Tag Archives: NFL Draft

Duke’s NFL Draft buzz

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With the third day of the NFL Draft set to kick off at noon with the beginning of the fourth round, former Blue Devils Sean Renfree and Conner Vernon both hope to hear their names called and become Duke’s first NFL Draft selection since 2004.

Vernon was Duke’s higher-rated prospect at the conclusion of the 2012 season, but appears to have lost some steam since. He is still expected to be selected sometime in rounds five through seven, but many pundits have projected him to fall toward the later end of that range. CBS Sports Senior NFL blogger Will Brinson said this morning that Vernon could be one of the Draft’s sleeper picks at the wide receiver position.

Renfree has not only drawn praise from head coach David Cutcliffe and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, but also from NFL Draft gurus Mel Kiper Jr. and Mike Mayock. Jared Cohen, who covers Arizona sports for Pros2Preps, said that the Arizona Cardinals may have taken a particular interest in Renfree as well.

Projecting the Blue Devils in the NFL Draft

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With the NFL Draft’s third day approaching tomorrow at noon, and two Blue Devils in Sean Renfree and Conner Vernon in contention to be selected, writers from The Chronicle sat down to predict where they believe the duo will land and why.

Duke wide receiver Conner Vernon hopes to be the program's first NFL Draft selection since 2004.

Duke wide receiver Conner Vernon hopes to be the program’s first NFL Draft selection since 2004.

Conner Vernon

  • Zac Elder—Seventh round, 217th overall to the Miami Dolphins. Although not listed at the top of anyone’s list at wide receiver, Vernon stands a good chance being selected in the late rounds. If teams can overlook his lack of physicality and 4.68 40-time at the NFL Combine, then Vernon might get scooped up in one of the later rounds by a team looking for a solid receiver who can also handle punt and kickoff return duties. Vernon, a local Miami product, has drawn a number of comparisons to former Dolphin receiver Wes Welker, who began his successful NFL career with this franchise.
  • Michael Schreiner—Fifth round, 149th overall to the St. Louis Rams. Vernon has been a sleeper pick of many in the lead up to the draft, and the upside he presents as a No. 2 receiver justifies the buzz. He does not have the quickness or size to be the big play guy, but he executes and will do well as a possession receiver. He is also polished and can make an immediate impact in the NFL, which is exactly what the Rams need with only three of last season’s receivers projected to be on this year’s roster.
  • Daniel Carp—Sixth round, 199th overall to the Baltimore Ravens. The defending Super Bowl champs have some holes to fill at receiver since the loss of Anquan Boldin, and with a bevy of picks in the late rounds of this year’s NFL Draft, Vernon would be a wise choice. Ravens head coach Jon Harbaugh will value the Duke receiver’s work ethic and route-running ability, leading him to use one of his picks at the end of the sixth round on him. You could see Vernon come off the board as early as round five, but some average workouts this offseason could cost him on Draft day.
Sean Renfree had surgery the day after Duke's Belk Bowl loss, but still could be selected in the NFL Draft.

Sean Renfree had surgery the day after Duke’s Belk Bowl loss, but still could be selected in the NFL Draft.

Sean Renfree

  • Zac Elder—Undrafted. Bad news for Renfree—only one quarterback (Florida State’s E.J. Manuel) was drafted in the first round of Thursday night’s NFL Draft. And with top prospects Geno Smith, Ryan Nassib, Tyler Wilson and Matt Barkley still left on the board, the former Duke star’s hopes of being selected are slim. After tearing a pectoral muscle in the Belk Bowl, Renfree has not had the opportunity to elevate his draft stock and impress NFL coaches and scouts as some other draft hopefuls have done.
  • Michael Schreiner—Seventh round, 240th overall to the Cincinnati Bengals. The pectoral injury he suffered in the Belk Bowl has hurt his chances of getting drafted, but his limited downside should still be enough to convince a team to spend its final pick on Renfree. Aside from a weak arm that will likely limit his upside, Renfree presents little risk to potential suitors. Duke head coach David Cutcliffe compared his work ethic to Peyton Manning, and as a reserve with Cincinnati he would push those ahead of him while also representing a viable second string option down the road.
  • Daniel Carp—Sixth round, 183rd overall to the New Orleans Saints. Four months ago, Sean Renfree’s chances of hearing his name called at the NFL Draft seemed miniscule. But despite not having thrown a football since late December, Renfree’s draft stock has only continued to rise thanks to ringing endorsements from the likes of David Cutcliffe and Peyton Manning. Renfree could come off the board as early as the fifth round and could be taken before his teammate Conner Vernon. In fact, I think he will. The New Orleans Saints will be in the market for a young quarterback in the late rounds of this year’s draft, and Renfree could be the guy they turn to. Renfree also would be a great fit with the New England Patriots, but they only hold three picks after the fourth round—all late in the seventh. A bold prediction could be the Pats package their three picks to move up into the mid-sixth round and grab Renfree, but all fake trades aside, New Orleans’ pass-happy offense would be a good fit for the former Duke signal-caller.

Video from Duke football players at Pro Day

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At least 18 NFL scouts came to Duke football’s Pascal Fieldhouse to watch seven Duke football players show their skills in hopes of either getting selected in April’s NFL Draft. Headlining the crew was wide receiver Conner Vernon, who broke a host of ACC records this season and is expected to be Duke’s first draft pick since 2004.

Vernon slipped on one of his routes but also made an incredibly acrobatic diving catch in which he was fully extended.

Here are some videos of different Blue Devils going through drills with the scouts.

Vernon running a positional drill with a Broncos scout, who was running the skill position drills:

Another Vernon route:

Duke long snapper Jackson Anderson, who head coach David Cutcliffe said didn’t have a bad snap in four years:

Former Duke WR/DB Johnny Williams, who graduated last year, doing the 60-yard shuttle:

Duke DB Tony Foster running a slant:

Mel Kiper, Jr. sounds off on Duke football’s draft hopefuls

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Duke was able to break its 18-year bowl drought this year, but as the Blue Devils head into the offseason following the Belk Bowl Dec. 27, they will set their sights on another streak to break—producing an NFL Draft pick for the first time since 2004.

Although the draft remains several months away, ESPN College Football Analyst and NFL Draft Expert Mel Kiper, Jr. offered some early insight on Duke football’s pro prospects in a conference call Tuesday morning.

Kiper said that with a skillset that translates well to the professional level, wide receiver Conner Vernon will likely be the first to break the streak.

“I think in terms of what we’re seeing now in the NFL with the slot receiver being such a key entity and a guy like Conner Vernon who doesn’t drop many at all during his career,” Kiper said. “He was an outstanding player, I would say there is a chance that he could be playing in the Senior Bowl. Obviously postseason all-star games will be important.”

Kiper also gave the ACC’s all-time leader in both receptions and receiving yards a lofty NFL comparison in New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker.

“As a slot guy there’s always been those comparisons to Wes Welker—a slot receiver that has that kind of ability and that quickness and that initial burst once he gets his hands on the football,” Kiper said. “[Vernon is] a strong kid with very deceptive speed. This guy has caught a ton of balls, he’s sure-handed and a great, great, great competitor. Unbelievable competitor who knows how to get open.”

ESPN’s draft guru also had high praise for redshirt senior quarterback Sean Renfree, who he said could be a late round pick of a priority free agent, as was the case with former Duke safety Matt Daniels in the 2012 NFL Draft.

“Physically, he has some of the things you look for. Playing for David Cutcliffe obviously helps him,” Kiper said. “He understands this type of offense which is very conducive to transitioning to the pro level pretty effectively. He’s been there a long time at Duke and played a lot of football. He had Conner Vernon and some other guys there to catch the football around him, the talent level got better and he leads them to their first bowl since back in 1994.”

Although postseason all-star games, offseason workouts and a potential trip to the NFL Combine may await Vernon, Kiper said that he can already see a reasonable draft range on the horizon for Duke’s superstar wideout.

“I think Conner Vernon when you get into the fifth round area would be a guy to take a good, hard look at,” Kiper said. “Conner Vernon is the one that I would say fifth round, maybe best-case fourth round.”

Daniels signs with Rams

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After going undrafted in this week’s NFL Draft, Duke safety Matt Daniels has signed with the Rams as a priority undrafted free agent.

The Chronicle first reported the news on Twitter following the draft, in a quick period in which the top undrafted free agents sign. Daniels was not invited to the NFL combine but boosted his draft stock at Duke’s pro timing day when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds.

In his senior season, Daniels earned All-ACC honors after making 126 tackles. He was also a second team All-American and finished third in ACC defensive player of the year voting.

No Duke football player has been selected in the draft since 2000 when defensive tackle Chris Combs was taken in the 6th round. Every ACC school but Duke and Maryland had players selected in this year’s draft.