NFL Draft Rumors: Seahawks reportedly interested in WR Mark Harrison

Following up yesterday's rumor that the Seahawks are very high on Colorado TE Nick Kasa, Tony Pauline adds today that Seattle has made recent contact with and are very interested in Rutgers WR Mark Harrison.

Per Pauline:

"I'm told Mark Harrison/WR/Rutgers could be selected much earlier than people expect. Harrison silently turned in one of the best workouts of any receiver at the combine. Measuring slightly under 6-feet, 3-inches and tipping the scale at 231-pounds, Harrison posted an official hand time of 4.37-seconds in the forty as well as a vertical jump of 38.5-inches. He also had the longest arm length of any receiver at the combine, 35-inches. Just prior to the Rutgers pro-day last month Harrison broke the fifth metatarsal in his left foot yet is expected to be 100% by the middle of May. Who's showing the most interest in Harrison? The Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers have all had recent contact with Harrison. The New York Jets have also been poking around the big receiver. Its not out of the question the Niners could use a late third or fourth round choice to acquire the big bodied wide out."

Not surprising, as the Seahawks have shown interest in the unheralded yet big, fast, physical specimen receivers over the past few years. Here's what I said about Harrison prior to his Combine workout:

"Mark Harrison is another physical specimen that I could easily see the Seahawks taking a look at. Harrison didn't get a ton of press after an under the radar season at Rutgers, but his size is unparalleled in this group. At 6'3, 231 pounds with absurd 35.08" arms and 9.58" hands, Harrison projects as a speedy (he's expected to run very well) yet big slot receiver or a potential convert to move tight end or H-back. His tape is pretty impressive, and he'll be one player to watch closely -- he's currently projected as a late-round guy, but could climb on physical makeup alone. You can go ahead and add him to your list of top sleepers in this year's class."

Jared Stanger, Matt Erikson, and a couple of our other draft experts also like Harrison so this rumor certainly interests me. Here's what Stanger said about the big Rutgers' WR back in March:

Harrison has sort of gone under the radar this year, both nationally and on the Rutgers' roster, because he played on the same team as sophomore WR Brandon Coleman. But his 44 catches, 6 TD's, and 6'3"/230lb frame got the attention of the combine invite committee. Harrison proceeded to shred the combine to the tune of a 4.46 forty, 38.5" vertical, 10'09" broad. By comparison; Kellen Winslow went 4.55/33.5"/10'01" while measuring 6'4"/247, and Aaron Hernandez ran 4.64/33"/9'03" at 6'2"/245. I'm using the measurables of TE's on purpose. Although Harrison has been playing WR, I would ask him to put on like 10 lbs and then use him as a TE/H-back a la Dalanie Walker (6'1"/240/4.49/36.5"/9'10").

I think he would be a matchup nightmare inside against LB's and nickel corners. NFLdraftscout.com has Harrison rated in the 7th round (even after his combine), which I think is really low. I'm gonna hope the rest of the league has him in the 6th, and then run to the podium if he's there in the 5th.

With the news that the Niners may take him with a 4th or even a 3rd round pick, Jared may not get his wish.

Speaking of which: You notice the Niners seem to always be interested in the same players as Seattle? Also, unsurprisingly, Gus Bradley and John Idzik's new teams, respectively, are also showing interest. Regardless, I like Harrison - his tape is pretty impressive, and his size/speed ratio is off the charts.