Arizona Cardinals: 5 NFL Draft prospect to watch from the ACC
By Cody Potanko
In the second of the Arizona Cardinals Power Five conference prospect profiles, we take a look at five prospects from the ACC conference.
Below are five prospects the Arizona Cardinals should consider drafting from the ACC. The conference has the reigning National Champion’s in Clemson but may not have any players worth drafting with No. 1. But they should have a few the Cardinals could take in the second.
Kelvin Harmon – WR, N.C. State
Kelvin Harmon, an N.C. State prospect is a solid prospect at wide receiver. He finished his 2018 season with a solid Pro Football Focus grade of 83.1 and posted two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Per PFF, he also ranks in the top-20 in the wide receiver class in yards per route run (2.83), 20+ yards receptions (13) and deep pass yards (466).
Over Harmon’s three-year Wolfpack career, he posted 2,665, 15.1 yards per catch and 16 touchdowns as well.
Harmon’s route running is rather impressive with crisp cuts and footwork, which naturally allows him to create separation. But, if it doesn’t create separation, he can still win with strong hands and box out ability as he possesses a 6-foot-2, 221-pound frame. Because of his hands and size, he is a monster in the contested catch department but his lack of speed (4.60 second 40-yard-dash) will force him into those situations more than it should, but it doesn’t seem to faze him.
His physicality at the line of scrimmage allows him to beat press coverage more times than not. It’ll simply be a cold day in hell if you lock him from the jump. With his footwork and stutter steps, defenders will have a hard time getting a beat on him. Due to his size and physicality, he will be no stranger to bullying small corners and he should bring his outstanding blocking ability from college to the pros well.
Final verdict: I project Kelvin Harmon as a top-40 lock. With his size, contested catch ability, and great route running he would be a suitable replacement for Larry Fitzgerald when he rides off into the sunset.