It was almost a consensus among NFL Draft experts that Arkansas running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones didn't have much to prove Tuesday during Arkansas' Pro Day.

The reasoning was simple. McFadden proved his speed with an official 4. 33 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis Feb. 22.

Jones also proved his speediness with a 4. 44 in the 40-yard dash.

But for players like wide receiver Marcus Monk, Tuesday was a chance to shine and change the opinions of a league full of doubters.

After missing the bulk of his senior season at Arkansas because of a knee injury and two subsequent surgeries, Monk still garnered an invite to the Combine last month but didn't impress many with his 4. 59 speed in the 40-yard dash.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tuesday, though, he may have changed all that.

Arkansas' leader in career touchdown receptions ran a 4. 41 and 4. 43 in the 40-yard dash at the indoor Walker Pavilion, where representatives with 26 NFL teams looked on.

" I want to let everybody know that I'm back, " Monk said. " It's been a long, long year. "

Monk also improved his Combine numbers in the vertical and long jumps Tuesday. The Lepanto native had a 36-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-2 inch long jump at the UA's Pro Day, according to NFL. com.

Monk performed well in position drills, cut well and had no stumbles or dropped passes. Jones also participated in wide receiver drills and dropped at least one pass that was thrown behind him in stride by former UA quarterback Clint Stoerner.

Eighteen former Razorbacks participated in Arkansas' Pro Day and one player stuck out the most, ESPN NFL analyst Chris Mortensen observed.

" Marcus Monk without question, " Mortensen said. "... All of a sudden, there's a lot of buzz on him. "

Most draft services, including NFLDraftScout. com, projected Monk as a sixth or seventh round pick, but with his workout Tuesday and exceptional interviews with interested NFL teams at the Combine last month, he may have moved up to the third or fourth round, Mortensen said.

Arkansas fullback Peyton Hillis - thought to be a third or fourth rounder himself - stumbled a bit Tuesday, and dropped two passes early in position drills. The Conway native did improve on his 4. 64 time in the 40-yard dash last month with times of 4. 57 and 4. 58 Tuesday. He also ran a 4. 24 in the shuttle.

" I don't know what to take from that. I probably hurt myself more than anything, " Hillis said. " It was a bad day to have a bad day. "

Of those assured high draft status, Jones and McFadden skipped out Tuesday on many of the drills, including the 40-yard dash.

The two did participate in bench press exercises, though. McFadden and Jones each had 13 reps of the 225-pound weights, according to numbers provided by Gil Brandt, the NFL's Combine administrator. McFadden wasn't too happy with his results.

" I don't feel good about it, personally, " said McFadden, who was aiming for 15 to 20 reps. " I think I could have done better. "

At least three general managers from NFL franchises, including the Jets'Mike Tannenbaum, were in attendance at Arkansas'Pro Day. Jets representatives reportedly met with McFadden in Fayetteville last week, according to a report in the Newark Star-Ledger.

The Jets have the sixth overall pick in this year's NFL Draft, and may be in position to snatch McFadden if he falls that low.

" He's going to go somewhere between fourth and eighth, " Mortensen said. " If somebody wants him bad enough, they'll jump up there. "

Other franchises have shown interest as well in recent days. Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith may have had lunch with McFadden and Jones Monday in Fayetteville, according to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times. Smith was the only NFL head coach in attendance Tuesday.

The Bears have the 14 th pick in the first round, however, and would most likely have to trade up to draft McFadden and maybe even Jones, Mortensen said.

Smith would not confirm if he was in Fayetteville Monday when he spoke with reporters Tuesday afternoon. " We've been here for a brief period of time, " Smith said.

The former University of Tulsa safety did tour the UA's facilities earlier Tuesday, and was complimentary of the football program's progress.

The Bears coach said he was " OK" with their draft position this year and would not talk specifically about players at Arkansas'Pro Day. He also would not speak specifically about his team's needs in the draft, and painted his reactions to some draft-related questions in broad strokes.

" If there is an outstanding punt returner, even though we have Devin Hester, we'll still take them, " Smith said.