It may be the off-season, but things are certainly heating up in the NFL this week. The 2016 NFL Draft, which kicked off on Thursday, April 28, is already changing the game. The draft will make or break the futures of our favorite teams, the most prominent players in the league, and the biggest stars in the college football world. While there are some exciting draft picks that are drawing lots of attention, an undrafted prospect is making waves.
This prospect is Terron Beckham, cousin of Odell Beckham, Jr.
Terron Beckham, fitness trainer and model, is a complete physical anomaly. Beckham, who stands at 5 feet 11 inches and weighs 230 pounds, boasts a 44.5-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot broad jump, and is capable of bench pressing 225 pounds a total of 36 times. He has been invited to the New York Jets’ rookie minicamp to see what he can do, which according to this footage is quite a lot.
Here’s the catch: Beckham never went to college, and therefore never played college football. Beckham had played football in high school as a running back, but he lacks the experience that playing the game in college offers. Also, he does not have the game time statistics behind him to warrant the Jets using a draft pick to secure his place on the team. Are impressive workouts and familial ties enough to warrant filling the pivotal position of a running back with someone with neither performance nor injury data?
The hype is perfectly understandable. It is exciting to see someone perform the physical feats that Beckham is capable of, and if he is able to put his fantastic athleticism to work, the Jets would be hailed for taking this risk. The tough question that no one wants to answer is whether or not the risk is worth it. Beckham can do a few fancy tricks and looks great while doing them, but has not had to perform under NFL-level pressure. Beckham’s body can keep up with the rigor of his training, as of right now. But we do not know how likely it is that he will remain healthy enough to perform well.
There are 53 spots on an NFL team’s roster. Is Terron Beckham alluring enough to the New York Jets to justify that choosing him will be a smart move? Without the statistics and experience behind him, it seems unlikely that Beckham will move past the Jets’ rookie minicamp. For now, though, it is just a waiting game. How Beckham performs at camp will determine his future in the league. This is nerve-wracking for all involved, but is hardly the pinnacle of the 2016 NFL Draft. There will be plenty more exciting trades and drafts in the very near future.