Here are some of my biggest takeaways from UT’s Pro Day on Friday.
The credentials for the NFL personnel in the photo in this post was to honor legendary VFL and Oakland Raiders star Mickey Marvin. NFL folks didn’t know about the credential photo and absolutely loved it. Credit Bob Welton for making that happen.
Among those in attendance were Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, Oakland Raiders general manager and former Vol Reggie McKenzie, among others. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator and VFL Jim Bob Cooter and Chicago Bears wide receivers coach and former UT wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni.
Malik Foreman’s 4.37 forty-yard dash certainly got the attention of NFL personnel.
Josh Dobbs continues to impress me and NFL scouts with his improvements as a quarterback. I talked to one scout after the workouts that broke down the change in his release that has sped-up his delivery and given him a more repeatable throwing motion. He’s coming over the top with his delivery and doesn’t have a loop with the ball back in his delivery anymore. He maybe doesn’t have quite the zip he’s capable of (although still plenty good) but he’s more accurate.
Dobbs admitted that there’s a buzz around him right now. He has absolutely shown improvement in every step of the off-season prep for the draft…Senior Bowl, NFL Combine and Pro Day. Scouts that had doubts about Dobbs from his college tape because he wouldn’t hit receivers in stride and had trouble after his first read in the pocket, now are intrigued by him. I’m guessing that makes Vols fans wonder what he could have done had those things been noticed and addressed while on campus at UT. Understandable, but he also now has a lot more time to focus on football and just himself rather than leading a team.
UT football director of player personnel Bob Welton said of Josh Dobbs’ passing display: “I’ve been to a lot of workouts. That was the best quarterback workout I’ve ever seen.”
Alvin Kamara’s exchange with Mike Griffith of SEC Country was hilarious when he asked about knee brace he wore during the 2016 season. Kamara: “Did you watch everything? No I was asking you. No, I felt good. I was going to ask you how you think I looked. That’s what I was going for. The brace? I don’t even know where the brace is at. I threw it off a cliff.”
Kamara told me that the New Orleans is the one team that has worked him out privately.
Kamara was lightning quick in responding “nope” when asked if he considered running the 40 at Pro Day. He was plenty pleased with his 4.56 time from the NFL Combine. He said he’s been working mainly on catching passes.
Josh Malone told me that he’s headed to Baltimore to visit with the Ravens. Then, he’ll visit with the Arizona Cardinals. Those are two teams that I’ve previously pegged as terrific landing spots for him.
Malone also smartly passed on running the 40 after his outstanding 4.4 time at the NFL Combine. Scouts don’t care if you don’t run at your Pro Day after posting a good time, so it is an easy decision.
Josh Dobbs told me that he’s had private workouts with three teams so far, the San Diego Chargers, Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints. The Chargers and Saints both have veteran QBs in the final years of their career (you’d think) and a QB of the future opportunity could be an exciting and perfect situation for him.
Cam Sutton said he’s talked to all 32 teams during the process, but he’s had formal meetings with the Broncos, Chiefs, Patriots, Ravens and Rams. He would fit in any team’s system, but I could certainly see him being a Ravens type of player.
Sutton is very popular with NFL teams. He’s just not big enough for all teams to view him strictly as a cover corner. He once again looked smooth in coverage drills, change of direction and playing the ball. His 4.15 20-yard shuttle was fantastic. That was better than the speedy Foreman. He has tremendous character and leadership skills and will be a very safe pick. I wonder if the unbelievable depth of DBs in this draft may push him back a touch to late in day 2.
It would not surprise me if Derek Barnett doesn’t do many private workouts or meetings with teams. NFL teams know who he is and what he is. It’s just a matter of how much you like him and where you’d be willing to take him. I think he did a nice job in space displaying his skills to 3-4 teams, but I think it is much more likely that he lands with a 4-3 team.
I thought Jalen Reeves-Maybin looked good in the linebacker drills. He dropped a few passes early, but closed strong. Jimmy Hyams asked him if he’s confident he’ll be drafted and he said yes, definitely.
Jason Croom had a nice day catching the ball. Even though he wasn’t at the combine, he’s on NFL teams’ radar because of his size and experience as a two-way TE.
VFL Robert Meacham worked out looking for another opportunity in the NFL.
With 16 Tennessee players and 8 additional players working out, it was a long day, but one that was very well run by UT. It was a solid showcase for Tennessee to NFL teams that the school is back to sending players to the league via the draft.
