Representatives from 29 NFL teams, including the New York Jets first-year defensive coordinator Kacy Roberts and New Orleans Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt, were present at Mississippi State's pro day Wednesday.
A total of 23 players worked out indoors on FieldTurf.
Inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney (6-foot-4, 247 pounds) stood on his numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine, where he was a top performer among the linebackers in the vertical jump. McKinney had an impressive positional workout, displaying that he's a real take-charge defender. McKinney has the look of a late first-round to early second-round draft choice (somewhere in the picks Nos. 25-40 range). McKinney is the No. 38-rated prospect in NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah's rankings.
Defensive end Preston Smith (6-4 3/4, 273) also stood on his numbers from the combine, where he was a top performer among defensive linemen in the 40-yard dash, broad jump, three-cone drill and 60-yard shuttle. Smith also worked out in space as an outside linebacker and even caught the ball well, reminiscent of an athlete who might have played tight end in high school. Smith is the No. 35-rated prospect in Jeremiah's rankings.
Free safety Justin Cox did not attend the pro day since he was suspended from the team indefinitely with two games remaining in 2014. He will have a personal workout at West Point High School (Miss.) on either March 11 or March 12.
Running back Josh Robinson (5-8, 215) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.65 and 4.66 seconds, and then stood on the rest of his numbers from the combine. He had an impressive positional workout, catching the ball well out of the backfield.
The next two players are potential priority free-agent signings for teams following the 2015 NFL Draft.
Linebacker Matthew Wells (6-1 3/4, 222) ran the 40 in 4.44 and 4.46 seconds. He had a 35 1/2-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-10 broad jump. He did the 20-yard short shuttle in 4.26 seconds and the three-cone drill in 6.97 seconds. He performed 15 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.
Defensive tackle Kaleb Eulls (6-2 5/8, 305) ran the 40 in 5.2 and 5.26 seconds. He had a 28-inch vertical and 8-foot-8 broad jump. He did the short shuttle in 4.59 seconds and the three-cone in 7.31 seconds. He also had 26 strength lifts.
Mississippi State's pro day was well-organized and the NFL representatives on hand were treated to a great lunch.
Follow Gil Brandt on Twitter @Gil_Brandt.