DYNASTY: 2012 Top college prospects (1 Viewer)

[Faust]

A few more from Greg Cosell on twitter:‏ @gregcosell

Watched 2 WR today I liked: Broyles + CAL Jones. Broyles will be excellent slot WR. Jones widest catching radius of any WR I evaluated.

CAL Jones could play both outside + inside. Aligned at "x" primarily for CAL but abilty to make tough catches inside also projects to slot.

Asked about Blackmon. If Blackmon + NYG Nicks (29 pick in 2009) both were in this draft who would you take 1st? Not an easy answer.

My question re. Blackmon/Nicks was based on when Nicks came out, not his 3 yrs. in NFL. Easy to eval. Nicks with access to NFL results.

I also liked this analysis on why even the best evaluators are often wrong:

So many variables go into projecting to NFL. How a player is used in given scheme, how he's coached, who he's playing with. Rarely isolated.

Yet when you look at a player you must isolate his skills, attributes, strengths, weaknesses. It's why even excellent evaluators often wrong

 

[Faust]

Floyd dazzles at Notre Dame pro day, could go before Blackmon

By Gil Brandt

Excerpt:

After the excellent workout Michael Floyd had at Notre Dame’s pro day Tuesday, I feel he conceivably could be drafted before fellow blue-chip receiver prospect Justin Blackmon.

Representatives from 18 NFL teams were there, including Bears coach Lovie Smith, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, and the receivers coaches for the Ravens, Browns and Bears. Prospects ran indoors on FieldTurf.

Floyd, WR, (6-foot-3 1/8, 220 pounds) — Floyd made himself some money Tuesday. He stood on the 4.47-second 40-yard dash that he ran at the NFL Scouting Combine, but he did the short shuttle (4.5 seconds) and three-cone (7.16 seconds) at the pro day.

Floyd is very fluid and runs good routes. He’s a big target, has excellent speed and caught the ball extremely well. He likely got a boost from having former Irish QB Jimmy Clausen throwing the ball to him, because the two are comfortable with each other.

Floyd really moved himself up the charts Tuesday, and again, his performance should at least have people putting him side-by-side with Blackmon; as I wrote, personally, I would rank Floyd higher. Floyd is a little faster and a little taller, and he’s been pretty productive in college. I think he should be taken with the 11th or 12th pick in the draft.

 

[Faust]

Surprising disparity among WR grades from teams

By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

Despite the general consensus among the media that Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon is viewed as the unquestioned elite talent at the position by teams, NFLDraftScout.com has received indications that at least one club has Notre Dame's Michael Floyd or Baylor's Kendall Wright as the top receiver available in the 2012 draft and that there is great disparity among club as to how many pass-catchers will ultimately be drafted in the first round.

NFLDraftScout.com recently polled representatives of seven NFL teams as to this year's top receiver prospects. Five had Blackmon as the top talent at the position. Four of these five saw him as a likely top ten pick.

But identifying the elite talent at the position wasn't the only way in which opinions differed. The number of receivers given first round grades by clubs also showed a startling lack of consensus.

For example, one high-ranking source for a team thought likely to be considering using an early pick on a receiver indicated that his club had only one -- Blackmon -- graded as a first round prospect.

An official for another team, however, cited five receivers -- Blackmon, Floyd, Wright, LSU's Rueben Randle and Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill -- as players his club had given preliminary top 32 grades.

Different teams giving prospects varying grades is no surprise. To see this much disparity at this late point in the evaluation process is rare, however. Frankly, the last time I recall there being this much disagreement at the receiver position was in 2008 -- when zero receivers ultimately went in the first round.

Blackmon certainly won't allow history to repeat itself four years later but at least some NFL teams believe the expected run on receivers won't happen until the draft's second round rather than halfway through the first.

 

[Faust]

Peter King MMQB - Tuesday excerpt:

HE JUST MIGHT BE. "Isn't Ryan Tannehill just this year's Blaine Gabbert? Do you really think he's worth a first-round pick, not to mention a top five pick? Also, I don't understand why St. Louis isn't banging down Cleveland's door to make a deal for the fourth pick to get Justin Blackmon. Are the Rams just not that impressed with him or are they banking that he'll fall to them?''

-- From Ash, Cincinnati

The stats say that about half of the first-round picks over the past 20 years are washouts, or just OK. So it's possible that Tannehill is that. But when a guy I respect, Greg Cosell, says Tannehill's a better passer on the run than Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III, and he's going to be playing for a team (Cleveland or Miami, most likely) that could have him on the run on a bunch of his throws, I like that. But we'll see. Re: Blackmon, be careful about him. I like him too, but he's not nearly the size of the franchise big receivers playing now -- Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald.

 

[Faust]

Old-school scouts find diamond in the rough at WR

By Pat Kirwan | NFL Insider

I really enjoy asking some retired football people to grade some players for me this time of year. They aren't tainted by the media reputations formulated about players, They simply watch a lot of game tape without former knowledge and then we discuss what they watched.

This week I had an old secondary player/coach watch many of the wide receivers in the 2012 draft class. I knew he would like Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon and Notre Dame's Michael Floyd, but who else would jump out at the old pro?

As my old boss, the late **** Steinberg would say "pay attention to the scout that has a different opinion than all the rest of the evaluators. Maybe we should restudy the guy and try and see what he sees." That's definitely the case for the wide receiver that emerged from this film study.

What if I told you there is a wide receiver that at 6'3", 225 lbs. and could jump 39 inches vertically, which in basketball terms means his elbows are above the rim. He has bigger hands than Justin Blackmon, and even though he has 209 receptions and 32 touchdowns in his career, he is thought of as a fourth- or fifth-round pick because of a 40 time.

The former scout/coach came to me for discussion with the following report: The wide receiver has good hands, good open field skills, quick feet, plays hard, gets open, competes for the ball and is more than a willing blocker. He is a good fit as a 'Z' in a west coast system. I had my old scout also evaluate Justin Blackmon and Michael Floyd during the same session and he was still high on the mystery man.

The receiver's name is Juron Criner from Arizona, and his draft status ranges from the 10th-best receiver to not even in the top 20 according to some draft analysts. Some describe him as a guy with subpar straight line speed, relies too heavily on his size down field and inconsistent hands. Go back and look at the report on Marques Colston of the Saints from 2006 and it's similar. That report was wrong and damaged Colston enough that he went in the seventh round. Eighty-six games later Colston has 449 receptions and 48 touchdowns.

Finally, if your team happens to be looking for a big receiver with production and a great attitude then Criner could be your man in the early fourth round. What a bargain!

 

[loose circuits]

Funny that Pat brings up Criner's similarity with Colston, what I've been saying since the senior bowl

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I think a better comparison is as a better version of Kevin Walter or Reggie Williams. Could be a nice #2 for someone like Houston or Arizona - with a strong #1 opposite.

 

[Faust]

2012 NFL draft countdown: SN's No. 21 prospect, Boise State RB Doug Martin

Russ Lande

Sporting News

This is the 20th in a daily series of in-depth evaluations on the top 40 prospects leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft, which runs April 26-28. Today: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

Strengths: Martin is a strong, powerful back who has uncommon quickness and big-play ability. He is similar to the Baltimore Ravens' Ray Rice and will be either a late first-round or early second-round pick.

Martin is productive and punishing when running inside. He shows the flexibility to lower his shoulders and make himself a smaller target. He excels at getting a shoulder down to deliver blows to would-be tacklers. This skill, combined with his strength and balance, enables him to gain yards after initial contact.

Martin's quick feet and agility sets himself apart from many power backs. He moves and slides well within tight quarters, avoiding defenders to find open field. He also displays patience, waiting on blockers' hips. He makes quick cuts off blocks that enable him to swiftly get through holes.

Martin's patience, combined with his vision, makes him an effective cutback runner. His size, strength, balance and aggressive running style all make it difficult for opponents to bring him down in open field. His quick change of direction enables him to consistently elude defenders.

Martin also proved to be a reliable part of Boise State's passing attack. He catches the ball well and then is able to quickly tuck it away and start downfield after the catch. He also stays on the field in passing situations because of his technique and production in pass protection.

Looking at his final two seasons with the Broncos, Martin was productive. He followed that up with a stellar week of practice at the Senior Bowl. As a result of his outstanding performance in Mobile, Ala., he is steadily climbed draft boards. (Vital statistics: 5-9, 223 pounds, 4.52 in the 40-yard dash)

Weaknesses: Although Martin is quick and has above-average athleticism for a powerful back, he lacks the elite burst and speed to turn the corner. After making many big plays at Boise State, he lacks the elite speed to outrun angles in the NFL. Opponents will be able to track him down from behind.

As a receiver, Martin primarily ran short routes to the flat, as he was more of a dump-off option than a downfield one. For Martin to become an asset in any passing attack, he must improve at running routes.

Draft status: Martin will be one of the first three or four players drafted because of his ability to be a productive three-down back. He is the type of prospect who often gets overlooked because he lacks elite burst and top-end speed. However, if given the opportunity, Martin might turn out to be the most prolific back taken in 2012, thanks to his physical inside running style and good hands.

Expect both the Green Bay Packers (No. 28 overall) and New York Giants (No. 32) to consider taking Martin in the first round. The Packers won a Super Bowl without an elite back, but they would like to get a strong and physical runner who can stay on the field for three downs. The Giants released Brandon Jacobs because he would not take a pay cut and could use a power back to pair with Ahmad Bradshaw.

If Martin slips out of the first round, several teams might try to trade up into the first five picks of the second round in order to draft him. If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers don't draft Alabama running back Trent Richardson at No. 5 overall, Martin might be in play for them at No. 36.

 

[Faust]

Richardson ranks as No. 3 overall prospect in 2012 NFL Draft

By Bucky Brooks NFL.com

Analyst

The 2012 NFL Draft is less than a month away, so scouts are meeting around the clock to put the finishing touches on draft boards as pro days come to a close. Although team visits, private workouts and medical evaluations could alter the landscape leading up to draft day, here is how I envision most draft boards across the league at this point in the process:

1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: The most polished quarterback to enter the NFL since Peyton Manning. His remarkable physical tools are only surpassed by his exceptional football IQ.

2. Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor: World-class athlete with a spectacular skill set. RG3 is an explosive playmaker in the mold of Michael Vick, but is a much better passer at this point of his career.

3. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama: Talented runner could be the best RB prospect since Adrian Peterson. Richardson is a rugged workhorse with exceptional skills on the perimeter.

4. Matt Kalil, OT, USC: One of the best offensive tackle prospects to enter the league in recent years. Kalil is a sound technician with extraordinary footwork and movement skills.

5. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU: Smooth cover man with a polished game that reminds some evaluators of Champ Bailey. Claiborne's combination of ball skills and awareness could make him an immediate impact player at the next level.

6. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State: Standout receiver with exceptional running skills. Blackmon has the tools to emerge as an Anquan Boldin-like playmaker as a pro.

7. Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina: Gifted pass rusher has all of the physical tools to be a dominant playmaker, but scouts harbor concerns about his motor and toughness.

8. Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina: Versatile defender with disruptive skills as a pass rusher. Ingram's first-step quickness is remarkable, but some evaluators worry about his short arms (31.5 inches) limiting effectiveness against tall offensive tackles.

9. Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College: Fundamentally sound defender with spectacular instincts and awareness. Kuechly's remarkable production over a three-year period (532 tackles) is a testament to his extraordinary ability to read and react in the middle.

10. Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa: Big, physical edge blocker with solid footwork and fundamentals. Reiff has the ability to play on either side of the line, but could emerge as a standout as a right tackle.

11. David DeCastro, OG, Stanford: Athletic interior blocker with the size, strength and athleticism to move defenders off the ball.

12. Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford: Nimble athlete with the size and frame to become a dominant left tackle as a pro.

13. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama: Polished cornerback prospect with great instincts and awareness. Scouts question his top-end speed, but his ability to maintain leverage on elite receivers suggests he is fast enough to excel at the next level.

14. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame: Big-bodied pass catcher with exceptional ball skills. Floyd is at his best in jump-ball situations near the end zone, but also flashes outstanding ability as a No. 1 receiver.

15. Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois: Scouts are starting to dismiss the "one-year wonder" label that has been affixed to Mercilus' name after extensively studying game film from his dominant junior season. Although some still question his explosiveness on tape, Mercilus' stellar performance at the NFL Scouting Combine has cemented his status as a top defender in the draft.

16. Michael Brockers, DT, LSU: One of the more intriguing defensive tackle prospects in the draft. Brockers possesses unique size, length and athleticism, but is far from a finished product at the position due to his limited game experience.

17. Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State: Disruptive pass rusher with length, athleticism and motor to harass quarterbacks relentlessly in the pocket.

18. Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis: After emerging as the star of the combine, Poe has experienced a meteoric rise up the charts despite having scant production during his final season at Memphis. However, Poe's evaluation could prompt scouts to value potential over production, which makes him the biggest "boom or bust" prospect in the draft.

19. Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor: The most explosive receiver in the draft underwhelmed with his 40 time at the combine, but scouts are willing to place greater value on his spectacular performance on game tape and pro-day workout, maintaining his standing as a top prospect in the draft.

20. Cordy Glenn, G/OT, Georgia: Versatile blocker with the athleticism and skills to thrive as a guard or tackle on either side of the offensive line.

21. Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama: Big, physical defender with outstanding instincts, awareness and rush skills. Hightower can play multiple spots in a 3-4, and that versatility makes him a valuable commodity as a prospect.

22. Mark Barron, S, Alabama: Ball-hawking safety with the instincts, awareness and versatility to effectively play in the middle or near the box as a hybrid defender.

23. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M: Some teams will certainly have Tannehill rated higher based on their need at the position, but the former receiver should be viewed as a long-range project. While his arm talent and athleticism are franchise caliber, he simply lacks the game experience and awareness to make an immediate impact as a pro.

24. Lamar Miller, RB, Miami: Explosive runner with the speed and quickness to score from anywhere on the field. Scouts question Miller's durability, but it is hard to ignore his natural talent as a difference maker in the backfield.

25. Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama: Aggressive cornerback with a polished game that reminds some of Asante Samuel. Although his sketchy background profile will affect his draft status, Jenkins has all-star potential as a cover corner.

26. David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech: Speed is not an issue when it comes to Wilson's game, and scouts are raving about his burst to the corner. However, his penchant for putting the ball on the ground makes some evaluators worry about his ability to thrive as a feature runner.

27. Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina: No one is surging up the board more than Gilmore in the weeks leading to the draft. The former Gamecock has a solid all-around game without any noticeable flaws, and his size/speed combination makes him a highly sought-after cornerback prospect.

28. Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State: The enigmatic edge blocker has the physical tools to be a franchise-caliber tackle, but questions about his motor make it tough for scouts to rank him among the elite.

29. Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State: Athletic defender with explosive first-step quickness and burst. Worthy doesn't play with energy consistently, but his flashes of dominance make him an enticing prospect.

30. Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse: Rangy defender with the size, length and athleticism to be an effective five-technique in a 3-4.

31. Courtney Upshaw, OLB/DE, Alabama: A lack of elite athleticism has sent his stock tumbling, but scouts are mindful of his disruptive presence on the field, which is far more important in the evaluation process.

32. Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech: The spectacular display of speed and explosiveness at the NFL Scouting Combine has been complemented by steady improvement in his route running and pass catching in workouts.

33. Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson: Energetic rusher with speed, quickness and burst. Branch is still more of a straight-line player, but his production makes him a coveted prospect as an edge rusher.

34. Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford: The most complete tight end in this draft has been on the rise since impressing scouts with his underrated athleticism in workouts. Fleener also displays the ball skills to emerge as a difference maker in the passing game.

35. Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin: Rugged interior blocker with a workmanlike approach that wears opponents down in the game's late stages.

36. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina: The promising pass catcher has salvaged his plummeting stock by posting respectable numbers at his pro day workout (4.5's in the 40 with a 10-foot-2 broad jump and 36-inch vertical). With few receivers capable of rivaling his ability as a jump-ball specialist, Jeffery is an intriguing option as a No. 1 receiver.

37. Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska: Size concerns have overshadowed David's potential, but scouts searching for impact defenders are beginning to push the Nebraska star up the charts with his stellar production on game tape.

38. Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State: If not for his advanced age (28), Weeden would rank much higher based on his arm talent and pocket presence.

39. Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina: Gifted athlete with unrefined skills. Brown could blossom into a standout defender as a pro with his rare combination of size, speed and athleticism.

40. Devon Still, DT, Penn State: Big man with an impressive frame, but scouts are concerned about his technical inconsistencies and effort. Still hasn't sufficiently addressed those issues to this point, so his team visits will be critical to his draft position.

41. Doug Martin, RB, Boise State: Teams intent on adding substance over style have fallen in love with Martin's game. He is a rough-and-tumble runner with sneaky quickness and a solid all-around skill set.

42. Nick Perry, DE, USC: It's hard to find a consensus opinion on Perry, despite his production as a pass rusher. Perry hasn't dominated elite competition consistently, so it is tough to project him as a difference maker at the position.

43. Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson: A disappointing 40-time at the combine has sent Allen's stock in a downward spiral, but he remains one of the top pass catchers at the position. He creates mismatches with his size and athleticism, and teams looking to add a dynamic weapon are closely monitoring his development leading up to the draft.

44. Bobby Massie, OT, Ole Miss: After flying under the radar for most of the season, Massie is starting to creep up boards across the league. Scouts rave about his toughness, footwork and overall skill set, making him a viable option for teams looking for an upgrade at tackle.

45. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon: The most electrifying runner in college football is viewed as a change-of-pace back due to his diminutive frame, but his production and big-play ability will make him a highly coveted prospect on draft day.

46. Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame: It is hard to find big, athletic safeties with ball skills who are also physical run defenders. Smith not only possesses those attributes, but he also has a high football IQ that allows him to act as the controller in the back end.

47. Brandon Washington, G, Miami: Size, strength and athleticism are essential along the interior, and Washington displays a skill set that should lead to instant success as a pro.

48. Rueben Randle, WR, LSU: After failing to impress at the combine, Randle opened up the eyes of evaluators with a strong showing at LSU's pro day. He is a smooth and polished route runner with strong hands and excellent ball skills.

49. Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech: A subpar final season at Virginia Tech has been erased by a strong series of showings at workouts. Hosley is a natural ball hawk with outstanding speed, quickness and return skills.

50. Kelechi Osemele, G, Iowa State: The monstrous interior blocker is not a nimble athlete, but his combination of strength and power allows him to maul defenders in the trenches.

 

[Xue]

Floyd dazzles at Notre Dame pro day, could go before Blackmon

By Gil Brandt

Excerpt:

After the excellent workout Michael Floyd had at Notre Dame’s pro day Tuesday, I feel he conceivably could be drafted before fellow blue-chip receiver prospect Justin Blackmon.

Representatives from 18 NFL teams were there, including Bears coach Lovie Smith, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, and the receivers coaches for the Ravens, Browns and Bears. Prospects ran indoors on FieldTurf.

Floyd, WR, (6-foot-3 1/8, 220 pounds) — Floyd made himself some money Tuesday. He stood on the 4.47-second 40-yard dash that he ran at the NFL Scouting Combine, but he did the short shuttle (4.5 seconds) and three-cone (7.16 seconds) at the pro day.

Floyd is very fluid and runs good routes. He’s a big target, has excellent speed and caught the ball extremely well. He likely got a boost from having former Irish QB Jimmy Clausen throwing the ball to him, because the two are comfortable with each other.

Floyd really moved himself up the charts Tuesday, and again, his performance should at least have people putting him side-by-side with Blackmon; as I wrote, personally, I would rank Floyd higher. Floyd is a little faster and a little taller, and he’s been pretty productive in college. I think he should be taken with the 11th or 12th pick in the draft.

Floyd's short shuttle time was horrible. How did that increase his ranking?

 

[duaneok66]

How many people are reported to have bad pro days or bad workouts??

 

[Faust]

How many people are reported to have bad pro days or bad workouts??

Bad pro days and workouts don't happen too often as they are held in conditions that are optimal for the players and they are held by coaching staffs that want them to be successful so that they can be used as a recruiting tool to pull in future prospects, but they do happen from time to time.

 

[Faust]

Poe, Osweiler, Adams headline roller-coaster draft prospects

By Bucky Brooks NFL.com

Analyst

It's amazing how quickly things change in the scouting world when it comes to evaluating prospects.

Players see their draft stock fluctuate up and down like a roller coaster based on performances at postseason bowl games, the NFL Scouting Combine and pro days. In addition, the extensive evaluation of game tape, background profiles and medical history impact a player's final standing on the draft board.

Just take a look at Dontari Poe and his fortunes since the end of the regular season. The former Memphis defensive tackle was widely viewed as a bottom-of-the-first-round talent based on pure game tape. Scouts saw him as a player with the ability to improve a roster as a situational starter in his rookie season.

However, that perception changed after his impressive display of speed, strength and athleticism at the combine.

At 6-foot-3, 346 pounds, Poe clocked a 4.98 in the 40, led all participants with 44 reps on the bench press and displayed remarkable athleticism and movement skills for a man of his size. From flowing effortlessly through bag drills to showing the ability to bend the corner on pass-rush drills, Poe looked like a "can't-miss" prospect with the tools to become a real difference maker as a pro. Coaches and scouts lauded his ability, with most expecting him to come off the board within the top 10.

In recent weeks, though, the tide has turned again as evaluators have taken more time to pore over his tape. Scouts have cited concerns about his lack of production and impact against lightly regarded competition. Poe finished his three-year career with only five sacks, including just one in 2011, and wasn't recognized by his peers or coaches as one of the most dominant defenders in Conference USA. (Poe twice earned Honorable Mention status on the conference's all-league teams during his career.)

While I certainly understand the growing concern, let's not forget about Poe's blue-chip qualities (size, athleticism and strength) and the immense importance of the position. There is no one in this year's draft class that rivals his pure talent at the position. Given those factors, I believe Poe will be the first defensive tackle to come off the board on draft day, despite the question marks surrounding his game.

Here are five other prospects who are making the evaluation process difficult for scouts and coaches:

Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State: The 6-foot-7 gunslinger created a buzz in scouting circles with his strong performance at Arizona State's pro day, but many evaluators are still uncertain about his pro potential. He enters the league with only 15 collegiate starts and his quirky side-arm delivery is troubling to some quarterback coaches. Furthermore, his enormous stature leads to concerns about his ability to escape rushers in the pocket. While the upside and potential is apparent on the tape, some red flags could keep Osweiler from hearing his name called early in the draft.

Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State: Adams might be the most gifted offensive tackle in the draft, but his inconsistent play will likely prevent him from being drafted in a slot that reflects his raw talent. He fails to consistently dominate elite rushers, despite possessing the length and movement skills to win isolated matchups. His failures are routinely attributed to mental lapses, raising concerns about his focus and concentration. With his maturity already in question due to a series of off-field incidents, Adams' high draft status remains in jeopardy.

Rueben Randle, WR, LSU: After posting disappointing times at the combine, Randle made amends with a strong showing at LSU's pro day. He clocked 40 times in the high-4.3 range and displayed exceptional hands and route-running ability. Randle's impressive performance in front of scouts has prompted decision makers to review his game tape to see if he has the goods to be a No. 1 receiver at the next level. While his collegiate production would suggest otherwise, Randle could be a surprise early selection on draft day.

Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson: Allen was anointed as the top tight end prospect heading into the NFL Scouting Combine, given his exceptional production at Clemson. Teams pegged him as a matchup nightmare with his size and athleticism, but a disappointing 40 time (4.89) in Indianapolis has altered that perception in some draft rooms. However, scouts conducting their due diligence on Allen's game tapes are intrigued by his ability to consistently get open against an array of coverages. Given the increased role of tight ends in most offenses, the final assessment of Allen's potential to impact the passing game as a deep-middle threat will decide his fate as a potential top-50 selection.

Nick Perry, DE, USC: The proliferation of the passing game has prompted teams to search high and low for defensive ends with rush skills. Perry is squarely on the radar based on his solid production during his final season at USC and an impressive showing at the combine. But scouts are still struggling with his final grade due to the extended lulls in his play and a lack of pizzazz as a pass rusher. While Perry certainly flashes potential to wreak havoc off the edge, he isn't a lock to come off the board in the first round.

 

[Faust]

Video Links:

Riskiest picks in the draft

04:05 – "Path to the Draft" takes a look at the riskiest prospects in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Safest picks in 2012 draft

02:37 – Find out which prospects will offer teams instant impact and longevity as the safest picks in the 2012 NFL Draft.

 

[Faust]

Risers and Fallers - Dane Brugler -- (Updated 4/4/2012)

By Dane Brugler

NFLDraftScout.com Analyst

Excerpts:

Risers

1. Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame

After a few run-ins with the law and minor injuries, Floyd made the correct decision to return to Notre Dame for a final season in 2011 and rebuild his draft stock. He moved back on campus, kept his nose clean and produced on the field with 100 catches, becoming the school's all-time leading receiver and steadily moving back into the first-round discussion. Despite not participating in the Senior Bowl, Floyd has been inching higher and higher in the minds of pro scouts, especially after recording a 4.43 40-yard dash. He stood out in positional drills this past week at Notre Dame's pro day in South Bend, looking the part of a No. 1 wideout and backing it up with his performance during the work out. His former quarterback and current Carolina Panther Jimmy Clausen returned to throw passes and also endorse his former teammate, calling Floyd "one of the hardest working guys I've seen." Since September, Floyd has been considered a riser and it's not out of the question that he could be the top receiver drafted on April 26, possibly as early as the top-10.

4. A.J. Jenkins WR Illinois

A name that continues to pop up around NFL circles, Jenkins was viewed as a late-round player entering the 2011 season. He worked his way up draft boards as the best player on the Illini offense this past season, racking up 90 catches for 1,276 yards and eight scores, averaging 14.2 yards per catch and shattering several school records along the way. Jenkins had an okay week in Tampa at East-West Shrine practices and game, but didn't necessarily stand out. However, he was a late-add at the Senior Bowl and turned in a positive performance at the NFL Combine (4.41 40-yard dash, 38.5-inch vertical and 10'4" broad jump), catching several eyes around the league. Jenkins currently has meetings set up with the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers (so far) and is expected to make a few more visits. He could sneak into the initial 75 picks on draft weekend.

 

[Faust]

Wide receivers use pro days to improve their draft stock

By Chad Reuter NFL.com

NFL scouts and general managers travel to campuses all over the country during the fall to evaluate how prospects perform on Saturdays.

They hit those schools for a second time (... or third ... or fourth, depending on the schedule) during March and early April for pro days, where players perform the same athleticism tests NFL fans witness at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis at the end of February.

Some players see pro days as a second chance to improve a result from Indy, or perform a drill they chose not to do the first time around. You'll notice that most of the players listed here who earned a second look from scouts with strong pro-day performances are wide receivers. Improvements in the almighty 40-yard dash and other athleticism tests are as important to that position as they are to any during the evaluation process.

Here's a look at prospects who helped their cause during their respective pro days (in alphabetical order):

Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State (5-foot-8, 203 pounds): Baker had a tough junior season, getting benched midway through the year due to inopportune fumbles and depth at the position. Beating the 4.4 mark on one of his pro-day 40s, however, reminded scouts of how good he looked while running for 1,201 yards and 13 scores in 2010.



Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (6-1, 215): The two-time Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation's top receiver faced questions about his straight-line speed coming into draft season, especially when he didn't run at the combine. But hitting mid-to-high 4.4's on scouts' watches quieted any concerns and secured a spot in the top 10.



Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas (6-3, 219): Childs took full advantage of the nine days separating his combine workout and the Arkansas pro day, running 40s in the low 4.4's after posting an unofficial 4.50 in Indianapolis. He also increased his vertical jump four inches (40.5 inches) and his broad jump two inches (10-foot-7), potentially getting himself back into the top 100 after spending most of the fall trying to return to full strength following a 2010 knee injury.

Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina (6-3, 216): The Gamecocks' star receiver is the favorite to come up with the pigskin in any jump-ball situation, but scouts weren't sure if he had enough straight-line speed to separate from NFL defenders. Breaking the 4.5-second barrier in his 40-yard dashes on campus alleviated their worries. His 33-inch arms and quick shuttle times might also help teams ignore his decrease in production last fall (88 receptions for 1,517 yards in 2010; 49 for 762 in 2011) and put him back in the first-round conversation.

Leonard Johnson, CB, Iowa State (5-10, 196): Johnson's 4.71 40 was the worst among all cornerbacks at the combine in February. The mid-4.5 times he posted on campus two weeks ago weren't blistering, but at least they quieted some talk about his speed and got teams focused on the solid game tape portending a Friday-night selection.

Rishard Matthews, WR, Nevada (6-2, 209): Matthews quietly finished in the top 10 nationally in receptions and receiving yards, despite missing the season finale (and subsequent all-star games) with a sprained knee. The smooth runner put up 40s in the 4.44-4.48 range at his pro day after being credited with a 4.6 at the combine and looked very good catching passes.



Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin (6-2, 215): The son of 1985 first-round pick Al Toon greatly improved his 40s when back in Madison, timing in the 4.38-4.41 area after being hand-timed in the mid 4.5's in Indy. His 10-foot-10 broad jump would have rated second among receivers at the combine and he also increased his vertical jump from 37.5 to 39 inches. Despite his injury history, Toon might have found a place late in the second round with this performance.

Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor (5-10, 196): His 4.61 official combine 40 time raised eyebrows, since scouts pegged him for a "4.4 guy" based on his game tape. (His 1,663 receiving yards this year ranked third in the country.) He met those expectations at his pro day, putting up times of 4.44 and 4.41 seconds. As a result, he'll probably join his Heisman Trophy-winning battery partner Robert Griffin III in the first round.

 

[Faust]

Tannehill among players whose stock has risen since pro day

Tony Pauline

After an exhaustive four-week schedule, the pro day workouts are over. NFL scouts, coaches and general managers crisscrossed the country throughout March as prospects tried to improve their draft grade. As always, the workouts have caused some players to rise in the eyes of NFL decision-makers, while others have fallen. One thing's for sure -- a lot has changed since the pro day slate began. Here are 15 players who saw their fortunes change.

Risers

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M -- The former Aggie was unable to participate at the Senior Bowl or combine after breaking a bone in his foot in early January. During his pro day workout, however, he accurately completed every type of NFL pass he was asked to throw and has set himself up as a top-10 pick.

Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford -- Fleener was another who sat out the major pre-draft scouting events with an injury (sprained ankle). He was able to workout during one of the most anticipated pro days of the year, and ran incredibly fast (under 4.5 seconds in the 40). He also caught every pass thrown his way by Andrew Luck. As a result, Fleener rates as the top tight end in the draft and a late first-round choice.



Bobby Massie, OT, Mississippi -- Massie's performance at the combine was adequate, but his pro day workout could push him into the first round. The big tackle awed onlookers in position drills, and teams now believe he's a lot more NFL-ready than originally thought.

Vinny Curry, DE-OLB, Marshall -- Curry's combine workout was disappointing and bordered on awful. To his credit, he looked like a different athlete at the Marshall pro day. His 40 time of 4.67 was a full .2 seconds better than his mark from Indianapolis and he bettered his vertical jump by 3 ½ inches. He's considered a terrific pass rusher and a good athlete. The combination could push Curry into the first round.

Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers -- A poor performance at the combine threatened to push him into the bottom half of the second round. But the big-bodied wideout recovered, posting a 40 time of 4.48 seconds at his pro day, almost .2 seconds faster than his combine mark. He now grades as a top-40 choice.

Brandon Brooks, G, Miami (Ohio) -- Considered the best player not invited to the combine, Brooks proved he belonged among the best after his two pro day workouts. At his first pro day, he produced testing marks that were competitive with all of the top offensive linemen at the combine. He looked dominant during his second workout, where he performed position drills for almost 30 minutes straight. He's likely to be the first non-combine player drafted.

Leonard Johnson, CB, Iowa State -- He was disappointingly slow at the combine, failing to break 4.6 in the 40, a poor mark for a cornerback. He improved that time by almost .1 at his pro day, moving himself back into the conversation as a second-day pick.

Tim Fugger, DE-OLB, Vanderbilt -- Fugger ranked in the top 10 in the SEC last year in sacks (8) and tackles for loss (13.5). He complimented his natural pass-rushing skills by turning in a complete pro day workout. He was fast (a 4.56 40), strong (29 reps on the bench) and explosive (34-inch vertical jump). He then looked terrific after being put through a battery of linebacker and defensive end drills. Fugger has positioned himself to be selected somewhere in the middle of the draft's final day.

Jeremy Ebert, WR, Northwestern -- Despite Ebert totaling 75 receptions for 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, not much was said about him in scouting circles. All that changed after the 200-pound receiver timed 4.36 at his pro day and stood out in pass-catching drills. He was graded as an undraftable free agent entering the season, but now ranks as a late-round pick.

Ernest Owusu, DL, California -- The 275-pound lineman had a tough time in Cal's 3-4 alignment the past two years, but showed during his pro day that he offers a huge upside when playing in the proper system. Owusu posted gaudy marks during the workout, completing 39 reps on the bench and running as fast as 4.72 in the 40. His 6-foot-4 frame offers room for growth, and teams are now considering Owusu in the final frames of the draft.

Josh Bush, DB, Wake Forest -- The versatile defensive back, who has lined up at both cornerback and safety, picked off six passes last season and totaled 59 tackles, but was not invited to any of the major postseason scouting events. Measuring a shade under 6-feet and 208 pounds, Bush posted times as fast as 4.49 in the 40. His play on the field and performance during his pro day will secure a spot for him in the draft's last day.

DJ Campbell, S, California -- Campbell took a back seat to his highly touted teammate Sean Cattouse, but outperformed the combine invitee during Cal's pro day. In terrible conditions, Campbell ran 4.5 in the 40 after positing a 38-inch vertical jump. He was not considered worthy of an invitation to mini-camp by scouts before the season began, but his pro day workout likely sealed a spot for him in the final round.

Sliders

Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia -- Scouts rated Minnifield as one of the top cornerbacks from the senior class before the 2011 season, but he struggled on the field and then underwent minor knee surgery at the end of the campaign. Minnifield looked terrible during the Virginia pro day, running his 40 in the mid-4.6s and not completing the workout. He's dropped from a potential second-round pick into the last day of the draft.

Joe Adams, WR-RS, Arkansas -- He was the Razorbacks' big-play threat at receiver and return specialist. He was known for his breakaway speed, but his pro day 40 of 4.55 seconds, which was slightly worse than his combine mark (4.51), has pushed him out of the draft's first two rounds.

Omar Bolden, CB, Arizona State -- Bolden rolled the dice and entered the draft despite missing the 2011 season with a knee injury. Fast times were expected at the Sun Devils pro day, but Bolden struggled to get under 4.55 in the 40 and looked stiff in position drills. There's a very real chance Bolden will not be selected at all later this month.

 

[Faust]

PFW's exclusive draft value chart

Posted April 06, 2012 @ 1:11 p.m. ET

By Nolan Nawrocki

The value board below is based on considerable feedback from NFL teams and projects the league value of players, pinpointing a specific area where players likely will be drafted. It is important to note that these values do not reflect where PFW thinks the players should be drafted or what type of pros they will become; that is better reflected in PFW's grades. Each round is divided into three parts: A (early), B (middle) and C (late). Thus, 2B signifies the middle of the second round. Players may be drafted higher or lower based on team needs and fits within certain schemes. The value board may not list the exact number of players in a round as there are actual selections. In some cases, more players are listed than will be drafted, especially in later rounds, because of the very minor difference between late-round draft picks and priority free agents.

Click on the link to see the draft value chart!

 

[EBF]

Edwin Baker as a 3rd round pick.

 

[MAC_32]

Edwin Baker as a 3rd round pick.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

Edwin Baker as a 3rd round pick.

EBF likes his thick, compact running backs. Baker may very well be underrated, but I'd more inclined to say taking Baker in the third round of the NFL draft would be a reach than that I'd be salivating to take him at that point. Or if he meant the 3rd round of a fantasy draft, it's possible that could be a decent pick depending on what team picks Baker in the 5th or so round of the NFL draft; but personally I'll most likely be leaving a running back with no pass catching ability who's coming off a terrible junior season for others to take.

 

[Faust]

2012 NFL draft countdown: SN's No. 21 prospect, Boise State RB Doug Martin

Russ Lande Sporting News

This is the 20th in a daily series of in-depth evaluations on the top 40 prospects leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft, which runs April 26-28. Today: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

Strengths: Martin is a strong, powerful back who has uncommon quickness and big-play ability. He is similar to the Baltimore Ravens' Ray Rice and will be either a late first-round or early second-round pick.

Martin is productive and punishing when running inside. He shows the flexibility to lower his shoulders and make himself a smaller target. He excels at getting a shoulder down to deliver blows to would-be tacklers. This skill, combined with his strength and balance, enables him to gain yards after initial contact.

Martin's quick feet and agility sets himself apart from many power backs. He moves and slides well within tight quarters, avoiding defenders to find open field. He also displays patience, waiting on blockers' hips. He makes quick cuts off blocks that enable him to swiftly get through holes.

Martin's patience, combined with his vision, makes him an effective cutback runner. His size, strength, balance and aggressive running style all make it difficult for opponents to bring him down in open field. His quick change of direction enables him to consistently elude defenders.

Martin also proved to be a reliable part of Boise State's passing attack. He catches the ball well and then is able to quickly tuck it away and start downfield after the catch. He also stays on the field in passing situations because of his technique and production in pass protection.

Looking at his final two seasons with the Broncos, Martin was productive. He followed that up with a stellar week of practice at the Senior Bowl. As a result of his outstanding performance in Mobile, Ala., he is steadily climbed draft boards. (Vital statistics: 5-9, 223 pounds, 4.52 in the 40-yard dash)

Weaknesses: Although Martin is quick and has above-average athleticism for a powerful back, he lacks the elite burst and speed to turn the corner. After making many big plays at Boise State, he lacks the elite speed to outrun angles in the NFL. Opponents will be able to track him down from behind.

As a receiver, Martin primarily ran short routes to the flat, as he was more of a dump-off option than a downfield one. For Martin to become an asset in any passing attack, he must improve at running routes.

Draft status: Martin will be one of the first three or four players drafted because of his ability to be a productive three-down back. He is the type of prospect who often gets overlooked because he lacks elite burst and top-end speed. However, if given the opportunity, Martin might turn out to be the most prolific back taken in 2012, thanks to his physical inside running style and good hands.

Expect both the Green Bay Packers (No. 28 overall) and New York Giants (No. 32) to consider taking Martin in the first round. The Packers won a Super Bowl without an elite back, but they would like to get a strong and physical runner who can stay on the field for three downs. The Giants released Brandon Jacobs because he would not take a pay cut and could use a power back to pair with Ahmad Bradshaw.

If Martin slips out of the first round, several teams might try to trade up into the first five picks of the second round in order to draft him. If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers don't draft Alabama running back Trent Richardson at No. 5 overall, Martin might be in play for them at No. 36.

 

[Faust]

2012 NFL Draft countdown: SN's No. 20 prospect, Baylor WR Kendall Wright

Russ Lande Sporting News

This is the 21st in a daily series of in-depth evaluations on the top 40 prospects leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft, which runs April 26-28. Today: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor.

Strengths: Wright’s ability to out-run the defense and turning short passes into touchdowns will make him a first-round pick. His initial quickness enables him to quickly accelerate to full speed. Wright's ability to get on top of cornerback fast helps him get separation deep when corners try to turn and run with him.

On routes outside the numbers and on deep passes, Wright catches the ball cleanly. His incredible speed enables him to beat defenders who have the angle on him. His ability to quickly change direction helps him elude would-be tacklers.

Wright is an instinctive runner after the catch. Once he finds a crease, Wright shoots through it and has the speed to take it the distance. (Vital statistics: 5-10, 196, 4.44 in the 40-yard dash)

Wright has soft hands. Consequently, when he stays focused on the ball, he can adjust to catch off-target passes. He became a model team player and vocal team leader during his tenure at Baylor.

Weaknesses: Wright is not a polished player. He must improve his route running in order to transfer his production to the NFL. Too often he rounds off his cuts. As a result, his ability to get separation against man coverage will be difficult.

He is not productive or consistent on passes between the numbers. He will occasionally take his eyes off the ball on routes in traffic to view the defense. Consequently, he allows the ball to get too close to his body and drops passes he should easily make.

Wright is not muscular and struggles to break tackles.



Draft status: Wright is the 2012 Draft's most explosive, big-play receiver prospect. Teams will overlook his raw routes and untimely drops because of his overall abilities. The NFL is a pass-first league. Thus, receivers with game-changing ability are more in demand.

Wright must adjust to running an NFL all “route tree” in a more traditional passing attack.

The Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers will consider Wright in the first round.

The Bengals have A.J. Green at one receiver spot. However, there's no established receiver opposite him. Wright would likely draw attention away from Green. In addition, Wright would open up the Bengals’ offense.

After trading for Brandon Marshall, it's clear the Bears want to surround Jay Cutler with talented weapons. Wright’s speed would help pull coverage down the field.

The 49ers best receiver is tight end Vernon Davis. Michael Crabtree is developing. They are desperate to find other offensive weapons, which is why they gambled on Randy Moss.

 

[Faust]

NFL Draft 2012: SN's No. 19 prospect, Stanford TE Coby Fleener

Russ Lande Sporting News

This is the 22nd in a daily series of in-depth evaluations on the top 40 prospects leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft, which runs April 26-28. Today: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford.

STRENGTHS: Fleener (6-6, 247, 4.53 in the 40) is the most athletic tight end in the draft and will be a first-round pick. Unlike many tall tight ends, Fleener can produce when aligned in a variety of spots by quickly accelerating to full speed. That enables him to stretch the defense and make big plays down the seam. Most tight ends aren't able to run routes without slowing into their breaks. Fleener can maintain good speed throughout route. His ability to disguise route until the break point is excellent. With outstanding hands, he consistently makes tough catches. He also has great body control and hip flexibility.

His height, combined with his athleticism and long arms, gives Fleener an outstanding receiving radius. As a blocker, Fleener does a good job of getting through to the second level. He's a good blocker out in space. When he aggressively fires off the ball, Fleener does a good job of driving defensive lineman down the line on run blocks. His versatility to line up as an in-line tight end, wing-Back or split out in the slot, shows Fleener is a smart player who can handle multiple assignments. That gives Fleener more draft value for teams that like to move their tight ends all over the field to create mismatches.

WEAKNESSES: Fleener is not a thick, muscular tight end. His height makes it tough for him to sink his hips to block with good leverage. This difficulty, combined with his lack of great strength, will cause him to struggle as an in-line run blocker in the NFL. He needs to improve his first step and learn to use hands to defeat jams. If he doesn't, linebackers will be able to jolt him and slow his release. Fleener can be an upright runner in routes when he doesn't stay focused on his technique. This hinders his ability to get out of cuts quickly to get some separation.

DRAFT STATUS: Fleener's performance at Stanford's pro day further solidified his draft status. In today’s NFL, where passing success is vital to winning, athletic tight ends who can create mismatches are tremendously valuable. Fleener is that type of player. He will never be considered a top level blocker. However, he should be considered a solid blocker given his size potential and competitiveness.

The Bears, Browns and Giants will have an interest in Fleener. Chicago is no longer running Mike Martz’s offense, which de-emphasized throwing to the tight end. By drafting Fleener, the Bears would give Jay Cutler the big-play threat. Cleveland's offense has no established receiving threat, so adding a fast, big tight end would help. The Giants lost their top two tight ends, Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum when both were injured in the Super Bowl. Neither player is expected to be ready for the start of the season. Fleener would give the Giants a dynamic weapon they have lacked since Jeremy Shockey's departure.

 

[Faust]

Draft positional series: Wide receivers

By Frank Cooney | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst

In the NFL aerial circus that lights up scoreboards and bloats statistics, the wide receivers are the showmen who perform the astonishing high-wire act that is so intricate it often needs instant replay to verify what really happened.

They must -- often all at once -- run with world-class speed, fend off some defensive bully, keep both tiptoes inside the sideline chalk, cleanly snatch a football traveling at the rate of 60 miles per hour and make sure it doesn't move ever so slightly in their hands or graze the turf. And if they are tumbling out of bounds after all that, they must maintain firm possession until they stop moving, even if they wind up in the third row of seats.

Still, among the myriad of unusual jobs involved in football, wide receivers are basically asked to do what comes most natural to an athlete -- run and catch.

And for those who can do that simple yet complex task the best, there is extraordinary riches and fame.

Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice did it the best and has been voted the greatest pro football player ever, at any position. Last month, wide receiver Calvin Johnson signed an NFL record $132 million contract with Detroit and Vincent Jackson went to Tampa Bay for $55.556 million.

So teams scrutinize college wide receivers closely, trying to determine who has the skills to survive and thrive in the pros. According to ratings by NFLDraftScout.com, this year's draft features a group of receivers who are average as a group, but measure taller and heavier than usual.

Clearly topping this list are Oklahoma State's talented Justin Blackmon and Notre Dame's Michael Floyd, each of whom comes complete with some off-field issues. Blackmon rates as the No. 5 overall prospect in the draft and as many as five wide receivers could be taken in the first round and nine by the end of the second.

The top dozen wide receivers in this draft average 6-foot-2 and 211 pounds. And as these big pass catchers prepare to move into the NFL, they might be glad to note that their top dozen counterparts in this draft -- the cornerbacks -- average only 5-11, 192. That, and enhanced rules to protect the health of wide receivers, should insure the aerial circus will continue in the NFL.

Here is a closer look at the wide receivers in this year's draft. They are listed with school, height, weight, and projected round of selection (*denotes underclassman):

1. *Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State, 6-1, 207, 1 After scoring 38 touchdowns in his final 25 games, comparisons to the gifted Dez Bryant, who he replaced at Oklahoma State, are the good and bad news. His ability is as obvious as the two Fred Biletnikoff awards he won as the top college wide receiver. But he must dedicate himself to reach his ample potential in the NFL. Like Bryant (now with Dallas), Blackmon has astonishing instincts, body control and the ability to take charge of a game. Also like Bryant, Blackmon has had some issues off the field, in fact some of them with Bryant. This is a concern for teams considering spending millions of dollars on Blackmon. In college, Blackmon replaced Bryant with a flourish in 2010, catching 111 passes for 1,782 yards -- breaking Larry Fitzgerald's record for sophomores -- and 20 touchdowns. He set an NCAA record with at least 100 yards and one touchdown in all 12 games in a season. Blackmon then added 122 catches, 1,522 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. He was devastating in the big games, grabbing five for 157, two touchdowns in the 2011 Alamo Bowl against Nebraska's Prince Amukamara (now with N.Y. Giants) and then finishing his college career with eight catches, 182 yards and touchdowns of 43, 67 and 17 yards in a 41-38 overtime win over Stanford in the 2012 Fiesta Bowl. Blackmon plays faster than his clock speed and bigger, tougher than his measurements and is especially dangerous after the catch. After not running at the Scouting Combine, Blackmon clocked a 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds and soared 35 inches in the vertical jump at his pro day. Off-field concerns include a DUI arrest in October, 2010 in Arlington, Texas when, not coincidentally, he went to visit Bryant and see a Cowboys game.

2. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame, 6-3, 220, 1 Floyd's size and prolific on-field performances are tantalizing for NFL teams. He arrived at Notre Dame as one of the most celebrated prep recruits in the nation and validated that with 48 catches for 719 yards as a true freshman. He finished his career with seven school records, including most receptions (271), most yards receiving (3,686) and touchdown catches (37). He also reaffirmed his on-field feats with measureable athleticism at the combine, running 40 yards in 4.47 seconds and leaping 36½ inches in the vertical jump. But there were bad statistics off the field. He was cited for underage consumption of alcohol twice and driving under the influence once and finally was suspended from the team last spring. Although he was allowed back on the team, he lost his role as captain. Despite all that, and a broken clavicle in 2009, Floyd was undoubtedly one of the top receivers in college football the past four seasons. He is an intriguing combination of good quickness, better speed, great size and awesome hands that engulf the football. His size and strength should help him against NFL press coverage and his long arms (32⅞ inches) will be an asset going for the ball. Floyd certainly has the physical ability to star in the NFL if he works hard enough at it on and off the field.

3. Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor, 5-10, 196, 1 As a four-year starter, Wright logged evidence in 50 games that he could scorch college defenses with blink-quick moves and appeared ready to fit into a slot position in the NFL and become a nightmarish matchup for defenses. But in the what-have-you-proven-lately fraternity of NFL scouts, Wright appeared to lose a little luster when his 40-yard time at the combine was announced as only 4.61 seconds. It seemed incongruous compared to game tapes. Some NFL sources told NFLDraftscout.com that Wright's best time at the combine was really 4.49 seconds so they had no concerns. But Wright was upset by the announced time and felt he had to prove something, so at his pro day in March he was timed between 4.41 and 4.46 seconds according to scouts in attendance. That sounds more like the player who holds a share of 10 Baylor career receiving records and set a single-season mark last year with 108 catches for 1,663 yards, 14 touchdown receptions and nine games with more than 100 yards. His career total of 4,004 yards receiving is 1,300 yards more than anyone who preceded him. Wright is a tireless athlete who also played on the Baylor basketball team, squatted more than 550 pounds and reportedly has a vertical jump of 42 inches. He has the natural ability to be a returner but was not showcased there in college. At Pittsburgh High in Texas, Wright was a three-sport sensation as he played quarterback in football, averaged almost 25 points a game in basketball and won the state championship with a meet record triple-jump of 50 feet, 8¾ inches in 2008.

4. *Rueben Randle, LSU, 6-3, 210, 1-2 After catching only 44 passes in his first two years, Randle grabbed attention last season with 53 catches for 917 yards and eight touchdowns. When he announced he was declaring for the NFL draft, scouts knew they needed more input to get a grasp on his abilities. He is obviously big and fast, but LSU had a less-than-stellar passing game, which some assume is a reason Randle wanted to move on. It created one of those situations where data from the combine would help NFL teams feel a little more comfortable, or not. His announced 40-yard time of 4.55 seconds at the combine was marginally comfortable, but he clocked 4.42 seconds at his pro day workout just in case. Randle's exceptional athletic ability has been known for a while back in Bastrop, La., where he played both quarterback and wide receiver as a high school senior -- although only one position at a time. He led Bastrop High to the state semifinals (11-2) in 2008, passing for 2,461 yards and 20 touchdowns, rushing for 683 yards and another dozen scores and catching a few passes too. As a prep junior he played wide receiver and caught 55 passes for 1,058 yards and 11 TDs to help Bastrop win a second consecutive Class 4A state championship.

5. *Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech, 6-4, 206, 2 When Hill declared he was coming out early for the NFL Draft, teams were eager to see him perform at the combine. He dazzled them even more than the general public realized. His announced 40 time was 4.36 seconds, but he was told by NFL scouts his best time was actually 4.28 seconds. He also soared 39½ inches in the vertical jump and was impressive in every drill. This, in turn, sent curious scouts back to look at game tapes. What they saw at Indianapolis combine and in the games is an athlete who always has been special. Hill finished his three-year college career with 49 catches for 1,248 (16th in school history). That average of 25.47 yards per reception would have broken the school record, but he fell one reception short of qualifying. His nine career touchdown receptions rank 14th in Tech history. Last year his 28 catches went for 820 yards, a 29.3-yard average that led the nation. As a senior at Miller Grove High School, Hill was not only an MVP football player but set the Georgia State prep record with a long jump of 25-feet, 8¾ inches, which would have placed ninth at the last Olympics.



6. *Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina, 6-3, 216, 2 At about 230 pounds or more, Jeffery had a decent college career and appeared to have everything necessary to be a good pro receiver except natural speed to separate from defenders. Since last season he tried to improve his speed by losing weight. However, when he showed up at the combine weighing 216 pounds he chose not to work out, although he said he was "better, lighter." He tried to prove it at his late March pro day where he showed some explosion with a 36½-inch vertical jump and a 10-2 broad jump and was timed between 4.4 and 4.5 seconds in 40 yards. But his performance in lateral agility drills was only average and not smooth. Before losing the weight Jeffery was reminiscent of Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Mike Williams, formerly of USC. But after being the 10th player taken in the 2005 draft (Detroit), Williams has been with four teams and is not an outstanding NFL receiver. It is difficult to determine whether Jeffery helped or hurt himself by losing the weight because his functional speed still seems to be average. Like Williams, Jeffery looked great collecting his statistics against out-sized college defenders, including 179 career receptions for 2,894 yards (16.2 per catch) and 22 touchdowns. Coach Steve Spurrier held him out of the opening play against Navy last season for what was described as a violation of team rules.

7. *Chris Givens, Wake Forest, 5-11, 198, 2 Givens came out of high school as an outstanding track star and running back, which was a precursor to the dazzling showmanship he displayed as a receiver, returner and running back at Wake Forest. He also came out of high school with a history of two separate ACL injuries, reflecting a durability concern he brings into the draft. But he still has impressive speed and is strong for his size, as he showed at the Scouting combine with a 40-yard time of 4.35 seconds and 19 bench-press reps at 225 pounds. In his three-year college career, Givens caught 163 passes for 2,473 yards and 21 touchdowns; rushed 45 times for 238 yards and two touchdowns and averaged 19.3 yards on kickoff returns and 12.5 yards on punt returns. He seems to be a candidate for the slot position, where his speed should be a matchup issue for defenses. However, while his speed and ability to get open are not a concern, he is not consistent as a receiver. He sometimes makes difficult catches appear easy, but then drops passes he should catch, as he did in the Music City Bowl. Givens sat out the 2010 opener after violating team rules.



8. *Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers, 6-2, 211, 2-3 Sanu started 37 of his 38 games at Rutgers and finished with 210 catches, 2,263 yards and 12 touchdowns and collected 3,049 yards in total offense. Last season he caught 115 passes for 1,206 yards and seven scores. He was bigger and stronger than almost all defenders he faced in college. So it will be interesting to see if he maintains an advantage, and his strong self-confidence, at the next level where players are both bigger and faster. He verified his lack of elite speed at the combine when his best 40-yard dash was 4.62. His 19 reps with 225 pounds in the bench press is probably more of an indicator of how he plays the game. Sanu is a physically tough player who is unafraid to do anything necessary to catch the ball. After the catch he has moves to elude tacklers, strength to run through others and if that doesn't work he has a jolting stiff arm. Sanu spent his youth shuttling between his parents' native Sierra Leone and New Jersey, where he finally settled in to become high school star at South Brunswick High in Monmouth Junction, N.J.



9. Brian Quick, Appalachian State, 6-4, 220, 2-3 Quick played up to his significant measurements as a big man in a small-school conference. He is one of the most highly rated prospects in Appalachian history. He is the school's all-time leader in receptions (202), receiving yards (3,418) and touchdown catches (31). Last season was his best with 71 catches, 1,096 yards and 11 scores. Despite his last name, Brian is probably faster than quick but is a tremendous target short or deep. He has excellent downfield speed once after he gets into second gear or higher and ran a decent 40-yard dash at the combine (best of 4.50 seconds). Quick also plays even larger than his height thanks to 34¼-inch arms and an 80ₖ-inch wingspan. Add to that a 34-inch vertical jump and Quick has everything it takes to become a quarterback's favorite target, especially in the red zone. He impressed scouts at the Senior Bowl and in the game was a favorite target of Boise State QB Kellen Moore. And, lest we forget a historical moment, Quick was one of only two players on the team last year who were part of the 2007 victory over Michigan.

10. Greg Childs, Arkansas, 6-3, 219, 3 Childs probably has only now recovered from a 2010 right knee injury, but he pushed himself through the 2011 season anyway, catching 21 passes for 240 yards. By the time of the combine he was well enough to run the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds and manage a 36½-inch vertical jump. But he considered his March 7 pro day a coming out when he ran 40 yards in 4.41 seconds and had a vertical jump of 41½ inches. "It was just mainly showing everybody that I was healthy again, showing I was 100 percent again," Childs said after the on-campus workout. The injury was to his right patella and required surgery in 2010, otherwise he probably would have been in the 2011 draft. Instead, he struggled through the 2011 season, missing only a little action. Childs is an extraordinary target because of his unusual combination of size, speed, jumping ability, long arms (34⅛-inch) and, finally, huge hands, (10⅛-inch).

11. Marvin Jones, California, 6-2, 199, 3 Jones had an impressive run at Cal, where his 156 catches for 2,270 yards and 13 touchdowns rank him among the top eight in each category for a career. But his stock rose fast after his final regular-season game. First he impressed scouts with eight catches for 88 yards against Texas in the Holiday Bowl. Then he took advantage of a late invitation to the Senior Bowl, where his quickness and route running against top competition was noteworthy. He also displayed surprising strength for his size when it came to fending off press coverage. Finally he put on a memorable show at the combine, where he registered a 40-yard time of 4.46 seconds and 22 reps with 225 pounds on the bench, which explains why he does well hand fighting off the line. During his career, Jones showed a natural ability to catch everything within reach -- short, long and over the middle. He seemed to improve with each of his final 16 games, leading Cal in receiving for 13 of those contests.



12. Nick Toon, Wisconsin, 6-2, 215, 3 As the son of Wisconsin Hall of Famer and New York Jets Pro Bowl wide receiver Al Toon, Nick has always endured the obvious comparison. In that regard, so far, so good. Nick surpassed his father's receiving yardage mark at Wisconsin (2,103 from 1982-85) with 171 catches for 2,447 yards, although his 18 touchdowns are one short of his father's 19. In the 1985 draft, Al Toon was selected tenth overall, ahead of Jerry Rice, but his career was shortened by nine concussions and he retired at 29. Nick is a physical player and excellent route runner, similar to his father. But Nick is expected to wait until the late second or third round to hear his name called. He has had his share of injuries the past two seasons. He missed three games in 2010 (turf toe) and sat out the Ohio State game (thigh). Toon underwent surgery on his left foot twice, including once in midseason last year. At his pro day in early March, Toon performed well with a 40-yard time of 4.43 seconds and a vertical jump of 39 inches.

 

[Faust]

Draft Grades from NFL.com:

Quarterbacks

Runningbacks

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

A few surprises - the draft grade for Doug Martin for example!

 

[Time Kibitzer]

Draft Grades from NFL.com:

Quarterbacks

Runningbacks

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

A few surprises - the draft grade for Doug Martin for example!

Thanks for these links. No idea how they went about the draft grades though, doesn't even appear to be combine based. After watching a few of those videos, I gotta say Darrell Scott looks absolutely dreadful; he looks like a fat high school kid out there. I thought he might possess some sleeper value, but after watching that I wouldn't touch him with a 10 foot pole.

 

[Faust]

Draft Grades from NFL.com:

Quarterbacks

Runningbacks

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

A few surprises - the draft grade for Doug Martin for example!

Thanks for these links. No idea how they went about the draft grades though, doesn't even appear to be combine based. After watching a few of those videos, I gotta say Darrell Scott looks absolutely dreadful; he looks like a fat high school kid out there. I thought he might possess some sleeper value, but after watching that I wouldn't touch him with a 10 foot pole.

Under last year's draft tracker they have the following statement pertaining to their draft grades:

*Grade: Expert assigned grade based on estimated Draft quality

I know that the league tracks college players and gives them an estimate on where they feel that player will be selected in the NFL draft if they choose to ask.

 

[Faust]

A few more from Greg Cosell on twittergregcosell

WR Hill difficult eval. Ran few routes at GT. Straight line WR who didn't play as fast on film as timed Combine 40. Minus lateral quicks.

Like WR Randle. Smooth, athletic, acceleration off the LOS. Belive he can win isolation routes on outside as "x". Similarities to H. Nicks.

Intriguing WR I watched was NV Matthews. Exclusive plus splits. Strong hands. A little stiff but sense of pace as rt runner. Run after catch

Criner tough film eval. Limited rts in ARZ O. Big linear WR with some build up speed but little suddenness or burst. Some run-after-catch.

Lot of tall linear WR in draft. McNutt, Cunningham 2 more. Straight line long striders w/deceptive build up speed. Isolation rts on outside?

Watched FIU Hilton FIU. Natural quicks as rte runner. Ability to set up corners with vertical stem. Run after catch. Transitions as slot WR

Liked CIN Pead. Decisive downhill runner with explosive short area burst. Natural wiggle in open field. Stop + start, change of direction.

Concern for tall linear straight line WR is can they win on outside v. man coverage. If not, they become function of scheme, personnel + QB.

No WR in this draft as good as A. Johnson or C. Johnson when they came out. Blackmon/Floyd not in that category. Randle intrigues me most.

 

[Faust]

And a few more from Greg Cosellgregcosell

Asked re: Fleener. Efficient into routes from LOS position. Ability to attack vertical seams. Fluid rte runner. Reminded me of HOU Daniels.

Don't think Blackmon/Floyd at same level as Green from last yr. Neither has that kind of explosion. But can only eval players in given draft

No one talking about WF Givens. Quick acceleration on vertical rtes. Explosive. Just as fast vrtically as BU Wright. Inconsistent hands.

Have to watch every play of Randle v. Alabama + see coverage. Bama doubled him on almost 3rd downs. Not a valid argument based on tape.

Asked re: Polk. Measured, methodical. Inside grinder. Not much wiggle. Volume runner. No special attributes. Outstanding receiver.

 

[Faust]

Sorry - it will only allow you to make a post with a certain number of quotes in it, so here are the last few from Greg Cosellgregcosell

Be interesting to see where Wright goes. Explosive vertically on film. Question is can align on the outside. Is he D. Jackson, or just slot?

Asked re: Floyd. See some D. Bowe in him. Big WR with better quicks and movement the more I watched. Think I like Floyd more than Blackmon.

Watched Broyles. Smooth rte runner with natural quicks. Balance + body control. NFL slot WR: lateral quicks, hands, run after catch.

Asked re; Martin. Mentality of feature back. Determined downhill runner w/toughness + physicality. Ran with velocity. Some natural wiggle.

Wilson VA Tech: My #2 after TR. Explosive element. Also ran w/velocity inside. Balance, body control. Speed to perimeter. Smooth accelerator

Like both ARK WR Adams + Wright as slot WR. Wright quick twitch + sudden. Explosive down vertical seams. Adams great quicks at top of rts.

Asked re: Sanu. Another player anxious to see where drafted. Reminds me of Colston. Excellent between the numbers WR w/strong hands.

Asked about L. James. See him in some ways as less physical D. Sproles. A space player in NFL. Must improve pass pro to play on 3rd down.

 

[MAC_32]

Edwin Baker as a 3rd round pick.

EBF likes his thick, compact running backs. Baker may very well be underrated, but I'd more inclined to say taking Baker in the third round of the NFL draft would be a reach than that I'd be salivating to take him at that point. Or if he meant the 3rd round of a fantasy draft, it's possible that could be a decent pick depending on what team picks Baker in the 5th or so round of the NFL draft; but personally I'll most likely be leaving a running back with no pass catching ability who's coming off a terrible junior season for others to take.

I like my RB's built like Baker too, but I also like them to be somewhat of a halfway decent RB.Baker sucks.

 

[Sabertooth]

In a 2QB dynasty league - how does positional scarcity, VBD, and other principles shake up the board?

Positional Scarcity - Actually means a couple things. First, QBs in a 10 team, start 2QB league are currency. Everything revolves around them. You have top QBs (Brady and Brees) and you are in the hunt. And you better have something other than Colt McCoy or Matt Moore to lineup alongside middling guys like Romo or Freeman. Or you are going to succumb to teams with a superstar like Rodgers. So QBs are ultra valuable because:

[*]You have two start two, and you'll need at least one in reserve just to field a roster IF YOUR BYES LINE UP FAVORABLY! Otherwise you need 4 just to cover byes. Injuries can be catastrophic especially for a good team because you may have to trot out somebody like Matt Hasselback on his own against the combo of Vick and Cam or some such thing. There are only 32 starting QBs in a full schedule week. That means there simply aren't enought to go around. Teams that have a brutal injury like Brady a few years ago are willing to pay top dollar for a Matt Cassell or Alex Smith if they are facing the prospect of trotting Brady out in against two guys no matter how bad they look. You needs QBs, and lots of them.

[*]Running backs are also valuable because the days of Priest and Ladainian are gone. Nobody racks up 25 touchdowns any more. Heck even Chris Johnson has trouble getting 1000 yards only a few years after getting 2000. So a (pretty much) sure thing back like Richardson has a lot more value, A LOT MORE value than role players like Blount, Grant, Best, or Greene. He can do it all. Perimeter, blocking, catching, running, you name it. He's 3 down back. He's a beast who could force Arian Foster like numbers because it's just easier than throwing. However, he isn't likely to be playing much any more just as Luck it enjoying his zenith age. In seasons 8 through 13 for instance, he might be finished playing while Luck could very well be putting up Rodgers type number for another have a decade.

So all that said, is longevity and scarcity in a 2qb format enough to push Andrew Luck past Trent Richardson at the top of rookie drafts? Even if Richardson reaches his potential, which is enormous (again think Arian Foster or ADP pre-injury), is Luck still more valuable based on the fact that he could give you a leg up on your league until well into the 2020's? I have my board, but I want to see others' as well so I'm going to hold off on posting it.

So all that said, how would your top 5 look in a 2qb league.

How do you rank Luck and Richardson. It appears in even normal formats, some people are leaning Luck because of position longevity, the need for an elite (not just good) QB ....vbd at it's simplest.

 

[Xue]

Edwin Baker as a 3rd round pick.

EBF likes his thick, compact running backs. Baker may very well be underrated, but I'd more inclined to say taking Baker in the third round of the NFL draft would be a reach than that I'd be salivating to take him at that point. Or if he meant the 3rd round of a fantasy draft, it's possible that could be a decent pick depending on what team picks Baker in the 5th or so round of the NFL draft; but personally I'll most likely be leaving a running back with no pass catching ability who's coming off a terrible junior season for others to take.

I like my RB's built like Baker too, but I also like them to be somewhat of a halfway decent RB.Baker sucks.

Baker and Mike Ball are near identical players to me.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

Edwin Baker as a 3rd round pick.

EBF likes his thick, compact running backs. Baker may very well be underrated, but I'd more inclined to say taking Baker in the third round of the NFL draft would be a reach than that I'd be salivating to take him at that point. Or if he meant the 3rd round of a fantasy draft, it's possible that could be a decent pick depending on what team picks Baker in the 5th or so round of the NFL draft; but personally I'll most likely be leaving a running back with no pass catching ability who's coming off a terrible junior season for others to take.

I like my RB's built like Baker too, but I also like them to be somewhat of a halfway decent RB.Baker sucks.

Baker and Mike Ball are near identical players to me.

I'm not a huge fan of Baker myself as I have some serious questions about his vision, but he's both bigger and faster than Mike Ball. I think Ball is too slow to ever have fantasy significance.

 

[Faust]

Several prospects hoping for good news at medical recheck in Indy

By Frank Cooney | NFLDraftScout.com

Some of the big names in the 2012 NFL Draft returning to Indianapolis this week for a medical recheck include Alabama running back Trent Richardson, LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne and Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

However, little drama is expected to be attached to the combine follow-up visit to Indianapolis by those players, all of whom are expected to be selected early in the first round.

Tannehill already looked great working out on his surgically repaired foot; Richardson ran hard on the knee he had cleaned out; and Claiborne's injured wrist ligaments aren't that much of a concern, especially for a cornerback.

However, this will be an important re-check for a few players, most notably Oklahoma's record-breaking wide receiver Ryan Broyles and Virginia defensive back Chase Minnifield, both of whom are coming off knee surgery.

Broyles, who had ACL surgery on his left knee after his great college career was ended last November, is so eager to show he is making progress that he has a pro day scheduled Thursday before heading to Indianapolis the next day.

"I want to show I am making great progress," Broyles told NFLDraftScout.com. "I may not be 100 percent, but I feel great."

Broyles was rated as high as an early second-round prospect before the knee injury, but fell a couple of rounds until recent news that his rehabilitation is going well.

Minnifield had a scheduled clean-out in January, but it has taken an unusually long time to recover, reportedly due to excess swelling. The swelling was noted at the February combine, where he was unable to run. And his March 15 pro day performance was disappointing.

Minnifield, the son of former Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl performer Frank Minnifield, is currently projected as a third- or fourth-round prospect by NFLDraftScout.com.

Here is a closer look at players scheduled for recheck:

Offense

QB Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M (6-4, 221): After breaking a bone in his right foot, Tannehill couldn't participate in the Senior Bowl or combine and missed the Aggies' pro day in early March. He had surgery and was even forced to limp down the aisle with crutches during his wedding in January. Tannehill was finally able to get on the field on March 29 for a workout in College Station and looked good throwing off that foot and running a 4.58 40-yard dash. He is expected to be selected in the top 12.

RB Trent Richardson, Alabama (5-9, 228): Even though he played healthy throughout the entire 2011 season, Richardson had a meniscus scope on his knee and was held out of workouts in Indianapolis. He was back at full health for his workout on March 29 on Alabama's campus and didn't show any signs of being hampered by the injury. Richardson ran his 40 in the high-4.4, low-4.5-second area and looked good in positional drills, cementing his status as an early first round pick.

WR T.Y. Hilton, Florida International (5-10, 183): There might not be a more explosive athlete in this draft class, but strong durability concerns hurts his NFL future, including a hamstring issue that kept him out of any all-star games and the combine. Hilton was healthy enough to run at his pro day on March 9 and ran consistent times in the 4.3s, showing off his natural speed to pro scouts. He battled injuries over his career and his frail-looking frame creates concern with NFL teams, pushing his draft value into the middle rounds.

WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma (5-10, 192): The NCAA's all-time leading receiver suffered a devastating knee injury late in the 2011 season, which has kept him sidelined during the pre-draft process. Broyles couldn't participate at the combine or Oklahoma's on-campus pro day and has yet to set a date as to when he'll be able to run for NFL teams before draft weekend. He feels confident he will be able to show "something" before the draft but the injury will make it tough for a team to invest an early round draft pick in him.

TE Coby Fleener, Stanford (6-6, 247): After spraining his ankle in the Fiesta Bowl, Fleener only lifted at the combine (27 reps). He rehabbed his injury to get ready for Stanford's pro day on March 22 and blew away scouts with his 40 times in the mid-4.4s. Fleener has been beaten up over his football career and carries some durability issues, but is still expected to be the top player off the board at his position because of his athleticism for his size.

G Joe Looney, Wake Forest (6-3, 309): A solid senior season earned him an invite to Tampa to participate in the East-West Shrine Game, where he had a good week of practice. However, an ankle injury kept Looney from working out in Indianapolis or at Wake Forest's pro day, and there are some concerns he might not be able to reach full health before draft weekend. A possible mid-round pick, he will fall down draft boards if he's not able to show scouts his ankle is at full-go.

C Peter Konz, Wisconsin (6-5, 314): Injuries have been an issue for the talented Wisconsin center, who suffered a blood clot in both lungs in 2009, a sprained ankle in 2010 and a dislocated ankle that forced him to miss the final few games of 2011. Konz was also forced to sit out at the combine and has yet to work out for pro teams, continuing his rehab on that ankle. He still expects to work out sometime in April, but durability is a bright red flag for Konz.

Defense

DE Donte Moss, North Carolina (6-3, 268): Paige-Moss tore the ACL in his right knee during North Carolina's Independence Bowl loss to Missouri but the junior defensive end still elected to enter the draft after his junior season. The injury and expected recovery time could keep him sidelined for the entire 2012 season, making it unlikely that an NFL team will invest anything more than a late-round pick to acquire his services. To assure even that, doctors will want to make sure that Paige-Moss is healing on schedule.

DT Josh Chapman, Alabama (6-1, 316): In a remarkable testament to Chapman's toughness and dedication, the Alabama senior nose guard played through much of the 2011 season on a left knee with a torn ACL and meniscus. Chapman underwent surgery to repair the torn ligaments Jan. 17 and will not be able to work out before the draft. Like with Paige-Moss, doctors will want to see how the rehabilitation is proceeding.

LB Bobby Wagner, Utah State (6-0, 241): Unlike most of the others on this list, Wagner hasn't undergone recent surgery and performed well the past two times scouts have seen him -- earning Most Outstanding Player on the North Team for his effort during the Senior Bowl and blowing up his March 29 pro day workout. He wasn't able to attend the combine due to a bout with pneumonia that required hospitalization, however, and thus is heading to Indianapolis as a precautionary measure.

CB Brandon Boykin, Georgia (5-10, 182): Boykin suffered a slight fracture to his right fibula at the Senior Bowl, which caused him to miss the combine workouts. He's scheduled to work out for scouts on campus April 9, which will ease some concerns about his recovery and also is likely to be asked to travel back to Indianapolis so doctors can take a closer look, as well.

CB Morris Claiborne, LSU (5-11, 188): Claiborne underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left wrist March 23, a day after working out for scouts at LSU's pro day. The rehabilitation isn't likely to knock Claiborne off his perch atop the cornerback rankings and as a likely top-six pick in the draft, but doctors will want to make sure the wrist is healing as expected.

CB Chase Minnifield, Virginia (5-10, 183): Minnifield did not run at the combine due to a medical exclusion that noted "bilateral ankles." That term apparently refers to edema or the swelling has resulted in his slower-than-expected recovery from a Jan. 3 arthroscopic procedure on his right knee. It was a simple clean-out to remove loose cartilage. Minnifield didn't participate in the combine workouts and said he was functioning at only 80 percent when he had a disappointing pro day workout March 15 on campus.

SS Mark Barron, Alabama (6-1, 213): Barron underwent a double-hernia operation following the season and missed the Senior Bowl and combine. While he proved athletic enough during the Crimson Tide's second pro day March 29 to assure scouts the first-round talent is well on his way to recovery, Barron characterized himself as still only 80-90 percent himself following the workout.

FS Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State (6-1, 207): Martin announced via his personal Twitter account before the combine he wouldn't be participating due to suffering an injury to his right knee while preparing for the audition. He then underwent surgery and was unable to work out for scouts March 9 at OSU's pro day.

Rob Rang and Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com contributed capsule material for this story.

 

[Faust]

Breaking down the week's visits for fast-rising Floyd

By Dan Hanzus NFL.com

Writer

The buzz is building around Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd, who improved his draft stock with a standout pro day last week. NFL.com's Gil Brandt speculates Floyd could be the first receiver to go in the draft, ahead of Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon.

Floyd said Sunday on SiriusXM NFL Radio that he would visit with the Tennessee Titans, St. Louis Rams, New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals this week. He met with the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns last week and conducted a private workout with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings are scheduled to visit with Floyd next week.

Let's take a look at the team's on the schedule this week and see how Floyd might fit in:

St. Louis Rams (sixth pick)

In trading out of the No. 2 overall selection -- aka, the RG3 pick -- the Rams showed their faith in Sam Bradford, who suffered through an injury-marred sophomore season after winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2010. Now that they've given their QB a vote of confidence, they need to get him help. Brandon Lloyd put up respectable numbers following a midseason trade, but the Rams let the veteran walk to the Patriots in free agency. The door is wide open for Floyd to slide in and become an instant contributor.

New York Jets (16th pick)

Despite his well-chronicled issues with teammates, Santonio Holmes is back with the Jets and will continue to be the centerpiece of the air attack at MetLife Stadium. His supporting cast represents something of a mystery. Plaxico Burress will not return and the team struggled to replace the consistent Jerricho Cotchery last season. Floyd's physical playmaking ability (both as a receiver and blocker) would offer a nice compliment to Holmes' slashing, yards-after-catch style. One point to consider: With a history of alcohol-related incidents in college, could the Jets be wary of character issues?

Cincinnati Bengals (17th and 21st pick)

The Bengals already hit on one receiver last year in No. 4 overall pick A.J. Green, and the addition of Floyd would give the Bengals a receiving tandem overflowing with potential. There's also an element of unknown in the form of Jerome Simpson, a free agent who is likely facing a suspension after he was sentenced to a short jail term in connection with a felony drug charge. That said, it'd be a surprise if Cincinnati took wide receivers in the first round of back-to-back drafts, especially when the team has needs at other areas.

Tennessee Titans (20th pick)

Kenny Britt seemed poised for a leap to superstar status before suffering a torn ACL last September. Nate Washington stepped up in Britt's absence, setting career highs in receptions, yards and touchdowns. If Britt can make a full recovery, the Titans would feature a trio of wideouts who could make plays for Matt Hasselbeck (or Jake Locker). Of course, the chances Floyd is still around at 20 are very slim.

 

[Faust]

NFP Sunday Blitz Excerpt:

Dan Pompei

Scout Talk: Players Who Might Not Be NFL Ready

Last week, we looked at draft prospects who could be quick studies. This week, with some help from college scouts, we examine players who might not be immediate contributors.

Quarterback—Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M. He is a bit green as a passer and there is a lot he has not seen. On the plus side, he has played in a pro style offense. On the negative side, he has been inconsistent in it. Brock Osweiler of Arizona State also is a contender here. He left school early and was a starter for only one season, so he isn’t an experienced passer. What’s more, he played in a simple offense and was mostly in the shotgun.

Running back—Lamar Miller, Miami. This is a one-year starter who turned pro after his junior season. Miller is not a finished product. “He could be thrown into the mix too quickly in the NFL,” one personnel man said. “He needs a good running backs coach and a patient offensive coordinator.”

Wide receiver—Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech. In the triple option offense, Hill’s primary role was to block. He had only 1,248 receiving yards in college. The routes he was asked to run were pretty much straight ahead or slants. Hill may be the most gifted wide receiver in the draft, but he needs to learn to run routes and get in and out of breaks.

Tight end—Ladarius Green, Louisiana-Lafayette. Although he had some production against big schools, Green is in for a major jump in level of competition. He also needs to improve his strength, according to one front office man.

 

[Kleck]

FBGs should hire Faust to be the ***Official*** NFL Draft blogger.

 

[identikit]

FBGs should hire Faust to be the ***Official*** NFL Draft blogger.

He does a very nice job.

 

[JohnnyU]

FBGs should hire Faust to be the ***Official*** NFL Draft blogger.

He does a very nice job.

I agree

 

[Wadsworth]

FBGs should hire Faust to be the ***Official*** NFL Draft blogger.

He does a very nice job.

I agree

I love the quick access to reports I might have missed. Thanks again, Faust.

 

[Faust]

FBGs should hire Faust to be the ***Official*** NFL Draft blogger.

He does a very nice job.

I agree

I love the quick access to reports I might have missed. Thanks again, Faust.

LOL - thanks, but my wife already thinks I spend an inordinate amount of time on fantasy football.I do enjoy the draft, and I usually start a training camp / pre-season thread in July. I think that I may have an addiction.

 

[Faust]

Who'll be the better pro? Luck vs. RG3; Blackmon vs. Floyd

By Chad Reuter NFL.com

Published: April 11, 2012 at 02:28 p.m.

Updated: April 11, 2012 at 05:01 p.m.

In a world of do-it-yourself mock drafts and year-round coverage of the NFL draft, the determination of where college football players will start their professional careers becomes trivialized.

But make no mistake, the decisions teams make are extremely difficult -- and expensive. Not only are multi-million dollar rookie contracts awarded to these players, but the vocational fate of coaching staffs and front office personnel will eventually be determined by the choices made in draft rooms in April.

At times, only the slightest difference separates prospects at the same position. This is the case at the two highest-profile positions in this year's draft: quarterback and wide receiver. The success and talent of passers Andrew Luck (Stanford) and Robert Griffin III (Baylor) and pass catchers Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State) and Michael Floyd (Notre Dame) have caused many sleepless nights in some NFL cities.

History tells us that when two prospects at the same position are selected in close proximity to each other near the top of the draft, one of them will fall short of expectations due to inconsistent play, a lack of surrounding talent or a bevy of other reasons. The pre-draft debates surrounding quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf in 1998 and receivers Charles Rogers and Andre Johnson in 2003, for example, have certainly played out in the Colts' and Texans' favor, respectively.

Two similar debates about the top quarterback and receiver in the 2012 class are occurring in team facilities right now. Here's one take on who is most likely to be the better pro ...



Quarterbacks: The Natural vs. Mr. Excitement

Throughout the fall, it was assumed that whichever team ended up with the No. 1 pick would select Luck. From the moment he took the field in Palo Alto, it was clear the son of former Houston Oilers quarterback (and current West Virginia athletic director) Oliver Luck had the genetic makeup to become an NFL starter.

But as the season progressed, RG3 took his game to the next level, becoming the first Heisman Trophy winner in Baylor history. In fact, he was so impressive on tape and at the NFL Scouting Combine that the St. Louis Rams leveraged two future first-round picks and this year's No. 39 selection from the Washington Redskins in exchange for dropping just four spots (from No. 2 to 6) in this year's first round. Griffin was known to be a sensational athlete throughout his Baylor career, even earning All-America honors on the Baylor track team for his work in the 400-meter hurdles. But his strong arm, accuracy and touch on deep passes from the pocket opened the eyes of teams that previously thought he was more athlete than quarterback.

But Luck still rates higher than Griffin among scouts for a couple of reasons. First, he is a very good athlete himself -- so Griffin's mobility is not as big as difference as you'd expect against the taller, thicker Luck. Also, Luck's ability to call plays and make adjustments at the line of scrimmage in a pro-style system shows teams he already can handle those responsibilities at the next level. Luck's arm strength is more than sufficient to make every NFL throw, and his accuracy throwing on the run to his left and right means his offensive coordinator can utilize his entire playbook.

Although Griffin's athleticism is unquestioned and he did make plays from inside the pocket, he also took a lot more sacks than Luck in 2011 (Stanford allowed 11 against Baylor's 29). The Cardinal have more pro prospects on the offensive line than the Bears, to be sure, but Luck's superior pocket poise did not escape the notice of NFL general managers.

Some scouts will wonder how many shots Griffin can take from NFL defenders as he uses his escapability and speed in the open field to move the chains. He missed all but three games of the 2009 season with an ACL tear in his right knee, opening the door for some durability concerns. Toughness, however, won't be an issue; he finished out the first half against Northwestern State after suffering that knee injury as a sophomore, throwing for 226 yards and three touchdowns.

Both these players have the talent and character to lead an NFL team to regular playoff appearances, so it is definitely possible they could buck the 50-50 success trend for this position at the top of the draft. And a quarterback's coaching and surrounding talent are major -- and unpredictable -- factors in their NFL success.

But NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to read Luck as the Colts' pick to open the proceedings at Radio City Music Hall because he is the odds-on favorite to enjoy the superior career.



Wide receivers: Splitting hairs at split end

Blackmon hauled in two Biletnikoff Awards as college football's top wide receiver while piling up more than 3,300 yards and scoring 38 touchdowns in 2010 and '11 -- numbers not often seen, even in today's era of prolific spread offenses.

Though Floyd's production pales in comparison during that span (2,172 yards, 21 touchdowns), who knows what his numbers would have been if he'd caught passes from solid quarterback prospect Brandon Weeden in the Cowboys' wide-open system instead of being on the other end of uneven play from young Irish quarterbacks the past two seasons?

The similarities between the two receivers are much greater than the differences. Both are physical receivers capable of beating press coverage from smaller cornerbacks and making acrobatic catches on the sideline against man coverage. They will also assist running backs with strong blocking on the outside, though Floyd is more consistent in this area. Not only were both likely top-15 picks targeted on vertical routes, but also short crosses and bubble screens to get the ball into their hands to make a play.

Both posted similar 40-yard-dash times in the mid-to-high 4.4-second range, but the overall tale of the tape is slightly in Floyd's favor: He beats Blackmon in height (6-foot-2 vs. 6-0), weight (220 pounds vs. 215), arm length (32 7/8 inches vs. 32 1/2) and hand size (9 3/8 inches vs. 9 1/4).

The main difference between the two receivers might be what scouts term "suddenness." Floyd struggles a bit more trying to get into and out of breaks cleanly, while Blackmon's smoother routes and quicker short-area foot quickness will help him get open more consistently at the next level. Blackmon also seems to have a bit more agility in the open field, whether trying to separate from cornerbacks with or without the ball. (Neither he nor Floyd is exceptional in that area, however -- both rely on strength, rather than pure speed and quickness to avoid tacklers.)

Another important point in this discussion is off-field conduct. Floyd's alcohol-related issues have been well-documented, but people forget Blackmon was also arrested for driving under the influence coming back from a Dallas Cowboys game in October of 2010. If Blackmon's overall work ethic and character grades are superior to Floyd's, however, the choice between the two becomes easier.

Teams are not likely to consider either Blackmon or Floyd truly elite receivers with the ridiculous size/speed combination of Detroit Lions beast Calvin Johnson or the hands of Arizona Cardinals star Larry Fitzgerald. But if forced to pick one to become a Pro Bowl regular over the next few seasons, Blackmon gets my vote.

And a little bit of a different view on Floyd's burst into and out of his cuts:

Len Pasquarelli Draft Tip Sheet Excerpt:

With a sizzling workout last week, Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd may have thrust himself into the top 10. Certainly into the top 12. Some pundits even feel that Floyd -- whose explosion off the line is deemed exceptional, as is his burst into and out of his cuts -- could be the equal of Oklahoma State Justin Blackmon.

But the ascent of Floyd has also sent league scouts on an extended fact-finding mission about his background, which includes multiple DUI's, and past attitude problems.

"He's one of the most studied guys in the whole draft, in terms of background," an area scout from one interested AFC franchise told The Sports Xchange. "No doubt he's a playmaker. But people want to be extra sure he's not a troublemaker, too."

It appears that Floyd, who has been very popular on the individual visit circuit, has been extremely candid about past indiscretions. But teams are doing a lot of digging beyond his admissions.

And a third take:

Why Blackmon might slide

Excerpt:

Concerns have arisen about Blackmon in the NFL scouting community after he opted not to take the team charter home from the Fiesta Bowl. Instead, he chose to fly directly to Las Vegas and then elected not to work out at the Combine, where NFL executives thought he had not prepared well enough to perform after he turned down challenges to run.

Floyd has been inching up draft boards since clocking as low as a 4.40 40-yard time at the Combine at nearly two inches and 13 pounds heavier than Blackmon. Three of seven teams with whom PFW consulted confided that Floyd is stacked ahead of Blackmon by their account, with one GM who's not in a position to draft Blackmon saying he had a second-round grade on the Cowboys' receiver.

"I just don't see it," the GM said. "I heard everyone raving about his pro day. Am I the only one who thought it was an average workout? He ran a 4.51 and 4.52 on my watch. The workout itself, I thought, was average at best. I didn't see any twitch or explosion. He has been raised by Dez Bryant. They are both knuckleheads — I've heard the Vegas stories. There are some (red) flags there."

Other NFL eyes remain convinced Blackmon will not escape the top seven.

“I don’t know how (Blackmon) gets past Cleveland or Jacksonville,” said another NFL evaluator charged with setting the team’s draft board. “He’s a playmaker. He’s got that bull#### to him, but almost all of them at that position have it. Look at Michael Irvin and Steve Smith and DeSean Jackson. When (Blackmon) is on the field, he competes. Guys can beat him up off the field, but he has been productive in every big-game competition. He’s not in the same class as Julio Jones or A.J. Green. Those guys were more elite athletically. But the kid ran a 4.47 and 4.49 (at his pro day) — he is 4.50 all day on tape.”

 

[Faust]

Video Link:

Receiver sleepers in 2012 draft

05:38 – Mike Mayock breaks down which wide receivers can give teams great value in later rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Video Link:Blackmon vs. 2011 WR crop

03:33 – How does Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon compare to A.J. Green and Julio Jones? Mike Mayock, Charley Casserly, Michael Lombardi and Charles Davis have the answer.

 

[Faust]

NFL Draft 2012: Blackmon, Floyd have elite potential in WR class

Russ Lande Sporting News

As the countdown to the 2012 NFL Draft continues, Sporting News examines talent depth at every position before the first pick is made. The draft's first round will be April 26, followed by Rounds 2 and 3 on April 27 — both in prime time. Rounds 4-7 will be called April 28. Today: wide receivers.

1. Justin Blackmon (6-1, 207), Oklahoma State. Blackmon's ability to make big plays as an aggressive and powerful runner after the catch is why he is the top wideout on the board.

2. Michael Floyd (6-3, 220), Notre Dame. Floyd's combination of excellent size, route running and rare ball skills will make him an elite NFL receiver.

3. Rueben Randle (6-3, 210), LSU. Randle is a big receiver with deceptive speed to get separation deep and to make big plays after the catch.

4. Kendall Wright (5-10, 196), Baylor. Wright is the most explosive receiver in the draft and consistently turns short passes into long touchdowns.

5. Alshon Jeffery (6-3, 216), South Carolina. Jeffery might lack home-run speed, but he is a smooth athlete with outstanding ball skills to make great catches on deep passes.

6. Juron Criner (6-3, 224), Arizona.

7. Ryan Broyles (5-10, 192), Oklahoma.

8. Mohamed Sanu (6-2, 211), Rutgers.



9. Keshawn Martin (5-11, 188), Michigan State.



10. Joe Adams (5-11, 179), Arkansas.

11. Danny Coale (6-0, 201), Virginia Tech.



12. A.J. Jenkins (6-0, 190), Illinois.

13. B.J. Cunningham (6-1, 211), Michigan State.

14. Stephen Hill (6-4, 215), Georgia Tech.

15. Marquis Maze (5-8, 186), Alabama.

16. Dwight Jones (6-3, 230), North Carolina.



17. Patrick Edwards (5-9, 172), Houston.



18. DeVier Posey (6-2, 211), Ohio State.

19. Jordan White (6-0, 208), Western Michigan.



20. Nick Toon (6-2, 215), Wisconsin.

Best hands

Juron Criner. He has big, soft hands and has consistently shown ability to make unbelievable catches seem routine.

Biggest vertical threat

Kendall Wright. He gets to full speed fast and can pull away from defenders to catch deep passes easily.

Most dangerous after the catch

Justin Blackmon. He shows deceptive speed after the catch and is a powerful, violent runner who runs through tackles to make big plays.

Toughest over the middle

Michael Floyd. Floyd shows no fear catching passes heading into traffic and holds onto the ball after taking hard hits.

Best downfield blocker

B.J. Cunningham. Cunningham’s strength and competitiveness help him to consistently push defenders out of the play.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

14. Stephen Hill (6-4, 215), Georgia Tech.

 

[Faust]

NFL Draft 2012: Coby Fleener tops TE rankings

Russ Lande Sporting News

Just weeks away from the 2012 NFL Draft, Sporting News examines talent depth at every position before the first pick is made. The draft's first round will be April 26, followed by rounds two and three on April 27 — both in prime time. Rounds 4-7 will be called April 28. Today: tight ends.

1. Coby Fleener (6-6, 247 pounds), Stanford. Fleener has the elite speed, hands and route-running ability to make an immediate impact as a receiver.

2. Dwayne Allen (6-3, 255), Clemson. Despite lacking great speed, Allen is a top prospect. On field he looks a lot like Antonio Gates.



3. Orson Charles (6-3, 251), Georgia. Charles is a gifted receiver, but concerns over his instincts and flexibility leave him slotted below Fleener and Allen.

4. Ladarius Green (6-6, 238), Louisiana-Lafayette. Green has good speed to stretch the field. He reminds us the Aaron Hernandez.

5. Taylor Thompson (6-6, 266), SMU. A high school tight end, Thompson played defensive end at SMU. He had a great tight end workout at his pro day and is moving up draft boards fast.

6. James Hanna (6-4, 252), Oklahoma.

7. Brad Smelley (6-3, 230), Alabama.

8. George Bryan (6-5, 265), North Carolina State.

9. Emil Igwenagu (6-1, 249), Massachusetts.

10. Brian Linthicum (6-5, 245), Michigan State.

11. Chris Drager (6-4, 264), Virginia Tech.

12. Michael Egnew (6-5, 252), Missouri.

13. Josh Chichester (6-7, 240), Louisville.

14. Eric Lair (6-3, 240), Minnesota.

15. Anthony Miller (6-4, 260), California.

16. Kevin Koger (6-4, 262), Michigan.

17. Drake Dunsmore (6-2, 241), Northwestern.

18. Deangelo Peterson (6-3, 243), LSU.

19. Cory Harkey (6-4, 260), UCLA.

20. David Paulson (6-3, 246), Oregon.

Biggest deep threat

Ladarius Green. He looks more like a big receiver and has the speed to run by safeties to get separation deep.

Best receiver

Coby Fleener. His sharp routes and burst out of his cuts to get separation make him an elite prospect.

Best hands

Fleener. He has soft hands and has an outstanding receiving radius to catch off-target passes.



Most dangerous after the catch

Fleener. He has speed to out-run angles, the strength to run through grab tackles and a strong stiff arm to jolt tacklers.

Most dominant blocker

Chris Drager. He is a strong and physical blocker who is violent on contact and aggressively finishes blocks.

 

[Faust]

14. Stephen Hill (6-4, 215), Georgia Tech.

Lande clearly isn't sold on how much Hill's draft stock soared based on his combine numbers!

 

[Faust]

Q&A with draft analyst Nawrocki

Excerpts:

Q: With the fifth pick, the Buccaneers may have a choice between RB Trent Richardson and CB Morris Claiborne. What is your thought on selecting a running back vs. a cornerback that high in the draft?

Nawrocki: Strictly from a contract perspective, it makes more sense to go with a cornerback. (Corners) are paid much better than running backs in today’s game, and they are much more difficult to find, in general. I think the running back class this year is much deeper than the cornerback class, and you can find a good running back in the later rounds. That said, I do think Trent Richardson is a rare talent. I think he’s going to come in from Day One and make an immediate impact, whereas with Morris Claiborne, as talented as he is, it could take him a little bit longer to transition to the NFL game. He is a converted receiver — it did take him a little bit of time at LSU to grow into the position — and I think his learning curve could be a little greater. So, if you’re looking for immediate impact, I think there’s a good chance Richardson is going to be this season’s Rookie of the Year for whichever team drafts him; he’s that kind of a player. But in the long haul, I think you’d rather have a premium cornerback with the No. 5 pick.

Q: Why has Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill moved up so much on your projection, from a second-round pick last year to maybe a top-five pick now? And what is the downside of a player like him?

Nawrocki: I talked to a GM this morning who thought there would be more busts across the board in this year's first round than in any draft in recent years. And a big part of the reason he made that statement is because teams are going to overdraft for need, in part, and they’re going to overdraft on hype. Tannehill has received a lot of hype in the process. He worked out exceptionally well. There’s never been any question, even going back to last summer — everyone recognized his potential of what he could be. From a physical standpoint, he’s got everything you want in a starting quarterback. He’s got the size — he stands 6-4, nearly 225, and ran in the low 4.6s at his pro day. I think the pro day helped cement his status in the eyes of a lot of evaluators. He’s definitely going to go in the top 10 in this year’s draft. He will get drafted very early because of the premium placed on the position. Can he walk in from Day One and make an impact? No. Can he get there in Year Three? I think a lot of that is going to depend on the situation he enters, who’s going to be coaching him and how quickly he can grasp the position.

Q: Do you see the Bills taking an offensive tackle in the first round, or will they more likely take a receiver?

Nawrocki: I think they could go a number of ways. I think the one area that they will stay away from is the defensive line, now that they signed Mario Williams and Mark Anderson in free agency. Coming into free agency, that was clearly the biggest area of need, and I think they addressed it in a big way. If you look at the offensive line now after they lost Demetress Bell, they clearly have a pressing need at left tackle. Chris Hairston, to me, is better on the right side. And they need to find more depth on both sides. So, in terms of the most pressing need on the team right now, I’d clearly say it’s the offensive line, especially on the edges. The other spot I wouldn’t be surprised to see them address is linebacker. They could use more receiving help, but I think they’d really like to find a cleanup man right in the middle of their defense. They’re transitioning this year with Dave Wannstedt, and I think they’d like more speed on the inside. That could be Dont’a Hightower or Luke Kuechly, but it could be another area they address, based on the value of the pick and the value of the player to that spot.

Q: What’s your evaluation of Oklahoma State QB Brandon Weeden, and do you think the Browns could target him?

Nawrocki: I do think Weeden is a guy they are targeting, whether they select him with the 22nd or 37th pick. I think he would definitely bring more size to the position. He ran a similar-style offense at Oklahoma State, and I think he’s flown under the radar a little bit. Coming into the season, I thought he was the top senior quarterback. There are some concerns about his arm strength — the wear and tear on his arm coming from the minor leagues. There are some teams I’ve talked to that have mentioned he’s been limited in practice in terms of throwing the ball vertically, how much they’ve allowed him to throw in practice. Every pitcher has a pitch count on how often he can throw, and there are some concerns on how his arm is going to be able to hold up. Whether he goes in the back of the first round or the early second, there’s a good chance he’ll be a top-40 pick, and he can definitely bring more of a downfield threat to the passing game than Colt McCoy.

Q: Who would you most compare Justin Blackmon to, coming out of college, either someone in the NFL or a former pro?

Nawrocki: Just getting a pulse from people around the NFL, the common comparison is Ravens WR Anquan Boldin. But Blackmon is not as strong and he’s not as physical with the ball in his hands, and really what defines Boldin’s game is he’s able to barrel through contact and make plays after the catch. Blackmon’s not as strong in those areas.