Wire: Robert Herron Impresses Kevin Colbert at Senior Bowl Practice
Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Like most NFL general managers, Kevin Colbert is in Mobile, Alabama scouting some of the NCAA’s best players at the Senior Bowl. According to Coy Wire of FOX Sports.com, Pittsburgh’s general manager was particularly impressed with the play of former Wyoming wide receiver Robert Herron.
It does not surprise me that a player of with Herron’s skill-set made such a positive impression on Colbert. In fact, I mentioned earlier today how most of Pittsburgh’s best wide receivers over the last decade have been guys that have lacked elite size (6’2″+ and 210+ lbs.)
Despite his generally smaller frame (5’9″ 193 lbs.), Herron can be a threat to line up and do damage both inside and outside the numbers. Moreover, his shiftiness allows a player of his stature to burst off of the line of scrimmage and get into his pass-patterns against larger-framed defensive backs.
A weapon who can burn teams underneath and vertically, the smurfish yet dangerous Herron might very well fit the mold of 6′-and-under wide receivers who have been the backbone of the Steelers’ passing game in recent seasons.
A terrific athlete, Herron was actually a running back for most of his freshman season (40 carries for 235 yards) with the Cowboys. After two seasons spent as Wyoming’s premier deep-threat (2011-2012: 74 catches, 1,036 yards and 11 touchdowns), Herron broke out in a big way last fall when he posted career-highs in catches (73), receiving yards (972) and touchdown receptions (9).
As a San Diego State fan, I certainly remember how Herron proved to be quite the nuisance for the Aztecs’ defense when both teams met in Laramie back in 2012.
Although SDSU emerged victorious by a score of 42-28, Herron posted 10 catches, 187 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort. Incredibly enough, Herron probably could have had one more touchdown catch in that game had Brett Smith not misfired a deep ball which should have resulted in six points.
As it stands, it certainly looks like Herron has Pittsburgh’s general manager intrigued with his play so far in Mobile. Most of all, I am interested to see how much Herron can improve his draft stock over the course of this week and during his pre-draft workout sessions.
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