Jaelon Darden watch thread

97and03 · March 25, 2021

ntmeangreen11 · March 25, 2021

Never thought he would run below 4.4 so 4.47 is fine. A time above 4.55 would have possibly plummeted his stock. His shuttle and 3 cone times are elite, that's where he wins.

Pretty awesome that between this and the EXOS pro day here last month we've had a huge number of scouts, top NFL prospects and personnel at the IPF. Surely that helps a little in terms of pro consideration for the future. What matters most is the impression he made on the scouts, what they report back will determine if he goes day 2 or 3.

Edited March 25, 2021 by ntmeangreen11

SigmaGreen · March 25, 2021

What was his shuttle time in comparison to others?

MeanGreenTexan · March 25, 2021

10 minutes ago, SigmaGreen said:

What was his shuttle time in comparison to others?

People were jaw-dropping at Rondale Moore’s #s, and outside of the vertical jump, their numbers are extremely similar (Moore milliseconds ahead on some & Darden milliseconds ahead on others).

greenminer · March 26, 2021

greenminer · March 26, 2021

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North Texas’s Jaelon Darden is an intriguing slot option. He certainly qualifies as one of the more “fun” players in this draft class. If you were wondering how confident Darden is, he said, “making someone miss is like waking up in the morning and brushing my teeth.”

Darden measured in at 5’7” and weighed 174 pounds. Size could be a concern, but Darden’s agility will be difficult for any wideout to top:

THURSDAY PRO UPDATES

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JAELON DARDEN: Seeing my mom not being able to pay the light bills and things of that nature, having to swap homes, stay with my grandma. It was a lot going on with that, so that's what pushed me to be honest. A lot of people don't know that, but that's my chip on my shoulder as well.

Jaelon Darden Could Be First Mean Green Player Picked In NFL Draft Since 2004

Coach Andy Mac · March 26, 2021

This is not about IF but WHEN. GMG

97and03 · March 26, 2021

97and03 · March 30, 2021

Darden at 84 currently

NorthTexasSportsNetwork · March 30, 2021

I don’t think this has been posted yet, but a cool database of all the Mock Drafts for JD.

https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/players/2021/jaelon-darden

greenminer · April 7, 2021

Thanks @NorthTexan95

greenminer · April 12, 2021

On 3/25/2021 at 2:29 PM, MeanGreenTexan said:

People were jaw-dropping at Rondale Moore’s #s, and outside of the vertical jump, their numbers are extremely similar (Moore milliseconds ahead on some & Darden milliseconds ahead on others).

Good stuff. As someone who doesn't really follow the draft, it dawned on me that these workouts are probably very important to Darden's draft potential. Much more than the SEC guys. I'm thinking, if they are dwelling a lot on the CUSA-level of competition, they are going to look for everything they can find to justify his production, or prove it was an illusion.

Guys who produce at the top level of NCAA competition and get de facto-placed at the top of these mock drafts, these workouts probably don't have a ton of value to them. At least, not as much.

greenminer · April 14, 2021

Good find, @Marty

MCMLXXX · April 17, 2021

Another 4th round projection.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/nfl-mock-draft-2021-complete-7-round-edition-pairs-patriots-bears-washington-with-new-qbs-after-top-picks/ar-BB1fBw4F?ocid=msedgdhp

RiseUNT · April 17, 2021

3 minutes ago, MCMLXXX said:

Another 4th round projection.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/nfl-mock-draft-2021-complete-7-round-edition-pairs-patriots-bears-washington-with-new-qbs-after-top-picks/ar-BB1fBw4F?ocid=msedgdhp

Patriots do need a slot.

meangreen11 · April 28, 2021

Darden has an over/under of 169.5 at Circa, which (I believe) is the only book to post a prop for him.

Darden is not on my top 100 big board, but I have him ranked No. 139, so I have bet the under.

read more: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.actionnetwork.com/fantasy-football/jaelon-darden-2021-nfl-draft-profile-dynasty-fantasy-analysis-props-to-bet%3famp=1

meangreen11 · April 28, 2021

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He specifically is dynamic once the ball is in his hands. Last year, he had 23 broken tackles on 74 catches (per Pro Football Focus) and 7.8 yards after catch per reception (per 2021 Sports Info Solutions Football Rookie Handbook). Darden is slithery and tough to bring down.

meangreen11 · April 28, 2021

5th Round (Pick No. 155 from Jets via Giants)

Jaelon Darden, Wide Receiver, North Texas

Darden’s combination of speed, quickness and elusiveness may be unmatched in this draft. He’s small at 5’9, 170 pounds but he’s a game-changer for sure

read more: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.12news.com/amp/article/sports/nfl/cardinals/bruce-coopers-arizona-cardinals-mock-draft-2021/75-87d41980-99c2-4481-9c09-79b787aa506c

meangreen11 · April 28, 2021

Jaelon Darden, WR, North Texas

“Making someone miss is like waking up in the morning and brushing my teeth, I gotta do it every day.” After reading that quote, if you aren’t sold on Jaelon Darden then I can’t help you. His size may be a concern to some at only 5-7, 170lbs, but if you watch him play football you don’t even notice his size. In his four years at North Texas, Darden compiled 230 receptions for 2,782 yards with 38 touchdowns. His senior year alone he had 19 touchdowns in only nine games and 1,190 yards, averaging 16.1 yards per reception. Darden was selected the 2020 CUSA Most Valuable Player, leading the Conference USA in receiving touchdowns in both 2019 and 2020. What’s more, Darden has plenty of experience as a punt returner, scoring a touchdown on a return his freshman year. He could be an ideal gadget piece for Matt LaFleur’s offense in that “Tyler Ervin” role, and he’d make an immediate impact on special teams for new coordinator Maurice Drayton.

read more: https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/five-players-for-the-packers-in-the-2021-nfl-draft-part-v-102

greenminer · April 28, 2021

via @meangreen11

2 minutes ago, meangreen11 said:

5th Round (Pick No. 155 from Jets via Giants)

Jaelon Darden, Wide Receiver, North Texas

Darden’s combination of speed, quickness and elusiveness may be unmatched in this draft. He’s small at 5’9, 170 pounds but he’s a game-changer for sure

read more: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.12news.com/amp/article/sports/nfl/cardinals/bruce-coopers-arizona-cardinals-mock-draft-2021/75-87d41980-99c2-4481-9c09-79b787aa506c

7 minutes ago, meangreen11 said:

Darden has an over/under of 169.5 at Circa, which (I believe) is the only book to post a prop for him.

Darden is not on my top 100 big board, but I have him ranked No. 139, so I have bet the under.

read more: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.actionnetwork.com/fantasy-football/jaelon-darden-2021-nfl-draft-profile-dynasty-fantasy-analysis-props-to-bet%3famp=1

meangreen11 · April 28, 2021

meangreen11 · April 28, 2021

Steelers Mock Draft: The Final Product

Lastly, the Steelers add a special teams presence in the form of speedy receiver Jaelon Darden, who could find a potential role as a slot receiver who can stretch the field.

link: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.si.com/nfl/steelers/.amp/gm-report/pittsburgh-steelers-mock-draft-final-product

greenminer · April 28, 2021

Kiper's final draft rankings have Darden as the 23rd best WR this year

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2021/insider/story/_/id/31341281/2021-nfl-draft-rankings-top-150-prospects-best-500-position-mel-kiper-new-big-board

greenminer · April 29, 2021

97and03 · April 30, 2021

On 4/28/2021 at 11:35 PM, greenminer said:

Kiper's final draft rankings have Darden as the 23rd best WR this year

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2021/insider/story/_/id/31341281/2021-nfl-draft-rankings-top-150-prospects-best-500-position-mel-kiper-new-big-board

Don’t look at the “best remaining” WR on ESPN. It will enrage you. Has Jalen way low, with even Rico above him.