fast time for the speedy receiver.

It will be very interesting to see how today’s showing impacts Toney’s stock in the draft as the latest Draft Wire mock this week had him falling in the second round.  Toney’s mock stock has been anywhere from the 20’s in the first round to the second round, varying by publication.

Either way, he shouldn’t have to wait long to hear his name called this year.

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Chargers release statement on plan to deal with coronavirus

The sports world has been heavily impacted by the coronavirus.

As the world continues to be impacted by coronavirus (Covid-19), the sports world has been, too.

New reports of the infection spreading are beginning to pop up nearly every minute, and several NFL teams aren’t taking the risk of receiving it.

The Los Angeles Chargers announced that their staff will work from home and travel for coaches and scouts that are on the road for Pro Days will be adjusted.

Below is the official statement from owner Dean Spanos:

COVID-19 is dominating the news and our thoughts. This is a dynamic situation that requires both diligence and thoughtfulness.

We have been closely monitoring the ever-changing conditions relating to COVID-19 and have been implementing recommendations from the CDC’s Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers, state and local health departments, medical experts at the World Health Organization and our team’s medical staff, among others.

Consistent with the National Football League office, and with the health and safety of our communities as a priority, we will require all staff except for operationally critical staff to work from home until further notice beginning tomorrow, Friday March 13. We have also significantly adjusted planned travel for coaches and scouts.

Beyond these precautions, we will continue our preparations for the 2020 season — including free agency and the NFL Draft — and continue to monitor what has become an increasingly fluid situation with developments unfolding in real time.

The health and safety of our community, players, employees and fans are our highest priority, and we will continue to make decisions in the coming days and weeks with them in mind.

The NFL does not plan to delay the start of its league year, set for 4 p.m. ET Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Free agency will begin then. The NFL regular season does not begin until September, but teams are eligible to open offseason workouts on April 20.

Other sports leagues took significant action after the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic Wednesday. The NBA suspended its season and the NCAA cancelled men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.