The pro day schedule the next couple of days will feature workouts for a handful of the draft's biggest names. Some of these players have already solidified themselves as first-round picks; others were stars in college but face some big questions at the next level.
Here's a rundown of some of the major pro days Tuesday and Wednesday, and the one or two key things that I'll be looking for at each event.
» Kansas State (Tuesday): Luke Lucas is an offensive tackle with great size at 6-foot-8 and very long, 36 3/4-inch arms. I really want to study the tape on him. I also want to watch Ty Zimmerman, who was a defensive back in college and was not at the combine, work out as a wide receiver.
» Michigan State (Tuesday): I didn't think Darqueze Dennard had a great combine workout, so my main interest on this pro day will be to get a good, close look at him in all of the drills. I also want to find out if Max Bullough, who played linebacker at Michigan State, has a position, and I want to learn more about his off-field problems.
» UCLA (Tuesday): Anthony Barr lacked strength (15 bench reps) and had a good-not-great workout at the combine, so I want to see if he can perform better here. I'll also be watching one of my favorites, Xavier Su'a-Filo, who I expect to be a top starting guard in the NFL.
» Alabama (Wednesday): AJ McCarron thought about skipping his passing drills at the NFL Scouting Combine but ended up going through them; I want to watch him show off his passing skills in more drills at his pro day. C.J. Mosley is one of the top linebackers in the draft, but I want to find out if he can be a top 15 player. Offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio will not work out until April 8.
» Boston College (Wednesday): Andre Williams has very good running ability but needs to show he can catch to be drafted on the second day. He was one of my overlooked standouts from the combine, but at his pro day I want to get a closer look at his catching ability coming out of the backfield.
» Colorado (Wednesday): Paul Richardson also made my overlooked standouts list at the combine by showing off some impressive receiver skills and 4.4 speed in the 40. My question for him remains his size: At 6-0 3/8, 175 pounds, will he be able to get off press coverage? And does he have first-day-of-the-draft talent?
» Colorado State (Wednesday): Tight end Crockett Gillmore was at the Senior Bowl and the combine, and I want to continue to learn more about him by watching go through his pro-day drills. I also want to know if Weston Richburg, one of the draft's top centers, can play guard as a second position.
» Nevada (Wednesday): Joel Bitonio has great size for the guard position, at 6-foot-4, 302 pounds, with 33 7/8-inch arms. He's rising fast in this draft, and I want to see if he's a possibility as a first-round offensive lineman.
» Oklahoma (Wednesday): My two main interests at this pro day will be to check center Austin Woods as a long snapper, and I want to find out when Aaron Colvin, who was one of the draft's top cornerbacks before he tore his ACL at the Senior Bowl, will be able to work out.
» USC (Wednesday): I thought Marqise Lee really helped his draft stock with a strong combine. My main interest in him at his pro day will be to check to see if he's better as a slot receiver or an outside receiver. I also want to get a better look at tight end Xavier Grimble, who did not work out at the combine.
» Oklahoma State (Thursday): I had Justin Gilbert rated No. 19 when I released my top 50 prospects list a couple of months ago. He's since had a good showing at the combine, and I want to check to see if he's a shutdown cornerback worth picking in the top 15 of the draft.
» Oregon (Thursday): Tight end Colt Lyerla put up strong numbers at the combine (although he wasn't as strong as I expected him to be), but the great question with him has to do with his off-field problems. At his pro day I want to find out everything I can about his background and whether his past issues make him worth drafting at some point.
» Wyoming (Thursday): Brett Smith's inconsistency as a passer landed him on my list of players who should have stayed in school. He was not invited to the combine, and my question for him is simple: Is he worth drafting, and in what round? I also want to know if Marqueston Huff is better as a cornerback or safety, and if Robert Herron can be a third receiver.
» BYU (Thursday): I want to find out more about linebacker Kyle Van Noy and get a better idea of where he fits in this draft. Is he a top 50 player?
» Oregon State (Thursday): Can Scott Crichton's best position be as a 4-3 defensive end, or is he a 3-4 outside linebacker? And will Brandin Cooks' size -- he measured at 5-10, 189 pounds -- keep him out of the first round?
Follow Gil Brandt on Twitter _@GilBrandt_.
