NFL Scouting Combine: Jace Amaro Impresses With His Bench Press Workout
By Cyrus Geller
Dec 30, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Jace Amaro (22) after the Texas Tech Red Raiders defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots are in need of some help at the tight end position, and as you probably know by now, there is plenty of talented guys to pick from, in this year’s draft class.
The NFL Scouting Combine has gotten underway, and one of the first tests is the bench press. Here is a breakdown of how the top tight ends fared in this test of strength:
Jace Amaro-28 reps
Troy Niklas-27 reps
C.J. Fiedorowicz-25 reps
Eric Ebron-24 reps
Austin Seferian-Jenkins-20 reps
I am hoping that the Patriots go after Amaro in the first round come draft day, because I think he has the potential to be a real impact player in this league. Mike Huguenin of NFL.com said that Amaro is considered to be more of a “finesse” player, but this performance certainly helps his case as an overall tight end prospect. Here are a few of Huguenin’s comments:
"For a guy considered a finesse tight end, Texas Tech’s Jace Amaro had an impressive bench press workout Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine.If nothing else, he showed Friday that he is surprisingly strong, with 28 reps of 225 pounds. That’s an impressive number for a guy whose arm length is 34 inches. Generally, the shorter your arms, the easier it is to lift.Amaro, who measured 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds at the combine weigh-in, had 106 receptions in 2013 and set an NCAA record for receiving yards by a tight end with 1,352. But while he is a top-notch receiver — he lined up wide about 80 percent of the time for the Red Raiders — his blocking is a concern for some teams."
Joe Don Duncan pushed out the most reps, finishing with 35 presses. Duncan went to school at Dixie State, and as big guy (6’3, 268 lbs), he may be someone the Pats would want to select for insurance to Rob Gronkowski. I had the opportunity to interview Duncan a couple of weeks ago, and I came away extremely impressed.