Pro-day workouts give players a chance to showcase their ability in front of NFL scouts in a more controlled environment than the NFL Scouting Combine offers, and some prospects have made good use of the opportunity, giving their draft stock a significant boost in the past few weeks.
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah singles out Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion as a pro-day riser and thinks he's inserted himself into the conversation to be the third quarterback off the board (behind Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston) in the 2015 NFL Draft.
"Sean Mannion helped himself more than anybody else at his pro day," Jeremiah said on NFL Network's "Path to the Draft" Friday. " ... A lot of people that went and saw both quarterbacks said 'Look, just off the pro day -- forget the tape -- Sean Mannion threw the ball much better than Marcus Mariota did.' He's got a strong arm, he's got ideal size, and he's played in that NFL system.
However, there is the issue of that game tape. Jeremiah said the tape on Mannion from 2014 "wasn't pretty," but he also noted that Mannion's supporting cast wasn't as strong as it had been in past years.
"I think he's very much in the discussion with teams to be that No. 3 quarterback selected," Jeremiah said.
While Baylor's Bryce Petty and UCLA's Brett Hundley are the two quarterbacks who receive the most buzz in the next tier of signal-callers behind Mariota and Winston, it's pretty clear that the momentum is building for Mannion to be right there with the others after an outstanding pro-day workout.
Mannion isn't the only one who has given his stock a big boost through a pro-day workout, though.
"For me, (it's) Devin Funchess from the University of Michigan. He got to make his case (that he's) a wide receiver," said NFL Media analyst Charles Davis. "... He ran 4.7 (in the 40) at the combine and that immediately screamed 'tight end.' Came back and ran much better, moved better at his pro day and is making his case again to be a wide receiver."
Funchess, who played tight end and wide receiver in college, certainly was able to shift the conversation about which position he should play in the NFL with his pro-day performance. With plenty more pro days ahead in the coming weeks, Funchess and Mannion will be far from the only ones to give themselves a boost with a workout as the clock ticks down to draft day.
You can follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at @BryanDFischer.
