For NFL scouts, general managers and even coaches, March Madness has nothing to do with college basketball.
A full month's worth of Pro Days at colleges from coast to coast began today and won't stop - save for the weekends - until April 9. Some major programs hold two of these events in order to insure players recovering from injuries enough time to properly heal.
Browns general manager Ray Farmer's team of scouts keeps its travel plans close to the vest, and we won't be providing their daily agenda, but we'll keep you up to date with a weekly look at where they could be and who'll be the top players at these events as the draft draws closer and closer.
(Thanks to NFL.com’s complete breakdown for helping us with the list.)
Today
Minnesota
Tennessee-Chattanooga
Troy
Virginia
Wake Forest
Who to know: CB Kevin Johnson (Wake) - The Demon Deacons star recently vaulted into the top half ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay's mock. The three-year starter performed well at the NFL Combine and is in the small group of defensive backs who could be the first from their position off the board.
Also of note: TE Maxx Williams (Minnesota), RB David Cobb (Minnesota), LB Eli Harold (Virginia), DT Derrick Lott (Chattanooga).
Tuesday
Auburn
James Madison
New Mexico State
Northwestern
Pittsburgh
Sam Houston State
Tuskegee
Who to know: WR Sammie Coates (Auburn) - One of the best deep threats in the 2015 class had a relatively disappointing showing at the Combine because his 40 time (4.43 seconds) wasn't where he thought it'd be. Perhaps more important for the projected second-round pick will be how he performs on crossing and underneath routes during position drills.
Also of note: C Reese Dismukes (Auburn), OL T.J. Clemmings (Pittsburgh), SS Dean Marlowe (James Madison).
Wednesday
Arkansas
Mississippi State
Purdue
Texas A&M
Weber State
Who to know: DE Preston Smith (Mississippi State) - One of the SEC's top defensive players in 2014, Smith racked up a bunch of sacks and tackles for loss as a 4-3 defensive end. That's not where he projects best in the NFL, though, as NFL.com's analysis pegs him as a tackle in a 4-3 or an end in a hybrid 3-4. He could be an intriguing prospect for teams in the second and third rounds.
Also of note: DE Trey Flowers (Arkansas), DE Ryan Russell (Purdue), OG Cedric Ogbuehi (Texas A&M), K Josh Lambo (Texas A&M)
Thursday
Arkansas (Monticello)
Clemson
Illinois
Ole Miss
Nebraska
New Mexico
Utah State
Who to know: DE Vic Beasley (Clemson) - He's one of the top pass-rushers available in the 2015 NFL Draft and he's riding some momentum after notching one of the Combine's top performances. It's hard to believe he'll run the 40 again after clocking a 4.53 in Indianapolis, but he'll be the main attraction for the numerous scouts who make the trip down to South Carolina.
Also of note: LB Stephone Anthony (Clemson), CB Senquez Golson (Ole Miss), DE Randy Gregory (Nebraska), RB Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska).
Friday
Appalachian State
Arizona State
Newberry
Northern Illinois
Southern Mississippi
Who to know: WR Jaelen Strong (Arizona State) - The Sun Devil standout has been linked to the Browns in numerous mock drafts at the No. 19 pick. Most analysts peg him no higher than the No. 4 wide receiver in the class behind Kevin White, Amari Cooper and DeVante Parker, but it's likely he'll be a first-rounder no matter what.
Also of note: DT Marcus Hardison (Arizona State), OJ Jamil Douglas (Arizona State), LB Edmond Robinson (Newberry), DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Southern Miss)
This article is part of the Road to the Draft series, driven by Liberty Ford.
