Moncrief Among Rebels Showcasing Talents at Pro Day Workout Today

Who is 6-foot-2 inches, has a 32-inch arm length, weighs 221 pounds, has 9- and 1/8-inch hands and ran an official 4.40 at the NFL combines last week?
Don’t need that much vital info about anyone you say. Well you do if you’re following Donte Moncrief’s progress toward the NFL and you count yourself among that not uncommon brand of obsessed football fans known as draftniks.
Tomorrow at Ole Miss’ Manning Center, draftniks will be on high alert for updated news on Moncrief and a handful of other former Rebels as they work out for a gaggle of NFL scouts and media at UM’s annual Pro Day.
Pro Day has become quite an institution around here because of Ole Miss’ recent ability to project its stars into the NFL. This year the event starts Monday at 9:30 a.m., at the Manning Center, but is closed to the public. Fourty-yard sprints, weight-lifting, agility and other athletic challenges are on the agenda, much like at the NFL’s official event in Indianapolis.
Because of Moncrief’s dramatic rise up the draft board due to his spectacular combine workout, many NFL scouts and even some front-office executive and coaches may make the trip to Oxford. Plenty of media gawkers, including HottyToddy.com, will be on hand as well.
Expected to compete, in addition to Moncrief, are his fellow receiver and teammate Ja-Mes Logan, offensive tackle Pierce Burton, offensive center Evan Swindell and dismissed cornerback Nick Brassel
 
Moncrief is a Raleigh, Miss., native who finished his three-year Ole Miss career ranked third in school history in receptions (156), receiving yards (2,371) and receiving touchdowns (20) and second in 100-yard receiving games (9).
Moncrief was the Rebels’ leading receiver last year with 938 yards and six touchdowns. The fluid speedster showed he has the size and speed to turn the heads of NFL scouts.He is only 21.

The problem for this physical and fast receiver as he looks for an NFL quarterback to “feed Moncrief,” is there are so many stars in this year’s receiver class for the draft. The experts are saying round 2-4 is where the Rebel speedster will be picked.

Here is what some NFL scouts are saying about him

Terrific size. Smooth accelerator — jets off the line, eliminates cushion and has speed to stretch the field vertically. Good balance and body control. Can stem his pattern and leverage defenders. Drives off cornerbacks and creates separation. Knows where the sticks are. Outstanding leaping ability to elevate and pluck throws out of the air. Flashes playmaking ability. Able to sidestep the first tackler and pick up chunk yards after the catch. Gives effort as a blocker to engage and seal. Has experience going head-to-head with NFL-caliber cornerbacks. Will be a 21-year-old rookie and has upside.

WEAKNESSES

Needs to sharpen his route running. Inconsistent ball reactions, particularly in traffic — better running through or under passes. Does not always play to his size — gets outmuscled for “50-50″ balls and is still coming into his own as a dependable go-up-and-get-it guy. Average hand strength. Tends to trap some throws against his body and occasionally drops catchable balls. Could be more physical. Average elusiveness and open-field electricity. Showed he could be contained — seven games of 60 yards or less as a junior.

BOTTOM LINE

Big, physically gifted “X” receiver with deep speed, “above-the-rim” potential and playmaking ability. Has a ceiling as a No. 1 or No. 2 in a vertical passing offense, and his best football is in front him. Likely to elevate his stock at the combine and in workouts.
HottyToddy.com sports staff with some information courtesy of NFL.com and Red Cup Rebellion