Connecticut Pro Day

21 teams were in attendance to watch the Connecticut Pro Day, including Patriot's head coach Bill Belichick. Connecticut has never had a player drafted in the first round but could see as many as 3 drafted in this upcoming draft including RB Donald Brown, OT William Beatty and CB Darius Butler.

Starting with Brown, he stood on his numbers from the combine as he worked out very well there and was a top performer in almost all categories. He did positional drills and looked very good catching the ball and running it, he has definitely jumped up in draft boards and may even have licked Knowshon Moreno as the number #2 back on some people's draft boards. I still have him as an early 2 but he could easily move into the late 1st consideration for a team like Arizona or Philadelphia.

As for Butler, he secured his spot in the 1st round by running a blistering 4.38 forty yard dash. Down quite a bit from his 4.5+ at the combine. He has great feet, change of direction and hips and could easily be taken as high as the mid twenties and probably won't fall past Baltimore. I think he is an elite corner and combines great technique with high potential.

William Beatty is on the cusp on the first round, he has great athleticism and skill but he is very raw as a run blocker despite the 2000+ yards for Donald Brown. I think he fits ideally in a zone blocking scheme because of his ability to get off the ball and his technique is very impressive, i can see him being a late first round selection to maybe the Steelers but he probably won't fall past the Packers in the second round.

The last prospect of intrigue is Cody Brown who helped himself as well by running in the 4.6 range after running 4.8 at the combine. He is a down lineman who has spent time at outside backer and would likely transition to a SLB in a 4-3 or a WOLB in a 3-4. He knows hot to rush and cover but needs to work better against the run. He could be a late 1st day selection or an early 2nd day selection.

-Matty