Pitt Football
Jordan Whitehead a First Round Pick?
Will Jordan Whitehead play another year at Pitt or will he leave early and enter the 2018 NFL Draft?
That’s a question Pitt fans have been asking lately about him and offensive tackle Brian O’Neil.
If a recent story is accurate, we’re watching our last few games of Whitehead in a Pitt uniform.
Chris Trapasso, NFL Draft writer for CBS Sports, just released his latest mock draft and has Whitehead going in the first round to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jordan Whitehead pregame. — ALAN SAUNDERS
Here was Trapasso’s brief explanation:
Malcom Jenkins has been the glue that has held together the Eagles secondary at times over the past few seasons. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, the safety will be 31 in December, which leads to the selection of Whitehead. The Pittsburgh standout brings a dynamic blend of speed in coverage and quick play-recognition skills in run support.
This morning, PSN caught up with Trapasso to get more insight into his early projection of Whitehead being a first round pick.
We started out asking Trapasso if it’s a no-brainer that Whitehead is leaving Pitt early.
“We’re just into the beginning of November now but I think he’s a player that’s in that fringe area. If he has a strong end to the season and the NFL advisory board tell him he’s a second or third round pick but if you return to school, you can be a first round pick. Would that be something that would get him to enter the draft?” said Trapasso.
”I haven’t had a chance yet to watch every safety in the country yet but I don’t think this is a super deep safety class this could be a pretty good time for him to come out. Because athletically and from what he’s shown on the field at Pitt he could make a case for being one of the top safeties in this class.”
Jordan Whitehead September 10, 2016. — DAVID HAGUE
Last year, Michigan’s Jabril Peppers went in the first round to Cleveland. Is he a player that Whitehead compares to when projecting to the NFL?
”Yeah, I think that’s a pretty good comparison for him. Whitehead seems like a smaller, do everything type safety. He’s not cemented to centerfield, he’s not a bigger weakside linebacker, he can play anywhere. Watching his film, he stands out to me because he’s a step quicker than everyone else to the football, he can deliver big hits and he has very good range in coverage,” said Trapasso.
”I think teams with how NFL offenses are today they like those Tyrann Mathieu type slot cornerback, strong safety, linebacker type player and I think from what Whitehead can do in run support, teams will really like that and that he’s not limited in range.”
This is a story we’ll continue to follow and check back with Trapasso again as the draft draws closer.
Be sure to follow Chris Trapasso on CBS and on Twitter @ChrisTrapasso
