An article from Senior Bowl week on Havenstein

Wisconsin State Journal

Rob Havenstein improving draft stock at Senior Bowl

January 23, 2015

http://host.madison.com/sports/college/football/badgers-football-rob-havenstein-improving-draft-stock-at-senior-bowl/article_6e8a252e-a271-11e4-b3b0-bbd6662adf96.html#ixzz3ZnUqE3HH

University of Wisconsin right tackle Rob Havenstein, the only Badger at this week’s Senior Bowl, has taken advantage of his early chance to impress NFL scouts.

Havenstein was measured at 6-foot-7, 332 pounds earlier this week and has shown those in Mobile, Ala., that he has more athleticism than at first glance.

“(Havenstein) is a really good football player,” NFL Draft expert and former NFL scout Russ Lande told CineSports. “He came here to the Senior Bowl and through two days, he’s been perhaps the best offensive tackle. Really has impressed people with how athletic he is.

“I think by the end of the week, if he keeps going, he could be one of those guys that really sort of sets himself up to move up draft boards and be as high as a second-round draft pick.”

Havenstein was projected as a third-day pick before the week, so a jump to a second-round projection would be quite the feat for one week of work.

The NFL success of past UW offensive linemen also probably helps Havenstein in the process.

After watching Senior Bowl practice Wednesday, Real GM’s Jeff Risdon said Havenstein isn’t very quick with his arms or hands and his technique isn’t always pretty, but “he’s got the function over form outcomes that do translate well to the next level.”

“I want to show that I can get to the spot in pass protection, and that my hands are good enough to play at the next level and handle the mental aspect of the game and learn an NFL playbook,” Havenstein told the Baltimore Sun before the week began. “This is awesome, obviously. This is a great opportunity. This is the game you want to be invited to, and I was fortunate enough to get that invitation.”

The Senior Bowl will air on NFL Network on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Here’s some other praise for Havenstein from this week:

Matt Miller @nfldraftscout
Continue to be impressed by Rob Havenstein. He’s going to be a starter at RT for a long time.

Nick Jacobs @Jacobs71
My two favorite Offensive Linemen so far on tape
LG- AJ Cann from South Carolina
RT- Rob Havenstein from Wisconsin

Anthony DiBona @Anthony_DiBona
Wisconsin OT Rob Havenstein really stood out whenever I watched tape of Melvin Gordon.
Glad to see he’s doing well at the Senior Bowl.

Emory Hunt @FBallGameplan
In 1-on-1 drills, @UWBadgers OT Rob Havenstein has had an amazing week of practice. DEs have had problems all week #SeniorBowl