Prospecting the Draft: Prospect #5 - WR/RB Percy Harvin
Yea, there's a bad stigma working against Florida receivers (even though Ike Hilliard and Reidel Anthony were ok). Percy Harvin appears ready and able to stop that trend. Possibly the most feared offensive threat in college football last season, Percy Harvin smoked opposing defenses for the Gators out of the backfield and out wide. If anyone knows that, it's Vols fans like myself. Oh wait, nevermind... I think Brandon James is actually our daddy (3 PR's taken back to the house in the last 3 years...one of which was called back, but still...). This image seemed fitting.
Check out Harvin in action:
Check out Mocking the Draft's detailed report on Harvin.
TheBullGator has some good comments on Harvin after we took Harvin with the 19th pick in the NoLogoNeeded mock draft.... just scroll down.
Analysis: Harvin can line up out wide, take a quick hitch pass, and either speed past or push an opposing defender for a sizeable gain. He can line up wide and run a lead counter, where the QB will fake the handoff to the running back and hit Harvin coming down the line of scrimmage for an end around.... or come in motion and take the shovel pass around the end. He also took the ball out of the backfield in Florida's draw-it-up-in-the-dirt running attack, hitting big plays on the option and in the running game. Or.... he can just do what othe WRs do... run down the field and catch the ball. Just get him the ball. He has an incredible knack for not just finding the hole, but reading a defense to find where he needs to go at the next level to maximize his gain.
I don't care about the knock on his speed by some pundits. Just watch him play. He accelerates like a Ferrari and blows past defenders with Usain Bolt-type ease. The dude has the skills to become a playmaker at the next level. Period. He's definitely got the body for it, too. He's very strong for a WR... he put up 225 lbs. bench 20 times at the combine (it was also reported on 620-WDAE's Ron and Ian show that he maxed out over 400, but I can't find a definitive link). He runs with a low center of gravity and manages to fall forward for the extra yard. He can get up to get the ball too, as he put up a 37-inch vertical at the combine.
His ability to run routes and play the part of a prototypical NFL-type receiver has been questioned by some due to his hybrid, tweener type play. However, Raheem Morris and other NFL execs/coaches attended Florida's Pro Day in Gainesville, and Harvin reportedly blew everyone away with his route running and receiving skills. I also don't think he's had the opportunity to show off his downfield receiving ability as much as he might if Danny Wuerffel had been throwing him the ball in Steve Spurrier's hey days, due to Urban Meyer's unorthodox offensive scheme.... or at least that's what my Gator-fan Dad complained to me about every Saturday.
How would Harvin fit in the Bucs' offensive scheme? Well, since we still don't know what that offense is going to look like, it's hard to say. There's no doubt that he could create some matchup problems in the right looks if he gets matched up on a linebacker, safety, or an average nickelback... kind of like how the Saints utilize Reggie Bush effectively in the slot. He also requires a defense to account for him on every play and can be used as a decoy to put other players in good position to make plays. He might be a little small for a WR, but he should be strong enough to be a somewhat effective blocker in the running game.
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27 comments
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Comments
....Homers
I heard on the radio this morning that he scored a 12 on his Wonderlic. That’s flat out AWFUL. It is a 50 question test. They said the standard for receivers is about an 18-19. Just throwing that out there.
"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"
by UNFNOLE on Mar 22, 2009 4:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
There have been plenty of NFL stars that have scored low as well.
Those scores mean nothing.
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by The Bull Gator on Mar 22, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And if we are looking at it...
…at least throw out the other receivers that are being talked about as potential first rounders. Crabtree – 15, Heyward-Bey – 14, Hicks, 11. Maclin with a 25 was the high among the first-round receiver prospects.
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by The Bull Gator on Mar 22, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Indeed.
Though a twelve is extremely low. Teams do put some stock into this or they wouldn’t spend the money to adminster it. It dictates how quickly people can make decisions.
"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"
by UNFNOLE on Mar 22, 2009 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dan Marino and Jim Kelly got 15s...
…and Donovan McNabb got a 14 when the average for QBs is around a 24-25. The average for receivers is typically around a 17-18. Not saying his 12 is great, just saying it doesn’t really matter. Watching Harvin on the field, I’m perfectly fine with his decision making. These things are more important with offensive linemen and QBs (and even that’s questionable). This is similar to someone’s stock rising based on their 40-time (i.e. Vernon Davis or Heyward-Bey). Take it all with a grain of salt. If players like Marino and Kelly can play QB successfully for years with their 15 score brains, it means the Wonderlic isn’t the end all be all of tests.
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by The Bull Gator on Mar 22, 2009 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not picking sides
but even more specifically, for Harvin’s skillset i would think the wonderlic would mean even less considering he’s not out there to pick up blockers, etc. He’s there to secure the ball and use his speed.. not much thinking goes into that…
just sayin
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by JScott on Mar 23, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wonderlic for WRs doesn't matter that much
The further away from the ball you are, the less the wonderlic matters. But it is important for positions like QBs, Middle Linebacker, Centers, and Safeties to score well on the wonderlic because in order to play those positions in the NFL you need to know how to make decisions fast. It’s not the end all be all, you need physical and emotional tools to go with smarts. For a guys like Harvin it’s all about speed and skill, it’s not as important. Also QBs like Marino, McNabb, and Kelly are what you call “dumb jocks” who don’t have books smarts but know their way around a football field and had tremendous other skills that made up for their deficiencies.
by atlantaray on Mar 23, 2009 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Still
Don’t think we should pick him up. even though he is explosive and all the others good words. we just simply don’t NEED a WR right now. We got more important positions to fill.
by Maxumas on Mar 22, 2009 5:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
agreed
totally, we need a dt or a lb or a cb!!! though on the cb we can take a while
by CB,DT,LB,OR DE is what we need on Mar 22, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
what is with your name?
when we dont need those positions anymore your gonna feel like a dumbass
"yesterdays a cancelled check, today is money on the line, tommarow is a promisary note" - unknown
"the trouble with me is that my ego just cant accept a loss" -Vince Lombardi
"i dont know any way to lead but by example" -Don Shula
"the only place that success comes before work is in the dictionary" -unknown
"the harder you work the harder it is for you to surrender" -vince lombardi
by dedman on Mar 22, 2009 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well!!!
Until then, i am happy with this name?
by CB,DT,LB,OR DE is what we need on Mar 23, 2009 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Be happy with it...
…I have a feeling with how we are rebuilding at the moment, your name may be relevant for a few years to come.
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by The Bull Gator on Mar 23, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
haha
true dat
"yesterdays a cancelled check, today is money on the line, tommarow is a promisary note" - unknown
"the trouble with me is that my ego just cant accept a loss" -Vince Lombardi
"i dont know any way to lead but by example" -Don Shula
"the only place that success comes before work is in the dictionary" -unknown
"the harder you work the harder it is for you to surrender" -vince lombardi
by dedman on Mar 23, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
dont need a WR
"yesterdays a cancelled check, today is money on the line, tommarow is a promisary note" - unknown
"the trouble with me is that my ego just cant accept a loss" -Vince Lombardi
"i dont know any way to lead but by example" -Don Shula
"the only place that success comes before work is in the dictionary" -unknown
"the harder you work the harder it is for you to surrender" -vince lombardi
by dedman on Mar 22, 2009 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Silly dedman
We don’t need to pick up Harvin or smith. on NFL.com Just about every mock Draft they got us picking up one of 3 people. Josh freeman-Peria Jerry- a LB named Maybin. it wouldn’t be a goos move to pick up Harvin. we got to many WR anyways. i wouldn’t mind Smith don’t get me wrong but we dont need him.
by Maxumas on Mar 23, 2009 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ahhhhhhh agreed with everything with the exception of we dont need smith
we got barber and talib no buchanon anymore we need a third corner plus if ronde was wise hell retire next year hes lost the first step next year hell lose his second his speed is deminishing with every game we need to rejuvinate our corners get alphonso smith and well be set with pro-bowl caliber corners for years to come. i guess i wouldnt mind getting jerry….i guess and id heard the name maybin thrown around before you got any stats on him?
"yesterdays a cancelled check, today is money on the line, tommarow is a promisary note" - unknown
"the trouble with me is that my ego just cant accept a loss" -Vince Lombardi
"i dont know any way to lead but by example" -Don Shula
"the only place that success comes before work is in the dictionary" -unknown
"the harder you work the harder it is for you to surrender" -vince lombardi
by dedman on Mar 23, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rephrase..
I didn’t mean we didn’t need Alphonso Smith. but we got more important Positions to fill, but that can easily change depending on what they do with the Free agency. because we can fill in the DT Position with Tank Johnson which can make a option open for Drafting a LB unless they just decide to have Quincy Black start at weakside linebacker, Then the draft can go either way. but don’t forget there is some good CB in the free agency too, My favorite being Ken Lucas. like i said before i would like having Smith but i’m just more worried about other positions right now.
by Maxumas on Mar 23, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
good old cornerbacks dont bring in anyone over 30 and who would that be? erybody
"yesterdays a cancelled check, today is money on the line, tommarow is a promisary note" - unknown
"the trouble with me is that my ego just cant accept a loss" -Vince Lombardi
"i dont know any way to lead but by example" -Don Shula
"the only place that success comes before work is in the dictionary" -unknown
"the harder you work the harder it is for you to surrender" -vince lombardi
by dedman on Mar 24, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
However!!!
If and only if we trade down to get our 2nd back, then we might not have harvin in the draft for that long (think the giants are high on harvin). I agree with alphonso smith, he has potential but why not go after jerry or one of the defensive ends which there are a lot of quality in the draft.
by CB,DT,LB,OR DE is what we need on Mar 23, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Jags are high on him too.
The way his pro day workout went, I’d kind of be surprised he’ll even be around when we pick at #19 anyway. He’s moved up in the eyes of a lot of scouts.
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by The Bull Gator on Mar 23, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
true however
i was saying the giants because they might trade up to us giving them a better chance at harvin and us getting our 2nd back!
its worth a trie
by CB,DT,LB,OR DE is what we need on Mar 23, 2009 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Harvin
He has some appealing attributes as a prospect, but I agree with the general notion that wideout isn’t a priority. I like that Harvin is a playmaker and rare finese playmaker that breaks tackles and moves the pile at the same time. 19th pick is defense or a trade down. If they draft Freeman I will cry.
by BucsinTO on Mar 23, 2009 5:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If the draft Freeman...
…I will boycott all things Kansas for the remainder of my years.
Unless of course he somehow becomes a star. Then I take that back.
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by The Bull Gator on Mar 23, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would rather have a QB or a dominate LB
But, if there is not “answer” when the no. 19 spot comes up, then by all means let’s pick up Harvin.
In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on Mar 24, 2009 1:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wait, BG...
He went to Kansas State. And you might want to boycott Michael Beasley and Martin Gramatica while you’re at it.
by V. Money on Mar 25, 2009 3:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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