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Days like Tuesday are why NFL teams employ robust scouting departments.
With Boston College, Boise State, Florida, Georgia, Penn State and Virginia all holding their pro day sessions, scouts were spread throughout the country Tuesday. While the majority of the focus was on Matt Ryan and the Boston College workout, the more impressive performances came from Florida and Penn State.
With significantly fewer Gators likely to be drafted this year than in recent seasons, only an estimated 15 teams attended Florida’s pro day. Most who attended were there to see defensive end Derrick Harvey.
Harvey, who declined to run and lift Tuesday after solid performances in both tests at the NFL scouting combine, nonetheless left scouts buzzing with his performance.
The 6-foot-4 ½, 269-pounder showed great burst in pass rush drills and enough agility that scouts from teams utilizing the 3-4 alignment have already begun scheduling private workouts with Harvey. The New York Jets, owners of the sixth overall pick, have lined up a workout and the New England Patriots (owners of the seventh overall pick due to a trade last April with the San Francisco 49ers) are thought to be considering doing so as well.
While Harvey’s burst makes him an intriguing fit as a 3-4 rush linebacker, his size, strength and long arms (82-inch wingspan) have most teams still viewing him as a better fit as a traditional 4-3 defensive end. The Detroit Lions, who have the 15th overall pick, have already scheduled a private workout with Harvey.
They may not get the chance to draft Harvey, however, as the Carolina Panthers, owners of the 13th overall pick, are apparently quite interested in the SEC star. The Panthers were the most heavily represented team at the Florida pro day, with head coach John Fox, defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac and defensive line coach Sal Sunseri all attending.
Like Ryan, Penn State’s Dan Connor elected not to work out at the combine, instead saving his audition in front of scouts for Tuesday. Considering his performance, it is hard to fault his decision.
The 6-2, 231-pound Connor was clocked by scouts in the mid- to high-4.6s in the 40-yard dash. His 40 time, three-cone drill (6.76), vertical jump (35 inches) and 22 repetitions of 225 pounds rank among the elite scores of inside linebackers tested this year.
When asked to grade his own performance on a scale of 1-10, the Bednarik Award winner characterized the performance as a “13.”
The Pittsburgh Steelers were heavily represented at the workout, with head coach Mike Tomlin on hand. Other teams thought to be considering Connor had strong representation at the workout, as well, including the Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals.
With Boston College, Boise State, Florida, Georgia, Penn State and Virginia all holding their pro day sessions, scouts were spread throughout the country Tuesday. While the majority of the focus was on Matt Ryan and the Boston College workout, the more impressive performances came from Florida and Penn State.
With significantly fewer Gators likely to be drafted this year than in recent seasons, only an estimated 15 teams attended Florida’s pro day. Most who attended were there to see defensive end Derrick Harvey.
Harvey, who declined to run and lift Tuesday after solid performances in both tests at the NFL scouting combine, nonetheless left scouts buzzing with his performance.
The 6-foot-4 ½, 269-pounder showed great burst in pass rush drills and enough agility that scouts from teams utilizing the 3-4 alignment have already begun scheduling private workouts with Harvey. The New York Jets, owners of the sixth overall pick, have lined up a workout and the New England Patriots (owners of the seventh overall pick due to a trade last April with the San Francisco 49ers) are thought to be considering doing so as well.
While Harvey’s burst makes him an intriguing fit as a 3-4 rush linebacker, his size, strength and long arms (82-inch wingspan) have most teams still viewing him as a better fit as a traditional 4-3 defensive end. The Detroit Lions, who have the 15th overall pick, have already scheduled a private workout with Harvey.
They may not get the chance to draft Harvey, however, as the Carolina Panthers, owners of the 13th overall pick, are apparently quite interested in the SEC star. The Panthers were the most heavily represented team at the Florida pro day, with head coach John Fox, defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac and defensive line coach Sal Sunseri all attending.
Like Ryan, Penn State’s Dan Connor elected not to work out at the combine, instead saving his audition in front of scouts for Tuesday. Considering his performance, it is hard to fault his decision.
The 6-2, 231-pound Connor was clocked by scouts in the mid- to high-4.6s in the 40-yard dash. His 40 time, three-cone drill (6.76), vertical jump (35 inches) and 22 repetitions of 225 pounds rank among the elite scores of inside linebackers tested this year.
When asked to grade his own performance on a scale of 1-10, the Bednarik Award winner characterized the performance as a “13.”
The Pittsburgh Steelers were heavily represented at the workout, with head coach Mike Tomlin on hand. Other teams thought to be considering Connor had strong representation at the workout, as well, including the Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals.
