Risers and Sliders

[bengaldee]

In what is the second-to-last week of pro days before the NFL Draft, several players improved their stock with solid performances. Others were not quite as lucky.

Risers
1. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia: After a terrific Senior Bowl and impressive interviews at the combine, Ferguson completed the deal on Tuesday, clocking a 5.07 and 5.09 in the 40-yard dash. Many teams now have him as the second-best player on their draft board.

2. Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota: Unable to run at the combine and at his first pro day due to a strained hamstring, Maroney ran a 4.46 in the 40 on Friday. The 215-pounder had a 35.5-inch vertical jump and completed 21 reps on the bench. He is now challenging DeAngelo Williams as the third back in this draft.

3. Cedric Griffin, CB, Texas: Griffin outperformed his higher-rated teammate Michael Huff in Austin on Wednesday. Griffin recorded a 35-inch vertical jump and ran the short shuttle in 3.97 seconds, more than 1/10th faster than his combine time.

4. David Thomas, TE, Texas: He was exceptional, showcasing his a pass-catching skills after completing 21 reps on the bench. Thomas also improved his status by proving to scouts his ability as a deep snapper.

5. Terna Nande, LB, Miami (Ohio): He built on his momentum from a terrific combine workout, running his 40 in 4.52 seconds, then reaching 39 inches in the vertical jump.

6. John Busing, LB, Miami (Ohio): Another impressive RedHawks linebacker, Busing ran a 4.53 40 and looked incredibly athletic. At the end of the session he dazzled scouts with a terrific pass-catching workout after being asked to try his hand at tight end.

7. Chris McNeil, C, Mississippi State: Long considered an undersized finesse blocker, McNeil weighed in at 307 pounds and completed 35 reps on the bench. He finished his pro day by running the 40 in 5.0 seconds and putting up an impressive 31.5-inch vertical jump.

8. Fred Evans, DT, Texas State: He surprised scouts by tipping the scales at 305 pounds. He had an impressive 34.5-inch vertical jump.

9. Abdul Hodge, LB, Iowa: After running a pedestrian 4.80 40 at the combine, Hodge sped it up last week, turning in times of 4.69 and 4.66. He also completed 25 reps in the bench press and now sits atop the list at middle linebacker.

10. Trevis Coley, DB, Southern Miss.: He gave scouts plenty to think about after a poor senior season. Weighing in at 227, Coley averaged 4.50 in the 40, turned in an impressive 37-inch vertical jump and completed 18 reps on the bench
Sliders
1. Jon Scott, OT, Texas: An ill-prepared Scott could only complete a paltry 17 reps on the bench. Surprisingly, he did not try to better his slow 40 time of 5.35 at the combine. The Longhorns tackle weighed 322 pounds, seven more than in Indy.

2. Stefon Wheeler, OT, Michigan State: Long considered an underachiever, Wheeler did nothing to shed that label. The big offensive lineman weighed 333 pounds and completed just 18 reps on the bench.

3. Willie Evans, DE, Mississippi State: The SEC leader in sacks disappointed scouts when he barely broke 5.0 in the 40. Evans' times were 4.97 and 4.95.

4. Kai Parham, LB, Virginia: The underclassman bettered his times from the combine, though not by much. Parham clocked in at 4.91 and 4.99 in the 40, in addition to a horribly slow 4.79 in the short shuttle, a time beaten by most offensive linemen. He'll go in the late rounds of the draft.

5. Jason Avant, WR, Michigan: The big possession receiver ran his 40s in 4.80, just a little faster than the Wolverines tight ends last Friday.