Through the Phog
Fansided

Kansas football: Dorance Armstrong looks good ahead of NFL Draft

By Stan Unruh

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Kansas defensive lineman Dorance Armstrong (DL25) runs a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Kansas defensive lineman Dorance Armstrong (DL25) runs a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The NFL Draft is just over a week away. Former Kansas defensive end Dorance Armstrong has every reason to smile.

The excitement is building. With the NFL draft just over a week away, former Kansas standout defensive end Dorance Armstrong has many reasons for optimism. There are dozens of mock drafts, pre-draft predictions and lists of the best available players. Just about everyone has good things to say about the former Jayhawk.

Sure, fans initially expressed disappointment when Armstrong ruined the first week of 2018 when he announced he would skip his senior season for David Beaty. Following a step backward after a fantastic 2016 season, many believed the 6-foot-4 250-pound defensive end would want to play one more year. What Armstrong did at the NFL combine confirmed he made the right choice.

Since the combine in early March, Armstrong continues to do all the right things and we continue seeing positive reinforcement. He is listed on Gil Brandt’s top 150 players. Several mock drafts suggest a team could select Armstrong as early as round three. It’s all good news.

A month after his combine performance Armstrong participated when KU hosted their annual Pro Day. He dramatically improved his bench press from 20-25. The Texas native also improved his score in the vertical jump.

The only number that may concern some NFL decision makers is his 40-yard dash time.  Armstrong ran the 40 in 4.87 at the NFL combine. The time did not improve at the KU Pro Day.  Some say that will hurt him on draft day. Others disagree.

Next: David Beaty should name a starting quarterback now

As a matter of fact, two of the best edge rushers in the draft, Marcus Davenport of University of Texas-San Antonio and Harold Landry of Boston College ran the 40 in 4.58 and 4.6 respectively.  Teams will select those two  before Armstrong anyway. That’s fine. A year ago, Cincinnati selected Kansas State’s Jordan Willis in the third round. Armstrong and Willis are similar in size. Willis ran a 4.53.

Home/Kansas Jayhawks Football