Donnie Avery...oh my Lord

[dryheat44]

I was high on Avery back in February, but had taken him off my list due to character concerns. He worked out yesterday (on turf), and if Gil Brandt can be believed, this is his workout:

WR Donnie Avery (5-11 1/8, 182): Ran the 40 in 4.35 and 4.34, had a 37 ½-inch vertical jump, 10-foot, 6-inch long jump, 3.91 short shuttle, 6.30 cone drill, ran position drills.


Just for the record, that is the best short shuttle time and, by far, the best 3 Cone time I have ever seen. I think he just made himself significantly wealthier.

 

[BradyManny]

Where do you see him going now? I've seen him projected as round 4 - what's his stock now?

 

[dryheat44]

Where do you see him going now? I've seen him projected as round 4 - what's his stock now?

If those numbers are near correct, and he did well in the positional drills, I'm guessing that he could go late-second.

That's the ultimate guy to throw a 3 yard slant to and let him ring up 30 yards after the catch.

 

[BradyManny]

If those numbers are near correct, and he did well in the positional drills, I'm guessing that he could go late-second.

That's the ultimate guy to throw a 3 yard slant to and let him ring up 30 yards after the catch.

Damn...now I'm mad he ran so well. I don't think we can afford to spend a 2nd on a wideout given we're crowded at the position as is. I do think they need a return specialist and was hoping a mid round pick could take care of that, ie, Avery BEFORE he put up these impressive numbers, doh!...

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Damn...now I'm mad he ran so well. I don't think we can afford to spend a 2nd on a wideout given we're crowded at the position as is. I do think they need a return specialist and was hoping a mid round pick could take care of that, ie, Avery BEFORE he put up these impressive numbers, doh!...

*cough* Tyvon Branch, CB, Connecticut *cough*

 

[DaBruinz]

I was high on Avery back in February, but had taken him off my list due to character concerns. He worked out yesterday (on turf), and if Gil Brandt can be believed, this is his workout:

WR Donnie Avery (5-11 1/8, 182): Ran the 40 in 4.35 and 4.34, had a 37 ½-inch vertical jump, 10-foot, 6-inch long jump, 3.91 short shuttle, 6.30 cone drill, ran position drills.


Just for the record, that is the best short shuttle time and, by far, the best 3 Cone time I have ever seen. I think he just made himself significantly wealthier.

That Cone drill is unheard of.

As for Brandt, he's very credible when it comes to times. My bet is that the Colts or Broncos go after the kid.

 

[Seneschal2]

That Cone drill is unheard of.

The fastest recorded Combine 3-cone is 6.45 (DB Sedrick Curry) -- yeah, the 6.30 blows away all.

His 3.91 shuttle was bettered by quite a few prospects (Combine). Most notably Deion Branch's 3.76 (second fastest all time)

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

http://www.realgmfootball.com/src_feature/271/20080402/wr_big_board_2008_nfl_draft/

They rank him number 10 in the WR group and have this blurb-

10. Donnie Avery, Houston--Blazing speedster who has shown across-the-board improvement as a receiver; has run a 4.31 40 with great splits and his speed translates to the field; has worked hard on his hands, but will still double-catch some balls; gets great separation and has learned how to set up routes with his speed; not very strong and not at all physical, struggles with physical coverage; route running has improved but is still raw except for fly and post routes; needs loads of work on his blocking; doesn’t always attack the ball, had several plays where the DB made plays on what should have been catches; easy to tackle if you can catch him (a big if!), doesn’t move laterally real well. Comes from an offense that will require adjustment to the NFL and probably best fits in a Mike Martz-style system. NFL Comparison: a smaller Devery Henderson, Shaun McDonald. 2nd-3rd rounder.

 

[dryheat44]

http://www.realgmfootball.com/src_feature/271/20080402/wr_big_board_2008_nfl_draft/

They rank him number 10 in the WR group and have this blurb-

10. Donnie Avery, Houston--Blazing speedster who has shown across-the-board improvement as a receiver; has run a 4.31 40 with great splits and his speed translates to the field; has worked hard on his hands, but will still double-catch some balls; gets great separation and has learned how to set up routes with his speed; not very strong and not at all physical, struggles with physical coverage; route running has improved but is still raw except for fly and post routes; needs loads of work on his blocking; doesn’t always attack the ball, had several plays where the DB made plays on what should have been catches; easy to tackle if you can catch him (a big if!), doesn’t move laterally real well. Comes from an offense that will require adjustment to the NFL and probably best fits in a Mike Martz-style system. NFL Comparison: a smaller Devery Henderson, Shaun McDonald. 2nd-3rd rounder.

Doesn't move laterally real well seems to be a ludicrous criticism considering the guy just put up phenomenal numbers in the change-of-direction drills. He also put up 16 reps on the bench, so his strength is quite good for a 185 lb receiver.

I'm not advocating we draft him or anything as high as he'll likely go now, but color me impressed.

 

[SamBamsFan]

I'll never get him in the interactive draft now...

 

[Kontradiction]

I can see this guy being used like Darren Sproles was last year in San Diego.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

This is one more reason we need a speed edge pass rusher.

The best way to neutralize blazing speedy WR's is to have a talented pass rush.

As much as I would like to see the right side of the OL upgraded, I would love to have a weapon for the defense coming off the edge on thrid down.

 

[NE_Paddy]

I was high on Avery back in February, but had taken him off my list due to character concerns.

I'm not sure what you mean about character concerns, but this article shows a little of what the kid's gone through to get where he is...

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5407807.html

Now, I know, he's not the only guy who's overcome to get to the NFL, but still I've heard good reports.

 

[NE_Paddy]

I can see this guy being used like Darren Sproles was last year in San Diego.

The guy who could be used exactly like Sproles is Avery's Cougars team-mate Anthony Alridge. Check him out if you can. He may actually go undrafted.