COLLEGE STATION, Texas– Here's a handful of observations from my trip to Texas A&M's Pro Day, where we got a closer look at some of these A&M prospects as we get closer to the NFL draft.
- Christian Kirk was the headliner today. Kirk stood on his Combine times (4.45 in the 40, 35 1/2 on vertical jump and 20 bench press reps) and only participated in position drills, but he did go through a wide receiver's workout with the A&M quarterbacks.
- The question on Kirk is whether is he a slot player or can he play on the outside? None of the routes that he ran were from the slot. All were on the outside.
- Kirk appeared comfortable and eager to do whatever the scouts asked of him when it came to working on the outside. He executed the slant, out and in-cut well. I thought where he excelled was when the ball went down the field on the vertical or "9" route, where he had to track the ball. Johnny Manziel did a nice job of putting the ball on him, where he didn't have to do much other than run under it.
- The workout was clean from Kirk. I only observed one ball where on an out where he and Manziel missed – but it was due to a poor throw and not because of the route or hands.
- Kirk also fielded punts post practice in front of Cowboys special teams coach Keith O'Quinn, who made the trip to College Station. Much like the workout indoors, Kirk had no issues fielding the ball in breezy conditions.
- I am hearing that Kirk has a private workout scheduled with the Cowboys in the coming days in order to further assess his ability. Kirk said that he had workouts with the Cardinals and Seahawks, as well.
Views from the 2018 Texas A&M Pro Day at the team's indoor training facility in College Station, Texas.
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel lays down and watches his phone between drills at his alma mater during Texas A&M's football Pro Day in College Station, Texas, Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel stretches between drills at his alma mater during Texas A&M's football Pro Day in College Station, Texas, Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel, left, shares a laugh with Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers between drills at their alma mater during Texas A&M's football Pro Day in College Station, Texas, Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Former Texas A&M University Aggies and Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) looks on during Texas A&M Pro Day at the NCAA football team's indoor training facility on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Former Texas A&M University Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel runs during Texas A&M Pro Day at the NCAA football team's indoor training facility on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Texas A&M University Aggies wide receiver Christian Kirk, left, smiles after doing a drill for a Philadelphia Eagles scout during Texas A&M Pro Day at the NCAA football team's indoor training facility on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel gathers footballs between drills at his alma mater during Texas A&M's football Pro Day in College Station, Texas, Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Former Texas A&M University Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel hugs former teammate Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) during Texas A&M Pro Day at the NCAA football team's indoor training facility on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel throws during drills at his alma mater during Texas A&M's football Pro Day in College Station, Texas, Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Texas A&M University Aggies wide receiver Christian Kirk performs drills during Texas A&M Pro Day at the NCAA football team's indoor training facility on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel throws during drills at his alma mater during Texas A&M's football Pro Day in College Station, Texas, Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Former Texas A&M University Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel looks on during Texas A&M Pro Day at the NCAA football team's indoor training facility on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Former Texas A&M University Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel prior to Texas A&M Pro Day at the NCAA football team's indoor training facility on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Former Texas A&M University Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel throws the ball during Texas A&M Pro Day at the NCAA football team's indoor training facility on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel during drills at his alma mater during Texas A&M's football Pro Day in College Station, Texas, Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel during drills at his alma mater during Texas A&M's football Pro Day in College Station, Texas, Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel during drills at his alma mater during Texas A&M's football Pro Day in College Station, Texas, Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Former Texas A&M University Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel talks on his cell phone prior to Texas A&M Pro Day at the NCAA football team's indoor training facility on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Former Texas A&M University Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel looks on during Texas A&M Pro Day at the NCAA football team's indoor training facility on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel during drills at his alma mater during Texas A&M's football Pro Day in College Station, Texas, Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
- Safety Armani Watts was also part of the Pro Day. Watts weighed in at 212 pounds, which was heavier than his Combine weight of 202. I heard that he ran in the low 4.7s after not running at the Combine.
- The question I have is why Watts is continuing to put on weight? His shuttle time of 4.37 at the Combine was not that good to begin with -- unless he thinks he's a box safety only? His movement during the workout was not poor overall, but he just lacks that quickness you want from the position. He is a much better player coming forward than he was going back. Where he did show up was his ability to high-point the ball.
- Damion Ratley is a wide receiver that I didn't know much about, but he ran a fast time in the 40-yard dash. He's 6-2 and ran in the 4.4 range. I need to hit his tape when I get back to the Star and see what kind of ability he has. That ability might not be as good as he runs but after this workout, it's worth a look.
- As mentioned, Johnny Manziel was part of the Pro Day. I actually thought he threw the ball better in this workout than he did four years ago at this same place. His ball placement and arm talented showed up well. There were several throws where he was able to lead the receiver into a reception. I thought he might make these receivers have to work for the ball but that wasn't the case at all. It appears that listening to him talk after the workout that's he's in a good place mentally.
- The circus moves onto Austin for Texas Pro Day. I'll have a report for you from there.
