Several ex-Ducks are projected to be picked in the 2016 NFL Draft beginning Thursday. Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich, however, probably won’t be watching when their names are called.
Helfrich doesn’t fancy himself as a “draft-watcher.”
“My agent said that I’m not going to get drafted again,” Helfrich joked. “So I’ll probably not pay attention.”
Nevertheless, Helfrich said he’s excited to find out where his players end up and to talk to them afterward. He still receives calls and texts from NFL scouts inquiring about some of the top-rated Ducks on the draft board — namely defensive lineman DeForest Buckner — but said it’s easy and fun to field their questions.
“What the film says is what you’re going to get,” Helfrich tells scouts. “They’re great kids. DeForest is a great example of that — just a great person who will make your franchise better.”
Buckner impressed scouts at Oregon’s Pro Day on March 10, particularly with his interior pass-rushing and run-stopping abilities, but also his versatility — he played every position on the defensive line during his time at Oregon. For him, the day was about showing scouts why he believes he’s the best defensive lineman in the draft.
“I’ve got film to back it up,” Buckner said. “Wherever the coaches need — outside, inside — I can fit.”
Buckner is widely considered a top-10 draft pick. ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay’s latest mock draft projects the Cleveland Browns to select Buckner with the eighth overall pick.
Former Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams hasn’t garnered the same degree of attention, despite being the most efficient passer in the country in his one-and-done season last year. He is projected either to be a late-round draft pick or not to be drafted at all.
On the Dan Patrick show Monday morning, Adams touched on why he thinks he’s been overlooked.
“Because I’m the shortest quarterback in the draft, man,” he told Patrick.
Adams stands at 5-foot-11, weighs 200 pounds and has 9 1/8-inch hands, all of which are considered undersized for quarterbacks. Adams said he believes he is as good if not better than former Cal quarterback Jared Goff, whom Todd McShay projects the Los Angeles Rams will draft first overall.
“I’m not going to sit here and say he’s better than me because there’s nothing that he’s doing that I can’t do.”
Adams said the only quarterback he thinks is better than him is former North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz. Helfrich was surprised Adams didn’t say he was the best quarterback in the draft.
“He obviously has a reason to be confident and believe in himself,” Helfrich said. “He’s proven himself at all levels.”
As many others have previously, Helfrich compared Adams to Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, referencing the similarities in both their statures and playmaking abilities. Helfrich said such players, regardless of size, have the potential to succeed in the NFL if they are fortunate to have a strong supporting cast of coaches and teammates, as well as time to progress.
“You can get it done, you just have to be in the right system,” he said. “Hopefully he’ll end up in a place where [he’s] not thrown into the fire without any weapons. Giving him time to develop will help him a lot.”
At Pro Day, Adams delivered a message for NFL scouts.
“Put on the film,” he said. “I’m not the tallest guy but I make it happen.”
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