PISCATAWAY, New Jersey — Playmaking wideout Bo Melton and big-bodied running back Isaih Pacheco highlighted drills within Rutgers’ indoor facility on Tuesday, as more than half the league turned out for the program’s annual pro day. Here’s how the Scarlet Knights’ prospects performed in advance of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Bo Melton shows off speed and quickness at Rutgers Pro Day
Melton, Rutgers’ top wideout last season, completed his third and final major event of the draft process with Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers coach Troy Walters guiding him through drills. Melton, who also participated in the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, decided to stick with his stellar numbers from Indianapolis, including his 40-yard dash (4.34 seconds), broad jump (10’1″), and vertical jump (38″).
However, he did take part in the three-cone drill (6.81 seconds) and short shuttle (4.10 seconds) tests. Melton felt like he had a better three-cone time opportunity on his home turf, and he didn’t run the short shuttle at the Combine.
#Rutgers WR Bo Melton caught 164 passes for 2,011 yards and 11 TDs during his college career. Here’s his 3-cone: pic.twitter.com/GFWIHyGXzk
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) March 22, 2022
Following the testing, Melton worked with Walters in wideout drills. He first took part in individual work, showing off his bend, balance, and quickness out of his breaks on various routes. Later, he ran routes on air and caught the ball cleanly downfield.
#Bengals WR coach Troy Walters running WR drills at #Rutgers. Here’s Bo Melton: pic.twitter.com/VlcT5DG2eW
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) March 22, 2022
His highlight came on an out-and-up route where the ball seemed to be a little far in front of him. He picked up speed to get under it and made a catch with his arms stretched in front of him.
Melton caught 164 passes for 2,011 yards and 11 touchdowns during his four years at Rutgers. His elusiveness was put on display at the team facility, just as it was in Mobile, Alabama. Melton is dangerous in space, and there are plenty of reasons to believe he could be a sound slot/gadget weapon at the next level. Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline has Melton projected as a third- or fourth-round pick.
Following the workout, Melton said he was invited to local day workouts for the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, and New York Giants.
Isaih Pacheco could be big-time sleeper
Pacheco, Rutgers’ top running back last year, looked fluid in drills at the pro day.
The drills were led by Tennessee Titans running backs coach Tony Dews. Baltimore Ravens running backs coach Craig Ver Steeg watched Pacheco’s performance with scouts nearby.
The 5-foot-10, 222-pound back also ran a 7.09-second three-cone drill and a 4.27-second short shuttle in front of scouts. He bench pressed 225 pounds on 27 reps.
#Rutgers RB Isiah Pacheco is built like a freight train but his balance is really impressive. He ran 2,442 yards over 4 seasons. Here’s his 3-cone (@PFN365): pic.twitter.com/XvNT2FQkTg
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) March 22, 2022
While Melton is the marquee prospect for Rutgers, Pacheco looked just as impressive. He cut well and looked the part of a bruising back. He’s built like a freight train, but he runs like a sports car in a Tom Cruise movie.
Pacheco ran for 2,442 yards and 18 touchdowns during his college career. He also played in the East-West Shrine Game in February and ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at the Combine earlier this month.
Following the workout, Pacheco said he has a private session scheduled with the Denver Broncos.
Quick hits from the Rutgers Pro Day
PFN spotted representatives from the following 21 teams at Rutgers:
Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, New York Giants, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, and Philadelphia Eagles.
- Teams asked Rutgers tight end Jovani Haskins to run wideout drills with Melton. Haskins, at 6-foot-4 and 252 pounds, looks the part of an NFL tight end. He had an impressive 36.5-inch vertical jump and bench pressed 17 reps of 225 pounds. He also ran a 4.94-second 40-yard dash.
- Linebacker Tyreek Maddox-Williams had an impressive outing. He had a 38-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot broad jump. He also ran a 4.71-second 40-yard dash. During his college career, he produced 206 tackles (14.5 for loss), 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 9 pass breakups. Maddox-Williams measured at 6-foot and 228 pounds.
- Fellow linebacker Drew Singleton posted a 10-foot broad jump and a 34-inch vertical jump. He ran a 4.87 40-yard dash and a 7.05-second three-cone drill. He weighed in at 6-foot-1 and 232 pounds.
- Defensive lineman Julius Turner measured in at 5-foot-11 and 281 pounds. He is likely to be a rotational three-technique at the next level. He ran a 5.01-second 40-yard dash and posted a 28.5-inch vertical jump.
- Long snapper news: Billy Taylor, who took part in the East-West Shrine Game in Las Vegas, benched 28 reps of 225 pounds. He also ran a 4.84-second 40-yard dash and a 7.13-second three-cone. All test results are impressive for the position.
- PFN will continue its pro day tour at Temple University on Wednesday.