When NFL scouts evaluate talent, there are generally two measuring sticks they use.

The first is the results from a school’s pro day or combine, where players perform drills to gauge their overall physical ability. The second is game performance and film, where actual football skills are observed and weighed.

Former Vicksburg High stars Andre Bennett and David Heard are hoping scouts look at the latter more than the former this weekend.

Both players enjoyed stellar college careers – Bennett at Grambling, Heard at Mississippi State – in which they received plenty of accolades for their play, but various factors from offseason workouts have seen their stock take a slight hit leading up to this weekend’s NFL Draft. Both Bennett and Heard are projected as late-round picks at best.

&#8220They liked how smooth I was in drills and how quick and fast I was. My footwork in the drills was good,” Heard said. &#8220The biggest knock on me was my speed. They had me at a 4.5 (in the 40-yard dash) but I got a lot of 4.45s at our pro day. It makes a big deal. Four-four-nine looks a lot better than 4.5.”

Even if he was a step slow at the combine, Heard had a solid enough career at Mississippi State that he plans on being in a training camp come July.

Heard played in all 46 games of his college career, and was a starter at cornerback for the last 2 1/2 years. He finished his career with 123 tackles and three interceptions.

Although the Bulldogs were rebuilding and didn’t have great records during Heard’s time in Starkville, he played against plenty of Southeastern Conference teams that did and held his own. That has helped him draw interest from a half-dozen teams who likely will offer him a free agent contract if he’s not picked in the seven-round draft.

He said his agent has sent out highlight DVDs and he’s had interest from Philadelphia, the New York Giants, Jacksonville, Carolina and Atlanta.

&#8220Maybe late Sunday. Hopefully somebody sees something good and picks me earlier. But I’ll be in somebody’s training camp,” Heard said.

Like Heard, Bennett is hoping he’ll get drafted but preparing to go the free agent route. He’s worked out for the Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons and believes he impressed those teams enough to earn a shot.

&#8220It’ll probably be in the later rounds. I haven’t gotten a for-sure. They don’t really tell you much,” Bennett said. &#8220To get drafted would be the best thing. It’s really not a guarantee, but it means they want to pick you. A free agent, it’s 50-50.”

Bennett did plenty on the college level to draw interest from the pros. A four-year starter on the offensive line at Grambling, Bennett earned All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors three times while roving between guard and tackle.

The ability to play more than one position on the line – along with his massive 6-foot-6, 350-pound frame – could make him an attractive player to an NFL team.

&#8220My pro day, I did pretty good. My 40 was a 5.3. I feel like I’m at the top of my game right now,” Bennett said. &#8220I feel like I can play right now. Everybody feels that way. You might have to catch up to speed, but football is football.”

Neither Heard nor Bennett have any special plans for draft day. Their cellphones will be on, awaiting a call that may not come until late Sunday night or early Monday morning. Right now, with all of the workouts done, that’s all they can do is wait.

&#8220I want to thank my mama and all the family and everybody in Vicksburg that helped get me here,” Bennett said. &#8220It’s kind of nerve-rattling when you get closer to the date. But I prayed and left it in the lord’s hands. I did my half, now he has to do his half.”