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Jon Gruden is always searching for his next project. In 2019, it was Darren Waller. He turned the former Georgia Tech wide receiver into one of the league’s best tight ends by the end of the year. In 2020, it was Nelson Agholor, as he made him one of the highest-paid receivers on the open market.
But with the offense pretty much set, don’t expect the Raiders to invest much draft capital into their offensive weapons. However, there is a player on Day 3 that has already caught the attention of Mike Mayock and Gruden.
That player is Jacob Harris, a hybrid wide receiver/tight end from Central Florida. According to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, the Raiders have already met with Harris ahead of the 2021 NFL draft.
#UCF WR/TE Jacob Harris (6-5, 219) recently made @dpbrugler's Top 10 sleepers list. The NFL is split on which position Harris will play. He's a big pass catcher.
Harris has met with the #Titans, #Patriots, #Cardinals, #49ers, #Texans, #Panthers, #Giants, #Jets, #Rams & #Raiders
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 8, 2021
Harris is a rare athlete as he ran a 4.40 40-yard dash at 6’5, 219 pounds at Centra Florida’s Pro Day. What’s even more impressive is his explosion, jumping 40.5 inches in the vertical and 133 inches in the broad jump. Both of those numbers rank 96th percentile or better at wide receiver.
Whoever drafts (or signs) Harris is going to need a few years to develop him. He wasn’t all that productive in college and is a bit of a tweener. The Raiders likely view him as a tight end and that means he might need a year or two in the weight room to get up to 230-240 pounds.
Harris should be selected sometime on Day 3 and with the Raiders having a ton of picks after the top-100, don’t be surprised if they land the former UCF star.
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