The Oregon Ducks have long been one of college football’s blue bloods when it comes to producing NFL talent. Who’s on deck to impress this year at the 2022 Oregon Pro Day? Here’s a list of the NFL Draft prospects to watch, headlined by edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
When is Oregon’s Pro Day in 2022?
Oregon’s 2022 Pro Day will take place on Friday, April 1, at 11:15 AM. It’ll be a fitting introduction to draft month for Oregon prospects, allowing them a chance to prove themselves in front of NFL scouts. See the full list of 2022 pro days to see how many testing events are left.
Top Oregon NFL Draft prospects working out at pro day
There’s a lot of talent in the 2022 Oregon draft class, but one prospect stands at the center of the entire class: Edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE
Most of the talk surrounding Thibodeaux this offseason actually hasn’t been related to his on-field talent. Instead, questions surrounding character and effort have stunted the Oregon product’s stock. Thibodeaux’s still widely regarded as one of the best overall prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft. But the rumors give his stock an underlying element of uncertainty.
What’s not in question, however, is Thibodeaux’s physical ability. The former Pac-12 Freshman of the Year measured in at 6’4″, 254 pounds at the NFL Combine, with 33 1/8″ arms. He also ran a 4.58 40-yard dash and logged 27 bench reps. His numbers already mirror his freaky athleticism on film. And if he does a full workout at the 2022 Oregon Pro Day, he could draw attention to that — over unsubstantiated off-field whispers.
Verone McKinley III, S
Verone McKinley III has fans in the NFL Draft community, and for good reason. The versatile, instinctive safety is a playmaker on tape. While he’s a bit undersized at 5’10”, 198 pounds, he has the tools to be a defensive contributor in the NFL. At the NFL Combine, McKinley logged 16 bench reps, a 35″ vertical, and a 120″ broad jump. The 2022 Oregon Pro Day may allow him to complete his pallet with agility and speed testing.
Mykael Wright, CB
The Ducks have produced a number of low-round, high-value cornerbacks in recent years. Just last year, rookies Deommodore Lenoir and Thomas Graham Jr. both outplayed their round value with their respective teams. Mykael Wright is smaller and lighter and only ran a 4.57 at the NFL Combine. He’ll need this pro day opportunity to end the cycle on a high note, but Wright has the talent and the tenacity to be an eventual contributor.
CJ Verdell, RB
One player who will be especially reliant on the 2022 Oregon Pro Day to boost his stock is running back CJ Verdell. Verdell’s tape is fun at its highest moments. He’s a small, compact back with great urgency out of the backfield, and he finishes runs with physicality.
However, at the NFL Combine, Verdell only logged a 29.5″ vertical and a 118″ broad jump at 5’7 3/4″, 194 pounds. He shows more explosiveness on tape, but those numbers — along with an extensive injury history — may render him undraftable if he doesn’t improve on Friday.
Anthony Brown, QB
There isn’t much depth to speak of in this quarterback class, but Oregon’s Anthony Brown may have some fans as a late-round pick or PFA candidate. Brown never quite put things together as a passer in college, but he has underrated arm talent and is a productive runner at 6’3″, 226 pounds. In 2021 with the Ducks, he completed 64.1% of his passes for 2,989 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 7 picks. Brown also tacked on 658 yards and 9 scores on the ground.
Other prospects to watch at the 2022 Oregon Pro Day
Catching passes from Brown at Oregon’s Pro Day will be a trio of receivers — Jaylon Redd, Devon Williams, and Johnny Johnson III. The latter two were at the NFL Combine. Williams, in particular, is an intriguing player. He’s 6’5″, 210 pounds, with 4.65 speed and a 133″ broad jump.
Beyond those receivers, the Ducks have a number of prospects with exhausted college eligibility. Offensive tackle George Moore was at the Shrine Bowl and could use the 2022 Oregon Pro Day to boost his stock. There’s also safety Jordan Happle and linebackers Dru Mathis and Nate Heaukulani.