Panthers Pro Day Update

Jeff Otah’s Delayed Pro Day

If you recall OT prospect Jeff Otah skipped his Pro Day workout as he continued to recover from an ankle injury. Here’s the limited information we have from the work out:

Otah ran the 40-yard dash in a reported 5.67 seconds at the Combine, but he shaved that time to 5.3 while doing drills before 30-plus NFL personnel Wednesday at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex on the South Side. Otah, however, did not run the short shuttle drill, which he also skipped at the combine in February.

"The 40 time did play a role," Otah said. "I ran a 5.6 at the combine, and I felt that I was more explosive than that and I wanted to show them face-to-face how explosive I am.
"I feel like I moved well today," Otah said. "My ankle felt way better than it did. My change of direction was better. I was good with my hands and I finished (blocks).
"Hopefully, the coaches were impressed."

There was concern about his previous 40 time but that may now be alleviated. The 5.3 is nowhere near the 5.05 Chris Williams ran but should be good enough for the Panthers considering Otah is a little heavier than Williams. That may be the think he has most going for him.

One team that made a strong impression by its interest was the Carolina Panthers, which sent general manager Marty Hurney and head coach John Fox to see Otah. The Panthers own the 13th overall pick, and NFL.com analyst Vic Carucci projects them to take Otah in his latest mock draft.

The fact that both Hurney and Fox were present shows how interested they are in Otah. Otah more than likely be there at #13 so if they want a tackle they will have their choice.

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UNC Pro Day – Kentwan Balmer

I’m sure the Panthers would consider trading up from their 2nd round pick to get Balmer.

Twenty-five NFL scouts were on hand to see six players work out indoors on a Tartan surface. Panthers DL coach Sal Sunseri and Rams DL coach Brian Baker ran the drills for top prospect Kentwan Balmer...

" DL Kentwan Balmer (6-4 ½,, 307): Ran the 40 in 5.11 -- ran just once and then said his hamstring tightened. Ran position workout and kept everything else from the combine. Reportedly looked good in the workout.

" LB Durrell Mapp (6-1 1/8, 233): Ran the 40 in 4.75 and 4.65, had a 34 ½-inch vertical jump, 4.29 short shuttle, 7.00 cone drill, ran position drills and kept his numbers from the combine for everything else.