Random Draft Thoughts from Random People

[Vin+ 3,121]

The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot believes the Dolphins' signing of Brent Grimes "increases the likelihood" that the Browns target Alabama CB Dee Milliner in April's draft.

 

The Browns had a contract proposal on the table for Grimes, but he picked the free-spending Dolphins when they offered more money (and a surprising $3 million guaranteed). Although many mocks project Milliner in the top five, he's not as highly thought of inside the NFL as he's been in the draftnik community. There's every chance Milliner will be available at the No. 6 pick.

 

Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

 

 

 

According to TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline, scouts are beginning to wonder if Alabama RB Eddie Lacy (hamstring) is "too injured to run or just too slow" because he's yet to run for teams.

 

Per Pauline, frustration in the scouting community is "beginning to boil over." Lacy didn't run at the Combine or Alabama's Pro Day, but has scheduled a "personal workout" for April 11. It will be do-or-die time for the bruising 5-foot-11, 231-pound back, who could goose his stock with a strong time in the 40-yard dash.

 

Source: TFY Draft Insider

 

 

 

Yahoo's Mike Silver confirms the Cardinals still have "some interest" in NC State QB Mike Glennon despite the additions of Drew Stanton and Carson Palmer.

 

Palmer isn't a long-term solution at age 33, and Stanton is a career backup, even if Bruce Arians loves him. Glennon would give Arizona a potential long-term franchise quarterback. Despite the Cardinals' flurry of signal-caller movement, they shouldn't be ruled out as a likely destination for early-round passers. They're just not going to draft one with the seventh overall pick.

 

Source: Yahoo Sports

 

 

 

 

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald considers the Dolphins "not likely" to draft West Virginia WR Tavon Austin with the No. 12 overall pick.

 

We never saw it as a likely landing spot, either. Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland has long struggled to evaluate skill-position talent, and Austin is arguably the premier offensive skill player in this year's draft. Austin could still be drafted by the Bucs at No. 13, Panthers at No. 14, or Rams at 16th overall.

 

Source: Armando Salguero on Twitter

 

 

 

According to NFL Draft insider Tony Pauline, some NFL teams are comparing UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin to Frank Gore.

 

Without the history of catastrophic knee injuries, of course. Despite smallish size (5'10/205), Gore is a natural and physical runner through traffic and also possesses three-down skills much like San Francisco's four-time Pro Bowler. Gore is listed at 5-foot-9, 217, so he's in the same ballpark as Franklin from a size standpoint. With Eddie Lacy still nursing a balky hamstring, Pauline believes Franklin cold surprise as a late first-round pick.

Source: TFY Draft Insider

 

 

 

The Florida Times Union expects the Jaguars to target a defensive lineman with the No. 2 overall pick.

 

Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell, who learned under needs-drafter Thomas Dimitroff in Atlanta, "likes to draft for need" and Jacksonville has huge needs on the D-Line. (They have huge needs everywhere but receiver and left tackle, to be realistic.) The Times Union's Vito Stellino believes "it would seem to be a reach" for the Jaguars to consider West Virginia's Geno Smith at the second pick.

 

Source: Florida Times Union

 

 

 

Two league personnel men told NFL.com's Albert Breer that USC QB Matt Barkley did not hurt himself by staying in school for his senior year.

 

Popular opinion insists Barkley would've been a top-five or ten pick after a better junior year, and his stock was hurt by returning for a more error-filled senior campaign. "I don't think Barkley really hurt himself," said one AFC scouting director. "He was the same guy last year. He didn't start falling in October, no matter where he was on everyone's 'big board' in December. I looked at Barkley (after his junior year), and I thought he was a backup quarterback. And it was the same thing this year." Added a second college scouting director, "Based on his junior tape, he was a second-rounder for us. That's his talent. Coming back, you could argue that, with less quarterbacks this year, he should've rose to the top."

Source: NFL.com

 

 

 

Appearing on ESPN's SVP & Russillo radio show, Todd McShay stated that he's "hearing from people" Florida State QB E.J. Manuel could be drafted "as early as the middle of the first round."

 

McShay only has a late second to early third-round grade on Manuel, but teams are apparently higher on Christian Ponder's Florida State successor. McShay acknowledged that Manuel has "a lot of potential" because he has "a lot of physical tools", but struggles early in games and is "good for a couple of big blunders a game." Manuel is an intriguing case because he possesses read-option skills and is entering an increasingly read-option NFL.

 

Source: ESPN.com

[Vin+ 3,121]

According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Ty Dunne, the Seahawks have been showing interest in Louisiana Tech WR Quinton Patton since the 2011 season.

 

The Journal-Sentinel did a feature piece on Patton for Saturday morning's editions. Patton put himself on the draft radar in 2011 by catching 79 passes for 1,202 yards and 11 touchdowns, before improving on each of those marks as a senior. He's a second-day talent. Seattle could view Patton as competition for Golden Tate, or even Sidney Rice's eventual replacement at Z receiver.

 

Source: Ty Dunne on Twitter

 

 

One NFC personnel man tells ESPN Chicago that the No. 20 overall pick would be "a tad rich" for Notre Dame ILB Manti Te'o.

 

The Bears could really use a long-term solution at linebacker with James Anderson and D.J. Williams on one-year deals and Lance Briggs only signed through 2014, but Te'o would be a reach at their first-round selection. It's why we wouldn't consider the Giants at No. 19 a probable landing spot for Te'o, either.

 

Source: ESPN Chicago

 

 

NFL Draft insider Tony Pauline suggests the Buccaneers could be interested in a trade up to acquire BYU DE Ziggy Ansah.

 

Despite questions about Ansah's transition to the NFL after only one productive college season, teams remain enamored with the 6-foot-5, 271-pound edge rusher. We don't expect Ziggy to make it out of the top-five picks, but if Tampa Bay turns its attention away from Darrelle Revis, Ansah could add juice to a suspect defensive end group.

Source: TFY Draft Insider

 

 

NFL Draft insider Tony Pauline hears that Stanford TE Zach Ertz and North Carolina DT Sylvester Williams are "evidently favorites" of Jets GM John Idzik.

 

Ertz and Williams are not candidates for the No. 9 overall pick, but could be on New York's radar at No. 39 overall. Williams seems less likely after the Jets drafted defensive linemen in each of the last two first rounds (Muhammad Wilkerson, Quinton Coples). Ertz would fill a pressing need as a catch-first tight end in a Jets offense all but bereft of quality skill-position players.

 

 

Source: TFY Draft Insider

 

 

 

According to CBS Sports draft analyst Dane Brugler, NFL scouts' opinions are "all over the board" on Marshall WR Aaron Dobson.

 

Dobson's draft-slot range is considered anywhere from the first to fourth round. Brugler suspects Dobson's likely landing spot will be somewhere in between. At 6-foot-3, 210 with forty times in the 4.4s, Dobson is an intriguing size/speed prospect. According to STATS ICE, Dobson didn't drop a single pass last season, although he had a tendency to disappear in games.

Source: Dane Brugler on Twitter

 

 

Citing "whispers around the league," ESPN's Adam Schefter hinted on his blog that Alabama OG Chance Warmack could be in for a draft-day mini-slide.

 

Schefter believes it "wouldn't be completely shocking" if Warmack were available at the Cowboys' No. 18 overall selection. Warmack is a lock first-rounder, but keep in mind many pegged David DeCastro as a top 10-15 pick last April and he lasted to the Steelers' pick at 24. Guard is not a coveted NFL position.

 

Source: ESPN Insider

 

 

 

After polling numerous NFL scouts and personnel men, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport came away feeling that "No one quite knows" what the Jaguars plan to do with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft.

 

"My approach to this whole thing is, I've gone very silent," Jags rookie GM Dave Caldwell said. "It's going to be a pretty close-knit group (who knows) what direction we're going to be heading." Oregon DE/OLB Dion Jordan and, to a lesser extent, West Virginia QB Geno Smith are the most commonly mocked picks for the Jaguars at No. 2. NFL execs believe Jacksonville would trade down in an ideal scenario and add to its seven draft picks.

 

 

Source: NFL.com

 

 

An AFC executive compares USC QB Matt Barkley to Chad Pennington.

 

"The kid has all the intangibles you could imagine," the executive said. "You couldn't ask for a better kid or a harder worker. But he just doesn't have the arm on the deep stuff. ... That's what people said about Pennington (in 2000)." Pennington's former coach Herm Edwards believes Pennington is a "a little better" than Barkley. Pennington was the No. 18 pick of the 2000 draft.

Source: Yahoo Sports

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The Denver Post gives the Broncos a 33 percent chance of using their first-round pick on a running back.

 

Reporter Mike Klis ups it to "99.9 percent" that the Broncos use one of their first three picks on a runner. Alabama's Eddie Lacy is the most obvious candidate for the Broncos to take in the first round, but UCLA's Johnathan Franklin is a dark-horse possibility. Finally over his hamstring injury, Lacy is holding a "personal workout" on Thursday.

 

Source: Denver Post

 

 

A league source tells The Sideline View's Lance Zierlein that LSU S Eric Reid's stock is "on the rise," and that he could sneak into round one.

 

Reid is a big hitter who showed well at the Combine, but questions about his cover skills have had him almost exclusively projected as a day-two pick. Rotoworld draft guru Josh Norris believes "perceived athletic upside" would be the only reason Reid goes in round one.

Source: Lance Zierlein on Twitter

 

 

 

A league source tells The Sideline View's Lance Zierlein that Tennessee WR Cordarrelle Patterson could fall out of the first round.

 

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah is hearing the same thing. At 6-foot-2, 216 pounds with 4.42 wheels, Patterson is a freak athlete, but a raw route runner. He's also been nicked for his tendency to "body catch," though he didn't struggle with drops in college. Patterson was reportedly "very unimpressive" in his Combine interviews. Patterson has legitimate question marks, but he could end up one of the steals of the draft if he falls to day two.

 

Source: Lance Zierlein on Twitter

[DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241]

I doubt Patterson falls out of the first. But I don't doubt that he could fall outa the top 20.

[Vin+ 3,121]

ESPN's Jon Gruden believes QB Landy Jones got "bored" and "complacent" his final two years at Oklahoma.

 

"Jones was around so long and had seen so much as a college player that I think he got complacent," Gruden writes. "I see a player who got bored. ... The Sooners often went with four-wideout formations, and I thought it stymied their QB. They lost balance and their play-action passing game. That put a lot on Jones, and it probably created a situation where he had to throw the ball too often." Jones threw for 4,718 yards and 38 touchdowns as a sophomore, but fell short of both totals his junior and senior seasons. Immobile and inconsistent, Jones will be lucky to come off the board on day two.

 

Source: ESPN.com

 

 

An NFL source tells ESPN Chicago Stanford TE Zach Ertz is "very much in play" to be the Bears' pick at No. 20.

 

The Bears gave Martellus Bennett a four-year, $20.4 million deal on the first day of free agency, but the source insists they have "genuine interest (in Ertz) as a second tight end." The Bears have much bigger needs at other positions, but may not want to get caught short at tight end after putting one of the worst TE corps in the league on the field last season. Bennett is a genuine receiving threat, but also an excellent blocker. Ertz is a pure pass-catcher at this stage in his development.

 

Source: ESPN Chicago

 

 

 

League sources believe the Dolphins may actually trade back from No. 12 in the draft if the tackle trio of Luke Joeckel, Eric Fisher and Lane Johnson is already off the board.

 

The persistent buzz has been that Miami is plotting an aggressive move up, but they're apparently willing to "trade back to take advantage of a deep draft." We still think a move up is more likely than down, but the Dolphins could target Notre Dame TE Tyler Eifert if they move back a few picks. Dustin Keller is only on a one-year contract, and Eifert is a more complete tight end.

 

Source: Miami Herald

 

 

 

BYU DE Ziggy Ansah had "never seen a football game" before enrolling in college.

 

23-year-old Ansah is a native of Ghana, and enrolled at BYU with hopes of walking onto the basketball team. He ran track before joining the football team in 2010. He didn't earn a scholarship until 2012. Ansah's unusual background and slow development have created questions about his top-ten draft status, but most signs suggest he won't escape the top five. An imposing 6-foot-5, 271 pounds, Ansah ran a 4.63 40-yard dash at the Combine, and posted the second fastest ten-yard split among defensive linemen.

Source: Detroit Free Press

[RazorStar 4,025]

Dolphins are apparently high on Fluker, so they may trade down to get him at a better value.

[CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025]

Dolphins are apparently high on Fluker, so they may trade down to get him at a better value.

 

Yep.

 

But... if you're banking on Martin or Fluker to be your LT?...

 

[Vin+ 3,121]

NFL Draft insider Tony Pauline has been told that Florida ILB Jon Bostic has a "distinct" chance to be a second-round pick.

 

Bostic is a physical inside 'backer with an NFL starting skill set. Clubs reportedly believe he can be a "three-down defender," which enhances the value of ILBs. Bostic has visited the Browns, Bears, and Colts before the draft.

 

Source: TFY Draft Insider

 

 

 

SI's Peter King writes that he "heard guard a lot" over the weekend when discussing the Bills' first-round selection at No. 8.

 

Per King, rookie coach Doug Marrone is "figuring" he can acquire Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib later in the round by "moving up 10 or 15 spots" from the Bills' second-round slot at No. 41. Coming away with Chance Warmack -- to replace Andy Levitre -- and a quarterback of the future would look pretty nice on paper for Buffalo. Keep in mind GM Buddy Nix only has six draft picks worth of ammo.

 

Source: SI.com

 

 

 

The National Football Post passes along "buzz building in league circles" that the draft's top-three offensive tackles are in "high demand" and will "go fast" on the first day of the draft.

 

The tackle-needy Chargers, sitting at 11, can no longer count on one of the tackles falling to them. They may have to reach for D.J. Fluker, and we could also see Terron Armstead going in the first round. Per NFP, "some" would not be surprised if a team like the Dolphins traded up for a left tackle. We expect Luke Joeckel, Eric Fisher, and Lane Johnson all to be top-seven picks.

Source: National Football Post

 

 

 

CBS Sports' Mike Freeman reports the Chiefs are "making it clear they are willing to trade out of the top overall spot."

 

The Chiefs have long been known to be open for business, but an anonymous scout tells Freeman they're basically "begging" to unload the draft's top pick. It's unclear how far down the Chiefs are willing to move, but they'd likely prefer to stay in the top ten, if not the top five. It's unknown how a potential trade of LT Branden Albert would affect the Chiefs' plans.

 

Source: CBSSports.com

 

 

According to SI's Peter King, Bengals DC Mike Zimmer has spent "loads of time" evaluating Houston CB D.J. Hayden, and he could be a possibility at No. 21.

 

Per King, the Bengals are also high on Georgia LB Alec Ogletree and Alabama RB Eddie Lacy. The Bengals spent a first-round pick on CB Dre Kirkpatrick last year, but have an aging secondary otherwise. Kirkpatrick's health is also a question mark. Lacy would make a lot of sense for a team that wants a power-rushing attack, but lacked the horses in 2012.

 

Source: Sports Illustrated

 

 

 

SI's Peter King "hears" Jets coach Rex Ryan is "awfully smitten" with LSU DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo.

 

Mingo is one of the most athletic pass rushers in the draft, but is riddled with question marks. There are concerns about his rushing technique and tendency to play too high, while CBS' Dane Brugler believes Mingo lacks "growth potential." It would still be a surprise if Mingo fell past the teens.

 

Source: Sports Illustrated

 

 

 

 

SI's Peter King believes Oklahoma LT Lane Johnson won't get past the Cardinals at No. 7.

 

Specifically, King thinks the "only way" for an interested team to land the draft's No. 3 blindside protector will be to leapfrog Arizona. The Cardinals' new braintrust has been coy on its draft plans, but Johnson would be a tantalizing possibility for a team whose line has been in tatters for years.

 

Source: Sports Illustrated

 

 

 

 

According to SI's Peter King, the Eagles like Utah DT Star Lotulelei "a lot."

 

Per King, the Eagles believe Lotulelei can play "all along the line," including nose tackle. It's the first time Lotulelei has been officially linked to the Eagles, though he's been viewed as a potential top-five pick for months. Lotulelei shouldn't fall out of the top ten.

 

Source: Sports Illustrated

 

 

 

 

NFL.com's Albert Breer considers the Browns a "wild card" for West Virginia QB Geno Smith.

 

The Browns pick at No. 6, but Breer believes they could target Smith in a trade down. SI's Peter King agrees. The Browns haven't been strongly connected to the draft's top quarterback, but that may be the way they want it. The Cleveland media believes the Browns are resigned to the fact that Brandon Weeden will be their QB in 2013, but perhaps not if Smith falls into their lap.

 

Source: Albert Breer on Twitter

[Vin+ 3,121]

At least one NFL personnel man believes Utah DT Star Lotulelei is one of the draft's more overrated players.

 

Lotulelei only had seven sacks in his four-year college career. "He’s not a top-five pick, not at all," said the NFL personnel man. "He’s a good player, but he’s not that good. Somebody will take him higher than he should be taken, because he’s gotten a lot of hype. Don’t get me wrong he’s a great, big run stuffer, but that’s all he is." We still fully expect Star to be drafted in the top ten.

 

Source: Newark Star-Ledger

 

 

 

 

NFL Network's Mike Mayock says he is "scared to death" of Georgia LB Alec Ogletree as a first-round pick due both to off- and on-field concerns.

 

Ogletree is a candidate to slide out of the first round because his character is a nightmare. "I’m scared to death about Ogletree, both for on- and off-the-field issues," Mayock said. "When you put the tape on, he has no clue what he’s doing. He looks like a safety that somebody plugged inside at inside linebacker. He just runs around." Mayock also called Ogletree's work ethic and passion for the game "question marks right now."

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News

 

 

 

Philly Mag's Sheil Kapadia considers Oregon OG Kyle Long "a name to watch" at the Eagles' No. 35 overall pick.

 

If the Birds pass on an offensive lineman at No. 4, we'd almost expect them draft one at 35. Long played left guard and left tackle for Chip Kelly's Oregon Ducks last season and is considered a top-40 overall prospect. The Eagles really need a right tackle so that they can kick Todd Herremans to right guard.

 

Source: Philly Mag: Birds 24/7

[Vin+ 3,121]

Cal WR Keenan Allen was red-flagged for a drug test at February's Combine.

 

Allen's rocky run-up to the draft continues. Concerns about a slow recovery stemming from an October knee injury coupled with forty times of 4.71 and 4.75 have his first-round status on shaky ground. Allen took another drug test this month, the results of which are unknown. For what it's worth, his agent is denying that Allen ever failed a drug test -- he says his client was retested for ankle and knee injuries.

 

Source: ESPN.com

 

 

 

Central Michigan LT Eric Fisher said he's willing to play right tackle in the NFL.

 

Fisher must not be watching the right tackle market closely. While middling left tackles like Jake Long (four years, $34M) and Sam Baker (six years, $35.9M) got paid, top-tier right tackles like Andre Smith (unsigned) and Sebastian Vollmer (four years, $17M) aren't valued. Perhaps Fisher sees LT Branden Albert on the Chiefs' roster and is angling to be the No. 1 overall pick.

 

Source: Sports Radio Interviews

 

 

 

GM Buddy Nix doesn't believe the Bills would be reaching if they took a quarterback at No. 8 overall.

 

Oh boy. "This quarterback class is better than everybody thinks it," Nix insisted. "Five or six of those guys — maybe seven — do a lot of things good and do them good enough to win. ... I've said this from the start, that two or three of these guys will be franchise quarterbacks. I believe that." The Bills are considered likely to come away with an early-round QB, but not at No. 8. The fact that Nix is already conducting PR on a pick he fears could be labeled a reach should change that, however. Coach Doug Marrone has been heavily connected to his college QB Ryan Nassib, but he'd be a massive reach at 8. Perhaps the Bills will trade back on day one, or trade up on day two, where they pick at No. 41.

 

 

Source: Buffalo News

[CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025]

Schefter confirmed Allen wasn't given a second drug test, it was a test for previous injuries like his agent said. He didn't fail the first test either, it just got flagged for having too much water in his system.

 

What's INSANE, is I actually agree with Buddy Nix here, sort of. I believe Geno Smith, Tyler Wilson, and Zac Dysert can be franchise QBs in this class. Not sure if Nix has the same guys as me, he probably has Nassib in there. Which is fine. I think Nassib can be a Chad Pennington type guy. Who will be very good at short/intermediate stuff and move the chains, and execute very well to keep your team in games. A franchise QB? Wouldn't go there yet, but I certainly wouldn't rule it out either. Just not on board yet.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Keenan Allen I am more worried about that knee though than I am how fast he ran or smoking some weed.

[CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025]

Keenan Allen I am more worried about that knee though than I am how fast he ran or smoking some weed.

 

Agreed. No off-field issues prior to this question mark. But being injury prone ruins all the potential. With the way science involving knee issues is these days though, I'm not too worried. But it is a definitely concern.

 

*BONUS, I heard my guy Michael Mauti impressed in workouts coming off his 3rd knee injury (ACL, forget if it's his 3rd ACL injury, but I think it is.) Proud of that kid, he was the best player for Penn State prior to yet another injury. A big reason I took him for the Bills in the mock draft. I projected him as a MLB even though folks think he's undersized in the NFL for it (have him as a weakside most places I've read), but given he's not the quickest/fastest guy, on top of the knee injuries — I think that's his position in the NFL (he has all the tools and instincts for it.) Really rooting for this kid, along with Lattimore.

[Bucman 891]

I'm not sure Dysert is a franchise guy, he seems like a serviceable guy who won't win or lose you games. Landry Jones is still one of my favorite sleepers, all the tools are there, he just scared in the pocket.

[CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025]

I'm not sure Dysert is a franchise guy, he seems like a serviceable guy who won't win or lose you games. Landry Jones is still one of my favorite sleepers, all the tools are there, he just scared in the pocket.

 

That's a BIG problem in the NFL though Buc. There's almost always gonna be a dirty pocket. We've all seen Blaine Gabbert. Landry isn't on his level with how fast Blaine would bail and run around like a chicken with his head cut off. But the jittery, spastic reaction in the pocket when things don't go exactly according to plan is there. As far as Dysert, I completely understand folks not thinking he'd be a franchise guy, because I'm not completely sold either but I do think he will be. I'm going off 2011 tape, some 2012 tape, his talent, technique, skills improvising on the fly and flat out gut instinct. I could be completely wrong though. But I just like his game. He reminds a lot of folks of Big Ben, some of Romo, and with me he also reminds me of Mark Brunell. Really depends on where he lands I guess, or if he gets moved later to the right situation. I think he has franchise QB potential for sure though. Best deep ball touch/accuracy in this QB class. Excellent at handling pressure in the pocket/breaking free of sacks. Needs to correct some bad habits he picked up having to force things his Senior year throwing to terrible WRs and with a horrendous OL.

[Vin+ 3,121]

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports the Dolphins are "very high" on Alabama CB Dee Milliner.

 

The Browns are also "looking hard" at Milliner. La Canfora says if the Dolphins can land Chiefs LT Branden Albert in a trade, then they're expected to target a cornerback with the No. 12 overall pick. Milliner may be long gone, but another option could be Florida State's Xavier Rhodes. Miami is also reportedly "very high" on West Virginia WR Tavon Austin.

 

Source: CBS Sports

 

 

 

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports the "reality is" Texas A&M LT Luke Joeckel will go first overall in the draft.

 

La Canfora adds that the Chiefs are trying to unload LT Branden Albert, and Kansas City is "planning" to draft Joeckel first if they do. Central Michigan LT Eric Fisher "will" go in the top five, and Oklahoma LT Lane Johnson is "rising."

 

Source: CBS Sports

 

 

 

 

NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah stated on Path to the Draft he's heard Utah DT Star Lotulelei could be "a fallback option" for the Cardinals if all three of the top left tackles are gone by pick No. 7.

 

Rookie GM Steve Keim wasn't running the show when the Cards drafted Dan Williams in the first round, and picking Lotulelei would be an obvious indictment of Williams. Williams is a strong run defender, but offers zero pass rush. Star would replace him at nose tackle between Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell.

 

 

 

The Sacramento Bee considers Florida State DE Tank Carradine a "legitimate possibility" for the 49ers' No. 31 pick.

 

Carradine is widely viewed as a 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 defensive end, but reporter Matt Barrows suggests he could be used as a pass-rushing specialist as a rookie while being groomed to take over for Justin Smith long term. Carradine will work out for scouts on Saturday for the first time since tearing his ACL in late November.

 

Source: Sacramento Bee

 

 

 

 

According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, "some teams still wonder about" BYU DE Ziggy Ansah's age.

 

Ansah immigrated from Ghana in 2009, and says he was born May 29, 1989. Per Mort, "buzz behind the scenes" about Ansah's age picked up after he appeared "old in the face" at his Pro Day workout. Ansah has since sent his passport to a "select group of teams." Ansah didn't move to the United States with the intention of becoming a football player, so it's unlikely he's trying to pull a fast one. It shouldn't be a real issue leading up to the draft.

 

Source: Chris Mortensen on Twitter

 

 

 

 

 

The Sideline View's Adam Caplan "(doesn't) see" Utah DT Star Lotulelei falling out of the top-ten.

 

Lotulelei is shaping up as one of this year's most polarizing prospects, but he shouldn't fall out of the top-ten, especially after his "heart scare" ended up being little more than an inconclusive test. SI's Peter King reported Monday the Eagles like Lotulelei "a lot" at No. 4.

Source: Adam Caplan on Twitter

 

 

 

 

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah "wouldn't be shocked" if the Chiefs used the No. 1 pick on Central Michigan LT Eric Fisher.

 

Per Jeremiah, there's a "lot of buzz out there." The general consensus has been that the Chiefs will take Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel, but it's never been viewed as a lock. CBS Sports' Mike Freeman reported Monday the Chiefs are "making it clear they are willing to trade out of the top overall spot." Joeckel and Fisher are by far the two most likely players to go No. 1 overall.

 

Source: Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter

 

 

 

 

ESPN's Adam Schefter expects each of Luke Joeckel, Eric Fisher and Lane Johnson to come off the board in the first seven picks, and "maybe sooner."

 

Where it once appeared Johnson may fall into the No. 10-12 range, it's become increasingly clear it's not going to happen. Johnson thinks he could go at No. 4 to the Eagles, while the Lions will certainly give him strong consideration at No. 5. If the Dolphins are interested in trading up for the draft's No. 3 tackle, they're going to have to pay a heavy price.

 

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

 

 

 

Oklahoma LT Lane Johnson believes it's a "good possibility" he comes off the board at No. 4 to the Eagles.

 

"What they're going to do offensively really fits what I excel at — up-tempo, zone offense," Johnson said. "But you never know what's going to happen come draft day." The Eagles haven't been regularly connected to Johnson, but have both conducted a private workout with the draft's No. 3 tackle, and hosted him for a visit in Philadelphia. It would be a sensible selection, but the Eagles could also be doing their best to create interest in the No. 4 pick.

 

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News

 

 

 

Bills GM Buddy Nix hinted that he won't take a guard with the No. 8 overall pick.

 

Buffalo lost both Andy Levitre and top backup Chad Rinehart in free agency, leaving them with Colin Brown and Kraig Urbik as starters. But Nix claims that guard is not a need. "Not at all. Not at all. I know people have said we’re taking one of those top two guards. Our roster in house is better than I think we get credit for especially offensive line. We're pretty deep there. We've got six guards and we think a couple of them can play."

 

Source: ESPN.com

[Vin+ 3,121]

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported on SportsCenter Wednesday that Notre Dame ILB Manti Te'o is widely viewed as a first-round pick inside the NFL.

 

Mort also mentioned that Te'o "aced" his team interviews at the Combine. "At least half the teams in this league have solid first-round grades on Te'o," stated Mortensen. "I have heard 'undersized' a bit. (But) most teams do see that he's going to go somewhere in the first round." ESPN's Mel Kiper listed the Bears, Vikings, and Giants as Te'o's likeliest three landing spots on day one.

 

 

 

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Alabama RB Eddie Lacy could be a target for the Rams.

 

The fit makes sense as the Rams need a power back to complement the 5'10/197 Isaiah Pead and 5'10/196 Daryl Richardson. But we're not convinced Lacy is worth reaching for at No. 16 or 22, where the Rams will be picking next Thursday. His disappointing pre-draft workouts coupled with the value of the running back position could lead to a slide into the second day of the draft. The Rams hold the No. 14 pick in the second round.

 

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

 

 

 

The Ravens are "comfortable" with Notre Dame ILB Manti Te'o's character.

 

Te'o has been popularly mocked to the Ravens at No. 32. "I think he’s a quality kid," assistant GM Eric DeCosta said. "I think he’s very, very intelligent. I think he’s a heck of a football player and I think he’s going to make some team extremely happy." Coach John Harbaugh was equally effusive in his praise. "You look at his body of work, what he has accomplished, who he is as a person, where he comes from. We feel good about Manti." A borderline first-round prospect, Te'o would likely draw at least a second look from the Ravens if he falls to No. 32, even with their recent signing of Rolando McClain.

 

Source: Baltimore Sun

 

 

 

 

TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline "continues to hear" Connecticut CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson will be a late first-round pick.

 

Wreh-Wilson is coming in a bit under the radar, but turned in a strong Combine to go along with ideal size (6-foot-1, 192 pounds). Wreh-Wilson is also considered solid between-the-ears, but has a bit of an injury history, and isn't a top-flight playmaker. His overall résumé is more round two than day one.

Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter

[DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241]

Lane Johnson to the Eagles makes a lot of sense, and I almost did it on my mock. Chip loves athletic linemen, and Lane Johnson fits the bill.

[Vin+ 3,121]

Sources tell CBS Sports that Texas A&M LT Luke Joeckel "will be" the Chiefs' pick at No. 1 overall.

 

Jason La Canfora says the Chiefs strongly considered Central Michigan LT Eric Fisher, but determined that Joeckel -- who faced far stiffer competition in the SEC -- was a safer pick. Barring an unforeseen turn of events between now and next week, the man who protected Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel will be protecting Alex Smith's blind side as an NFL rookie. Fisher remains a near-lock to go in the top-five.

 

Source: CBS Sports

 

 

 

Sources tell CBS Sports that the Jets will look "long and hard" at West Virginia WR Tavon Austin.

 

As the top-rated playmaker in the draft, Austin's stock is hot. Still, the Jets would be reaching at No. 9 for a position at which they actually have some depth. Last year's second-round pick Stephen Hill projects to take a step forward, Santonio Holmes' foot should be healed and Jeremy Kerley showed some chops when pressed into No. 1 wideout duties last year.

Source: CBS Sports

 

 

 

Scouts from 10 different teams have reportedly expressed reservations regarding Tennessee WR Cordarrelle Patterson's mental acuity.

 

It's a fancy way of saying the scouts don't think Patterson is smart. He reportedly wasn't impressive during team interviews at the Combine and scored an 11 on the 50-question Wonderlic test. "Mentally, it's going to be a project," one personnel man told the Journal-Sentinel. "Running routes, he doesn't know how to do any of that stuff. You may have to keep it simple for him, but this is football. It's not building a super glider or anything."

 

Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

 

 

 

CBS' Jason La Canfora expects UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin to be the first running back drafted.

 

Eddie Lacy's mediocre pre-draft workout and sluggish 40-yard dash times have his stock slipping. Franklin was extremely productive at UCLA, ripping off 1,734 rushing yards on 282 carries (6.14 YPC) with 13 touchdowns and adding 33 catches for 323 yards with two more scores as a senior. At 5'10/205, he was clocked at 4.49 at the Combine. La Canfora says the Jets and Steelers are among the teams looking at Franklin.

 

Source: CBS Sports

 

 

 

Florida State QB E.J. Manuel told the Dan Patrick Show that he believes the Jets, Bills, and Eagles are the three teams most interested in him.

 

As ESPN blogger Paul Kuharsky points out, draft prospects are often shocked by the teams that draft them. So Manuel's current line of thinking doesn't necessarily mean anything. Rotoworld draft wiz Josh Norris has predicted two QBs will be selected in the first round: Geno Smith and Ryan Nassib. Norris allowed that if a third QB were to crack the top 32, he'd expect it to be Manuel.

 

Source: ESPN.com

 

 

 

 

Speaking on his pre-draft conference call, NFL Network's Mike Mayock said he doesn't envision any of the top three offensive tackles making it to the Cardinals at No. 7.

 

Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel is fully expected to be the No. 1 overall pick to the Chiefs, and Central Michigan's Eric Fisher could go anywhere in the top-five. Mayock mentioned the Eagles as a potential landing spot for Oklahoma's Lane Johnson. Johnson fits the mold for coach Chip Kelly's offense as a supremely athletic lineman. The Cardinals could look at one of the top guards at No. 7.

 

 

 

 

Speaking on his pre-draft conference call, NFL Network's Mike Mayock said he doesn't think a cornerback will be picked in the top ten.

 

Alabama's Dee Milliner has been the only name floated as a top-ten pick in mock drafts, possibly as high as No. 2 to the Jaguars or No. 6 to the Browns. NFL teams are not as high on Milliner as the draftnik community. The Dolphins hold the 12th pick and are said to be "very high" on Milliner. It's a legitimate possibility that he will still be available there. Meanwhile, Mayock has vaulted Houston's D.J. Hayden ahead of Milliner as his No. 1 corner in the draft.

 

 

 

 

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports West Virginia WR Tavon Austin scored a seven on his Wonderlic Test at the Combine.

 

The Journal-Sentinel's Bob McGinn has exclusive access to Wonderlic scores each year, and he reveals them for some top wide receivers at the linked article below. Tennessee's Cordarrelle Patterson registered an 11 out of 50. College teammate Justin Hunter scored a 12. Keenan Allen (19) and Robert Woods (23) were much better. Ultimately, Wonderlic scores have zero correlation to NFL success. Troy Williamson scored a 21, while A.J. Green scored a 10. Redskins busts Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly both scored in the 20s.

Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

[CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025]

Hmmm, interesting NFL scouts share my thoughts on Milliner. I'm obviously fit to become the best scout in the history of the footballz.

[RazorStar 4,025]

Mayock's top 100 is out.

 

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap1000000161676/article/2013-nfl-draft-mike-mayocks-top-100-prospects

[the Lions fan 19]

Kevin Curtis still the all time wonderlic champ? Or maybe he's non QB champ... either way, 7 is bad

[Vin+ 3,121]

Oregon G/T Kyle Long admitted at the Combine to "chemical dependency" earlier in his college career.

Long has discussed his past issues publicly, too. He originally committed to Florida State as a southpaw pitcher, but left after a DUI, didn't attend college in 2009, and spent 2010-2011 at community college before playing one season at Oregon. "He has been arrested, been in rehab and is supposedly clean, supposedly been two years since he took drugs," said one NFL scout. "He could be a first-rounder athletically, but it's just all the baggage off the field."

Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

 

 

 

NFL scouts reportedly say Alabama OG Chance Warmack has a problem with "excessive sweating," which can lead to weardown in the fourth quarter of games.

Warmack at times required in-game IVs at Alabama, so he'll have to learn to hydrate better in the pros. It's interesting, but obviously not a huge concern for Warmack's draft stock. "He's one of those guys like Will Shields that will just sit in there and play until they retire him," one scout said. "Country boy from Georgia. He's kind of a road grader in the run game and a fire hydrant in the passing game. You're not going to move him off his spot."

Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

 

 

 

At least one NFL team has "major reservations" about Arkansas-Pine Bluff OT Terron Armstead's back.

We knew Armstead played the entire 2012 season with a sprained AC joint in his shoulder, but had heard nothing of back woes. The shoulder injury is routine and fixable, but back problems can be very concerning for offensive linemen (see Marcus McNeill, Sam Baker, Chris Samuels, and many more.) If multiple teams have a medical red flag on Armstead, he could fall in the draft.

Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

 

 

 

"Several scouts" around the NFL have expressed concerns about Alabama RT D.J. Fluker's "study and work habits.

""Great kid, but you don't want him doing your taxes," said one scout. Another scout compared Fluker to a stronger, more competitive version of Bryan Bulaga, but "maybe not as smart." Fluker bounced around three high schools because his family was forced out of New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina. It's not surprising he may be learning-deficient. We still like Fluker to be a top-12 pick.

Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

 

 

 

Florida State DE Tank Carradine (ACL surgery) ran a 4.75 forty at his Pro Day workout Saturday.

Carradine is just 135 days removed from reconstructive right knee surgery, so the forty time at 6-foot-4, 276 is quite impressive. It's as if he's fully recovered. Carradine can run full speed in a straight line, though he's not yet making cuts at full tilt, which is understandable. With a relentless motor and off-the-ball explosion on game tape, Carradine is a sleeper for the top-20 picks.

Source: Joe Reedy on Twitter

 

 

 

Kansas State's Chris Harper recorded the highest Wonderlic intelligence test among receivers at the Combine, registering a 33 out of 50.

The fact is more interesting than indicative of NFL success, but it's another feather in the cap of an underrated pro prospect. Harper is a big (6-foot-1, 229), physical run-after-catch receiver with strong hands. He projects as a third- or fourth-round pick, but could develop into a quality No. 2/possession threat.

Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

 

 

 

 

One NFL scout likened Tennessee Tech WR Da'Rick Rogers to Brandon Marshall in terms of his off-field concerns but immense NFL upside.

At least one NFL team has removed Rogers from its draft board due to repeated violations of Tennessee's substance abuse policy, before Rogers' transfer to Tech. "He's got some Brandon Marshall in him," the scout said. "He's got some self-entitlement, some things that kept Brandon from being drafted high. He is a very good football player." Marshall was a fourth-round pick.

Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

 

 

 

 

Sources tell NFL Draft insider Tony Pauline that "several" Chiefs position coaches prefer Central Michigan LT Eric Fisher over Texas A&M LT Luke Joeckel.

GM John Dorsey says the team has narrowed the No. 1 pick down to four players, and both Joeckel and Fisher are likely in the mix. Unfortunately for Chiefs assistants, position coaches don't determine who gets picked on draft day. That'll be up to Dorsey and Andy Reid, and they're more likely to take Joeckel.

Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter

Following his annual pre-draft Quarterback Camp series, ESPN's Jon Gruden ranked Syracuse's Ryan Nassib as the No. 1 QB in this year's draft

."Nassib proved that he could make the difficult plays when there wasn't a clean pocket," said Gruden. "He didn't have a great supporting cast, no disrespect to Syracuse. But there were times that Nassib had to make something happen for Syracuse to win, and I thought he did that enough to prove that he can do it at the next level." Gruden also called West Virginia's Geno Smith "as complete from a versatility standpoint as anyone in this draft."

Source: PhiladelphiaEagles.com

Alabama RB Eddie Lacy attributed his inability to finish his April 11 Pro Day to having only two weeks to train.

Lacy battled a hamstring tear for all of January through March. Finally healthy, Lacy turned in a below-average workout and couldn't finish, noticeably losing his breath at times. "By the time it was anywhere close to 100 percent, I only had two weeks to train," he said. "Everybody knows two weeks is not enough time, pretty much to do anything. I went out there, I did the best I could." We still tentatively expect the workout to knock Lacy into round two.

Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Edited April 20, 2013 by Vin

[Vin+ 3,121]

Multiple league sources tell CBS Sports' Rob Rang that NFL teams will likely have to keep Florida State DE Tank Carradine (ACL surgery) from participating fully until training camp or later.

 

Carradine tore the ACL in late November, so by training camp he'll be only eight months removed. Teams would be smart to play it safe with Carradine to avoid a re-tear of the knee ligament ala Ryan Broyles last year. Rang reports that Carradine's forty time at Saturday's Pro Day workout was actually 4.93, not the 4.75 reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer. Nevertheless, his recovery has been impressive. Carradine could be a steal if he falls to day two.

 

Source: CBS Sports

 

 

Two NFL scouts expressed the sentiment that Michigan RB Le'Veon Bell is a softer runner than people think.

 

Mike Mayock has echoed this. Bell, indeed, is more of a finesse runner than his 6-foot-1, 230-pound frame indicates. His strength is the passing game as a plus receiver and pass blocker. Neither scout was overly worried about Bell's lack of consistent power running. "He doesn't run as hard as you want him to for his size," said one scout. "But he makes up for it with his agility and smoothness for a big man." Added another, "For his size, he wasn't a physical runner, but as we know physical runners don't last."

 

Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

 

 

 

At least one NFL scout believes Arkansas RB Knile Davis' off-the-charts Combine measurables are very misleading.

 

We've studied Davis' 2010 (not very good) and 2012 (even worse) tape, and feel the same. Davis doesn't run with burst or power. "He's so soft and timid," said the scout. "I've never seen a guy fumble like him where people just breathe on him and he drops the ball. Doesn't play to that timed speed at all. You think injuries have taken their toll, but he can still run fast so it's nothing to do with injury. On the field he just doesn't have it."

 

Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

 

 

 

Per Dan Pompei of the National Football Post, "there is a feeling in some front offices" that Florida State QB E.J. Manuel will be the second quarterback taken in the draft.

 

Manuel has leapfrogged Syracuse's Ryan Nassib, NC State's Mike Glennon, and USC's Matt Barkley in the eyes of some personnel men, and could be a first-round pick. Teams have reportedly been "unable to sell themselves" on Barkley, Glennon, and Nassib, and Manuel has the "raw talent" and more "potential." Rotoworld draft guru Josh Norris "wouldn't be surprised" if Nassib was the first quarterback taken, so there is obviously a wide range of views on the group.

 

Source: National Football Post

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

I agree completely on Bell, who I have seen mocked to the Packers a lot. I even took in our mock draft, but only because I thought the value was pretty good. Where he is going to get taken, I just don't see him producing to that level. And I don't see his skills in the pass game as strongly as scouts do... I'd rather pass on him, unless he falls beyond comprehension.