We expected Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o to improve his 40-yard dash time at his pro day Tuesday. Te'o didn't disappoint.
NFL Network's Mike Mayock, who was live on the scene at Teo's pro day, reported that the linebacker ran an unofficial 4.75-second 40. That's a little faster than his 4.82 at last month's NFL Scouting Combine.
"I felt good. I'm at home now," Te'o told the Chicago Tribune. "I was very pleased with how I performed. I just expected me to run faster than I did at the combine. That's exactly what I did."
In the end, it probably doesn't make a huge difference what Te'o runs. Mayock said as much on "NFL AM," noting that Te'o won't be drafted for his straight-line speed. The time is improved, but even a 4.82 wasn't crazy slow for an inside linebacker.
Te'o, who probably has spent more time than he'd like in the spotlight, told reporters he won't attend NFL draft festivities next month in New York. Tight end Tyler Eifert, Mayock's No. 1 tight end prospect, also said he won't be there.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that Te'o turned down two invitations from the league to be in New York for the draft, according to sources informed of his decision. The belief was that unless Te'o would be selected in the top 10, he'd rather not be in New York, according to Rapoport. The first invite came when Te'o visited the league office for an awards banquet, and then another invite came earlier in the month. Te'o's representatives at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) declined on his behalf, Rapoport reported.
Mayock believes Te'o will be drafted in the first round. NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah compared Te'o to two pros who entered the league over the last decade: DeMeco Ryans and Kirk Morrison. Both players had solid pro careers. Neither was drafted in the first round, but we expect Te'o's draft-day experience to be different.
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