Nick Nelson, CB, Wisconsin
Coming into the combine, the questions about Nelson were about his hands; no interceptions in college despite 36 passes defended his final two seasons at Wisconsin, including an incredible 21 last season. He caught it fluidly in Indy, perhaps allaying some fears about his hands and ball skills.
But at his pro day, Nelson gave answers to questions no one was asking. His shuttle time (3.88) destroyed the best at the combine at any position(3.94) and his 3-cone would have been top-10.
For a 5-foot-11, 200-pound corner to change direction like that is eye-popping, regardless of his 4.52 40 time. Nelson was always going to be seen as a big, physical corner, but his pro day showed he has virtuoso agility and change-of-direction skill.
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For a corner who will be asked to play man coverage in the NFL, few traits are more important. Questions about his ball skills have been replaced with plaudits for his physical ability. That’s exactly what a pro day is all about.