re: Dallas Goedert wont run 40 at pro day

Just found this...Report: Saints host four-star O-lineman

Last season, the New Orleans Saints fielded what was among the best offensive lines in the NFL, surrendering the fewest quarterback hits and pressures and the second fewest sacks (20) of any group in the league.

But the unit was also subject to a number of serious and often costly injuries to every starting position, notably to left tackle Terron Armstead and center Max Unger in the early preseason, to right guard Larry Warford briefly during the season, and had two starters, right tackle Zach Strief and left guard Andrus Peat, wind up on the injured reserve.

What’s more, the team lost valued backup Senio Kelemete to the free agency period, when the guard/tackle combo departed for the Houston Texans. The Saints brought back Jermon Bushrod as a free agent, but the team would clearly like to get a look at the younger options coming up in this year’s class of college prospects.

This week, they are doing just that, hosting Iowa center/guard James Daniels for a pre-draft workout, according to FOX 8 (New Orleans).

Daniels (6-foot-4, 295 pounds) arrived in Iowa in 2015 as a four-star recruit by the 247Sports Composite Ranking, which also listed him as the sixth-best center in the country and 18th-best player from Ohio. Three years later, Daniels is Mel Kiper’s third-best center and McShay’s 35th-best player overall.

He was a three-year starter at school before declaring early for the NFL Draft following his junior season and is frequently listed as one of the top center prospects in this draft class, projected as a first- or second-round option by NFL Media.

Daniels’ draft stock enjoyed a boost after he had a good showing at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, where he put up 21 bench press reps of 225 pounds and was among the top performers among offensive linemen in the 3-cone drill, with a 7.29 second mark and a 4.40 second showing in the 20-yard shuttle.

Here are Daniels’ strengths and weaknesses, according to NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein.

STRENGTHS: “Elite movement talent for the position. Smooth, fluid and flexible. Good snap to step quickness. Initial contact is balanced and well-timed. Outpace defenders laterally and reaches three-techniques all day long. Slides feet into position and swivels hips to secure the block. Easy second-level climber with agility for high connection rate. Takes smart angles. Can beat inside linebackers to the spot and get them sealed. Has reactive athleticism to open hips and redirect against slants on his backside. Snatches and mirrors for block centering and sustaining on work-up blocks. Finishes. Technically sound and works well with his guards. Pass sets with wide base and plus balance. Rarely caught lunging or over-extending against athletic rushers. Has foot quickness to stay mirrored and handle counters. Rolls hips under him for quality anchor.”

WEAKNESSES: “Played lighter than he needs to be as a pro. Has to continue to add functional mass to his frame. Power at the point of attack is average. Bull-rushers make him work overtime to maintain his anchor. Will struggle to recover if nose guards get hands on him first. Target points can be too high in pass sets causing hands to slide up and off opponent. Gets in a hurry to climb on top of second level linebacker and will leave initial block unsecured for guard next to him. Scheme didn't allow for much drive blocking.”