The pre-draft process has been a roller coaster for former Texas A&M tight end Jalen Wydermyer. His draft stock has, at least in media circles, taken a massive hit following a very poor athletic testing performance at the NFL combine and his pro day.
With the draft starting thursday, Wydermyer chatted with Pro Football Network, about the pre-draft process of meeting with multiple NFL teams ranging from the Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders, and the Buffalo Bills, describing the meetings as both “exciting” and “nerve-racking” while hoping to give the best face to face impression he could after a pro day that was not ideal. He noted his hardworking demeanor and lack of off-the-field problems, noting that he comes from a “good and respectable family.”
During his pro day workout, Wydermyer ran a reported 5.03 40-yard dash paired with a 35 1/2 inch vertical, both very underwhelming measurements at the tight end position for the current NFL standard. Wydermyer explained the poor testing day as “I just didn’t feel good at all. I had trained hard two days before the pro day and my back was tight and my legs were heavy. After the broad jump, I felt my back lock up, and I didn’t feel good when I ran the 40 and my vertical felt tight.” If NFL teams view that explanation as legitimate, it might help front offices better understand the need to judge Wydermyer’s on-field play more than his testing numbers during the selection process.
During his time with the Aggies from 2019 to the 2021 season, Wydermyer reeled in 118 receptions for 1,468 yards and 16 touchdowns, scoring 6 times in 2019 and 2020, and was a three-time All-SEC second-team selection, which made the testing numbers even more confusing at first glance. However, as we have seen in years past during the pre-draft process, numbers can be deceiving, and taking a chance on a hardworking, productive player like Wydermyer could pay dividends for a team in the near future. When asked about his goals, he kept it short and sweet “Honestly, it’s to come in and be the best me I can be, and all the accolades and achievements will come later on as I show my worth.” If that isn’t a player to take a chance on in the 2022 NFL Draft, then color me surprised.
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