What the scouts saw at Ole Miss pro day

OXFORD, Miss.— Thirty-nine scouts from 31 NFL franchises were in attendance for Ole Miss’ pro day Tuesday morning.

It didn’t have the same feel or generate the same attention as last year’s pro day, which featured an eventual firstround pick, tight end Evan Engram, as well as a chance for scouts to watch quarterback Chad Kelly, who injured his wrist during pro day last year, but 12 former players still participated.

Here’s a look at some takeaways from the day.

Who participated?

Among the 12 former players were: Offensive lineman Daronte Bouldin, linebacker DeMarquis Gates, defensive lineman Issac Gross, safety C.J. Hampton, defensive end Marquis Haynes, safety A.J. Moore, defensive tackle Herbert Moore, tight end Ty Quick, defensive end Breeland Speaks, offensive lineman Rod Taylor, running back Jordan Wilkins and kicker Gary Wunderlich.

The Washington Redskins are believed to be the only team which wasn’t in attendance.

Per NFL.com, Haynes and Speaks are projected as third or fourth-round selections. Wilkins is projected to go in the fourth or fifth round. Taylor has been projected as a seventh-round pick or an undrafted free agent.

How did they perform?

A.J. Moore ran the fastest 40-yard dash of the day with an unofficial mark of 4.39.

Wilkins, who rushed for 1,000 yards last season, ran an unofficial 4.51. He pulled a hamstring while training for the NFL draft combine and didn’t run the 40 while he was in Indianapolis.

Haynes ran an unofficial 4.56, which was improved from his 4.67 40 at the combine. Bouldin put up 35 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.

Taylor, who had an impressive showing at the combine, did not run the 40. The 6-foot-3, 321-pound Taylor ran a 5.24 in Indianapolis.

Speaks only participated in the position drills.

What was said?

Haynes on his 40 time: “I’m faster than a 4.68. I wanted to get down to a 4.5, which is usually my speed. I feel good. I accomplished that today.”

Haynes on what position teams envision him playing: “Right now, they’re viewing me as a standup outside linebacker because I’m so versatile . ... more than likely, I view myself as a standup outside linebacker.”

“I feel like I played enough (of it) in our system (to be comfortable).”

Wilkins on what he wants to prove to NFL teams during the draft process: “Just my versatility. (I’ve been) getting out of the backfield, run routes, break tackles, working on pass protection. Getting all the yards that are there and do what the coaches want me to do. Whether that’s run routes out of the backfield, pass protection, running in between the tackles or outside. I just want to be a dominant player all over the game.”

Speaks on if he has a preference playing defensive tackle or defensive end: “I feel like from playing ball (inside) the past few years I feel comfortable there. At end, it’s kind of like going back home. It’s natural.

“I’ve talked to the (New Orleans) Saints. They like me at end.”

What’s next?

The NFL draft begins with the first round on April 26. The second and third rounds take place on April 27. Rounds 4-7 are scheduled for April 28.

Four Ole Miss players were drafted in 2017 and five were drafted in ‘16.