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Raiders Select Terrelle Pryor in 3rd Round of Supplemental Draft
Photo - Terrelle Pryor – Ohio St
The Oakland Raiders used a #3 draft pick to select QB Terrelle Pryor in the NFL Supplemental Draft 2011 today. The Raiders will surrender their #3 pick next April in the NFL Draft 2012 as a result of the selection.
Pryor was the only player drafted this summer. The Raiders have stated that Pryor will play QB for them, though he is expected to see most of his playing time in the shotgun as a Wild Cat performer. Pryor will start his career in true Raider tradition with a five game suspension due to his penalty for illegal benefits during his late Ohio St. career.
Terrelle Pryor Scouting Report Below was part of Free Supplemental Report for Subscribers
Terrell Pryor #2 - 6’6” 240 lbs. - Ohio St - Sp. 4.40 Rating 75
Hindu Theory - QB Brad Smith - Bills (Missouri)
Big powerful athlete had an outstanding short career with the Buckeyes that earned him Big Ten honors over his three seasons. He faced a five game suspension this fall if he remained at Ohio St for receiving illegal benefits that violated NCAA rules. The NFL imposed that suspension to open his pro career to accept his entry into this draft process. He had an excellent workout on August 22nd that was attended by over half the NFL clubs. He ran a fast sub 4.40 time and threw the ball to a few receivers that utilized the complete route tree.
As a passer, he has the combination of size and arm strength. He worked in a run oriented offense that limited his exposure to pro sets. He needs extensive work on his throwing motion where he can aim his throws too often. He struggles going through his progressions and rarely hooks up with a secondary receiver. His throwing motion is too elongated and can telegraph his throws. He needs strong coaching on throwing basics from his footwork, follow through and throwing motion. His accuracy has been adequate and could improve with better passing mechanics. One glaring issue with his passing is that he did not improve over three starting seasons and his throwing fundamentals are still raw and awkward.
As a runner, he shows speed, power, quickness and playmaking ability with the package teams seek in a pro Wild Cat performer. He has fine strength that combined with his cutting skills, quickness and vision allow him to run both inside and outside successfully. He is a tough downhill runner who will break tackles and also make defenders miss. He moves quickly to the hole with the ability to run laterally well and create space on the second level. Over his career, he rushed for over 2000 yards during his short three-year career.
As a runner in the openfield, he runs in a gliding style that follows blockers well and he changes speed efficiently with the burst of speed to hit the seam and finish with great power. He is a fluid runner who has the burst through the hole to reach the 2nd level easily with the lateral quickness to retain good speed and get outside. He uses quick feet and fine vision to make defenders miss with the great power to finish strong and make critical yardage. He can lower a shoulder and take on defenders with the ability to consistently move the pile and is an excellent finisher. He usually picks up his assignments quickly and shows the toughness and agility to handle a blitzing linebacker or defensive linemen, relying on his fine strength. He is a very tough runner with a strong lower body, allowing him to break tackles and finish his runs well relying on his large frame and power. He is an aggressive runner who will run inside very effectively and the speed to get to the corner.
He is capable of being a fine value prospects in this draft class with an expected middle round selection. He has very deceptive speed with a long stride that allows him to run away from defenders. He has the ability to follow blockers nicely and separate from tacklers once he reaches the second level with top breakaway speed. As a mobile passer, his accuracy needs to improve. He can be a dangerous weapon in a Wild Cat role where running skills allow him to get to the perimeter easily and with improved accuracy would make him a huge weapon in a pro offense.
The Skinny: Talented tough athlete with marginal development as a pro passer. His early value will be as a Wild Cat performer. He is remarkably similar to the Bills’ Brad Smith when he came out of Missouri for the NFL Draft 2006. Smith has been the most versatile player in the league – throwing, running, returning kicks and making tackles on special teams. Pryor has no experience returning kicks or playing on coverage units, but brings a very unique weapon to an offense that is similar to Smith. He is a fine combination of size, speed and quickness, is similar to Smith in AA, body type, size and LOD. He is an excellent short yardage and goal-line runner who can contribute in that role immediately as a pro. He is on the short list of the Ravens, Colts, Raiders, Seahawks and Eagles. Talented athlete with intriguing pro potential and possible NFL starting QB in time. Marginal top 100 prospect in standard NFL Draft in April. He has the skill set to be a huge steal and surprise, but his value will be strictly as a situational Wild Cat weapon early in his career. He faces a longer learning curve as an NFL passer, though he is an outstanding #3 passer with excellent long-term potential and fine short-term value as a role performer.
Draft Projection: 4th Round