Published March 4, 2013 - 12:35pm
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Between now and the end of March, hundreds of prospects will get to solidify and even boost their draft stock with their pro day performances.
And no two players in the SEC need a better performance than Jarvis Jones and Damontre Moore.
Jarvis Jones, Georgia: Jones chose not to work out at the combine, and it’s all or nothing during Georgia’s pro day on March 21st. With the spinal stenosis questions lingering and rumors of teams backing off the sure-fire first-round pick, Jones has one opportunity to work out in front of pro scouts. That includes bench press, running and other drills, whereas former combine participants can focus solely on what they didn’t perform up to standard.
Jones recently lashed out at the reports that teams are backing away from his stock, via the AJC:
“That ain’t true,” he said of the reports, before throwing out the first pitch of the Braves’ spring training game against Detroit at Disney. “People are still talking to me. Nobody has taken me off the board. The doctor said I was fine and cleared me and the [scouting] combine went fine for me. I was cleared medically. Teams know my situation. Everything went great. I did everything they asked me to do. I’ll have my pro day [at Georgia on March 21], and then I’m going to meet with a whole lot of teams.
“They all knew my situation [at the combine]. They just wanted me to explain to them what happened [at USC]. The doctors got all of my [test results]. I believe I’m fine. They said I was fine. So I trust them and I trust the doctors.”
Mel Kiper isn’t worried about Jones’ stock supposedly pummeling, because he still has him as the overall #1 prospect on the board. You can’t ignore the numbers Jones posted at Georgia – 28 sacks and 44 tackles for loss – that scream “Play-maker”.
Nonetheless, it will be a pressure-packed pro day for Jones.
Damontre Moore, Texas A&M: Moore’s situation is completely different than Jones’. Moore worked out at the combine, and he was dubbed the dreaded top underperformer. His 12 bench press reps (lowest of any defensive lineman), and his 4.95 40 didn’t do any favors for the once top-five draft pick. It’s not a reflection on Moore as a player, but his overall readiness for the combine was next to none. And no NFL team is really willing to risk a top draft pick on a defensive lineman with that lack of strength.
Since the combine, Moore has dropped out of several first-round projections. But his career 45 tackles for loss and 26.5 sacks won’t be overlooked.
Moore has a potential first-round pick riding on Texas A&M’s March 8th pro day.
Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
