Raiders Head Coach Jack Del Rio surveys the field as prospects participate in a Pro Day at the Raiders Alameda facility. Raiders.com/Tony Gonzales.
A large group of pro prospects from local colleges and hometowns in the Oakland Raiders metropolitan area were invited to the Raiders Alameda, Calif., facility to participate in a "Pro Day."
Pro Days are instrumental for both the players and the NFL teams during the Draft process.
It begins with college all-star games. Scouts are able to see how players interact and fit in with unfamiliar coaches and teammates with a short amount of preparation time.
The NFL Scouting Combine is perhaps the biggest event on a prospect's calendar. Three days of team interviews, media sessions, medical exams, on-field drills, testing and timing put these former college football players through their paces.
The Pro Day and the individual team workout are the last two chances a player has to impress an NFL's team's general manager, scouts and coaches of their worthiness to play on Sundays.
"The Local Pro Day is an opportunity to really take a look at the players that are in our immediate area," Raiders General Manager Reggie McKenzie said. "There is a lot of talent in the Bay Area and this allows scouts and coaches to evaluate these prospects in person. It's our second year hosting a Pro Day, and our scouts and staff do a tremendous job of coordinating this workout."
Usually only the top prospects are invited to one-on-one sessions. That makes the Pro Day, whether hosted by an NFL team or held at the prospect's college or university, that much more important.
In the end, everything will be considered when teams evaluate the prospects heading into the Draft, and the Pro Day is a key information-gathering component of the process.
