Here's a question a lot of you have sent in the last few days: Would the 49ers have any interest in Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor in the supplemental draft?
A: I think the 49ers would have no interest in quarterback Terelle Pryor. As for wide receiver Terelle Pryor? That might be more realistic, but I still don't see the 49ers bringing him in.
I spoke with CBS Sports draft analyst Rob Rang about Pryor this afternoon. He said he thought Pryor had excellent athleticism and had adequate arm strength. But he questioned his accuracy and his ability to "make the stick throws" on the NFL level. Most of all, Rang wondered about Pryor's leadership and character, which are very much in question in light of the current NCAA investigation at Ohio State.
"For me, it's one of the reasons why I rated Andy Dalton, Christian Ponder and Jake Locker a little higher - because at the quarterback position, you have to be a leader," Rang said.
Rang said he thought that Pryor was a better wide receiver prospect. Ohio State lists him at 6-6, 233 pounds. Rang said he has excellent quickness and agility and might be a handful for defensive backs. Rang said he thought Pryor - if he were to run a 40-yard dash before the supplemental draft - probably would be in the high 4.5-, low 4.6-second range. Pryor rushed for 2,164 yards in three seasons at Ohio State. He also has three receptions in that span, two of them for TDs.
Would the 49ers be interested? They do not have a deep roster when it comes to wideouts. Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan are the presumptive starters while Ted Ginn is the only other wideout with any meaningful starting experience. Morgan and Ginn also are entering the final years of their contracts.
But the 49ers have several younger prospects, including Ronald Johnson, a sixth-round pick in April, and Kyle Williams, a sixth-round pick last year. Furthermore, the supplemental draft likely will occur in early to mid July, which could coincide with the start of free agency. That is, the team could be adding other wide receivers - especially undrafted college players - just as the supplemental draft is occurring. Pryor may not be a priority.
You also have to wonder whether Pryor even wants to play wide receiver. Neither he nor his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, took questions during a brief press conference today in Miami. This quote suggests a switch isn't on Pryor's mind.
"In terms of my future, I am entering the (NFL) supplemental draft, and I'm working hard every single day on the field and off the field to be a better quarterback," he said. "And also one of my goals is to be the best person I can be off the field, to be the best role model I can be off the field."
-- Matt Barrows
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