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Grayland Arnold went undrafted within the 2020 NFL Draft however may show to be a steal for the Eagles.
That vast chip on Grayland Arnold’s shoulder has been there since start. He makes use of it as motivation — and fodder on social media.
Arnold was pressured to look at 255 different gamers leap off the board final week after he went undrafted. As his supporters flooded Twitter with optimistic messages — and hyperlinks to his many highlight-reel performs — the Baylor security couldn’t conceal his feelings. He was “pissed off.”
The most effective case for Arnold, in line with the scouts, was a Day three choice. When that didn’t occur, the ball-hawking security (and nickel cornerback) from Baylor let his feelings go. Even after the Philadelphia Eagles lastly signed him as an undrafted free agent.
The Eagles listed the 5-foot-9, 186-pound hybrid participant at defensive again however he can play cornerback and security. Eagles GM Howie Roseman later clarified that Arnold would get a shot at security throughout coaching camp in an interview with SportsRadio 94WIP. Unprompted, the manager dumped a truckload of flattering compliments on him.
“Grayland Arnold from Baylor, a security, he’s a man that after we noticed him run a 4.59 (40-yard sprint), we had been shocked,” Roseman advised Angelo Cataldi. “He’s obtained super manufacturing on the ball and we had been actually excited to get him as an undrafted free agent.”
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Arnold May Be Undrafted ‘Steal’ of NFL Draft
The truth that Arnold went undrafted shocked many within the know. He tied for fifth within the nation final yr in interceptions with six.
He completed the season with 46 whole tackles and two cross breakups whereas incomes second-team All-America and second-team All-Large 12 honors. He began 11 video games at security in 13 appearances at Baylor in 2019 as a red-shirt junior. Then, in a shocking transfer, he determined to skip his senior yr and enter the NFL Draft.
“On the finish of the day, if I get an inch, I’ll take a mile,” Arnold advised KCENTV in Central Texas. “I have to get my toes within the door, regardless if it’s drafted or undrafted.”
His unimaginable velocity — 4.59 seconds within the 40 — made him a lovely commodity to the Eagles. Arnold additionally served as a return man in school and took 12 again for 149 yards and a rating in 2019. John Morris, the play-by-play announcer for Baylor soccer, referred to as him the “steal” of the draft.
“I feel they’re going to get a steal there, from Grayland Arnold,” Morris mentioned, by way of KCENTV. “Grayland has performed cornerback, so he’s obtained these expertise after which performed security additionally. He can do just about something you'll ask of him so I hope he will get a shot.”
Scouting Report: Sturdiness & Tackling Issues
Arnold’s scouting studies drew combined opinions from the draft specialists. Can he keep wholesome on the subsequent stage? He struggled with accidents in school, together with lacking three video games in 2017 with a damaged arm and 9 contests in 2018 with a busted ankle. He appeared in solely 30 whole video games in 4 years at Baylor.
Lance Zeilein of NFL.com referred to as him an “instinctive nickel cornerback prospect” in his notes:
Instinctive nickel cornerback prospect with above-average subject consciousness and ball expertise to trace it and flip the sector. Arnold has man-cover athleticism with good route anticipation however lacks the large closing burst to shortly shut floor after separation. He’s extra impactful in smaller areas the place his instincts and quarterback consciousness enable him to shade and squeeze throwing lanes. Arnold’s punt-return capability provides further Day three worth, however sturdiness and tackling are regarding.
In the meantime, Walter Soccer blasted Arnold’s determination to skip his senior yr and handed him a C- grade.
Grayland Arnold in all probability ought to’ve gone again to high school, as he’s a late-round prospect at finest. I can perceive why he’s making the leap, given the teaching change at Baylor, nevertheless it’s exhausting to grade this favorably.
The Eagles took a flier on Arnold as an undrafted free agent and it may develop into a steal. Hybrid defensive backs are all the fad.
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