Loaded with talent coming off their BCS national title, the Florida State Seminoles held their pro day on Tuesday with representatives from all 32 NFL teams on hand.
Many of the top-rated Seminoles elected to stand on their 40-yard dash times from the Scouting Combine last month. The list included wideout Kelvin Benjamin, running back Devonta Freeman, safety Terrence Brooks, defensive back Lamarcus Joyner and linebackers Telvin Smith and Christian Jones.
With less than stellar 40 times at the combine, some scouts were surprised that Benjamin (4.61) and Joyner (4.55), in particular, elected not to attempt to improve upon their numbers Tuesday.
Defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan did run, clocking in at 5.03 seconds, a league source on hand for the workout told NFLDraftScout.com. Jernigan was clocked at 5.06 at the combine.
Running back James Wilder, Jr. perhaps helped his cause the most with Tuesday’s workout. The 6-foot-3, 232 pounder shaved more than a fifth of a second off the 4.86-second 40-yard dash he was credited with in Indianapolis, clocking in at 4.65 seconds, according to the source.
Wilder, currently rated as a sixth-round prospect, said following the workout that he had been told others had him clocked in the low 4.5s.
While most of the top-rated prospects chose not to run during the timed tests, Joyner and Smith showed off their fluidity during positional drills.
Joyner, in particular, was impressive changing directions and accelerating swiftly. Unfortunately, he let a couple of potential interceptions slip through his fingers. The versatile defensive back is currently rated as the No. 53 overall prospect and seventh among cornerbacks in this class, although many teams view him as a cornerback/safety hybrid.
Jones struggled in positional drills, showing less-than-ideal flexibility. He is currently rated as the No. 123 overall prospect and a likely mid-round pick.
A contingent from the New Orleans Saints, including assistant coaches Rob Ryan and Joe Vitt, orchestrated the linebacker drills.
Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Jameis Winston was on hand for the workout but did not participate. He was overheard shouting words of encouragement to his former teammates, including his former playmaking wide receiver, Benjamin, during receiver drills.
At 6-5, 240 pounds, Benjamin has generated some buzz as a potential “Joker” tight end conversion. In adding two pounds and posting an impressive 17 reps of 225 pounds Tuesday, those projections could gain steam for some.
Whether as a tight end or wide receiver, Benjamin’s length and strong hands certainly made him one to watch Tuesday.
Benjamin enjoyed a “pretty good positional workout overall,” a league source on hand told NFLDraftScout.com, soaring high to pluck passes easily. He did drop two passes, though one was characterized as a “bad ball.”
Benjamin, a potential late first round pick, is not an explosive athlete but accelerates smoothly, showing the ability to track down passes that initially appear out of his reach.
Among the decision-makers in attendance were New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert, Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer and Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly.
Rob Rang is a Senior Analyst for www.NFLDraftScout.com, a property of The Sports Xchange distributed in partnership with CBSSports.com.