Expert Analysis
3/7/23
4 min read
Players Who Need Strong Pro Day After Poor Combine Showing
While some players like Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson (scouting report) and Georgia edge rusher Nolan Smith (scouting report) dominated at the 2023 NFL Combine, other players struggled.
Thankfully for them, they'll have an opportunity to improve at their school's pro day. Here are seven players who need to show out at their pro day this month.
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Players in Need of Pro Day Improvements
Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
Pro Day Date: March 29
To go along with some off-field concerns, Boutte (scouting report) did not put up the numbers scouts expected him to. He did not have the height and length you look for in a No. 1 wideout, and he did not get into the 4.4s in the 40. There are serious concerns about Boutte's explosiveness, and that showed up in his jumps (29/9-10).
Jordan Addison, WR USC
Pro Day Date: March 21
With so many wide receivers running fast times last week, Addison (scouting report) didn't hit the number people were looking for him to hit with his 4.49 40-yard dash. He tipped the scales at 173 pounds, which will bring up concerns about his durability for a 17-game season. Addison must show he is more explosive at his pro day.
Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Pro Day Date: March 24
Mayer (scouting report) came in lighter (249 pounds) than he reportedly played during the fall. He probably cut weight to run a faster 40 time, but this strategy backfired. Mayer ended up running a 4.70 40-yard dash, which probably isn't the number he was looking for. He also did not do well in the jumps 32.5-inch vertical and 9-foot-10 broad jump.
Olu Oluwatimi, IOL, Michigan
Pro Day Date: March 13
Oluwatimi (scouting report) was average at the combine this past week. His 40-yard dash time and 10-yard split (5.38/1.86) were below average. His vertical jump (29) was pedestrian as well. The center position can get away with shorter arms, but it still needs to be noted, as Oluwatimi measured in with 32 ¾-inch arms. Most importantly, the scouts will want his 10-yard time to be improved.
Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
Pro Day Date: March 27
Scouts did like Ika's (scouting report) athletic ability and movement skills, but he did not post the numbers the scouts were hoping for. His 20-yard shuttle was 4.99, and his three-cone was 7.80, which are below-average numbers, even for a player his size. Ika lacks the ideal arm length (32 ⅜) for his position. He can't improve his arm length, but he can improve his shuttle and three-cone times.
Andre Carter, Edge, Army
Pro Day Date: March 16
Carter (scouting report) has ideal height, but his arm length was under 34 inches (33 ⅜). He did not run the 40, but his 30-inch vertical jump and 9-foot-1 broad jump were average. Carter's 11 bench press reps (at 225 pounds) also were pretty underwhelming. He needs to improve those numbers and finish the drills he did not do in Indianapolis.
Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
Pro Day Date: March 28
Johnson (scouting report) has good height and length but came in under 200 pounds (198). His 40 was good, but his jumps needed to be better. Johnson is a fluid athlete, and it was surprising he didn’t jump better. Lastly, putting up 225 pounds eight times is something he needs to improve.
