UCLA cornerback Fabian Moreau wasn't a lock to land within the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft before taking part in the school's Pro Day this week, but he certainly was seen as a possibility to fall within the first 32 selections. However, the talented defensive back suffered a torn pectoral muscle during the bench-press exercise at UCLA's Pro Day and that issue could affect his draft stock considerably.
Before word broke of Moreau's actual injury, UCLA head coach Jim Mora took a rather positive tact on Moreau's status:
"It's being evaluated. I don't think it's anything serious. I know he's back out here now. He's not working out. He did everything at the combine and had good numbers. A lot of guys decide to stand on what they did at the combine. Some guys come out and try to improve it. Fabian, I think his numbers were good enough at the combine that for him to come out here and work out today isn't that important. And all these teams that are really interested in him will be back to see him in an individual workout as well. So anything that happened to him I believe is minor and nothing to worry about."
Since that time, though, Moreau's agent confirmed to NFL.com that the issue required a surgery that was performed on Wednesday evening. With that knowledge, it is now thought that Moreau could miss four to six months.
Just how much this affects Moreau's draft stock remains to be seen, especially when considering other prospects like Michigan's Jake Butt are navigating the process at less than full health. Still, it is definitely not a positive thing for a top-flight prospect to be dealing with a lengthy injury recovery just weeks before the NFL Draft arrives.
