Cory Harkey 6'4" 260
TE, UCLA
Rankings: 15th-ranked tight end by Pro Football Weekly. Graded as a player slightly better than 50-50 to make a roster or practice squad. Late draftable pick.
NFLDraftScout: 21st-ranked TE, #347 player overall, free-agent grade.
DraftCountdown: 23rd-ranked TE, late-round/free-agent grade.
Biography/honors:
2011: Started all 14 games as a blocking tight end. Only one catch for ten yards all season. Was still invited to the NFL Combine and played in the East-West Shrine Game. Received Jerry Long "Heart" Award and Kenneth S. Washington Award for Outstanding Senior of the Year from coaching staff.
2010: Started all 12 games. 14 catches for 140 yards.
2009: Played in all 13 games, starting 4. 8 catches for 41 yards and a TD.
2008: Played in all 12 games, starting 7. 5 catches for 40 yards and a TD.
Father Michael was a pitcher for five different major league teams in the '90s and is currently the New York Yankees' bullpen coach. Brother Tony was a college baseball player.
Major: history.
Injuries: none reported.
NFL Combine stats: (position averages in parentheses)
5.11 40 (4.74 - Harkey the slowest TE to run)
1.66 10-yard split (1.63)
29.5” vertical jump (34” - worst jump)
9'1” broad jump (9'10” - also worst jump)
7.40 3-cone drill (7.08 – worst time)
4.69 20-yard shuttle (4.34 - also worst time)
13 bench press (21 - Harkey the worst TE by 5 reps)
Positives: Best blocking tight end in the country according to Mike Mayock. Massive, gritty, in-line blocker who works hard to sustain his blocks. Powerful run blocker. Alert to blitzers as a pass-protector, quick to get outside and cut off rushers. Physically and mentally tough. Has the mentality of an offensive lineman. Durable, works hard, student of the game. Stood out at the Shrine Game, with commentators noting how much more effective the West team's running game was with him on the field.
Negatives: Limited athlete with short arms, slow feet and almost no value as a receiver. Hands are subpar and he has trouble getting off the line. Well-below-average performance at the Combine, particularly at the bench press, which is a surprise given his specialty.
Compares to: Ben Hartsock.
Fun Facts: Cory's father Mike is bullpen coach for the Yankees, who recently lost Mariano Rivera for the season when he tore an ACL shagging flies in pregame warmups. You'd think father would have known better here: he once blew a knee himself in pregame warmups, attempting a cartwheel in the outfield.
RamView: If you followed RamView throughout the draft process, you know I was hot on Cory Harkey's trail to fill the Rams' massive hole at blocking tight end. The Rams developed a crying need at the position, where Billy Bajema and Stephen Spach, unsurprisingly both now ex-Rams, were all but inadequate, and the Ram running game suffered as a result, especially on critical downs. Harkey comes here as the best blocking college TE and a difference-maker on the field. If Matthew Mulligan can stay onside, he and Harkey could reverse the Rams' embarrassing failings as a goal-line offense. If his poor bench performance at the Combine isn't a red flag, Harkey has a strong opportunity to make the team.
Chance of making roster: 45%.
Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2012 Draft Guide, CBS Sports, NFLDraftCountdown.com (Scott Wright), UCLA athletics website, Wikipedia
Photo: Pro Football Weekly
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