The spotlight is on former Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o as the NFL Draft quickly approaches. Te'o has a lot of doubt to erase from the mind's teams. Many people viewed his Pro Day as a chance at redemption and he was able to improve his reputation, but only slightly.
Te'o's much-anticipated 40-yard dash time clocked in at a 4.71. This was improved after his disastrous NFL combine time of 4.82 seconds. While the 40-yard dash time is not the ultimate judge of talent or a predictor of one's potential NFL future, it is the drill that garners the most attention. Teams want speed and being on the slower end of a position group can mean a drop in draft stock. The fact that Te'o improved his time, could mean he improved his drafting position.
"I think I did pretty good. I felt good out there, and it's good to be back home with guys I spent the last four years with. Definitely a great comfort level there, and whenever you're comfortable and relaxed, good things are going to happen," Te'o told ESPN.
After a rollercoaster couple of months with the media scandal and the underwhelming combine performance, Te'o said he spent time in Florida working out and improving. The hard work showed as Te'o looked more fluid in drills and showed better agility, all key components for a linebacker.
The question becomes, how will this help him in regards to the NFL draft? After being a non-factor in the National Championship game against Alabama, did Te'o do enough to show he is ready for the professional level? Te'o is still struggling in pass coverage transition and is slow to shed blocks which is something a first-round linebacker would do well.
Mid-way through the college football season, Te'o was a lock to be taken in the first-round. Some considered him top-10 talent. However, as his draft stock continued to drop, he now projected as a late first-round, early second-round pick. He is considered the kind of pick that teams would be taking a risk with.
ESPN's Todd McShay has Te'o being taken 32nd overall to the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens just signed Elvis Dumervil and might not be looking to sign a linebacker with their first pick. They did lose a lot of their defense to free agency and Te'o could really learn under veterans like Terrell Suggs. Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has Te'o being taken at the 19th overall selection to the New York Giants. The Chicago Bears have also been rumored to be looking at Te'o after Brian Urlacher moved on.
The improved 40-yard dash time is a step in the right direction for Te'o. Each second could mean a large difference in the dollar amount of the contract he will sign for.
