This article originally appeared on pittsburghsportsnow.com.
Pitt running back Qadree Ollison is likely to be taken on the third day of the 2019 NFL Draft, ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said on Monday.
Ollison, who finished sixth in Pitt history with 2,859 career rushing yards, impressed with a 4.58 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and improved on his three-cone drill and short shuttle times at Pitt’s pro day.
The result is an experienced, athletic big back that McShay thinks some team will see as a complementary piece to their backfield this weekend.
“I like Qadree on tape,” McShay said. “He’s big, physical, 228 pounds and he ran a 4.58, which is solid for his size. I think he’s been a competitive, tough guy. I think when you look at his career, never a huge playmaker in terms of big production, but he still averaged over six yards per carry last year and was consistent.”
The last Pitt running back to be selected in the draft was James Conner in the second round in 2017. McShay expects his former backfield-mate to go sometime on the third day of the draft on Saturday.
“I think he could be a good back as a rotational No. 2 in the NFL and I think he’s very likely to be, I would say, a fifth or sixth round pick,” McShay said.
The Pittsburgh Steelers own six picks in the final four rounds and sent several staffers to Ollison’s pro day at Pitt. The Buffalo Bills have also shown interest in the Niagara Falls, New York native.