Credit: Ken Sugiura
Credit: Ken Sugiura
Former Georgia Tech center Jay Finch’s pro day workout caught the attention of at least one NFL team. The Green Bay Packers have been in contact with Finch and his agent, according to agent Justin Bingman.
Bingman said that “in talking to Green Bay, it seems like they have heavy interest.”
The Packers do need depth at center. They lost their 2013 center, Evan Dietrich-Smith in free agency. The presumptive starter is J.C. Tretter, a fourth-round pick last year who did not play because of an ankle injury suffered during offseason training last summer. The Packers evidently could have afforded to keep Dietrich-Smith, which shows the confidence they are putting in Tretter.
A possible scenario is that Finch would get picked up as an undrafted free agent. Bingman said other teams have also inquired about Finch. For what it’s worth, the website nfldraftscout.com rates Finch as the No. 20 center prospect out of 51 with a rising stock indicator.
At Tech's pro day in March, Finch ran the 40-yard dash in 4.90 seconds, which would have been the fastest time among centers at the draft combine and one of the fastest among offensive linemen. He also had good scores in the broad jump and vertical jump, demonstrating his explosiveness.
It could help Finch’s cause that he has some long snapping experience and played a little bit of guard at Tech. Versatility always is a plus.
The draft is May 8-10.
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