Expert Opinion: DB Jordan Whitehead’s Profile
Football players are always being judged for their size and how they look on the football field.
Jordan Whitehead is no exception. Standing at just 5’10”, Whitehead is definitely undersized, even for a safety. However, he never let that stop him from giving his all on the field.
The folks at NFL.com say: “Fearless downhill hitter. Gets up a head of steam and lowers the boom. Fearless downhill hitter. Gets up a head of steam and lowers the boom.”
While Whitehead possesses these intangibles, he did nothing to improve his draft stock at the combine, choosing to save his workouts for Pitt’s Pro Day this week. He only participated in the bench press and completed 21 reps.
“After putting up 21 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press at the combine, Whitehead upped that total to 24,” said Jeremy Tepper of The Times (Beaver, PA). In the 40-yard dash, Whitehead did not hear his official time, but Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said he heard he ran it in 4.5 seconds.”
Perhaps, what people will remember the most is his lack of production from the safety position. Whitehead has only three career interceptions and not many pass breakups in three years at Pitt. Again, his undersized frame will be a knock on him for sure.
“He’s just an average player right now,” said one AFC team scout via NFL.com. “There is some talent there, but he doesn’t make game-changing plays and he made a ton of mental mistakes this year.”
The Washington Post has also reported that teams would be interested to hear Whitehead address known concerns about his character as he was suspended for the first three games of the 2017 season.
NFL.com lists his closest comparison as Philadelphia Eagles CB Jalen Mills.
Right now, Whitehead is a projected fifth-round pick, so don’t look for him to get much attention as several notable defensive players will hear their name called before his. His best bet will probably come as a rotational player in a nickel back defense or a safety in a zone-heavy defense.
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