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Notre Dame TE Tyler Eifert

Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: TE Tyler Eifert

Player Information:

Tyler Eifert, TE Notre Dame
6-6, 250 pounds
Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN

STATS: College statistics

NFL Combine:

40-yard dash: 4.68 seconds
Bench press: 22 reps
Vertical jump: 35.5 inches
Broad jump: 119 inches
3-cone drill: 6.92 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.32 seconds
60-yard shuttle: 11.52 seconds

News and Notes:

Production was somewhat hurt in 2012 by having a freshman QB and constant double teams. … Still led Notre Dame with 50 catches for 685 yards and four touchdowns to win the Mackey Award as the nation’s top TE. … Caught 63 passes for 803 yards in 2011. … Son of former Purdue basketball player Greg Eifert.

 What they’re saying about him:  Read more... (581 words + 1 image, estimated 2:19 mins reading time)

• WalterFootball.com: “Eifert is an NFL-ready pass catcher. He has good speed running down the middle seam with excellent hands. Eifert is fearless leaping in the middle of the field to make tough catches despite knowing that massive hits are coming his direction. He showed real toughness for the Fighting Irish. Eifert is very good on third down to help move the chains. He gains separation on linebackers and is too big for defensive backs. Eifert should be a real contributor in the passing game early in his NFL career..”
• NFL.com: ”Still growing as a blocker and needs to use better angles. Stronger linebackers will rip off his blocks and ride him off his route when he does not use his hands effectively. Allows throws into his body on occasion, will drop the ball when trying to run before securing.”

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North Alabama CB Janoris Jenkins

I highly doubt CB Janoris Jenkins will still be avaliable when the Packers pick late in the first round of the NFL draft, but if he is, Ted Thompson has an interesting decision to make.

On paper, Jenkins vs. Harrison Smith is a complete mismatch. Jenkins is by far the more talented and superior player. But when you factor in concerns about Jenkins off the field and the Packers need for a safety after releasing Nick Collins, the matchup becomes closer.

Jenkins is a cocky, in-your-face, man-to-man, physical cover corner. You can put him on an island against any WR and he’s not going to back down. He’ll take on whomever he’s asked to cover, not ask for any help, and have a good chance of winning the battle.

Smith is one of the better safeties in a weak safety class and almost plays like an extra linebacker. I don’t see him as a guy who can cover the field against deep passing attacks, but I do think he’ll be good in the box against the run and as a blitzer. Think of him sort of as a lite version of Charles Woodson.

If Jenkins and Smith are still out there when the Packers pick (I’m 99 percent sure Smith will be), I think the Packers should take Jenkins. I know Jenkins’ off-field issues don’t make him “Packer People,” but he’s too talented to pass up, especially as QBs, WRs and TEs continue to get better in the NFC North. Yes, Jenkins has character issues, but Mike McCarthy, Charles Woodson and others in the Packers organization should be able to help Jenkins in that area as long as he shows a willingness to work hard on the field and make a few changes off of it.  Read more... (360 words + 1 image, estimated 1:26 mins reading time)

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Notre Dame S Harrison Smith

Green Bay Packers draft prospect profile: Harrison Smith

Player information:

• Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame
• 6-foot-2, 213lbs
• Of the strong and free safeties given a top 125 grade by NFLDraftScout.com prior to the Combine, only Smith (4.57) recorded a time under 4.66.

NFL Combine:

• 4.57 40yd dash
• 4.12 20 yard shuttle
• 6.63 3-cone drill
• 10.02′ long jump
• 34″ vertical jump
• 19 bench press reps

News & Notes:

One of the highest rated safeties in a draft considered extremely weak at the position. …. Intercepted seven passes as a junior, zero as a senior. … Appears suited to play the run well, but struggle in pass coverage. Not a good sign in a league where tight ends are only getting better. … Only player in Notre Dame history to register more than 200 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 15 pass breakups.

What they’re saying about him:

Dane Brugler (CBS Sports)  ”Plays stiff. Needs to be a more technically-sound tackler, often going for the knockout hit or forced fumble instead of wrapping up. Hits too high and loses leverage, allowing ballcarriers to pick up extra yards.”

National Football Post:   “Isn’t a guy you want to trust to run with receivers down the field. However, because of his solid natural range and instincts, I can see him getting over the top and making plays in a center field type role as an NFL strong safety.”  Read more... (400 words + 1 image, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

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