Valentine Holmes runs 4.45 sec 40-yard dash at Pro-Day workout

[DC_fan]

Valentine Holmes' NFL 'D-Day' has finally arrived. The former NRL star completed his workout in front of all 32 NFL teams today, hoping to be signed as a free agent.

It marks Holmes' completion of a 12-week crash course in American football called the NFL International Player Pathway Program at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where he has been training alongside six other NFL hopefuls from the UK, Brazil, Germany and Mexico.

The pro day workout took place Tuesday morning, Australian time, at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' training facility in Florida.


"What a journey it’s been so far!! Can’t wait to see what the future has in store for all of us. Thank you everyone for the support and messages," Holmes tweeted.

What a journey it’s been so far!! Can’t wait to see what the future has in store for all of us. Thank you everyone for the support and messages #staytuned #lessgoo pic.twitter.com/aZX4i2AGa4

— Valentine Holmes (@val_holmes1) April 2, 2019
Team representatives from all 32 teams in the league were on hand to meticulously note Holmes' efforts in the workout and at the conclusion of the on-field drills, teams conducted informal interviews with all players in the program.

If NFL teams like what they see in Holmes, they can sign him as a free agent or put him on a practice squad for the 2019 season.

Holmes' manager told Nine News' Charles Croucher that the 2016 NRL premiership-winner ran a time of 4.45 seconds in the infamous 40-yard dash.
For comparison, Jarryd Hayne - the last high-profile NRL player to attempt a career in the NFL - ran a 4.53 second 40-yard dash, and the fastest ever 40-yard dash time was 4.22 seconds at the 2017 NFL draft combine, set by current Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver, John Ross.

The best time for a running back at this year's NFL draft combine was 4.40 seconds, and at the wide receiver position, the top five 40-yard dash times were between 4.31-4.35 seconds.

"They actually asked if I had played this game before and I said, ‘No, I’ve only been here for 11 weeks’," Holmes told AAP following the workout.

"They were pretty surprised how quickly I had picked the game up."

Top official 40 times for running backs at #NFLCombine:

1. Justice Hill, @CowboyFB, 4.40
2. Ryquell Armstead, @Temple_FB, 4.45
t3. Jordan Scarlett, @GatorsFB, 4.47
t3. Mike Weber, @OhioStateFB, 4.47
5. Travis Homer, @CanesFootball, 4.48

Holmes, 23, was first subject to all the usual body measurements during the pro day, then he completed standard combine and positional drills in front of scouts.

Holmes told Wide World of Sports in February that he was training at IMG Academy to be either a wide receiver, running back or punt or kick returner.

At the workout during punt return drills, just like during his rugby league career, Holmes looked more than comfortable under the high ball.

And now for the sake of pressure - Holmes returning punts pic.twitter.com/TSmNVe8JHP

— Charles Croucher (@ccroucher9) April 1, 2019
If Holmes misses out on selection after the workout, he could be placed in a team in one NFL division which is randomly selected by the league - this year, the AFC East. This division is comprised of the reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.



The NFL program offers to put an international player on a team in that division for the entirety of pre-season training camp, and then franchises have the option to put one international player on their practice squad in an exemption spot, allowing 11 (one more than the standard 10) on the practice squad, but that player is ineligible to be activated during the season at the conclusion of training camp.

Holmes left a lucrative million-dollar contract in the NRL, playing a sport he’d competed in his entire life simply for a shot at making an NFL roster, with zero guarantees.

Valentine Holmes is being measured before his audition in front of representatives from all 32 NFL teams. Details from Tampa on @TheTodayShow and @9NewsAUS pic.twitter.com/PPbMhNuyn7

— Charles Croucher (@ccroucher9) April 1, 2019
At IMG Academy in February, Holmes told Wide World of Sports he was feeling "confident" with his progress, although he admitted that the workload off the field learning intricate plays is requiring extra study.

"The inside work has been challenging but it’s been fun learning a new skill," Holmes said.

"We write a lot of stuff down. They’ve given us notebooks and paperwork for us to take home and study.

"There’s a lot to remember, and it's very specific when you’re playing the sport. When you’re running the route you have to know where you’re getting to, when to cut; you've got to know how to beat your man and all that stuff. So it’s quite a hard sport to learn."

https://wwos.nine.com.au/news/valen...completes-much-anticipated-nfl-workout_020419

 

[DC_fan]

If Holmes had ran at the combine he would have been equal 2nd fastest RB.

 

[shiznit]

Is he draft eligible or is he an UFA??

 

[legend]

I think he'll make it but I'm not sure at what position. He also has age on his side and would be comparable to a senior at the draft. He has a good seven years in front of him IMO if he can shine in front of the scouts and land a contract.

 

[jaseg]

Is he draft eligible or is he an UFA??

Draft eligible - Jordan Mailata (souths junior) was drafted out of the same program last year. Not the *best* RB class either (it seems they're leaning that way rather than WR), but I doubt he gets drafted - it is RB, after all - he'll get a shot somewhere as a UDFA.. and plenty of RBs succeed from there.

 

[shiznit]

Draft eligible - Jordan Mailata (souths junior) was drafted out of the same program last year. Not the *best* RB class either (it seems they're leaning that way rather than WR), but I doubt he gets drafted - it is RB, after all - he'll get a shot somewhere as a UDFA.. and plenty of RBs succeed from there.

It’s a hard one TBH.... a lot of RB’s these days are either all purpose scat backs.... or bellcow 3 down backs who can diagnose pressure and help the QB...

I don’t know if Holmes is either of those things.

special teams is the key for him.... I think with his well rounded background he’s the perfect special teamer.

I’ll tell you what I’d love to see.... Holmes try kicking... could you imagine the advantage a team would have if they had a RB who could kick, punt, return kicks and even cover kicks.

You’d open up 2 extra roster spots for actual different makers.

IMO it’s possible... because you know certain NRL players can do all those things... it will be a matter of transferring it with the different ball... if someone could pull it off it would change the NFL... and probably the NRL as scouts would be all over potential talent.

 

[Disinterested third party]

Been re-watching the 85 Bears season and highly impressed with Payton’s ability to punt, block and throw a pass for a RB.

Singletary was a force of nature.

 

[jaseg]

It’s a hard one TBH.... a lot of RB’s these days are either all purpose scat backs.... or bellcow 3 down backs who can diagnose pressure and help the QB...

I don’t know if Holmes is either of those things.

special teams is the key for him.... I think with his well rounded background he’s the perfect special teamer.

I’ll tell you what I’d love to see.... Holmes try kicking... could you imagine the advantage a team would have if they had a RB who could kick, punt, return kicks and even cover kicks.

You’d open up 2 extra roster spots for actual different makers.

IMO it’s possible... because you know certain NRL players can do all those things... it will be a matter of transferring it with the different ball... if someone could pull it off it would change the NFL... and probably the NRL as scouts would be all over potential talent.

It would be interesting for sure... though you'd had to find/teach someone new to be a holder. And the technique difference is significant for punters (college is so much closer thanks to the rules differences). And the threshold for kickers to not get cut is so high. Would be very interesting if something like that ever happened, though.

I think Holmes just needs to go somewhere with real creativity on the staff, with an undefined position. Apart from the obvious (special teams), I want to see him in pre-snap motions, jet sweeps, moving in and out of the backfield... any time he's on the field, give him something creative to do - because opponents aren't going to know what he can do. And most of those aren't going to result in him getting the ball - just trying to draw coverage. In reality, you're probably only going to actually give him the ball a few times on easy plays (have him available on the hot route, or quick dump offs/screens/the odd run) and see what you have. Tarik Cohen/David Johnson with Bruce Arians style... who knows where he lines up.

If Cleveland does trade Duke, I'd be interested to see him go there with the Kitchens/Monken offense (definitely creative - Monken would surely be tempted to bring back his rugby principle play from Tampa last season, for a start), behind Chubb and Hilliard with Hunt coming back at the halfway point of the season. But then.. I'm a fan, so this is wishful thinking.

The Chiefs could be a niiice fit. Pats via the placement program would be ideal in the long term (they value special teams specialists more than anyone). The Ravens could use him as a receiver.. he's more used to contact than most college receivers, could make something of himself as a downfield blocker... and they have no receivers. Already mentioned Arians, so the Bucs would be interesting to me. Saints & Bears are the other obvious hopeful landing spots, given their coaches.

 

[Dogs Of War]

It would be interesting for sure... though you'd had to find/teach someone new to be a holder. And the technique difference is significant for punters (college is so much closer thanks to the rules differences). And the threshold for kickers to not get cut is so high. Would be very interesting if something like that ever happened, though.

I think Holmes just needs to go somewhere with real creativity on the staff, with an undefined position. Apart from the obvious (special teams), I want to see him in pre-snap motions, jet sweeps, moving in and out of the backfield... any time he's on the field, give him something creative to do - because opponents aren't going to know what he can do. And most of those aren't going to result in him getting the ball - just trying to draw coverage. In reality, you're probably only going to actually give him the ball a few times on easy plays (have him available on the hot route, or quick dump offs/screens/the odd run) and see what you have. Tarik Cohen/David Johnson with Bruce Arians style... who knows where he lines up.

If Cleveland does trade Duke, I'd be interested to see him go there with the Kitchens/Monken offense (definitely creative - Monken would surely be tempted to bring back his rugby principle play from Tampa last season, for a start), behind Chubb and Hilliard with Hunt coming back at the halfway point of the season. But then.. I'm a fan, so this is wishful thinking.

The Chiefs could be a niiice fit. Pats via the placement program would be ideal in the long term (they value special teams specialists more than anyone). The Ravens could use him as a receiver.. he's more used to contact than most college receivers, could make something of himself as a downfield blocker... and they have no receivers. Already mentioned Arians, so the Bucs would be interesting to me. Saints & Bears are the other obvious hopeful landing spots, given their coaches.

Given it's someone in the AFC East who gets him, unless he is drafted (Unlikely), it will only be those teams who can take him. Imagine if the Pats took him and found a role for him.

 

[Dogs Of War]

Is he draft eligible or is he an UFA??

Draft eligible. Then UDFA eligible if some team thinks he has potential. Otherwise AFC East teams can pick him up to add an extra player who isn't counted towards there squad until the 53 is chosen.

 

[jaseg]

Given it's someone in the AFC East who gets him, unless he is drafted (Unlikely), it will only be those teams who can take him. Imagine if the Pats took him and found a role for him.

Anyone can sign him as a UDFA if he's undrafted, not just AFCE teams. That part of the program opens up an extra practice team spot for AFCE teams to have 1 of the selection each of players that were otherwise unwanted within the regular roster confines.

The Pats wouldn't actually be the biggest shock imo... they prioritize role playing and special teams, and already have a Rugby (albeit Union) guy on their roster. And given that they're in the AFCE, it's a distinct 'last option' possibility for a practice squad spot to develop into a Matthew Slater/Nate Ebner type contributor.

 

[Dogs Of War]

Seems he has only one option to join a team now. NY Jets as the 3 other teams have picked someone. I think he is just going to hang out for the draft and see if anyone bites (even as an UDFA). Not sure he wants to be one of the designated International Players who aren't able to join the 53 man squad (They can only play on the practice squad).

 

[Dogs Of War]

Well he is part of the Jets. I'm surprised he is happy to just sit on the practice squad all year. I suppose he has to learn, and next season if impressive enough, could join the 53 man roster.

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

Well he is part of the Jets. I'm surprised he is happy to just sit on the practice squad all year. I suppose he has to learn, and next season if impressive enough, could join the 53 man roster.

At 23, a year in the practice squad learning the sport before playing is best for all I reckon.

Good luck to him.

 

[jaseg]

Interesting - I thought he might have rolled the dice and gone for a UDFA spot at that point, with the fallback being coming back to Aus if it didn't work out.

Jets make a bit of sense though - retained Brant Boyer (ST coach) who has run a good unit there, just lost Andre Roberts (their pro bowl return man). Could slot straight in on ST.

That said, there's next to no chance he plays as a RB - Bell is a massive workhorse, and McGuire/Cannon/Henderson behind him (at least 2 of those guys look good, too) - all on rookie pay scales and fairly unlikely to be cut. Could develop as a WR though... Jets are still bad there. Shame they're stacked with slot guys, though (Enunwa, Crowder, Burnett) - it's wideouts they need. Perhaps he could learn.