NFL scouts watching college practices rarely bother with underclassmen. Better to focus on who’s in the coming draft than worry over long-term prospects.
But two scouts stared at Jared Gaither one afternoon during a blocking drill at Maryland. The 6-foot-8, 330-pound offensive lineman made one scout ask, “Who’s that?” The other replied “A freshman.” Instead of moving on, both made notes for the future.
The future is Thursday when Gaither is among 10 players entering the NFL supplemental draft after being declared academically ineligible for his senior season. Gaither goes from a potential second or third-round pick next spring to who-knows-what on Thursday.
Gaither worked out for NFL scouts in College Park on Monday. NFL sources told me Gaither may be a fourth or fifth round pick, depending on a shoulder that limited his bench pressing ability and caused overall concern. Jacksonville and Atlanta are reportedly the most interested of 16 teams attending.
NFL teams don’t invest as much effort in the supplemental draft, knowing they can often get the players as free agents. They also forfeit a similar pick in next year’s draft when choosing in the supplemental.
A midsummer gem is rarely found. Receiver Chris Carter was a fourth rounder by Philadelphia in 1987. He’ll probably be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year. Quarterback Bernie Kosar was among eight first-rounders, but so was linebacker bust Brian Bosworth. Conversely, no one was chosen in six drafts, including 2004. Virginia linebacker Ahmad Brooks was a third-rounder by Cincinnati last year.
Gaither is one of the top names along with Texas State-San Marcos linebacker Mark Washington and Georgia defensive back Paul Oliver. Former Maryland defensive tackle Robert Armstrong is also eligible after a year at Morgan State.
Gaither started 17 games at Maryland over two years. He is a mountain of a man with good feet, but modest experience. Gaither was a basketball player in high school before opting for the Terps’ football scholarship. There were some rough spots on and off the field, but the NFL only cares about one thing — can you play?
One former NFL executive known for his drafts told me players sometimes lose a round or two of their value in the summer, partly because of the risk in taking someone shortly before training camp. Without offseason camps to learn the system, players have a harder time making a first-year impact. If the player was a fifth-rounder or worse, they’ll probably go undrafted and teams will compete for them as free agents (translation — cheaper).
Gaither probably cost himself a couple rounds by missing his senior year. However, he can recover some of the lost money by playing a season in the NFL versus college. If Gaither lasts more than four years, a second contract is the money-maker.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
