Skip to main content

Brandt: Georgia Tech's Darren Waller could be 2015 draft steal

There were 31 NFL teams in attendance for Georgia Tech's pro day Friday, including several wide receiver coaches. Seven players worked out indoors on Field Turf, including two players who were at the combine.



Most of the reps on hand were there to see Darren Waller. A wide receiver, Waller is a very interesting prospect not only because of his size (6-foot-6, 241 pounds), but because he runs so well. He was much faster than anyone thought he would be at the combine, where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds. He stood on all of his combine numbers, but he had a very good workout Friday, showing off very soft hands and catching the ball very well. This is a prospect you'll want to keep an eye on. Some NFL team just might get itself a steal.

DeAndre Smelter, who also was at the combine, has not been able to work out because of a torn ACL he suffered in November, but he measured in at 6-foot-2, 227 pounds. He has 11 1/8-inch hands and 33-inch arms. No date has been set yet for his workout.

One other player of note was Shaq Mason, who was not at the combine. Mason (6-foot-1 3/4, 304 pounds) ran the 40 in 4.97 and 5.00. He had a 32-inch vertical and a 9-foot-2 broad jump. He hda a 4.65 short shuttle and a 7.53 3-cone drill, and posted 25 bench-press reps. Mason was worked out as a center by former New England Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, and he looked solid. He's probably a late-round draft pick or a priority free agent.

Follow Gil Brandt on Twitter at @Gil_Brandt.