Watch: NFL draft prospect Isaiah Washington impresses at the Rutgers Pro Day

Isiah Washington had a very strong pro day at Rutgers.

Isaiah Washington had an impressive pro day at Rutgers on Thursday, impressing in front of NFL scouts.

There were 40 representatives from 30 NFL teams on hand to see Washington and several other Rutgers athletes perform at the pro day. But the buzz from the event was Washington’s impressive display which included a one-handed catch.

At 6-foot-2 and 206 pounds, Washington had a very solid 38-inch vertical. He ran a 4.53 time in the 40.

But it was the on-the-field work that showed Washington’s upside.

The video, posted by NFL agent Neil Schwartz, shows Washington making an impressive one-handed catch. Schwartz is one of the NFL’s most powerful agents and he represents former Rutgers running back [autotag]Isiah Pacheco[/autotag] among his clients., Pacheco has been a star on two Super Bowl teams with the Kansas City Chiefs.

[lawrence-related id=36933,36928,36912]

Last year for Rutgers, Washington had 25 catches for 321 yards and a touchdown.

At No. 12 Penn State in the penultimate game of the regular season, he had five catches for 55 yards.

Dennis Allen says Saints aren’t finished adding pass catchers, and not just at WR

Dennis Allen says the Saints aren’t finished adding pass catchers, and not just at wide receiver. Does that imply big-time Georgia tight end Brock Bowers is in play at No. 14?

Could the New Orleans Saints make their offense more multidimensional by adding more pass catchers? Almost certainly. They’re still shorthanded at wide receiver, and they didn’t get enough production out of the tight ends last year. The question is where those new additions might be lining up.

When responding to a question at NFL owners meetings about the addition of veteran wideout Cedrick Wilson Jr. to the receivers room, Saints head coach Dennis Allen shared an interesting nugget on the team’s overall approach to reloading on offense.

“I certainly think that’s something, an area in terms of a pass catcher — not necessarily a wide receiver, but a pass catcher, is something we’re going to continue to look at,” Allen mused. “I feel better about our depth now than I did a month ago, but I think that’s still probably a position we’ll look at somebody to add.”

The Saints signed Wilson and Stanley Morgan early in free agency, adding them to a group that includes Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and A.T. Perry. The depth is better than it was in February before Shaheed was re-signed, when Olave and Perry were the only players under contract, but there are still eight spots open on the training camp roster at wide receiver. They’re hardly close to capacity.

But as Allen pointed out, we shouldn’t limit focus to wide receivers. If they can find a tight end who can outplay Juwan Johnson (37 catches for 368 yards) or Foster Moreau (21 receptions for 193 yards), the Saints shouldn’t let those veterans’ presence stop them.

Big-time Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers has become a favorite of Saints fans who have watched him tear up the SEC the last few years: Bowers has scored 26 touchdowns in 40 games while finishing the last three seasons with ridiculous stat lines. He had 56 receptions for 882 yards as a freshman in 2021, and improved in 2022 with 63 catches for 942 yards. His production in 2023 was a comparative letdown, but his 56 grabs and 714 yards were better than many tight ends manage in a career.

His skills are obvious as a run-after-catch threat who can force a missed tackle and set up poor pursuit angles by the defense. What’s unclear is whether Bowers will test well enough athletically for the Saints’ college scouting department to approve. They maintain strict standards for the timing and agility drills, and Bowers pulled out of testing at the NFL Scouting Combine at the last minute. He also declined to participate in Georgia’s pro day, citing a a hamstring injury, and plans to work out individually for scouts on April 10. The deadline for teams to host draft prospects like Bowers at their headquarters is April 17, and no contact is permitted after April 24. The first round begins April 25.

The Saints overlooked Kendre Miller’s lack of athletic testing to draft him in the third round last year, but there’s a big difference between the 14th overall pick and the 71st selection they used on Miller. It’s tough to see the Saints ignoring an incomplete scouting report on such a risky pick, at a position known for being slow to develop in transition from the college game to the NFL. But you never know. What’s clear is they feel the offense needs more weapons, and that a young player like Bowers could have a lot to offer.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Broncos sent personnel to QB Michael Penix’s pro day

Michael Penix has some injury concerns, but he should be available when the Broncos go on the clock with the 12th overall pick in April.

The Denver Broncos were in attendance at Washington’s pro day on Thursday to scout quarterback Michael Penix.

Denver’s front office sent their pass game coordinator, college director and two scouts to Penix’s workout, according to Jim Nagy.

Penix, 23, is widely considered the fifth or sixth-best QB in this year’s class. Most draft pundits have Penix below Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy, ranked in the same range as Bo Nix.

Penix spent four years at Indiana before transferring to Washington. His biggest red flag going into the draft is injury concerns — Penix suffered torn ACLs in 2018 and 2020 and shoulder injuries in 2019 and 2021.

The Broncos are scheduled to pick 12th overall in the NFL draft and Penix is expected to be available at that spot. Our most recent seven-round mock draft has Denver trading down from pick No. 12 to select Penix later in the first round.

The Broncos have now attended the pro days of Williams, Daniels, Maye, McCarthy, Nix, Penix, Michael Pratt, and Spencer Rattler. Denver met with those same eight quarterbacks at the NFL combine, so it seems safe to assume those are the top QBs on the team’s big board.

The 2024 NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

What was Commanders coach Dan Quinn response to Drake Maye’s pro day?

One reporter caught Dan Quinn’s reaction to Drake Maye: He was impressed.

Which quarterback do the Washington Commanders prefer at No. 2 overall in next month’s 2024 NFL draft?

With one month remaining until the draft, the Commanders haven’t arrived at a collaborative decision — at least, that’s what they are telling reporters. However, Washington general manager Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn owe it to no one to reveal their plans.

Washington’s brass has attended the pro days of each top quarterback prospect. On Thursday, Peters, Quinn, and others attended UNC quarterback Drake Maye’s pro day in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

We’ve seen Peters and Quinn chatting with Maye at different times. Washington also met with Maye before Thursday’s workout.

What did the Commanders think of Maye’s day? Well, they aren’t going to tell us. However, one reporter overheard Quinn on Thursday, and his reaction was telling.

Cerrone Battle of 98.5 “The Sports Hub” in Boston discussed the reaction of several NFL folks in regards to Maye. The following is what he said about Quinn:

“Dan Quinn saw a throw; he shook his head and started walking like he was leaving,” Battle said of Quinn. “He saw enough. And by (that), they were impressed and they were telling everybody there were impressed.”

Battle would go on to say there were “oohs and ahs” from the NFL people throughout Maye’s workout and that the NFL is much higher on Maye than Draft Twitter.

 

 

LSU coach Brian Kelly says Jayden Daniels is ‘going to make plays for Washington’

LSU coach Brian Kelly says Jayden Daniels is going to make plays for Washington.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels put on a show at his pro day Wednesday in front of all 32 NFL teams. Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, is expected to be drafted no lower than No. 3 overall in next month’s 2024 NFL draft.

The team most linked to Daniels ahead of the draft is the Washington Commanders, who pick No. 2 overall. The Commanders need a quarterback and most mock drafts and media analysts link Daniels to Washington.

However, no one really knows; General manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn said this week that there is no decision, and the Commanders aren’t even close to a decision.

While Peters and Quinn aren’t revealing anything, LSU head coach Brian Kelly said something curious at LSU’s pro day.

Check it out:

A slip of the tongue or an assumption based on Kelly believing his quarterback will be the second pick?

We are guessing it’s more of Kelly’s gut feeling that the Commanders can’t pass on a player like Daniels. There’s no way Peters or Quinn would tell a college coach one month before the draft we’re picking your guy unless you held the top pick, and it was a foregone conclusion.

The Commanders will pick a quarterback, but you should believe them when they say they don’t know which one yet. With a month until the draft, there’s no rush to make that decision.

 

LOOK: Dan Quinn, Adam Peters look pleased with Drake Maye

Quinn and Peters were all smiles watching Drake Maye on Thursday.

Who will the Washington Commanders select with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft? Unfortunately, we still have one month remaining until we learn that answer.

We do know — or strongly believe — that the Commanders will select a quarterback. It will not be Caleb Williams, who is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears.

That leaves Washington to decide between Drake Maye (North Carolina), Jayden Daniels (LSU), or J.J. McCarthy (Michigan). Every day, we seem to hear of a rumor linking the Commanders to one of the three. However, they are just that: rumors.

Only Washington general manager Adam Peters and his inner circle, including head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, have an idea of which passer the Commanders like the best.

Last week, the Commanders were at McCarthy’s pro day. On Wednesday, they were in Baton Rouge to see Daniels at LSU’s pro day. On Thursday, Peters, Quinn, Kingsbury and assistant GM Lance Newmark were in Chapel Hill to see Maye.

From all indications, it looks like Quinn and Peters liked what they saw.

Quinn is all smiles.

Peters was all smiles, too.

What does this all mean? Absolutely nothing. But as we head toward the draft and look for the little things, it’s clear Washington brass liked what it saw from the ultra-talented Maye.

Commanders watch as North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye impresses at pro day

Another Justin Herbert comparison for Drake Maye after his pro day performance.

“I would say the last ten minutes of that pro day can’t go much better.”

That was how ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky described Drake Maye’s workout today in front of NFL representatives, including Adam Peters and Dan Quinn.

As soon as the North Carolina pro day workout had concluded, ESPN went to a panel that discussed Maye’s passing workout.

Here is every Drake Maye throw from today’s UNC Pro Day.

“If you had asked me, Hannah (Storm), the number one thing that pops on tape is how good he throws the ball downfield. You know, the 15-25 yard throws.”

“When we were watching I said, ‘My goodness he has a hand cannon.’ Just the throws down the field, the last ten throws were absolutely spectacular. There was a couple misses early on. He missed a slant, he missed an out — that’s going to happen at times.”

“I think with what we saw, which was the great majority of his throws, you have to be really encouraged. I think the thing I was looking for most, Mike T (Tannenbaum), was how were his feet going to look?”

“Those definitely looked much improved when it came to the rhythm of his throwing, rather than the natural talent and athleticism of him throwing.”

Tannenbaum responded, “To that point, Hannah (Storm), I think he looked a lot like Justin Herbert: big, strong, and athletic. I think what we saw in the pro day sort of punctuated that because the ball came out really easy, and he could get the ball down the field flawlessly.”

Top NFL representatives present at UNC pro day

Top NFL representatives present at UNC Pro Day, getting a closer look at what Drake Maye could bring to the next level.

The time when a select few UNC players learn their NFL home is inching closer. One of those is starting quarterback [autotag]Drake Maye[/autotag], who is looked at as a top-two player in the upcoming draft.

Pro days give players one last chance to show teams what they can do in a workout and drills within familiar surroundings. UNC pro day was scouted by teams that hold early draft picks.

Among those teams attending were the Washington Commanders (second overall pick) and the New England Patriots (third). Following pro day, Mack Brown took to the X platform to post a picture with some familiar faces.

Many draft boards have Drake Maye going second to the Commanders. In three seasons, Maye completed 618 passes (64.9%) for 8,018 passing yards, 63 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Maye proved as dangerous on his feet, with 449 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

There have been a few mumbles of a potential draft drop for Maye, but after a successful pro day, those doubts should be laid to rest.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

All 32 NFL teams attend Duke football’s 2024 Pro Day

The Duke football team showcased 13 former players during its 2024 Pro Day on Thursday, and the team confirmed that all 32 NFL teams attended.

The Duke football team hosted its 2024 Pro Day in Durham on Thursday, and the team confirmed that all 32 NFL teams sent scouts and representatives to the event.

The Blue Devils showed off 13 former players on the day, including offensive lineman Graham Barton and defensive tackle DeWayne Carter.

Barton, a projected first-round pick, played left tackle for Duke in each of the last three seasons after playing center as a freshman.

Carter, a presumed day-two pick, was named to the All-ACC First Team at the end of the 2023 season. He compiled 12 sacks in his five years with the team.

The 11 other players involved included three more offensive linemen (Jacob Monk, Maurice McIntyre, and Jake Hornibrook), defensive linemen Anthony Nelson and Ja’Mion Franklin, cornerbacks Al Blades Jr. and Myles Jones, safety Jeremiah Lewis, wide receiver Jalon Calhoun, running back Jaylen Coleman, and punter Porter Wilson.

Monk and Wilson both participated in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis earlier this month alongside Barton and Carter.

The NFL draft begins on Thursday, April 25.

Saints hosted Penn State pass rusher Chop Robinson for pre-draft visit

Add Chop Robinson to the list of prospects meeting the Saints before the 2024 NFL draft. The Penn State pass rusher already visited New Orleans:

One of the New Orleans Saints’ pre-draft visits almost slipped under the radar. Penn State pass rusher Demeioun “Chop” Robinson told the Daily Collegian’s Sam Woloson that he visited the Saints the week before the school’s March 15 pro day; the same week in which the team met with Northern Iowa defensive tackle Khristian Boyd at their headquarters in Metairie. Robinson is an impressive athlete, and he can move and make plays unlike anyone else the Saints have at defensive end.

Robinson, 21, weighed in at a hair under 6-foot-3 and 254 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine, and he put up great numbers in athletic testing drills: timing the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds and clocking the short shuttle in 4.25 seconds, with a 6.94-second mark inn the three-cone drill at his pro day. He also leapt 34.5 inches vertically and 10 feet, 8 inches broad. That combined in a 9.79 Relative Athletic Score, which is well within the range that lines up with the Saints’ own in-house metrics.

He’s undersized by New Orleans’ standards, but both head coach Dennis Allen and college scouting director Jeff Ireland have expressed an eagerness to add different body types and more versatile athletes at defensive end than they’ve valued before. After tying for the fourth-fewest sacks in the NFL last season, they can’t afford to be so picky.

And Robinson could be a good get. He’s commonly projected to go in the first round, possibly as early as to the Saints at No. 14, though most mock drafts have him being picked after other players like UCLA’s Laiatu Latu and Florida State’s Jared Verse. He had 17.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in 22 games at Penn State, having started his college career at Maryland. Pro Football Focus charting credited him with 48 pressures in 2022 (12 games) and 26 of them in 2023 (10 games), when he missed time with an unspecified head injury after a bad collision against Ohio State. He’s healthy now and hoping to put his best foot forward when meeting with NFL teams like the Saints.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]