The names scrolled across the screen as teams made their selections during the second round of the NFL draft. But something was missing. Where was Dan Connor?
Penn State’s top prospect was projected to be a shoe-in second round pick, but for some reason, Gene Washington, president of the NFL Players Association, never called his name from behind the podium at Radio City Music Hall.
Some of the picks were understandable. USC’s Keith Rivers and Tennessee’s Jerod Mayo are legitimately better athletes at linebacker than Connor.
But then came the Detroit Lions at pick No. 45.
Owners of the league’s worst defense (378 yards per game), Detroit was desperate for a solid linebacker to sure up its anemic run defense.
The Lions’ general manager is former Penn State All-American defensive tackle Matt Millen.
So logical thinking would suggest Connor would’ve been a perfect fit for the Lions.
Not only was he the best run-stopper still available, but reuniting two former Penn State stars would’ve been public relations gold.
When Washington approached the podium, Connor’s name was in the back of Nittany Lion fans’ minds. Then came the announcement, “The Detriot Lions select Jordon Dizon, linebacker, Colorado.”
What? Wait … there’s no way. It can’t be. I don’t think I’m that delirious.
And as ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. began his breakdown of Dizon, it sounded eerily familiar.
Undersized to play middle. Like Connor.
Lacks coverage skills to play outside. Like Connor.
Solid football player, overachiever. Like Connor
But take a look at the numbers and it’s easy to see Connor was the better pick for the Lions.
Connor’s bigger (four inches taller and five pounds heavier), faster (4.67 40-yard dash compared to Dizon’s 4.75), and he even has the hardware to prove it.
Connor beat out Dizon for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually to college football’s best defensive player.
But there was Millen, welcoming Dizon to the Lions while Connor sat and waited, forced to spend the night contemplating his future.
Maybe Millen didn’t want to appear as a homer to a Penn State player.
Maybe he’s just a bad general manager.
Millen is not known as one of the league’s best talent evaluators — unless it comes to wide receivers.
The Lions are 31-81 since Millen became general manager of the team and that futility will be even more reinforced when Connor is starting for the Carolina Panthers — who took him in the third round — while Dizon’s wallowing on special teams in Detroit.
Millen missed his opportunity, and while Connor may have lost a couple of zeros from his signing bonus, he’s in a better situation with the Panthers.
The Panthers’ defense is better than Detroit’s, and he has the chance to play with former Penn State teammate Tim Shaw.
If anything, being slighted to the third round should act as motivation for Connor to prove all of the teams that passed over him wrong.
Obviously, Connor is not happy with how far he dropped.
His father, Jim, said his son was shocked he slipped to the third round.
But this could be a blessing in disguise. Connor has a chance to start immediately and make an impact for a playoff contender.
It may hurt for a couple days, but when Connor gets to Carolina’s rookie mini camp, he’ll be back where he belongs: on the field, making plays, and the round he was picked won’t mean much at all.
