NFL bans teams from traveling to pro days
The NFL has banned teams from traveling scouts and executives to pro days across the country, citing the coronavirus pandemic.
“After considering recent medical and public safety information related to COVID-19, we have decided to prohibit all in-person pre-Draft visits involving draft-eligible players effective at the end of this business day, “ the NFL said in a statement Friday.
NFL teams are still allowed to conduct interviews with players via telephone and video conferences.
The NFL’s stance has put TCU’s pro day scheduled for March 27 in jeopardy. With no NFL teams present, signs would point toward not hosting it.
But a source said TCU is still evaluating ways in which it might be able to help former players “while also adhering to university guidelines and coronavirus virus preventative best practices.”
Pro days are an opportunity for NFL hopefuls to showcase their skills in front of teams. The Horned Frogs have 14 players scheduled to participate this year.
The NFL prohibiting teams to travel is difficult news for every player chasing their professional dreams.
Wide receiver Jalen Reagor had a disappointing 40-yard dash time at last month’s NFL Scouting Combine and hoped to run better at the pro day in front of NFL teams.
Right tackle Lucas Niang expected to use his pro day to showcase his athleticism in front of NFL scouts. He wasn’t able to participate at the Combine, coming off season-ending hip surgery in November.
A handful of TCU players weren’t invited to the combine and could have gotten on more NFL radars with strong showings such as safeties Innis Gaines and Vernon Scott and left tackle Anthony McKinney.
Defensive end Shameik Blackshear is another player who wanted to work out in front of NFL scouts. He’s played defensive end his entire college career, but has been doing some work as a potential blocking tight end at the next level.
At the end of the day, most NFL teams are going to rely on a player’s game film. But pro day would have been another avenue to potentially boost a player’s stock in the pre-draft process.
Here’s the list of TCU players scheduled to participate: Reagor, Niang, Gaines, Scott, McKinney, Blackshear, Ross Blacklock, David Bolisomi, Julius Lewis, Cordel Iwuagwu, Jeff Gladney, Darius Anderson, Sewo Olonilua and Jonathan Song.
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 3:15 PM.
