By now we all know that NFL general managers earn their paychecks by their success in the later rounds of the draft and uncovering those hidden gems that can push a team over the top. With the bulk of the scouting just getting underway and many names being brought to the forefront who weren’t exactly on the tip of anyone’s tongues when the collegiate season started, this new segment called Under the Radar will explore just what scouts find attractive about certain prospects who may be available beyond the glamour rounds of the draft.

The NFL has been developing into a tight end dominated league with plenty of versatile players at the position making huge plays on a weekly basis. Missouri State’s Clay Harbor hopes to add his name to the list of multi-dimensional offensive threats at the tight end position in this year’s draft and his stock has been soaring. Harbor had a coming out party at the NFL Scouting Combine with his 6’3” 252lbs. frame he certainly looks the part of an NFL starter. Starting at the bench press, Harbor put up 30 reps at 225lbs. which was tops at his position, his 4.69 time in the 40 yard dash was fourth among tight ends, and his 40-inch vertical jump was topped by only one other participant. He continued to impress scouts with his soft hands in the receiving drills during his workouts in Indianapolis.

Out of the lower level of competition at Missouri State, one would think that an athlete this imposing would have put up some gaudy numbers during his stay with the school. That has to be the one drawback on Harbor as sometimes his athletic gifts don’t translate into on field numbers. Upside, or the lack thereof, may be an issue dragging on Harbor’s stock moving into the NFL as many scouts feel as if he has maxed out his potential for his smallish frame as a tight end with a very low ceiling. As explosive of an athlete as he proved to be at the Combine, there is no doubt that his name will be called during the draft. There may be some hesitation to select him any higher than the 5th round however, and he could become one of the biggest steals in this year’s class for a team in search of a pass catching tight end.

A number of names will be called during April’s NFL Draft that seem to be from out of left field, but don’t let Clay Harbor’s be one of them. Keep looking out for more Under the Radar players shooting up draft boards or quietly lurking in the depth of this class that could make a huge impact over the coming years on Sundays.

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