As the NFL Draft approaches, one name has surged to the forefront of discussions among scouts and analysts: Perry. Once considered a hidden gem, Perry’s impressive performances and workouts have significantly boosted his draft stock, positioning him as one of the most powerful players in the class. His combination of lower-body flexibility, lower-body functional strength and special teams potential has made him one of the players to watch.
Perry’s emergence follows his breakthrough—a season in which he made a major leap. He has brought a home run level performance on the pitch. When combined with his impressive performances at the predraft gauntlet, many analysts have him slated to go in that elusive first round. After all, this transformation is all the more remarkable considering that he wasn’t on anybody’s draft board until a few months ago.
Impressive Athleticism and Versatility
Perry’s athleticism was the primary driver behind his rise up the first-round draft boards. Incredibly, he ran a 4.41 second 40 yard dash at NFL Combine, proving his speed and agility on the field. This performance secured his status as one of the most versatile players in the game, known for his ability to contribute all over the field.
His versatility across multiple offensive positions has surely peaked interest from NFL scouts. USC product and fellow prospect Armand Membou was a keen observer of this aspect of Perry’s game.
“The biggest thing is understanding the different responsibilities depending on which hand you have down, which stance you’re in… just being the best football player you can be is the most important thing…. I think my ability to play multiple spots is something that teams value.” – Armand Membou
Perry’s ability to play most infield positions increases his immediate value tremendously. This is an indispensable ability in today’s NFL climate, where players are often required to make multiple position changes on the fly. His versatile tools have him appealing to every team, especially those who want to improve their OL / DL.
Growth in Gameplay
Perry’s play on the field has taken major strides these last two years. Having first gained acclaim for his strength in the run game, he’s gradually improved his pass protection to match. Making this progress is a sign that he is just scratching the surface of his potential, and that’s music to the ears of NFL scouts and general managers.
His football IQ and feel for the game is helping him make a late push to the top of boards. Most pundits agree that his ceiling at tackle is clear, not just in his tape but in predraft testing as well. Perry’s ability to switch between run blocking and pass protection without a drop off in quality is proof of his versatility.
Membou pointed out:
“At tackle, you have to be a little more athletic to handle that speed off the edge. I think most teams think I’m athletically capable enough to play tackle… it just depends on what their needs are.” – Armand Membou
And that’s what this insight really highlights—that the league is so, so competitive. It points out the sterling value of being a renaissance person—the focus of the vast seas of Perry.
Special Teams Potential
Beyond what he can provide on offense, Perry brings useful special teams upside to the mix, specifically with his contributions on punt coverage. It’s his speed and agility that makes him such a valuable asset here. They provide teams more opportunities in key moments of a game.
Scouts have reported that Perry’s lower-body flexibility contributes to his agility around the field. This ability does wonders for his overall impact on special teams. This is actually an incredibly important aspect of his game for teams. It can raise their collective game at all stages of the game.
His dominant play all season and in matt drills have made him the darling of many NFL teams. Most teams believe Perry to be an early contributor as a core special teams player while still developing into a starter on either side of the ball.
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