DYNASTY: Top 2013 College Prospects (2 Viewers)

[werdnoynek]

A segment on Eddie Lacy was on E:60 today:

http://espn.go.com/blog/colleges/alabama/post?id=12971

 

[Faust]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/pat-kirwan/22122218/simms-geno-can-be-a-star-glennon-could-be-surprise-of-qb-class

Simms: Geno can be a star, Glennon could be surprise of QB class

Pat KirwanNFL Insider

Every year during draft week, I spend time with Phil Simms talking quarterbacks. Phil does his homework on quarterbacks, and for close to 10 years, we have dug deep into who's who in the upcoming draft. It started back in 2004 when Eli Manning, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger dominated the first round, and it continues to the 2013 draft.

There's no chance of sitting down with Phil Simms if I haven't done my homework first and I'm not ready to talk signal callers, so to get the most out of his insight, I had to be ready to move deeper with each QB.

First, Geno Smith, because Phil said he's the best QB in the draft. Simms said the following things about the West Virginia product: He has a chance to be a star, he plays bigger than his height and weight, he can run away from opponents with ease, his arm could be great with a few tweaks, he can throw off balance, and he's really good under center, especially considering he played in a lot of shotgun.

Simms did have concerns about him standing tall in the pocket and playing to his size consistently, as well as dealing with a system that is different from what he has done in West Virginia. When I asked Simms which QB could run Chip Kelly's offense in Philadelphia, he didn't hesitate to say Smith; he can really spin it and threaten the defense with his feet.

Next was Mike Glennon from North Carolina State. Simms said of all the quarterbacks, he watched him the most because his Senior Bowl week and game looked bad, but the offense at NC State was so good for pro development. Simms really likes tall quarterbacks; Glennon is 6-7, so Simms thinks that will help him succeed. As he pointed out, Joe Flacco had early success because he could see over the line of scrimmage, and so can Glennon.

He can find receivers and, most important, is a daring thrower. Simms said Geno Smith should complete all of his college passes in an offense with receivers wide open all over the field. Glennon had to stick balls in tight spots, and he wasn't afraid to pull the trigger on tough throws, which explains his lower completion percentage. Phil did wonder about his body language when it came to leadership, and he noted Glennon wasn't very fiery during the games he watched.

Speaking of fiery leaders, Phil noticed how good Ryan Nassib of Syracuse was with his team. Nassib might not have the arm strength of some of the other quarterbacks in the draft, but he succeeds with leadership. Simms did recognize that Senior Bowl week wasn't the best situation for him, but he's sure Nassib will get a chance to lead an offense.

I liked EJ Manuel at the Senior Bowl, and it provoked me to watch more Florida State film when I returned from Mobile. Phil called him a safe pick because he's big and mobile. It was clear Simms didn't like him as much as I did because it was hard to find great throws and he didn't play to his size and speed enough. Simms did recognize Manuel had a good deep ball and he could spin it.

As for Landry Jones, Phil Simms said watch out for the big, productive four-year starter with 123 touchdowns, but he wondered why he wasn't in much better shape. Phil acknowledged it is a pet peeve of his that the QB should always look like he's in shape, and Jones needed to work harder on his conditioning. I pointed out that my film study revealed that pressure on the pocket disrupted Jones and turned his good arm into a liability.

We discussed Matt Barkley, and it was clear Simms liked him, but he was quick to make it known comments about the Trojans QB being a top draft pick a year ago couldn't be backed up. As he said, not many teams did the real homework on Barkley when he decided to go back to school. Phil said the few teams that did do the extensive work thought Barkley was a late-first-rounder or early-second-rounder a year ago. It looks like nothing has really changed for Barkley.

Finally, I asked Simms if he had a dark horse in this draft no one was discussing. Every year, Phil has an intriguing prospect available late in the draft who has a chance to be a solid prospect. He did say he's having trouble getting film on Findlay College's Clay Belton but would try to see some if the tapes come in before the draft. Belton has bounced around the college scene with stops at Miami of Ohio and Maryland before finishing at Findlay. He's big with speed and arm strength, so I can't wait for Simms' evaluation.

 

[Faust]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/blog/rob-rang/22116814/2013-nfl-draft-barkley-leads-rangs-gang

2013 NFL Draft: Barkley leads Rang's GangBy Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com
April 22, 2013 9:58 pm ET

In scouting hundreds of players in preparation for the NFL Draft, it's impossible not to develop some favorites.

Rang's Gang is the collective answer to the question I'm most often asked: "If you were running a team and you needed a (insert position), who would you take?" Before the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns were shelling out millions for guard Andy Levitre or outside linebacker Paul Kruger, for example, I was arguing they were underrated college prospects.

There's only one rule -- no consensus first-round prospects. Anyone can compile a list of the top players per position and call them "can't-miss" prospects. A few prospects from my 2012 squad wound up as some of the surprises of last year's first round.

The players that make Rang's Gang are a collection of prospects who are underrated, come from smaller programs or will make their impact in the NFL through hustle, determination and doing all the little things.

Others make the team because ... well, I've developed an affinity for the way they play the game.

OFFENSE

QB: Matt Barkley, Southern Cal, 6-3, 227, 4.93
I have long argued that the two most overrated elements to quarterback play in the NFL are height and arm strength. Barkley does not possess ideal grades in either of these traits. He does, however, possess the best combination of any quarterback in the 2013 class in the Three A's - accuracy, anticipation and awareness - which I believe to be more important indicators of future success in the NFL.

RB: Stepfan Taylor, Stanford, 5-9, 214, 4.70
A year ago, it was quarterback Russell Wilson, who possessed everything scouts were looking for except height. This year, Taylor has shown all of the traits necessary to be a bell-cow back in the NFL except straight-line speed. While the stopwatch says Stanford's all-time leading rusher can't play at the next level, one can't measure the "little things" Taylor does so well - such as his vision, balance, forward lean, soft hands as a receiver and toughness, including in pass protection.

TE: Travis Kelce, Cincinnati, 6-5, 250, 4.64
Kelce signed (and played, at times) with the Bearcats as a quarterback and served as the backup to Adrien Robinson (now a member of the New York Giants) so his only season as Cincinnati's starting tight end was in 2012. As such, he's raw and comes with some baggage as he was suspended for the entire 2010 season. Other than top-rated tight end Tyler Eifert, however, Kelce possesses the most intriguing upside of this year's class, boasting size, athleticism, ball skills and physicality.

Wide Receiver: Da'Rick Rogers, Tennessee Tech, 6-3, 217, 4.50
In terms of physical talent, Rogers might just be the best wide receiver in this draft class. The number of mishaps he had at Tennessee which led to his abrupt dismissal by then-head coach Derek Dooley and Rogers' transfer to Tennessee Tech is the reason he'll slide on draft day. Boasting a superb combination of size, athleticism and toughness, Rogers can be a Pro Bowler if he is committed to the game.

Wide Receiver: Chris Harper, Kansas State, 6-1, 229, 4.50
Playing in an offense based on Collin Klein's ability to run, Harper didn't post eye-popping numbers (58 catches for 857 yards and three touchdowns) but he was nonetheless given Second Team All-Big 12 honors from league coaches. He has enough speed to threaten the big play and the strength to shield defenders from the ball, often coming through with tough grabs with corners draped over him.

Slot WR: Denard Robinson, Michigan, 5-11, 199, 4.34
With the proliferation of three and four receiver sets in today's NFL, scouts are looking for unique athletes to play the slot. Robinson's speed and elusiveness were put on display at quarterback for the Wolverines but it is his toughness and dedication which impress me most.

OT: David Bakhtiari, Colorado, 6-4, 299, 5.02
With a 4-21 record since moving to the Pac-12, the Buffaloes didn't get much air-time which may factor in why Bakhtiari has slid under the radar a bit. Possessing long arms (34"), adequate athleticism and toughness, he ranks as one of the more underrated offensive linemen in the 2013 draft and a likely Day Two selection.

OG: Brian Winters, Kent State, 6-4, 320, 5.25
Scouts love linemen with wrestling backgrounds and it is easy to see Winter's experience in this sport with the leverage, hand-play and aggression with which he plays. All 49 of Winters' games came outside at tackle but his tenacity and lack of ideal arm-length (32 3/4) might make him a better fit inside.

C: Barrett Jones, Alabama, 6-5, 306, 5.40 (est.)
Forget the fact that Jones is still recovering from Lisfranc surgery. Forget the greater raw athleticism other linemen have demonstrated in workouts. Instead, remember that Jones has been a dominant performer at center, right guard and center against SEC competition. In football, the most important thing a player can bring is dependability. No player in this draft proved more reliable than Jones.

OG: Matt Summers-Gavin, California, 6-4, 310, 5.49
Summers-Gavin entered the 2012 season viewed as a possible top 100 prospect but fell off the radar after a nagging knee injury limited him to just seven starts in his senior campaign. Gritty, versatile and a competitor, he's going to make some team look brilliant by finding a future starter on Day Three.

OT: Oday Aboushi, Virginia, 6-6, 308, 5.45
A standout left tackle at Virginia, Aboushi's lack of elite foot quickness and balance was exposed a bit at the Senior Bowl and confirmed with less than stellar numbers at the combine. He plays with the aggression and power I'm looking for at right tackle, however.

DEFENSE

DE: Alex Okafor, Texas, 6-5, 264, 4.92
A buddy of mine who coaches basketball complains often about the lack of fundamentals in today's players. Everyone wants to dunk but few can shoot free throws with any regularity. Perhaps due to the fact that Okafor played defensive tackle as a sophomore, he's developed impressive hand technique, a trait I don't often see in collegiate pass rushers. His lack of top-notch athleticism could push him into the second round, but he's more pro-ready than many of the defensive ends who'll be selected ahead of him.

DT: John Jenkins, Georgia, 6-4, 346, 5.23
Jenkins has been known to let his weight get out of control, but that is the only reason I can see as to why he won't prove to be a quality defender in the NFL. He is remarkably light on his feet for a man of his size and has excellent power. He's too wide to offer much as a pass-rusher but hustles. Perhaps most intriguing, he stood out in Georgia's biggest games, especially against Alabama, Florida and South Carolina.

NG: Brandon Williams, Missouri Southern, 6-1, 335, 5.32
In a draft filled with wide-bodied run-stuffers, Williams is perhaps the stoutest. He's built like a chest freezer; nearly as broad as he is tall and erased any concerns about his ability to make the leap from Division II Mid-American Conference to the NFL with an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl. Williams was every bit as dominant at the lower level as you'd expect for a player who might sneak into the second round, earning All-American honors the past three years.

DE: Joe Kruger, Utah, 6-6, 269, 4.81
Considering that he played alongside Star Lotulelei, it is easy to understand why Kruger hasn't received more attention. Furthermore, he's often been cast off as the younger brother of former Baltimore Raven and new Cleveland Browns' outside linebacker Paul Kruger. A passionate player who possesses a very intriguing skill-set of powerful long arms (34 3/8), surprising get-off and good overall athleticism, Joe, like his older brother, could surprise at the next level.

OLB: Sio Moore, Connecticut, 6-1, 245, 4.62
Teams love all-purpose outside linebackers and they don't come much more versatile than Moore, who proved to be a playmaker for the Huskies whether slicing through gaps to collect an eye-popping 43 tackles for loss over his career, rushing the quarterback (16 sacks) or dropping into coverage (four interceptions). Some thought Moore was simply feasting off an aggressive UCONN scheme until he starred at the East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl, as well.

ILB: A.J. Klein, Iowa State, 6-1, 250, 4.66
Proving bigger and faster than virtually any of the inside linebackers tested this year at the combine, Klein shattered the misconception that his eye-popping production reflected good instincts which masked less-than-ideal athleticism. Of course, scouts should have known this already based on the FBS record he set for linebackers with four touchdowns scored off of interceptions over his career.

OLB: Khaseem Greene, Rutgers, 6-1, 241, 4.67
Green rarely is mentioned in the same breath as Manti Te'o, Kevin Minter, Arthur Brown or Alec Ogletree as one of the elite linebackers of the 2013 class but I'm not sure why. He's the two-time defending Big East Defensive Player of the Year since making the transition to linebacker after starting all 12 games at free safety in 2010. Whereas most of the "elite" linebackers in this draft class talk about making big plays, Greene actually made them, playing a role in a staggering 19 turnovers (12 forced fumbles, six interceptions, one fumble recovery) over a remarkable career.

CB: Dwayne Gratz, Connecticut, 5-11, 201, 4.44
Every attentive fantasy football enthusiast will tell you that the ability to pass protect is every bit as important as speed or elusiveness when it comes to projecting which rookie running backs might earn carries each year. In much this same way, tenacity and tackling in run support are often every bit as valued by teams as pure coverage skills at the cornerback position. Gratz, a 41-game starter at UCONN, possesses the all-around game scouts are looking for, showing not only toughness against the run but experience in man and zone coverages and good ball-skills (eight career interceptions), as well.

CB: Micah Hyde, Iowa, 6-0, 197, 4.52
Perhaps because Iowa finished just 4-8 last season, Hyde hasn't received the NFL draft buzz he deserves. Awarded the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year in the Big Ten and honored as a co-MVP for the Hawkeyes, one can't characterize Hyde as underrated, but in proving more than respectable speed at his size at the combine, he silenced critics who questioned whether he had the athleticism to remain outside in the NFL. In reality, if a team moves him to safety at the next level, it will only be to take better advantage of his instincts and reliable tackling.

Nickel CB: Steve Williams, California, 5-09, 181, 4.34
With many teams playing their third cornerback more often than they do their middle linebacker, I thought it appropriate to list my favorite at this specific position. It would be easy to peg Tyrann Mathieu here as I believe it is where he projects best and few play the game with the ferocity of the aptly-nicknamed Honey Badger. Williams, however, is every bit the LSU star's match in terms of pure coverage ability and yet few outside of the Pac-12 know his name. He's shorter than ideal but surprisingly stout, a spectacular athlete and possesses the physicality needed to play inside. He ranks among the most under-appreciated players in the entire draft, regardless of position.

SS: Shawn Williams, Georgia, 6-0, 213, 4.42
Considering the number of talented players on the Georgia defense this season, it is easy to understand why Williams didn't receive more attention. Nevertheless, he proved to be a vocal and demonstrative leader, setting the tone for this unit. Ignore the fact that he didn't intercept a single pass in 2012. He snared four a year earlier and might just be the most underrated player in a rich safety class.

FS: Phillip Thomas, Fresno State, 6-1, 208, 4.57
The NFL loves playmakers and so do I. Thomas led the country with eight interceptions in 2012, demonstrating instincts, range and terrific ball-skills. While it took Thomas "breakout" senior campaign to earn him attention as a Thorpe Award finalist and All-American, scouts have been buzzing about this Bulldog for years.

 

[Faust]

Link:

Josh Norris QB Rankings: Top 15

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/42933/325/qb-rankings-top-15

 

[Faust]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap1000000162636/article/geno-smith-is-a-franchise-quarterback-worthy-of-a-firstround-pick

Geno Smith: A franchise quarterback worthy of a first-round pickBy Adam Schein

Columnist, NFL.com

No player defines the drama, intrigue and ambiguity of the 2013 NFL Draft better than Geno Smith.

There has never been a more wide-open draft in NFL history, and there's such a significant range of opinions out there about players. This is particularly true at the quarterback position, with members of the media elite beating the drum about how this class lacks sizzle at that spot.

Accordingly, the rumors about Smith are flying in rampant fashion. Some believe he's a sure-fire top-five pick. Some believe he'll tumble all the way out of the first round.

I believe you should tune out the noise.

Geno Smith is a franchise quarterback.

Now, before you fly off the handle, let's examine what that means.

Smith isn't Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III or Russell Wilson; last year's quarterback group was special. I don't think he'll blossom into a player like Peyton or Eli Manning, either. But there is a next tier of "franchise quarterbacks," and I think Smith fits right in.

Is he capable of playing at a level somewhere between that of Tony Romo and Andy Dalton? Absolutely. Is he capable of being better or more consistent than Jay Cutler or Matthew Stafford? Without question. Do I trust him more than I do Cam Newton? Of course.

Smith has all of the tangibles -- and intangibles -- you look for in an NFL quarterback. He can make every throw. His arm strength is legit. He's also a football junkie, and winning is important to him. He takes the game and the preparation involved very seriously. He's smart. Teams crave quarterbacks with these traits, because teams crumble when they draft frauds.

Of course, there are dissenting opinions. One NFL general manager told me, "He's absolutely the best QB in the draft and will have a long career." Another general manager said, "I'm not buying in. He makes some 'wow' throws, but he struggles with field reads."

Why is Smith under scrutiny? Is it because he's not a "can't miss" prospect like Luck or RG3?

Some scouts question the offense he played in at West Virginia. Others question his in-game decision-making and fluidity. But Smith completed 71 percent of his passes last season. He threw just six picks against 42 touchdown passes.

Forget the NFL Scouting Combine or pro days or who gets hot close to draft time. How Smith played on Saturdays -- and how it should translate to his performance on Sundays -- has to count for something.

Actually, in some ways, it's kind of comical that he isn't a lock to be a top-five pick.

Smith would be the best quarterback on the Jacksonville Jaguars (second overall pick) or Oakland Raiders (third), but he likely isn't even being considered by either team. Jacksonville, which has so many holes to fill, is still licking its wounds from the Blaine Gabbert fiasco. And Oakland needs, well, everything.

Then there are the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 4.

I understand why Chip Kelly kept Michael Vick; what else was he going to do? But Philadelphia can't bank on Vick to stay healthy. Vick also won't be an Eagle past this season. Meanwhile, if Nick Foles is the answer, I'd love to know the question.

Smith would be a great fit for Kelly's offense; he just makes sense for the Eagles. I think it would be the best possible match for both player and team.

Of course, Philly isn't the only potential landing spot. Two general managers I polled believe the Cleveland Browns are going to pick Smith at No. 6. The new brass there has no attachment to incumbent quarterback Brandon Weeden, who represents a waste of a first-round pick by the Mike Holmgren regime a year ago. Smith is a Day 1 starter.

The Arizona Cardinals, who have the seventh overall pick, just traded for Carson Palmer. Desperately in need of offensive line help, they'll draft someone who can provide it -- and that's the move to make. However, if the Cards were to select Smith, he would be the best quarterback on their roster.

I chuckle when I hear people say Smith can't play in Buffalo. I don't think the Bills should draft him with the eighth overall pick, but not because he wouldn't be able to succeed there; as I wrote in January, I just think Ryan Nassib, who played for Doug Marrone at Syracuse, makes more sense.

The New York Jets are in major need of a quarterback, and Smith must be considered if they keep the ninth and 13th overall picks -- though their top priority should be to trade down and accumulate as many extra selections as possible. The Jets are another team that needs, well, everything, including an offensive guard and a pass rusher. Still, a franchise quarterback would be high on their list, and they should absolutely consider adding Smith and/or his college receiver, Tavon Austin.

What happens if Smith slides? First, teams will live with regret. Second, you have to believe someone will trade back into the first round to nab him.

Will a sleeper team emerge? Could the Tampa Bay Buccaneers package next year's first-round pick and a pick in the second or third round this year -- which they successfully avoided giving up in the trade for Darrelle Revis -- in a deal to get Smith? Have the Tennessee Titans gotten off of the Jake Locker bandwagon?

It's so en vogue to talk about who Geno Smith isn't -- and he isn't perfect. Here's what he is: an answer for quarterback-starved teams, someone who should be a starter and a really good player in this league for a while.

That means there's a place for him in Round 1. That makes him a franchise quarterback.

Follow Adam Schein on Twitter @AdamSchein.

 

[Faust]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/-nfl-draft/news/20130423/2013-nfl-draft-overrated-underrated/?sct=uk_t11_a6

Overrated/underrated: Predicting pro success based on college years


Andy Staples

Fellow college football scribe Stewart Mandel enjoys bequeathing thankless tasks to me. Four years ago, he gave me the college football power rankings. If I printed out all the hatemail, it probably would stretch from here to the moon. I'm expecting even more now that I've taken over the annual task of explaining to draftniks why college performance trumps running around in one's underwear.

The truth is predicting the success of NFL draftees is far more complicated than evaluating game video and measureables. That's why people who do it for a living on the payrolls of NFL teams are often wrong. Still, those of us who watch college football obsessively can't help but scratch our heads when we see players who barely made a dent drafted ahead of other players who performed better against the same competition -- or, as I like to call it, the Nicks/Heyward-Bey Conundrum.

The last time Mandel dropped this thing in my lap was 2009. That year, former Maryland receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey had rocketed up mock drafts, while former North Carolina receiver Hakeem Nicks remained stuck in the bottom half of the first round. Both guys had played in the ACC, meaning they played against roughly the same defenses. Neither played in a gadget offense that would have had a severe positive or negative effect on his numbers. Nicks produced twice as many receiving yards his final year in college.

The Raiders took Heyward-Bey with the seventh overall pick. Nicks went No. 29 to the Giants. Four years later, Nicks has two 1,000-yard receiving years in the NFL, while Heyward-Bey has yet to crack 1,000 and got cut by the Raiders last month before signing with the Colts.

This obviously isn't a perfect system, and rarely do we get such a perfect head-to-head comparison. But when other factors are equal, I'm still taking the guy who produced more. Which explains why I would skip Dion Jordan, save my money and draft Chase Thomas. Anyone who watched the Pac-12 the past few years knows exactly what Thomas can do. The draftniks who only read first-round mocks probably have no idea who Thomas is. Read on and find out ...

OverratedDion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon

Jordan, who keeps showing up as a top-five pick in every mock draft I see, finished third in tackles for loss in 2012. Third in the nation? No. There wasn't a No. 3 because South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (the likely No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft) and Arizona State defensive tackle Will Sutton tied for second with 23.5. Third in the Pac-12? Nope. That was UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr. Jordan finished No. 3 in tackles for loss on his own team with 10.5 (five sacks). And he might go second or third overall?

I get that Jordan's size (6-foot-6, 248 pounds) means he can play defensive end in a 4-3 or outside linebacker in a 3-4, but the idea that a 3-4 team needing a disruptive rusher would take Jordan over Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones -- No. 1 in the nation with 24.5 tackles for loss even though he missed one game with an injury -- is absolutely dumbfounding. At least Jones will go elsewhere in the first round. Stanford's Thomas (6-4, 248) will go three to four rounds after Jordan, and all Thomas did -- playing against the same offensive lines as Jordan -- was get in the backfield more often (14.5 TFL, 7.5 sacks).

Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame

Te'o is a tackling machine who has a knack for being in the right place. That's great. But that describes several other inside linebackers in this draft, several of whom can be had much later than Te'o. Though Brian Kelly disagrees, Te'o's performance in the national title game against Alabama should give NFL teams pause. For most of 2012, Te'o roamed relatively free because teams couldn't handle nose guard Louis Nix III and defensive end Stephon Tuitt up front. It's much easier to play linebacker when guards and centers can't get a clean shot because they're either still trying to double-team Nix at the point of attack or getting popped by Tuitt on their way to the second level. Alabama's line was so good that the Crimson Tide blockers could get a free run at Te'o, and he got erased.

Because the talent gaps are so much smaller in the NFL, it's unlikely Te'o will have a nose guard playing in front of him who is as dominant as Nix is against most of Notre Dame's opponents. (There's a reason Nix will be a top-10 pick in 2014.) If you're picking in the late first round and absolutely want an inside linebacker, consider LSU's Kevin Minter instead.

Mike Glennon, QB, NC State

In 2011, NC State coach Tom O'Brien faced a choice. Glennon and Russell Wilson were both proud holders of bachelor's degrees, meaning each could transfer and play immediately for his new team. Wilson had one year of eligibility remaining and continued to play pro baseball in the offseason. Glennon had two. O'Brien chose Glennon. Wilson went to Wisconsin, had a huge year and then led the Seahawks to the playoffs as a rookie. This would be a good time to note that O'Brien doesn't coach NC State anymore, and leaving wasn't his choice.

Glennon probably will get drafted higher this year than Wilson did last year (75th overall) because teams will love his size (6-7, 225) and the howitzer that hangs from his right shoulder. But Glennon will not be a better NFL quarterback than Wilson for the same reason that Glennon wasn't a better quarterback than Wilson at NC State. No matter what the measurables say, Wilson is simply a more capable quarterback than Glennon.

Glennon has all the tools, which is why he might be the next quarterback taken after West Virginia's Geno Smith. But unless that's a long time after Smith is taken, the pick would be a reach. Glennon's ceiling is probably higher than any other quarterback in this draft. But until he proves in games that he won't throw the ball to the other team, he's going to have problems. Glennon led the ACC in interceptions last season with 17, and he threw five fewer touchdown passes than Clemson's Tajh Boyd despite attempting 143 more passes. But don't worry. Glennon will almost certainly be taken higher in this year's draft than the slightly vertically challenged Boyd will in next year's.

Margus Hunt, DE, SMU

Hunt has a great story. An Estonian who came to the United States to train as a weight thrower joins the football team and turns into a disruptive force at defensive end and an excellent blocker of kicks. His freakish size (6-8, 277 pounds) and speed (4.6-second 40-yard dash) suggest total domination as Hunt learns the game more thoroughly. That's why teams are looking at Hunt as a potential first-rounder.

But a guy with that combination of size, strength and speed should have been able to dominate Conference USA in spite of his lack of football experience. Hunt didn't. He finished fifth in the league in sacks and didn't even crack the top 10 in tackles for loss. In the SEC or the Pac-12, you probably let that slide because of Hunt's lack of experience against top-end players. In Conference USA, it means he got blocked a lot.

UnderratedChance Warmack, OG, Alabama

I realize Warmack could be a top-10 pick. He's still underrated. Unless a staff believes the offensive tackle or defensive end it's taking in the top five is a likely 12-year starter and Pro Bowl mainstay, they're making a mistake leaving Warmack on the board. He's the best guard to come out of college in years, a 320-pounder who can drive block like a steamroller and dance like a ballerina in the trenches. Woe unto the defender who encounters a pulling Warmack.

We all know guard is not considered a premium position in the draft. Those positions are quarterback, left tackle, defensive end, defensive tackle and cornerback. This is because the separation between good and great isn't usually as wide among guards as it is among, say, left tackles. But when you can take a potential all-time great at any position, you take him. As a freshman at Florida, I had to play the part of LSU guard Alan Faneca for a week. The defense got a terrible look, because few humans could do what Faneca could do. I was an especially pitiful substitute. At one point, defensive coordinator Bob Stoops had me line up behind the line of scrimmage in a sprinter's stance to pull because it was the only way to simulate how quickly Faneca pulled. LSU had Faneca doing things none of the other teams on the schedule dared ask their guards to do. Plenty of other teams in the SEC had NFL-bound guards, but none could do what Faneca could. The film made that obvious, just as it does with Warmack.

So what happened come draft day? Faneca went No. 26. When he becomes eligible, Faneca stands a good chance of being enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Of the 25 teams who passed on Faneca, only Indianapolis (Peyton Manning), Oakland (Charles Woodson), Jacksonville (Fred Taylor) and Minnesota (Randy Moss) can argue they made a worthy selection instead. The other 21 teams blew it. Don't blow it with Warmack.

Alex Okafor, DE, Texas

SMU's Hunt probably will be selected before Okafor, even though the following things are true.

• At Texas, Okafor faced better competition than Hunt did at SMU.

• Even with offenses loading up to stop him following fellow end Jackson Jeffcoat's pectoral muscle rupture in game six, Okafor racked up 17.5 tackles for loss (12.5 sacks) and four forced fumbles.

• Hunt had 11.5 tackles for loss (eight sacks) and zero forced fumbles.

This will be a clear case of potential over production. In this case, production is the cheaper bet.

Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State

Looking for some reliable value in the late second or early third round? Look no further than Wheaton, who caught 91 passes for 1,244 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior. Wheaton is a burner with great hands who runs crisp routes. He can play in the slot or outside. If he were 6-foot-2 instead of 5-11, he'd probably be a lock in the first round.

Matt Scott, QB, Arizona

Every organization except the 49ers is looking for the next Colin Kaepernick. The closest thing to him is Scott, who spent his senior season piloting Rich Rodriguez's zone-read heavy spread. Scott (6-2, 213 pounds) is smaller than Kaepernick (6-4, 230), but like the 49ers starter, he combines good footspeed with a strong arm and an uncanny savvy for knowing when to hand off and when to keep on the zone read. Can he impact the NFL like Kaepernick has? That remains to be seen, but the risk won't be great. He'll be available in the middle rounds to any team willing to experiment with the concepts that swept the league last season.

Scott redshirted in 2011 to get out from behind Nick Foles. In 2012, he threw for 3,620 yards and 27 touchdowns and ran for 506 yards and six touchdowns. Scott probably would have run for more yards, but the Wildcats already had a dominant back in Ka'Deem Carey to shoulder most of the rushing load.

 

[Faust]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/-nfl-draft/news/20130423/2013-nfl-draft-wes-welker-watch/?sct=uk_t12_a6

Quote

2013 Wes Welker Watch List: Potential impact undrafted free agents

Don Banks

It has been called the year of the no-name draft in the NFL, and is said to be devoid of true star power after 2012's high-profile, quarterback-rich proceedings. Maybe. But it's all relative.

Every year in the NFL there are prospects so off-the-radar they don't rate an invite to the league's 300-plus-player scouting combine or hear their name called at any point in the seven-round draft. And still, some of them make it to the NFL every season and make us sit up and take notice, just the way Arian Foster, Victor Cruz and Chris Ivory have done in recent years.

The plight of the undrafted player in the NFL is long and arduous, and the odds are never in his favor. But that challenge is met every year by a fortunate few, and the talents who might get overlooked are the impetus for our fifth annual Wes Welker Watch List, a compilation of 10 lesser-known prospects who have a shot to make it in the league even if they go undrafted or don't get selected until the later rounds. Like Welker himself, who didn't make the cut for a combine invitation or a draft slot back in 2004, some prospects will defy their collegiate labels and be productive pros.

Recent alumni on the WWWL include New England receiver-returner Julian Edelman, former Buffalo-turned-Cleveland receiver David Nelson and newly signed Colts cornerback Greg Toler, among others who still dot NFL rosters. Those stories of the unsung we now know. Here are 10 more we might soon learn:

Charles Johnson, WR, Grand Valley State

Johnson's recent pro-day 40 times of 4.38 and 4.39 vaulted him onto draft boards all over the league, and would have been good enough to earn him upper tier status at the combine if the league would have thought enough of his prospects to bring him to town. Johnson has good size (6-foot-2, 215) and his 39½-inch vertical jump and 11-foot-1 broad jump also caught the eye of NFL scouts at Grand Valley State's pro day.

Considered a solid third-day draft prospect, Johnson has an unusual resume that includes stints at Eastern Kentucky, Antelope Valley Community College in Calif., and a year away from football in 2009. But since 2010 he has been at Grand Valley State, where he hung up eye-popping statistics in 2012: 72 receptions for 1,199 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior. Johnson is one of the draft's most gifted athletes, and his blend of size and speed has scouts intrigued.

Gilbert Pena, DT, Mississippi

Every prospect has traveled his own unique path to get here, and Pena's includes turning down scholarship offers out of high school to help out his mom, who had just been diagnosed with cancer. Because of it, Pena will be a 26-year-old NFL rookie in 2013, and some teams will naturally shy away from him due to his shorter career shelf life. Once Pena got back to football, he was a two-year standout at ASA Junior College in New York, then transferred to Ole Miss, where he had to overcome a broken hand as a junior in 2011.

Pena finally cracked the Rebels' starting lineup for the final six games of 2012, and his run-stuffing prowess gained him immediate notice, as Mississippi's run defense improved from last in the SEC in 2011 to sixth in 2012. At 6-2, 330 pounds, Pena is a space eater who's thick enough to hold the point of attack, while also adding some disruptive playmaking skills from the interior of the defensive line. He finished with 45 tackles, 7½ tackles for loss and two sacks for the Rebels last season, and at least two NFL teams were reportedly interested enough to work him out privately this spring.

Kyle Juszczyk, FB, Harvard

If that's not a fullback's name, I don't know what is. I'm just hoping whoever winds up with Juszczyk has a Monday Night Football game or two this season, so we get the pleasure of Jon Gruden mangling his surname. Juszczyk had a strong week at the Senior Bowl, showing the athleticism to handle the fullback role in a West Coast offense, as well as catching the ball well and executing all blocking assignments.

Juszczyk (6-1, 248) played plenty of tight end and H-back at Harvard, so he's more than versatile enough to fit into a team's passing game in the NFL. With the Crimson, he led the Ivy League in touchdown catches (eight) and was his team's top receiver with 52 receptions for 706 yards. If he's drafted, he'll be the first Harvard prospect selected since the Rams took quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2005's fifth round.

Mike Catapano, DE, Princeton

Catapano has emerged as a big favorite of NFL coaches and scouts who have worked him out this spring, because he plays with non-stop hustle and intensity and has all the work ethic and leadership intangibles you could ever want as a three-year starter and two-time captain at Princeton. The 6-3, 270-pound Catapano needs to get bigger and stronger to win battles with NFL offensive tackles, but he's a developmental 4-3 defensive end prospect who has great pursuit skills and solid pass-rushing technique.

Hard to believe, but Catapano would be the first Princeton product drafted by the NFL since 2001 if some team invests a third-day pick in him. Though he wasn't deemed combine-worthy, he did have a nice week at the East-West Shrine Game and would best fit with a team that would not need to initially ask much more than special teams play and perhaps rotational defensive line duty. His calling card is his effort level, and while not as athletically gifted as some pass rushers, he's a coach's dream with a game that shows bountiful potential for improvement.

Jeremy Harris, CB, New Mexico State

Taller cornerbacks are still very much in demand in the NFL, and at 6-2, 189 pounds, Harris has the kind of length the league craves. The former hurdler is more athlete than natural cover man at this point in his development, but he put himself in play in the draft with a couple of 40s in the 4.48 and 4.49 range at the New Mexico State pro day, and teams like the Seahawks, Chiefs and Colts had him in for visits in the past month, while the Bears and Raiders privately worked him out.

Though he might rate a priority free agent, Harris could sneak into the later rounds based on New Mexico State's recent track record at cornerback. The long-downtrodden Aggies have had drafted corners the past two years (Green Bay's Davon House and Detroit's Jonte Green), and current Jacksonville secondary coach DeWayne Walker once was Harris' head coach at New Mexico State. Harris earned first-team All-WAC honors last season, and showed a willingness to play physically, with 56 tackles and a team-best 10 passes defensed.

Jasper Collins, WR, Mount Union

NFL scouts know where Mount Union (Ohio) is and what it's all about when it comes to churning out receiving prospects. Thanks to NFL starters Pierre Garcon and Cecil Shorts, both of whom are recent Mount Union products, Collins was given a ready-made platform to impress. He didn't waste it, catching 232 passes for 3,527 yards and 37 touchdown passes in his 52-game-starting career, making him the school's second-leading all-time receiver behind only Shorts. In addition, Collins is a punt return threat, with three career touchdowns at Mount Union in that role.

At 5-10, 183 pounds, Collins has the skill set of a likely slot receiver in the NFL. Though not a blazer, he knows how to separate from defenders and can exploit the empty spaces in a secondary. If he joins a team that runs a lot of spread sets with plenty of short to intermediate routes in the middle of the field, he could prove a handy and reliable target. While his punt returning is a plus, his blocking and ability to beat press coverage off the line isn't NFL ready yet.

Jahleel Addae, S, Central Michigan

The 49ers and Raiders are among the teams reportedly having visited with Addae, and we can only surmise that plenty of clubs noticed him when they watched game tape of Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher, an expected top-five pick. Addae is a former running back who switched to the secondary after his freshman year at CMU, and in three years at safety he developed into one of the best defenders in the Mid-American Conference.

Though great speed is not part of his game, he closes well on the ball, packs a punch when he arrives at the ballcarrier, and is superb at the pre-snap recognition that is required at the position. Addae led the MAC with four interceptions in 2012, adding 89 tackles with two sacks and seven tackles for loss to earn second-team all-conference honors. He did take part in the East-West Shrine Game, and is considered a smart, instinctive player who makes up for his lack of great size (5-10, 195) by covering a lot of ground and having a disciplined and dependable approach to tackling. A couple more inches of height and Addae would be a candidate to go in the third round.

Alex Gillett, WR, Eastern Michigan

Gillett is going to require some foresight and patience from whatever team he might wind up with, because he represents a significant conversion project. The 6-1, 217-pound former Eastern Michigan quarterback started 30 games for the Eagles under center, only switching to receiver for the final month of the 2012 season. Gillett's best hope to catch on in the NFL is his variety of skills as a passer, receiver, holder on kicks, and even punt returner. That kind of combination brings gadget-play possibilities and conjures up former collegiate quarterbacks-turned-receivers like Antwaan Randle El, Hines Ward and Julian Edelman.

His ability to handle a special teams role will likely be his path into the NFL, but Gillett is an honors student who should be able to assimilate into any offense, and his combination of reliable hands, good explosion and impressive size makes him an unusual and intriguing prospect.

Ryan Jensen, OG-OT, Colorado State University-Pueblo

NFL teams were all over Jensen this spring, and he could even climb into the middle rounds of the draft based on his superb combination of size (6-3½, 317 pounds), athleticism (5.23 in the 40, 25½ inch vertical jump) and strength (30 reps in the bench press). The Cardinals, Bengals, Vikings, Ravens, Seahawks and Patriots were among the teams reportedly planning to work him out or visit with him before a pro-day session. Jensen didn't allow a sack in 2012, and while he played left tackle at CSU-P, he projects at guard or center in the NFL due to arms that come up a bit short by league standards.

Jensen didn't earn an invitation to the East-West Shrine Game, Senior Bowl or the scouting combine, but reps from all 32 teams made it to campus last fall and scouts from at least 11 teams watched Jensen in action last season. His game is known for its versatility, high-motor effort and toughness, and he has a great chance to become the first player from CSU-P drafted since then-Southern Colorado University running back Herman Heard went in 1984's third round to Kansas City.

Steven Means, OLB, University at Buffalo

Means put up a 40 time in the 4.6s at Buffalo's pro day, and that helped NFL scouts project him to make the switch from undersized collegiate defensive end to outside linebacker. At 6-3, 257, Means has good speed off the edge and finished his collegiate career with 18½ sacks, including 11 tackles for loss and 6½ sacks as a senior in 2012. In addition, Means shows a penchant for kick blocking, with three to his credit for the Bulls last season, and five in his UB career.

After playing at end for Buffalo, Means proved this spring that he has the athleticism to drop into coverage, with good hands and fluid change-in-direction skills. He figures to garner interest in the late rounds, and could earn his NFL roster spot as a special team standout who can also develop into a quality reserve linebacker with nickel package responsibilities.

 

[Faust]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000162698/article/tulane-qb-ryan-griffin-holds-private-workouts

Tulane QB Ryan Griffin holds private workoutsBy Kareem Copeland

Around the League Writer

Quarterbacks Geno Smith (West Virginia), Matt Barkley (USC), EJ Manuel (Florida State) and Ryan Nassib (Syracuse) have been stacking headlines leading up to the start of the 2013 NFL Draft on Thursday. Tulane's Ryan Griffin hasn't received that kind of love, but teams reportedly have shown an interest.

The Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars and San Diego Chargers have held private workouts with the 6-foot-3, 221-pounder, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Tuesday.

Griffin threw for 2,771 yards with a 62.2 completion percentage, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as a senior. He was named MVP of the Texas vs. The Nation All-Star game. Griffin likely is a late pick, though he had a nice session at the Tulane Pro Day and could move up a few rounds.

The private workouts are a good sign, at least.

Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.

 

[Faust]

Link:

2013 NFL Draft rumor mill: Lane Johnson, Tyler Eifert create buzz

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap1000000162558/article/2013-nfl-draft-rumor-mill-lane-johnson-tyler-eifert-create-buzz

Was reading that Eifert didn't have any pre-draft visits. Is that because teams know what they're going to get out of him and don't want to show their hand on him?

I didn't think he would be that early of a pick but with that news I think it could mean that he may be an early target for someone - earlier than expected. I think it was Andy that was questioning if he'd be a top 10 pick... wonder if that would happen?

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap1000000159441/article/what-is-the-true-meaning-behind-prospect-visits-good-question

What is the true meaning behind prospect visits? Good questionBy Ian Rapoport

Reporter, NFL.com and NFL Network

Tyler Eifert is widely considered the top tight end in the 2013 NFL Draft. The Notre Dame product is a big target at 6-foot-5 1/2 and 250 pounds. He can catch, he can block, he comes from strong bloodlines and he won the Mackey Award as the nation's top player at the position.

Eifert is a player who -- one would think -- should generate as much draft buzz as anyone. After all, thanks to the success of teams like the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons, everyone in this copycat league is searching for a dynamic tight end.

And yet, how many team visits has he made? How often has he been called into an NFL facility to participate in a lengthy question-and-answer session?

Not once.

And so, no draft buzz -- except among those compiling mock drafts.

Meanwhile, Florida International safety John Cyprien generated a ton of discussion when the public learned he'd been asked to participate in 14 workouts or visits leading up to the draft. Similarly, West Virginia speedster Tavon Austin sets the Internet afire with each reported visit. (The New York Jets are on tap Monday.)

What does it all mean? Unfortunately, not as much as you would think. And sometimes, it means absolutely nothing.

"There's no rhyme or reason," Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland told reporters on Thursday. "Some guys I have a lot of interest in, and some guys I have no interest in at all, but there is really no rhyme or reason."

Um, OK. That sums it up. Visits either mean something, nothing or anything in between. Got it?

Even when it makes sense, you have to wonder. In addition to his private workouts, Oregon pass rusher Dion Jordan had eight pre-draft visits, mostly to teams drafting in the top 10. Obviously. But not the Oakland Raiders. Why? Maybe they had nothing more to ask. Maybe they're hiding their interest.

When it comes to Eifert, there simply aren't a lot of questions. Teams that like him -- and probably some that don't -- met with him at the NFL Scouting Combine. They had their boxes checked off. He has no nagging injuries, no off-the-field concerns. What's left to ask about?

The same logic applies to the Kansas City Chiefs' decision to bring West Virginia QB Geno Smith -- but not Texas A&M OT Luke Joeckel -- in for a private meeting. The Chiefs wanted a face-to-face discussion with Smith, and they wanted to put him on the blackboard. Regarding Joeckel, after his private workout, they were good. Same with Central Michigan OT Eric Fisher.

What about Cyprien, a relative unknown before the 2012 season? He attended a small school, where he played under the radar, and teams simply want to get to know him.

For perspective, listen to Jacksonville Jaguars GM David Caldwell explain why he brings prospects in for visits.

"We really wanted to focus on some guys we had some questions on," Caldwell said a week ago, "and the guys that we wanted to spend some time with that'd be important picks for us."

As in, not necessarily the players they like the most.

The Chiefs worked out several of their top possibilities for No. 1, then hosted Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner and Smith. From there, they settled on four finalists, with plans to make a decision four days before the draft.

The Jags are taking a similar approach with the No. 2 pick; they've hosted many of the top players, including Smith, Jordan and Sharrif Floyd. But not BYU's Ziggy Ansah, a pass rusher who would appear to be in play for them. So what does that mean? Anything?

How about the Philadelphia Eagles, who pick fourth? They had a visit scheduled with Milliner -- who was set to meet with 10 of the teams picking in the top 13 -- then canceled. Bad news? Well, two years ago, the Patriots canceled a last-minute visit with Colorado left tackle Nate Solder ... then drafted him in the first round.

Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib has his suitors; he's having his tires kicked by or being hosted for a workout with nearly all of the quarterback-needy teams. As well as the Carolina Panthers. Yup, they worked him out a week after his pro day. Perhaps Cam Newton is as confused as we are. On Monday, Nassib has a visit set with the Arizona Cardinals. That makes more sense. We think.

Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o has had plenty of visits, with reportedly at least seven on his docket. Of course, teams have questions. Yet I'm told the questions have veered away from the catfishing scandal and toward the gridiron. Teams still think the girlfriend hoax is a little odd, but they've turned their attention to football -- not that it's kept him from being in high demand.

The problem is, many pre-draft actions don't mean what you think they do. When New York Jets coach Rex Ryan spent extra time with SMU defensive end Margus Hunt -- in full view of everyone -- during a pro day, did that indicate an infatuation with Hunt? Or does Ryan just want us to think it did?

The same is true of visits. Do they indicate interest, or do teams just want us to think they do? Are there medical questions, or is a team merely trying to gain a little more intelligence about a player they didn't spend enough time with in Mobile or Indianapolis?

Everybody thinks of it differently, Ireland said, adding, "I'm one of those everybody."

"Sometimes I've got a guy that I need a little bit more medical information on," he continued. "Some of the guys, I didn't get a chance to visit with them at the combine, or I did visit with them at the combine and didn't get the information I wanted."

For teams getting ready to draft, it's all of the above and none of the above.

Follow Ian Rapoport on Twitter @RapSheet.

 

[werdnoynek]

Link:

2013 NFL Draft rumor mill: Lane Johnson, Tyler Eifert create buzz

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap1000000162558/article/2013-nfl-draft-rumor-mill-lane-johnson-tyler-eifert-create-buzz

Was reading that Eifert didn't have any pre-draft visits. Is that because teams know what they're going to get out of him and don't want to show their hand on him?

I didn't think he would be that early of a pick but with that news I think it could mean that he may be an early target for someone - earlier than expected. I think it was Andy that was questioning if he'd be a top 10 pick... wonder if that would happen?

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap1000000159441/article/what-is-the-true-meaning-behind-prospect-visits-good-question

>

What is the true meaning behind prospect visits? Good questionBy Ian Rapoport

Reporter, NFL.com and NFL Network

Tyler Eifert is widely considered the top tight end in the 2013 NFL Draft. The Notre Dame product is a big target at 6-foot-5 1/2 and 250 pounds. He can catch, he can block, he comes from strong bloodlines and he won the Mackey Award as the nation's top player at the position.

Eifert is a player who -- one would think -- should generate as much draft buzz as anyone. After all, thanks to the success of teams like the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons, everyone in this copycat league is searching for a dynamic tight end.

And yet, how many team visits has he made? How often has he been called into an NFL facility to participate in a lengthy question-and-answer session?

Not once.

And so, no draft buzz -- except among those compiling mock drafts.

Meanwhile, Florida International safety John Cyprien generated a ton of discussion when the public learned he'd been asked to participate in 14 workouts or visits leading up to the draft. Similarly, West Virginia speedster Tavon Austin sets the Internet afire with each reported visit. (The New York Jets are on tap Monday.)

What does it all mean? Unfortunately, not as much as you would think. And sometimes, it means absolutely nothing.

"There's no rhyme or reason," Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland told reporters on Thursday. "Some guys I have a lot of interest in, and some guys I have no interest in at all, but there is really no rhyme or reason."

Um, OK. That sums it up. Visits either mean something, nothing or anything in between. Got it?

Even when it makes sense, you have to wonder. In addition to his private workouts, Oregon pass rusher Dion Jordan had eight pre-draft visits, mostly to teams drafting in the top 10. Obviously. But not the Oakland Raiders. Why? Maybe they had nothing more to ask. Maybe they're hiding their interest.

When it comes to Eifert, there simply aren't a lot of questions. Teams that like him -- and probably some that don't -- met with him at the NFL Scouting Combine. They had their boxes checked off. He has no nagging injuries, no off-the-field concerns. What's left to ask about?

The same logic applies to the Kansas City Chiefs' decision to bring West Virginia QB Geno Smith -- but not Texas A&M OT Luke Joeckel -- in for a private meeting. The Chiefs wanted a face-to-face discussion with Smith, and they wanted to put him on the blackboard. Regarding Joeckel, after his private workout, they were good. Same with Central Michigan OT Eric Fisher.

What about Cyprien, a relative unknown before the 2012 season? He attended a small school, where he played under the radar, and teams simply want to get to know him.

For perspective, listen to Jacksonville Jaguars GM David Caldwell explain why he brings prospects in for visits.

"We really wanted to focus on some guys we had some questions on," Caldwell said a week ago, "and the guys that we wanted to spend some time with that'd be important picks for us."

As in, not necessarily the players they like the most.

The Chiefs worked out several of their top possibilities for No. 1, then hosted Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner and Smith. From there, they settled on four finalists, with plans to make a decision four days before the draft.

The Jags are taking a similar approach with the No. 2 pick; they've hosted many of the top players, including Smith, Jordan and Sharrif Floyd. But not BYU's Ziggy Ansah, a pass rusher who would appear to be in play for them. So what does that mean? Anything?

How about the Philadelphia Eagles, who pick fourth? They had a visit scheduled with Milliner -- who was set to meet with 10 of the teams picking in the top 13 -- then canceled. Bad news? Well, two years ago, the Patriots canceled a last-minute visit with Colorado left tackle Nate Solder ... then drafted him in the first round.

Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib has his suitors; he's having his tires kicked by or being hosted for a workout with nearly all of the quarterback-needy teams. As well as the Carolina Panthers. Yup, they worked him out a week after his pro day. Perhaps Cam Newton is as confused as we are. On Monday, Nassib has a visit set with the Arizona Cardinals. That makes more sense. We think.

Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o has had plenty of visits, with reportedly at least seven on his docket. Of course, teams have questions. Yet I'm told the questions have veered away from the catfishing scandal and toward the gridiron. Teams still think the girlfriend hoax is a little odd, but they've turned their attention to football -- not that it's kept him from being in high demand.

The problem is, many pre-draft actions don't mean what you think they do. When New York Jets coach Rex Ryan spent extra time with SMU defensive end Margus Hunt -- in full view of everyone -- during a pro day, did that indicate an infatuation with Hunt? Or does Ryan just want us to think it did?

The same is true of visits. Do they indicate interest, or do teams just want us to think they do? Are there medical questions, or is a team merely trying to gain a little more intelligence about a player they didn't spend enough time with in Mobile or Indianapolis?

Everybody thinks of it differently, Ireland said, adding, "I'm one of those everybody."

"Sometimes I've got a guy that I need a little bit more medical information on," he continued. "Some of the guys, I didn't get a chance to visit with them at the combine, or I did visit with them at the combine and didn't get the information I wanted."

For teams getting ready to draft, it's all of the above and none of the above.

Follow Ian Rapoport on Twitter @RapSheet.

 

[Faust]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000162832/article/cris-carter-says-son-duron-can-be-nfl-wide-receiver

Cris Carter says son Duron can be NFL wide receiverBy Kareem Copeland

Around the League Writer

Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter insists his son Duron is an NFL receiver. The elder Carter said the problem was school.

"He didn't commit a crime, he has no tattoos, he has no kids, and he's a pleasant kid. His thing is he hates school, though," Cris Carter told USA Today's Mike Garafolo. "And I'm his dad. He's really bright; he's got an IQ over 130. He just hates school. We gave him the pretest on the Wonderlic. He got a 28.

"He. Just. Hates. (Bleeping). School."

Duron Carter bounced from Ohio State to Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College to Alabama to Florida Atlantic. He left Ohio State after his freshman year for being academically ineligible. Never played a single down at Alabama because he was academically ineligible and suspended for undisclosed reasons. Carter didn't receive a waiver to ever play at FAU, but was kicked out of practice at one point.

"The team that drafts Duron Carter will get the most lazy, whiny & non-work ethic player the nfl has ever seen," Cayden Cochran, Coffeyville's starting quarterback at the time, posted on his Twitter account, Garafolo reported. "I played w/him. Horrible person & will be a complete cancer to any team on the board."

Cris Carter swears his son has learned from all of those experiences and will excel in a football-only setting. Duron has the look at 6-foot-5, 205 pounds with speed. He caught 44 balls for 690 yards and 10 touchdowns in his brief time at Coffeyville and was a top high school recruit.

Duron likely will have to catch on as an undrafted free agent and explain himself to interested teams. His dad said he loves football, but Duron wasn't willing to do the necessary things to play the game. The work ethic question will be another concern. There's significant risk to draft a player with so little college experience and a trunk full of baggage.

"I know there aren't a lot of better receivers than him in this draft. That's not a guess; I know. I know wide receivers," Cris Carter said. "Yes, it might take him some time. I just believe in pro football, it's all football. You get millions of reps. And what's the worst-case scenario? Maybe it takes him 16 months.

"But when you see his talent, you'll be like, 'He's a pro.'"

Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.

 

[Faust]

Draft tiers: Breaking down top 43 players into three prime groups

Link:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/jason-la-canfora/22123100/draft-tiers-breaking-down-top-43-players-into-three-prime-groups

 

[Faust]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/shutdown-50-west-virginia-qb-geno-smith-003445890--nfl.html

The Shutdown 50: West Virginia QB Geno SmithBy Doug Farrar | Shutdown Corner

With the 2012 NFL season in the books, and the scouting combine in the rear-view, it's time to take a closer look at the 50 players we think will be the biggest difference-makers at the next level from this draft class. To that end, we're happy to continue this year's Shutdown 50 scouting reports (Hint: There may actually be more than 50). You can read last year's group here. The final 50 players were chosen and ranked based on game tape, combine and Pro Day results, overall positional value, and attributes and liabilities on and off the field.

#10: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

We continue this year's series with West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, who got off to a totally ridiculous start for his 2012 season. Through the Mountaineers' first six games, Smith put up video game numbers on the "rookie" setting: 196 completions in 260 attempts (75 percent completion rate) for 2,274 yards, 25 touchdowns, and no interceptions. However, in the team's last seven games of the season, Smith's efficiency dropped, as did his numbers -- 173 completions in 258 attempts (67 percent rate) for 1,931 yards, 17 touchdowns, and six picks. Prorated over a full season, those "down" numbers would still be impressive, but given what happened earlier in the year, Smith came into the pre-draft process as a bit of a disappointment in the eyes of some.

"I think more and more they just sold out to stop the pass," Smith said at the scouting combine, when asked how defenses may have adjusted. "We had some good rushing lanes. We had some running backs, we had a back who wasn't healthy. We had to put Tavon [Austin] back there at times. That really hurt us. We kind of struggled to move the chains and we weren't as consistent on third downs.

"So all of that and the combination was just what it was -- not to make any excuses, [and] coming into a new league [from the Big East to the Big 12], it was hard for us to rebound and get back on track.

"When we went through that tough stretch, I was the first one to stand up in front of the team and let them know, we're going to work even harder and we're not going to put our heads down. That's the one thing I take from that experience is that being a leader you're not going to deal with fair situations at all times."

Is Smith being evaluated fairly? Some would say that the seven-game decline, during which West Virginia won just two games, indicates Smith's real upside. But watching the tape tends to tell a different story, at least to me -- I think Smith is a reasonably developed quarterback with undersold assets and overblown liabilities.

Pros: Takes snaps easily from under center, the Pistol, and the shotgun -- has a smooth backpedal and plants to throw well. Sells play action convincingly, and has a good play- and shoulder-fake motion. Worked in a speed spread offense but does have the ability to process more than one read at the line. Was asked to read and diagnose defenses to a high degree, choosing plays at the line off his observations. Experienced in offenses that operate with an unusual multiplicity of plays -- the Mountaineers ran over 100 plays per game on offense at times. Not a "running quarterback" in the traditional sense, but throws very well on the run, keeping his eyes downfield, and can make plays with his feet. Unless he's working a designed run play, always looks to throw first and run as a last resort, even and especially when flushed out of the pocket.

Can legitimately make every NFL throw, from a full complement of screens, slants, seam routes to all manner of vertical stuff to the sideline and over the middle downfield. Doesn't lose velocity when throwing across his body -- in fact, he tends to hum the ball too hard in some instances. Has a great deal of experience reading progressions in trips and bunch sets. Has a nascent ability to look off defenders that can be developed into a real asset. Throws with anticipation more than he's given credit for. Could really stand out in a heavy boot-action offense with complex backfield schematics.

Cons: Smith benefited from a few things he may not have at the NFL level -- defenses playing on their heels to deal with a high-flying passing attack, Tavon Austin's playmaking threat (or a rough equivalent), and a host of quick screens, back passes, and end-around action. Needs to clean up his mechanics at the point of the throw -- tends to push and duck at times, which leads to some erratic results. Tends to lose touch and accuracy on intermediate throws -- must develop a better gauge on distance and speed to avoid over-finessing. Believes a bit too much in his ability to make throws in tight windows -- though he'll zing throws impressively at times, he'll also lapse and produce head-scratching incompletions and interceptions. Needs to keep his emotions under control at times -- this was an issue when he was asked to come from behind late in the 2012 season. Ball security is an issue. Needs to read blitzes better. Could stand to clean up his throwing motion -- will lag before the throw at times and reverts away from his ideal setup.

Conclusion: Smith is not a fully developed quarterback yet, but he presents the most intriguing skill set of any signal-caller in this (admittedly mediocre) draft class at his position. Just as the first half of his 2012 season overinflated expectations to an impossible degree, I believe that he's being castigated too much for the Mountaineers' late-season collapse. Like Schaub, a big, mobile quarterback who has excelled with his mobility in a multiple run-based system, Smith has what it takes to make it in the NFL sooner than later.

NFL Comparison: Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

 

[Faust]

Rob Rang's Big Board: Top tier doesn't impress you? Look deeper

Link:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/22123177/big-board-top-tier-doesnt-impress-you-look-deeper

2013 NFL Draft: Dane Brugler's Final Top 100 draft board

Link:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/blog/rob-rang/22123205/2013-nfl-draft-final-top-100-draft-board

 

[Faust]

Gil Brandt's Hot 100 + 25: Luke Joeckel, Ziggy Ansah still top 2013 draft class

Link:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000162920/article/hot-100-25-luke-joeckel-ziggy-ansah-still-top-2013-draft-class

 

[Donnybrook]

Bob McGinn's top 100: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/204407701.html

 

[Faust]

Bob McGinn's top 100: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/204407701.html

Donnybrook,

Nice addition to this thread!

 

[Faust]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000163201/article/draft-buzz-lions-love-jonathan-cooper-ziggy-ansah

By Chris Wesseling

Around the League Writer

Draft buzz: Lions 'love' Jonathan Cooper, Ziggy AnsahDetroit Lions defensive line coach Jim Washburn might be banging the table for BYU defensive end Ziggy Ansah with the No. 5 overall pick, but he's going to have to win over the offensive-minded members of the team's war room.

If one of the 2013 NFL Draft's top offensive tackles falls past the No. 4 spot, the debate will intensify. There could be a third option for the Lions, too.

Hours after reporting Wednesday that the Lions "love" Ansah, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport heard "how much" they also love North Carolina guard Jonathan Cooper.

The Lions reportedly are salivating over Cooper's speed and athleticism, seeing him as an ideal escort for running back Reggie Bush on screens and other passes out of the backfield. Like a lot of teams, the Lions also are impressed by Cooper's ability to play center in a pinch.

NFL Network analyst Brian Billick called Cooper "as clean of a player as I've seen in this draft." NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah now expects Cooper to be drafted ahead of Alabama guard Chance Warmack.

If the Lions opt to go in another direction, Cooper unlikely is to slide more than two or three spots. The Arizona Cardinals reportedly are confident that either Cooper or Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson will fall to them at No. 7 overall. Rapoport predicts the Bills will select a guard at No. 8 if they are unable to trade down.

Other draft buzz:

»Although NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock pegs West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith to the Cleveland Browns at No. 6 overall in his mock draft, colleague Solomon Wilcots reported on "Around The League Live" Thursday that the team "absolutely loved" Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel in his workout. Smith does sit atop the New York Jets' quarterback rankings, per the New York Daily News.

»Speaking of the Jets, the Daily News also reports the team likes Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert, but not enough to pull the trigger at No. 13 overall.

»NFL Network's Charley Casserly suggested on Wednesday's "Path to the Draft" that the St. Louis Rams might be willing to trade up with the draft's best receiver as the target.

"It seems the Rams aren't content to sit there (at No. 16)," Casserly said. "People they've talked to in trades think the guy they want is Tavon Austin."

»NFL Network's Brian Baldinger reported on "Path to the Draft" that LSU pass rusher Barkevious Mingo has climbed the Philadelphia Eagles' draft board of late.

Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.

 

[Faust]

5 players who could slip into the first round

Link:

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/5-players-who-could-slip-into-the-first-round-8562.html

 

[Faust]

10 late round sleepers who could surprise: Part I

Link:

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/10-late-round-sleepers-who-could-surprise-Part-I.html

10 late round sleepers who could surprise: Part II

Link:

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/10-late-round-sleepers-who-could-surprise-Part-II.html

 

[Faust]

NFP Mock Draft - Final Edition

Link:

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFP-Mock-Draft-Final-Edition.html

 

[Faust]

2013 NFL Draft: Six guys who may sneak into the first round

Link:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/pat-kirwan/22138685/2013-nfl-draft-six-guys-who-may-sneak-into-the-first-round

 

[EBF]

NFP Mock Draft - Final Edition

Link:

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFP-Mock-Draft-Final-Edition.html

No Eifert in the first round?

Lande's analysis has been pretty bad this year.

 

[Faust]

Now that the first round is finished:

2013 NFL Draft: Best remaining players

Link:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000163679/article/2013-nfl-draft-best-remaining-players

By Gregg Rosenthal

Around The League Editor

It's rare to see this many big names still available heading into the second round of the NFL Draft. Manti Te'o, Geno Smith, Matt Barkley, and a whole host of teams still looking for quarterbacks should make Friday the most intriguing "Day 2" of the NFL Draft since the league changed to the Thursday night Round One format.

With a lot of help from Mike Mayock's Top 100 prospects list, here's a look at the best players left on the board heading into Day 2:

Top Ten Players Left

1. Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama: Lacy's problem: There's not a logical fit for him early in the second round. Arizona?

2. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia quarterback: If the Jaguars don't take him to start the round, the Eagles, Jets, Cardinals, and Buccaneers make logical options.

3. Jonathan Cyprien, FS, Florida International: Cyprien's ability to cover a large area of land in a few steps is incredible.

4. Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State: Eight offensive linemen went off the board on Thursday. Another one should early on Friday.

5. Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State: There's a strong argument to be made he is more talented than teammate Bjoern Werner. (And a lot of other pass rushers.)

6. Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse: There's a good chance Nassib goes to Jacksonville, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport said earlier in the week. He shouldn't last long.

7. Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State: One of Te'o's issues: There are still good linebackers out there like Brown, and Kevin Minter.

8. Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State: He has the profile of a long-term NFL starter.

9. Jesse Williams, DT, Arkansas: He got lost in the defensive tackle shuffle, but Williams has a dynamite skill set.

10. Manti Te'o, Notre Dame linebacker: Minnesota passed on Te'o three times. Perhaps the Lions will take the plunge at No. 35.

And ... ten more

11. Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU

12. Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee

13. Keenan Allen, WR, California

14. D.J. Swearinger, SS, South Carolina

15. Margus Hunt, DE, SMU

16. Matt Barkley, QB, USC

17. Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford

18. Cornelius Washington, OLB, Georgia

19. Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

20. Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina

 

[werdnoynek]

Now that the first round is finished:

2013 NFL Draft: Best remaining playersLink:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000163679/article/2013-nfl-draft-best-remaining-players

By Gregg Rosenthal

Around The League Editor

It's rare to see this many big names still available heading into the second round of the NFL Draft. Manti Te'o, Geno Smith, Matt Barkley, and a whole host of teams still looking for quarterbacks should make Friday the most intriguing "Day 2" of the NFL Draft since the league changed to the Thursday night Round One format.

With a lot of help from Mike Mayock's Top 100 prospects list, here's a look at the best players left on the board heading into Day 2:

>Top Ten Players Left
1. Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama: Lacy's problem: There's not a logical fit for him early in the second round. Arizona?

2. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia quarterback: If the Jaguars don't take him to start the round, the Eagles, Jets, Cardinals, and Buccaneers make logical options.

3. Jonathan Cyprien, FS, Florida International: Cyprien's ability to cover a large area of land in a few steps is incredible.

4. Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State: Eight offensive linemen went off the board on Thursday. Another one should early on Friday.

5. Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State: There's a strong argument to be made he is more talented than teammate Bjoern Werner. (And a lot of other pass rushers.)

6. Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse: There's a good chance Nassib goes to Jacksonville, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport said earlier in the week. He shouldn't last long.

7. Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State: One of Te'o's issues: There are still good linebackers out there like Brown, and Kevin Minter.

8. Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State: He has the profile of a long-term NFL starter.

9. Jesse Williams, DT, Arkansas: He got lost in the defensive tackle shuffle, but Williams has a dynamite skill set.

10. Manti Te'o, Notre Dame linebacker: Minnesota passed on Te'o three times. Perhaps the Lions will take the plunge at No. 35.

And ... ten more

11. Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU

12. Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee

13. Keenan Allen, WR, California

14. D.J. Swearinger, SS, South Carolina

15. Margus Hunt, DE, SMU

16. Matt Barkley, QB, USC

17. Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford

18. Cornelius Washington, OLB, Georgia

19. Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

20. Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina

I'm excited for the Lacy, Hunter, Allen, Bernard, Ertz, and Nassib picks. Many players and many options for them. Christmas continued.

 

[Faust]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/blog/rob-rang/22140251/nfl-draft-best-prospects-available-after-day-one

2013 NFL Draft: Best prospects available after day one
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
April 26, 2013 1:01 am ET

Day one of the 2013 NFL Draft is in the books and 32 players are now NFL rookies in professional football. But even with several impact players off the board, there are still several talented players available for Friday's second and third rounds.

The most notable name still left is quarterback Geno Smith, who was once thought to be a top-10 pick. Would have to imagine that the Jaguars (33rd overall) and the Eagles (35th) are possible landing spots for the former West Virginia signal caller, but he'll have competition from Southern Cal's Matt Barkley and Syracuse's Ryan Nassib to be the next quarterback off the board.

Notre Dame All-America linebacker Manti Te'o is also still available and waiting for his phone call to find out where he will be playing next season in the NFL. He is arguably the top defensive player still available after the first round.

Also, for the first time since 1963, zero running backs were selected in the first round so teams in the second round will have their pick of the top running backs in this year's class, including Alabama's Eddie Lacy.

The strength of this year's draft will be in those second and third rounds where dozens of future NFL starters can be found. Entering Friday, here are the top-40 players still remaining in the 2013 NFL Draft.

1. QB Geno Smith, West Virginia (6-3, 218, 4.59)
2. OT Menelik Watson, Florida State (6-5, 310, 5.29)
3. WR Robert Woods, Southern Cal (6-1, 201, 4.51)
4. CB Jamar Taylor, Boise State (5-11, 192, 4.39)
5. QB Matt Barkley, Southern Cal (6-3, 227, 4.84)
6. MLB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame (6-1, 241, 4.82)
7. DE Cornellius Carradine, Florida State (6-4, 276, 4.75)
8. WR Keenan Allen, California (6-2, 206, 4.53)
9. RB Eddie Lacy, Alabama (5-11, 231, 4.53)
10. DE Margus Hunt, SMU (6-8, 277, 4.62)
11. TE Zach Ertz, Stanford (6-5, 249, 4.76)
12. DT Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State (6-3, 320, 4.95)
13. DE Damontre Moore, Texas A&M (6-5, 250, 4.95)
14. CB Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State (6-2, 185, 4.61)
15. SS Johnathan Cyprien, Florida International (6-0, 217, 4.64)
16. LB Arthur Brown, Kansas State (6-0, 241, 4.68)
17. DT Jesse Williams, Alabama (6-4, 323, 4.94)
18. MLB Kevin Minter, LSU (6-0, 246, 4.81)
19. DT Kawann Short, Purdue (6-3, 299, 5.16)
20. QB Ryan Nassib, Syracuse (6-2, 227, 5.06)
21. OT Terron Armstread, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (6-5, 306, 4.71)
22. WR Justin Hunter, Tennessee (6-4, 196, 4.44)
23. DE Sam Montgomery, LSU (6-3, 262, 4.81)
24. CB David Amerson, NC State (6-1, 205, 4.44)
25. OG Larry Warford, Kentucky (6-3, 332, 5.58)
26. RB Johnathan Franklin, UCLA (5-10, 205, 4.49)
27. DE Alex Okafor, Texas (6-5, 264, 4.78)
28. WR Terrance Williams, Baylor (6-2, 208, 4.52)
29. RB Montee Ball, Wisconsin (5-11, 214, 4.66)
30. QB Tyler Wilson, Arkansas (6-2, 215, 4.95)
31. FS Phillip Thomas, Fresno State (6-1, 208, 4.65)
32. CB Dwayne Gratz, Connecticut (5-11, 201, 4.47)
33. TE Vance McDonald, Rice (6-4, 267, 4.69)
34. OLB Jamie Collins, Southern Miss (6-4, 250, 4.64)
35. RB Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State (6-2, 230, 4.60)
36. WR Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech (6-0, 204, 4.53)
37. CB Darius Slay, Mississippi State (6-0, 192, 4.36)
38. DT John Jenkins, Georgia (6-4, 346, 5.21)
39. OLB Khaseem Greene, Rutgers (6-1, 241, 4.71)
40. CB Tyrann Mathieu, LSU (5-9, 186, 4.50)

 

[Penguin]

Someone's gonna get real nice value with Carradine

 

[Nucker101]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/blog/rob-rang/22140251/nfl-draft-best-prospects-available-after-day-one

2013 NFL Draft: Best prospects available after day one
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
April 26, 2013 1:01 am ET

Day one of the 2013 NFL Draft is in the books and 32 players are now NFL rookies in professional football. But even with several impact players off the board, there are still several talented players available for Friday's second and third rounds.

The most notable name still left is quarterback Geno Smith, who was once thought to be a top-10 pick. Would have to imagine that the Jaguars (33rd overall) and the Eagles (35th) are possible landing spots for the former West Virginia signal caller, but he'll have competition from Southern Cal's Matt Barkley and Syracuse's Ryan Nassib to be the next quarterback off the board.

Notre Dame All-America linebacker Manti Te'o is also still available and waiting for his phone call to find out where he will be playing next season in the NFL. He is arguably the top defensive player still available after the first round.

Also, for the first time since 1963, zero running backs were selected in the first round so teams in the second round will have their pick of the top running backs in this year's class, including Alabama's Eddie Lacy.

The strength of this year's draft will be in those second and third rounds where dozens of future NFL starters can be found. Entering Friday, here are the top-40 players still remaining in the 2013 NFL Draft.

1. QB Geno Smith, West Virginia (6-3, 218, 4.59)

2. OT Menelik Watson, Florida State (6-5, 310, 5.29)

3. WR Robert Woods, Southern Cal (6-1, 201, 4.51)

4. CB Jamar Taylor, Boise State (5-11, 192, 4.39)

5. QB Matt Barkley, Southern Cal (6-3, 227, 4.84)

6. MLB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame (6-1, 241, 4.82)

7. DE Cornellius Carradine, Florida State (6-4, 276, 4.75)

8. WR Keenan Allen, California (6-2, 206, 4.53)

9. RB Eddie Lacy, Alabama (5-11, 231, 4.53)

10. DE Margus Hunt, SMU (6-8, 277, 4.62)

11. TE Zach Ertz, Stanford (6-5, 249, 4.76)

12. DT Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State (6-3, 320, 4.95)

13. DE Damontre Moore, Texas A&M (6-5, 250, 4.95)

14. CB Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State (6-2, 185, 4.61)

15. SS Johnathan Cyprien, Florida International (6-0, 217, 4.64)

16. LB Arthur Brown, Kansas State (6-0, 241, 4.68)

17. DT Jesse Williams, Alabama (6-4, 323, 4.94)

18. MLB Kevin Minter, LSU (6-0, 246, 4.81)

19. DT Kawann Short, Purdue (6-3, 299, 5.16)

20. QB Ryan Nassib, Syracuse (6-2, 227, 5.06)

21. OT Terron Armstread, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (6-5, 306, 4.71)

22. WR Justin Hunter, Tennessee (6-4, 196, 4.44)

23. DE Sam Montgomery, LSU (6-3, 262, 4.81)

24. CB David Amerson, NC State (6-1, 205, 4.44)

25. OG Larry Warford, Kentucky (6-3, 332, 5.58)

26. RB Johnathan Franklin, UCLA (5-10, 205, 4.49)

27. DE Alex Okafor, Texas (6-5, 264, 4.78)

28. WR Terrance Williams, Baylor (6-2, 208, 4.52)

29. RB Montee Ball, Wisconsin (5-11, 214, 4.66)

30. QB Tyler Wilson, Arkansas (6-2, 215, 4.95)

31. FS Phillip Thomas, Fresno State (6-1, 208, 4.65)

32. CB Dwayne Gratz, Connecticut (5-11, 201, 4.47)

33. TE Vance McDonald, Rice (6-4, 267, 4.69)

34. OLB Jamie Collins, Southern Miss (6-4, 250, 4.64)

35. RB Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State (6-2, 230, 4.60)

36. WR Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech (6-0, 204, 4.53)

37. CB Darius Slay, Mississippi State (6-0, 192, 4.36)

38. DT John Jenkins, Georgia (6-4, 346, 5.21)

39. OLB Khaseem Greene, Rutgers (6-1, 241, 4.71)

40. CB Tyrann Mathieu, LSU (5-9, 186, 4.50)

Hunt, Short, Armstead, Patton and McDonald are my favourites from that list.

 

[TheFanatic]

Second Round Mock from Bucky Brooks:

The first round of the 2013 NFL Draft was full of surprises, which left several blue-chip prospects on the board heading into the second day of the event. From Geno Smith and Matt Barkley to Tank Carradine and Manti Te'o, several Pro Bowl-caliber talents will come off the board quickly on Friday night.

Given some time to reflect on team needs and available players, here is how I see the second round playing out in Radio City Music Hall ...

EDITOR'S NOTE: Click on team names for draft rundowns and prospect names for scouting reports.

33) Jacksonville Jaguars: Matt Barkley, QB, USC. David Caldwell picks a quarterback to officially usher in theGus Bradley era.

34) San Francisco 49ers: Margus Hunt, DE, SMU. Hunt is selected to serve an apprenticeship under Justin Smith as the 5-technique in the 49ers' 3-4 scheme.

35) Philadelphia Eagles: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia. Chip Kelly lands his triggerman in the second round with Smith surprisingly falling down the charts.

36) Detroit Lions: Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State. Martin Mayhew gambles on Watson's upside as Matthew Stafford's backside protector.

37) Cincinnati Bengals: Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina. Bernard is a better fit in the Bengals' one-back offense than Eddie Lacy.

38) Arizona Cardinals: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama. Bruce Arians gets a big, bruising runner to alleviate the pressure on Carson Palmer in the pocket.

39) New York Jets: Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford. Mark Sanchez would benefit from a big-bodied pass catcher like Ertz between the hashes.

40) Tennessee Titans: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue. Short is an energetic interior defender with explosive rush skills.

41) Buffalo Bills: Robert Woods, WR, USC. Woods gives Stevie Johnson a polished playmaker on the opposite side of the field.

42) Oakland Raiders: Cornellius "Tank" Carradine, DE, Florida State. Combining this pick with the first-round selection of D.J. Hayden, Reggie McKenzie is done gambling on players with health concerns.

43) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: John Jenkins, DT, Georgia. Greg Schiano continues to build a formidable defense with the addition of a big, imposing defender.

44) Carolina Panthers: Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State. ThePanthers would love to add a playmaking cornerback like Banks to upgrade a leaky secondary.

45) San Diego Chargers: Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame. Te'o is a natural fit in the middle of the Chargers' 3-4 scheme, alongside the emerging Donald Butler.

46) Buffalo Bills: Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego State. Scott Chandler's ACL injury opens the door for Buddy Nix to add a big, athletic tight end who can help EJ Manuel quickly transition to the pro game.

47) Dallas Cowboys: John Cyprien, S, Florida International. Cyprien is the heavy hitter theCowboys need to discourage opposing quarterbacks from taking shots over the middle of the field.

48) Pittsburgh Steelers: Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech. Patton is not a blazer, but he is a polished playmaker with the skills to develop into a No. 1 receiver as a pro.

49) New York Giants: Sio Moore, OLB, Connecticut. A lack of athletic playmakers on the second level has greatly contributed to the demise of the Giants' defense.

50) Chicago Bears: Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State. Brown is the kind of athletic defender who typically thrives in the Bears' Tampa 2 scheme.

51) Washington Redskins: Kevin Minter, LB, LSU. Jim Haslett would put the ultra-productive Minter in a position to succeed as the Redskins' "Mike" linebacker behind the three-man front.

Schein: Round 1 winners, losers
Adam Schein says theVikings knocked it out of the park in Round 1 of the 2013 NFL Draft. The Jets? Not so much. More ...
52) New England Patriots: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee.Hunter's speed and athleticism on the outside would lift the blanket on Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez over the middle of the field.

53) Cincinnati Bengals: Duke Williams, S, Nevada. Marvin Lewis has been searching for an athletic defender in the deep middle. Williams answers the call and adds toughness to theBengals' emerging defense.

54) Miami Dolphins: Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Jeff Ireland didn't address the offensive line in the first round, but the selection of Armstead increases the talent along the front line and helps ensure that Ryan Tannehill will throw from a clean pocket on passing downs.

55) Green Bay Packers: Kiko Alonso, LB, Oregon. A.J. Hawk is on the way out, so the time is right to bring in a hard hitter like Alonso to groom for a bigger role down the line.

56) Seattle Seahawks: Khaseem Greene, OLB, Rutgers. Pete Carroll can never get enough playmakers on the field. Greene is a run-and-chase linebacker with exceptional instincts and awareness.

57) Houston Texans: Robert Alford, CB, Southeastern Louisiana. Alford is a standout corner/return man with explosive speed and quickness.

58) Denver Broncos: Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State. Taylor is a polished cover corner with the size, athleticism and speed to match up with the big-bodied receivers in the AFC West.



59) New England Patriots: Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State. The fastest cornerback at the NFL Scouting Combineis also a talented defender with spectacular cover skills.

60) Atlanta Falcons: Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M.Thomas Dimitroff will be ecstatic if Moore is available at the end of the second round. He offers impressive rush skills off the edge, but needs to mature on and off the field.

61) San Francisco 49ers: Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU. The player formerly known as "The Honey Badger" is regarded as the top nickel corner in the draft, despite his off-field baggage.

62) Baltimore Ravens: Keenan Allen, WR, Cal. The loss of Anquan Boldin could force Ozzie Newsome to turn to Allen as the Ravens' new monster over the middle.

 

[Faust]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/-nfl-draft/news/20130426/2013-nfl-draft-second-round/index.html

Don Bank's 2013 NFL second-round mock draft

NEW YORK -- With all the quarterbacks that remain there for the picking, and the unfinished Manti Te'o saga, Friday night's second round has a chance to be as interesting as Thursday night's first round was unpredictable. I can't really recall a second round ever coming close to overshadowing a first round, but there's a chance it happens in this unusual draft season of 2013.

For those of you not keeping score, my 7.0 mock had only seven real highlights: Four direct hits of players to the right team in the right slot, two examples of the right player in the right spot, but to the wrong team; and one case of the correct player and team matched up, but in the wrong draft slot.

You'd think after that, I wouldn't have the gumption to try again. But if nothing else, a second-round mock shows resiliency on my part.

33. JacksonvilleRyan Nassib, QB, Syracuse -- The Jags should have trade offers to consider from any team determined to get the second-round quarterback of their choice, and given all their needs, they should take the best package offered. But if they keep the pick, Nassib is considered the most pro-ready QB available and could walk in the door as Blaine Gabbert's replacement. Defensive end is the other needy spot in Jacksonville.

34. San FranciscoZach Ertz, TE, Stanford -- I'm not ruling out that the 49ers could opt for Florida State defensive end Tank Carradine or SMU defensive end Margus Hunt, but getting Delanie Walker's replacement from Jim Harbaugh's old team makes solid sense.

35. PhiladelphiaJonathan Cyprien, S, Florida International -- The Eagles get their problematic safety issue addressed with a player who will start from day one.

36. DetroitMenelik Watson, OT, Florida State -- After landing Ziggy Ansah on Thursday night, it's got to be either an offensive tackle or a cornerback for the Lions. They have their choice between Watson or a cover man like Boise State's Jamar Taylor.

37. CincinnatiEddie Lacy, RB, Alabama -- The Bengals get their lead running back, and in combination with first-round tight end Tyler Eifert, serve notice that they're going to be more dangerous on offense in 2013.

38. ArizonaMike Glennon, QB, N.C. State -- We're hearing the Cardinals like Glennon's pro potential more so than Southern Cal's Matt Barkley. I suppose Arizona believes one former USC quarterback is plenty.

39. New York JetsGeno Smith, QB, West Virginia -- Well, he's got to go somewhere. With only Mark Sanchez and David Garrard as potential starters, it's not like the Jets have all the answers at quarterback.

40. TennesseeDamontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M -- The Titans went offense in the first round with Chance Warmack, but here's an opportunity to get the pass rush a needed boost.

41. BuffaloJustin Hunter, WR, Tennessee -- The Bills target a first-round-graded receiver for E.J. Manuel (or Kevin Kolb) to play catch with.

42. OaklandMatt Barkley, QB, USC -- Not at all sure the Raiders should be even thinking about quarterbacks of the future with so many other needs, but Barkley would be a good value here, especially with this pick, the one they obtained from Miami Thursday night in the trade down from No. 3 to No. 12.

43. Tampa BayTank Carradine, DE, Florida State -- The Bucs make their 2013 draft debut by taking the in-state pass rusher, with an eye on helping replace the departed Michael Bennett.

44. CarolinaKeenan Allen, WR, Cal -- The Panthers need more weapons around Cam Newton, and somebody to throw to beside Steve Smith. Allen or USC's Robert Woods should be in their wheelhouse with solid second-round grades.

45. San DiegoJohnathan Jenkins, DT, Georgia -- The Chargers continue to upgrade the quotient of big boys up front. After nabbing offensive tackle D.J. Fluker in the first round, they find themselves a nose tackle to clog up some running lanes.

46. BuffaloManti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame -- Buffalo provides a soft landing of sorts for the falling Golden Domer. A small-market setting and relatively low expectations for the downtrodden Bills might be just the thing for a guy who has seen way too much of the spotlight in recent months.

47. DallasKawann Short, DT, Purdue -- The Cowboys get a quality big body for their depleted defensive tackle depth chart.

48. PittsburghMontee Ball, RB, Wisconsin -- The Steelers still believe in running the football, and Ball is a proven commodity with an uncanny nose for the end zone.

49. New York GiantsArthur Brown, LB, Kansas State -- Brown is a versatile and athletic prospect who looks ready to contribute early in his NFL career.

50. ChicagoJohnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State -- With linebackers like Kevin Minter, Manti Te'o and Arthur Brown off the board, the Bears look to Banks for an infusion of youth at cornerback, behind Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings.

51. WashingtonPhillip Thomas, S, Fresno State -- The secondary is definitely the target for the Redskins in the second round, after Washington sat out Thursday night's festivities. It's just a matter if their highest-ranking available player is a safety or a cornerback. With Johnthan Banks going right before them to Chicago, the Redskins take the safety they feel best about.

52. New EnglandMargus Hunt, DE, SMU -- Cornerback is always a possibility for the Patriots (Connecticut's Blidi Wreh-Wilson?) and their never-quite-fixed pass defense. But Hunt is intriguing prospect with a rare build for a 3-4 end, and kind of has Patriots pick written all over him.

53. CincinnatiTerron Armstead, OT, Arkansas Pine-Bluff -- The Bengals make this pick if they're tired of waiting on Andre Smith to come to his senses and re-sign in Cincinnati.

54. MiamiRobert Woods, WR, Southern Cal -- If the Dolphins really want to slay the giant of the AFC East, they could use yet another receiving weapon at quarterback Ryan Tannehill's disposal. Then again, this might be the pick that gets shipped to Kansas City in exchange for offensive tackle Branden Albert.

55. Green BayJohnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State -- The Packers spend another pick beefing up a defensive line that got abused against the run at times in 2012.

56. SeattleJesse Williams, DT, Alabama -- There's some thought Seattle could go for Tyrann Mathieu in this slot, and he would be a decent addition to their talented secondary. But maybe that's not the best use of Seattle's first pick in the draft. Williams represents a solid addition to the defensive line rotation.

57. HoustonJamie Collins, OLB, Southern Mississippi -- Because Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips likes to collect outside linebackers with some edge pass rush skills.

58. DenverDavid Amerson, CB, North Carolina State -- The Broncos need to be looking for secondary help and possibly Champ Bailey's eventual replacement in round two.

59. New EnglandQuinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech -- The Patriots have been searching for more vertical threat at receiver since Randy Moss left town.

60. AtlantaGavin Escobar, TE, San Diego State -- The Falcons considered making a move up in the first round for Tyler Eifert, but deemed it too costly. But they can sit tight and get Tony Gonzalez's heir apparent near the bottom of the second round.

61. San FranciscoTyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU -- I'm really not sure Mathieu is capable of cracking the second round, with all that baggage. But the 49ers still have a surplus of picks, a need to continue the upgrade in the secondary, and the belief that their coaching and team mentality can keep players focused on the task at hand. Plus, Jim Harbaugh loves a challenge.

62. BaltimoreKevin Minter, LB, LSU -- The Ravens simply will be living a charmed life if they wrap up the first two rounds of this draft by finding proven SEC talents Florida safety Matt Elam and LSU's Minter waiting for them at No. 32 and 62.

 

[Faust]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/blog/rob-rang/22143918/2013-nfl-draft-more-skill-positions-projected-in-the-second-round

2013 NFL Draft: More 'skill positions' projected in the second round



By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

The first round of the 2013 NFL Draft offered an expected but unprecedented focus on the "big uglies," with 19 offensive and defensive linemen (including pass-rushing OLBs) selected among the top 32.

The second round will feature significantly more of the skill-position prospects that fans have normally associated with the NFL draft. Expect a run on quarterbacks, receivers and back seven defenders to be the story.

Here is my projection of how the second round will play out.

33. Jacksonville Jaguars: Matt Barkley, QB, USC - The Jaguars solidified their offensive line with Luke Joeckel but the greater issue is at quarterback. Don't be surprised if Barkley, if selected here, overtakes Blaine Gabbert as the team's starter.

34. San Francisco 49ers: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee - The trade for Anquan Boldin gave the 49ers a complementary possession receiver but there is no one currently on the roster who can play the vertical threat role Randy Moss provided. Hunter could be a star.

35. Philadelphia Eagles: Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State - Athletic and physical, Taylor would be a steal at this point in the draft for an Eagles' squad needing help at cornerback.

36. Detroit Lions: Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State - Having nabbed the most intriguing pass rusher of the draft with Ziggy Ansah in the first round, the Lions double-back to take a tackle with an equally impressive upside.

37. Cincinnati Bengals: Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida International - The Bengals thought outside of the box with Tyler Eifert in the first round but could be thinking in the box with hard-hitting run-enforcer Cyprien here.

38. Arizona Cardinals: Cornellius "Tank" Carradine - With the Cardinals' top pass rusher, Daryl Washington, facing suspension, the Arizona needs help off the edge. Carradine has the burst and motor to be a star.

Cleveland Browns' used pick in Supplemental Draft

39. New York Jets: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia -- Incumbent starting quarterback Mark Sanchez has shown flashes but regressed badly last season and the team reportedly explored including him as part of the package to the Bucs. At this point, Smith is a palatable gamble.

40. Tennessee Titans: Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State - The Titans boast savvy but not size at cornerback. Banks, 6-2, 185-pounds, has the length and ball-skills (16 career interceptions) to star.

41. Buffalo Bills: *Keenan Allen, WR, Cal - With their quarterback of the future nabbed in round one, the Bills can splurge on the pass-catchers available later.

42. Oakland Raiders (from Miami Dolphins): Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU - Only the Jaguars finished with less sacks a season ago than the Raiders, who might appreciate Montgomery's burst, length and hustle off the edge.

43. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue - The Bucs allowed Roy Miller and Michael Bennett to walk in free agency, opening up a hole at defensive tackle. Short's consistency was lacking, at times, but he was awfully productive.

44. Carolina Panthers: Robert Woods, WR, USC - Adding weapons for Cam Newton is always a good idea, especially when they as reliable as Woods has proven to be over his career.

(New Orleans forfeits pick)

45. San Diego Chargers: Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama - Having allowed veteran nose guard Antonio Garay to leave via free agency, the Chargers must add bodies inside.

46. Buffalo Bills (from St. Louis Rams): Brian Winters, OG, Kent State - A powerful and tenacious battler to fill the hole left by free agent defection Andy Levitre.

47. Dallas Cowboys: Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford - Jason Witten isn't going to last forever... so why not complement him with an athletic "move" tight end?

48. Pittsburgh Steelers: Margus Hunt, DE, SMU - Hunt's freakish talents earned him a first round grade from a number of teams. At this point, he'd be a steal for a club in need of more youth on defense.

49. New York Giants: Arthur Brown, OLB, Kansas State* -- Tom Coughlin's defense needs to get younger, and inside linebacker has been a spackle job for the past two seasons.

50. Chicago Bears: Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame - Forget the 40-yard dash and girlfriend hoax, with the exception of one game (albeit the most important one of his life), Te'o proved to be a standout linebacker. The Bears won't forget that.

51. Washington Redskins: Damontre Moore, OLB, Texas A&M* -- When he's healthy, Brian Orakpo teams with Ryan Kerrigan to give the Redskins a terrific duo of pass rushers. Moore could be developed to complement them.

52. New England Patriots (from Minnesota Vikings): Dwayne Gratz, CB, Connecticut - Battle-tested corner with the athleticism for coverage and the physicality necessary in run support to help make up for loss of Antoine Winfield.

53. Cincinnati Bengals: Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA - Nicknamed "Jet-Ski" for his explosive burst to and through the hole, Franklin would prove to be an excellent complement to incumbent starting running back, Benjarvus Green-Ellis.

54. Miami Dolphins (from Indianapolis): Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin - An instinctive with eye-popping production to help replace the big play ability lost with Reggie Bush signing in Detroit.

55. Green Bay Packers: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama* - A steal at this point in the draft, Lacy would provide the tough running and threat out of the backfield to keep the Packers' offense from becoming too one-dimensional.

56. Seattle Seahawks: Sio Moore, OLB, Connecticut - Incumbent starting weakside linebacker Leroy Hill isn't expected to remain with the club and though the team likes their young talent, Moore's athleticism, versatility and big plays might prove too much to pass up here.

57. Houston Texans: Vance McDonald, TE, Rice -- Good athlete helps replace some of the skills James Casey brought before leaving as a free agent (Eagles).

58. Denver Broncos: Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU* -- Physical, instinctive defender who might contend for a starting role inside for the Broncos as a rookie.

59. New England Patriots: Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech - Patriots may find that the depth of the receiver class could allow them to target a potential starter here rather than reach in the first round.

60. Atlanta Falcons: Alex Okafor, DE, Texas - Lacks elite first-step quickness and the motor teams prefer but would provide excellent value here for a team requiring help at pass-rusher.

61. San Francisco 49ers: Jonathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State - Hankins' motor ran hot and cold but he was awfully productive and has the girth, experience to help all over the defensive line.

62. Baltimore Ravens: Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas Pine-Bluff - Small-school prospect with the athleticism and length to give the Ravens options at left tackle.

 

[Faust]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/blog/rob-rang/22140392/2013-nfl-draft-second-round-mock-draft

2013 NFL Draft: Second round mock draft

By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst

With the first day of the 2013 NFL Draft in the books, our attention shifts to Friday and the second round. Below is a look at how the second round might shake out:

33. Jacksonville – Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse
34. San Francisco (KC) – Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama
35. Philadelphia – Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
36. Detroit – Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State
37. Cincinnati (OAK) – Cornellius Carradine, DE, Florida State
38. Arizona – Matt Barkley, QB, Southern Cal
Cleveland (exercised pick with Supplemental pick)
39. New York Jets – Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
40. Tennessee – Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State
41. Buffalo – Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
42. Oakland (MIA) – Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame
43. Tampa Bay – Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
44. Carolina – Keenan Allen, WR, California
New Orleans (forfeits pick)
45. San Diego – Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas Pine Bluff
46. Buffalo (STL) – Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
47. Dallas – Johnathan Cyprien, S, Florida International
48. Pittsburgh – Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
49. New York Giants – Sio Moore, OLB, Connecticut
50. Chicago – Arthur Brown, OLB, Kansas State
51. Washington – Corey Lemonier, DE, Auburn
52. New England (MIN) – Robert Woods, WR, Southern Cal
53. Cincinnati – Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA
54. Miami (IND) – Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State
55. Green Bay – David Bakhtiari, OT, Colorado
56. Seattle – Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU
57. Houston – Margus Hunt, DE, SMU
58. Denver – Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
59. New England – Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
60. Atlanta – Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
61. San Francisco – Robert Alford, CB, SE Louisiana
62. Baltimore – Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Tinkering with Allen's pre-combine (estimated) comparables I noticed that all of them had similar adjusted draft positions (draft position adjusted for things like small schools, previous injury, etc -- basically trying to separate perceived talent from perceived risk).

WR A 52WR B 64WR C 70WR D 77WR E 78WR F 98WR G 71K Allen ??That's a very tight range, especially given that there were some extenuating circumstances for WR F.So if Allen measures close to his current estimates (74.5" -- 210 -- ~4.5) I think it's pretty unlikely he's a first round pick, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him go in the third. Especially given that those are ordered in terms of their collegiate performance metric.

ETA: there is no adjustment to Allen's draft position -- so his actual draft position and his adjusted draft position will be the same.

Looking pretty good. Allen is being credited with 4.58 at NFL Draft Scout. He should probably hope teams don't really believe he runs a 4.71.

ETA: pick 76. Right in line with the his best comparables.

 

[Donnybrook]

2013 NFL Draft: Tyler Wilson, Geno Smith top quarterbacks

By Josh Norris NFL.com

Draft Analyst

With the 2013 NFL Draft set for April 25-27 at Radio City Music Hall in New York, NFL.com draft analyst Josh Norris is identifying the top prospects available at every position. Today, he presents an overview of the best quarterbacks. For a complete list of the rest of the positions, click here.

Let me start by saying these quarterback rankings are not reactionary. I've felt the same way about the top four since the end of the 2012 season, with Tyler Wilson holding on to his No. 1 spot since summer evaluations. I know the Arkansas product is not a popular choice when it comes to picking the best quarterback in the 2013 NFL Draft class. However, as we've seen in every single draft, prospects who are selected later than others can often emerge as better players.

I believe the paramount trait a quarterback must possess is an ability to make things happen in the face of pressure and in confined space. Turn on any tape of Wilson and you'll see him take a pounding from opposing pass rushers, get up and move on to the next play. That is not to say that Wilson was prone to taking sacks; quite the contrary. However, he will take a hit to ensure his receiver has enough time to create a sliver of separation. There were also plenty of instances in which Wilson bought himself time and tested vertically after scanning the field for open targets. Such aggressiveness and toughness -- important factors when looking for a quality starter -- are uncommon among quarterback prospects.

Wilson is not perfect. He's been known to have footwork issues, force passes to a single target (Cobi Hamilton in 2012) or loft attempts to receivers in double coverage. But considering his ability to change throwing platforms, recognize open receivers, accurately distribute the ball and take punishment in the pocket, I have Wilson atop my list.

I like Geno Smith as a prospect quite a bit, as you can see from his ranking here. However, he is not quite the complete package he has been made out to be. There are things I like when watching Smith in the pocket, but too often, he has looked slow in his reads after locking on to an initial target. He also has a tendency to hop in his drops and drift from pressure, though these issues likely won't doom him, since he did not flash them in every game. Of course, this ranking has nothing to do with Smith off the field; it's only about things he can do to improve on it.

1. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas: I don't expect Wilson to be among the top quarterbacks selected in April's draft, but he can be successful wherever he lands, thanks to his willingness to stick to the pocket and test vertically. There are some placement issues, but those can be fixed with improved footwork. Projection: Third round

2. Geno Smith, West Virginia: Some might call the offense Smith ran in college a gimmick. Rather than worry about that, I would isolate the throws and reads he made, as well as the poise he displayed, and consider how that all projects to the NFL. Smith did switch offenses prior to his junior season, shifting to one that focused on a smaller number of plays run in a variety of ways or sets to beat defenses. Projection: First round

3. Zac Dysert, Miami of Ohio: Dysert, who is perhaps another surprise at No. 3, has so many great qualities as a passer. Poor offensive line talent forced him to play in a four- or five-wide quick-read offense in 2012, but he still showed excellent pocket movement and vertical placement, along with an ability to throw on the run. Projection: Third round

4. Mike Glennon, N.C. State: The longer Glennon holds the ball, the more concerned I get. He's got plenty of accuracy and velocity to be successful if he lands in an offense that allows him to hit a first read after planting his back foot off of a three- or five-step drop. But as he has shown, when he's pressured on the interior, things break down quickly. Projection: Second round

5. Ryan Nassib, Syracuse: There's a lot to like about Nassib, namely his willingness to work through reads and decisively fire passes to his receivers. Though he is mobile, his pocket movement is frenetic and could put him in bad spots. Projection: Second round

6. Matt Barkley, USC: Barkley, who might make more pre-snap reads than any other quarterback in this class, will have to rely on rhythm, timing and placement to win. Though the longtime Trojan starter has struggled to buy time against pressure, he has shown nice touch when hitting receivers downfield. Projection: Second round

7. EJ Manuel, Florida State: Many love Manuel's tools, most notably a compact release and the mobility he showed when things broke down. However, against pressure, Manuel tended to fall off his throws or make very poor decisions. In that regard, there are some similarities between Manuel and Blaine Gabbert. Projection: Second round

Follow Josh Norris on Twitter @JoshNorris.

I had to bit my tongue when I read this QB ranking. I thought it was one of the worst rankings I had ever read but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Now that 32 teams have actually drafted, I now know this is one of the worst rankings ever written.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

2013 NFL Draft: Tyler Wilson, Geno Smith top quarterbacks

By Josh Norris NFL.com

Draft Analyst

With the 2013 NFL Draft set for April 25-27 at Radio City Music Hall in New York, NFL.com draft analyst Josh Norris is identifying the top prospects available at every position. Today, he presents an overview of the best quarterbacks. For a complete list of the rest of the positions, click here.

Let me start by saying these quarterback rankings are not reactionary. I've felt the same way about the top four since the end of the 2012 season, with Tyler Wilson holding on to his No. 1 spot since summer evaluations. I know the Arkansas product is not a popular choice when it comes to picking the best quarterback in the 2013 NFL Draft class. However, as we've seen in every single draft, prospects who are selected later than others can often emerge as better players.

I believe the paramount trait a quarterback must possess is an ability to make things happen in the face of pressure and in confined space. Turn on any tape of Wilson and you'll see him take a pounding from opposing pass rushers, get up and move on to the next play. That is not to say that Wilson was prone to taking sacks; quite the contrary. However, he will take a hit to ensure his receiver has enough time to create a sliver of separation. There were also plenty of instances in which Wilson bought himself time and tested vertically after scanning the field for open targets. Such aggressiveness and toughness -- important factors when looking for a quality starter -- are uncommon among quarterback prospects.

Wilson is not perfect. He's been known to have footwork issues, force passes to a single target (Cobi Hamilton in 2012) or loft attempts to receivers in double coverage. But considering his ability to change throwing platforms, recognize open receivers, accurately distribute the ball and take punishment in the pocket, I have Wilson atop my list.

I like Geno Smith as a prospect quite a bit, as you can see from his ranking here. However, he is not quite the complete package he has been made out to be. There are things I like when watching Smith in the pocket, but too often, he has looked slow in his reads after locking on to an initial target. He also has a tendency to hop in his drops and drift from pressure, though these issues likely won't doom him, since he did not flash them in every game. Of course, this ranking has nothing to do with Smith off the field; it's only about things he can do to improve on it.

1. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas: I don't expect Wilson to be among the top quarterbacks selected in April's draft, but he can be successful wherever he lands, thanks to his willingness to stick to the pocket and test vertically. There are some placement issues, but those can be fixed with improved footwork. Projection: Third round

2. Geno Smith, West Virginia: Some might call the offense Smith ran in college a gimmick. Rather than worry about that, I would isolate the throws and reads he made, as well as the poise he displayed, and consider how that all projects to the NFL. Smith did switch offenses prior to his junior season, shifting to one that focused on a smaller number of plays run in a variety of ways or sets to beat defenses. Projection: First round

3. Zac Dysert, Miami of Ohio: Dysert, who is perhaps another surprise at No. 3, has so many great qualities as a passer. Poor offensive line talent forced him to play in a four- or five-wide quick-read offense in 2012, but he still showed excellent pocket movement and vertical placement, along with an ability to throw on the run. Projection: Third round

4. Mike Glennon, N.C. State: The longer Glennon holds the ball, the more concerned I get. He's got plenty of accuracy and velocity to be successful if he lands in an offense that allows him to hit a first read after planting his back foot off of a three- or five-step drop. But as he has shown, when he's pressured on the interior, things break down quickly. Projection: Second round

5. Ryan Nassib, Syracuse: There's a lot to like about Nassib, namely his willingness to work through reads and decisively fire passes to his receivers. Though he is mobile, his pocket movement is frenetic and could put him in bad spots. Projection: Second round

6. Matt Barkley, USC: Barkley, who might make more pre-snap reads than any other quarterback in this class, will have to rely on rhythm, timing and placement to win. Though the longtime Trojan starter has struggled to buy time against pressure, he has shown nice touch when hitting receivers downfield. Projection: Second round

7. EJ Manuel, Florida State: Many love Manuel's tools, most notably a compact release and the mobility he showed when things broke down. However, against pressure, Manuel tended to fall off his throws or make very poor decisions. In that regard, there are some similarities between Manuel and Blaine Gabbert. Projection: Second round

Follow Josh Norris on Twitter @JoshNorris.

I had to bit my tongue when I read this QB ranking. I thought it was one of the worst rankings I had ever read but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Now that 32 teams have actually drafted, I now know this is one of the worst rankings ever written.

It obviously doesn't look good now based on where these guys got drafted, but I think it's pretty silly to criticize anyone's rankings before these guys play a single game.

 

[Chadstroma]

2013 NFL Draft: Tyler Wilson, Geno Smith top quarterbacks

By Josh Norris NFL.com

Draft Analyst

With the 2013 NFL Draft set for April 25-27 at Radio City Music Hall in New York, NFL.com draft analyst Josh Norris is identifying the top prospects available at every position. Today, he presents an overview of the best quarterbacks. For a complete list of the rest of the positions, click here.

Let me start by saying these quarterback rankings are not reactionary. I've felt the same way about the top four since the end of the 2012 season, with Tyler Wilson holding on to his No. 1 spot since summer evaluations. I know the Arkansas product is not a popular choice when it comes to picking the best quarterback in the 2013 NFL Draft class. However, as we've seen in every single draft, prospects who are selected later than others can often emerge as better players.

I believe the paramount trait a quarterback must possess is an ability to make things happen in the face of pressure and in confined space. Turn on any tape of Wilson and you'll see him take a pounding from opposing pass rushers, get up and move on to the next play. That is not to say that Wilson was prone to taking sacks; quite the contrary. However, he will take a hit to ensure his receiver has enough time to create a sliver of separation. There were also plenty of instances in which Wilson bought himself time and tested vertically after scanning the field for open targets. Such aggressiveness and toughness -- important factors when looking for a quality starter -- are uncommon among quarterback prospects.

Wilson is not perfect. He's been known to have footwork issues, force passes to a single target (Cobi Hamilton in 2012) or loft attempts to receivers in double coverage. But considering his ability to change throwing platforms, recognize open receivers, accurately distribute the ball and take punishment in the pocket, I have Wilson atop my list.

I like Geno Smith as a prospect quite a bit, as you can see from his ranking here. However, he is not quite the complete package he has been made out to be. There are things I like when watching Smith in the pocket, but too often, he has looked slow in his reads after locking on to an initial target. He also has a tendency to hop in his drops and drift from pressure, though these issues likely won't doom him, since he did not flash them in every game. Of course, this ranking has nothing to do with Smith off the field; it's only about things he can do to improve on it.

1. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas: I don't expect Wilson to be among the top quarterbacks selected in April's draft, but he can be successful wherever he lands, thanks to his willingness to stick to the pocket and test vertically. There are some placement issues, but those can be fixed with improved footwork. Projection: Third round

2. Geno Smith, West Virginia: Some might call the offense Smith ran in college a gimmick. Rather than worry about that, I would isolate the throws and reads he made, as well as the poise he displayed, and consider how that all projects to the NFL. Smith did switch offenses prior to his junior season, shifting to one that focused on a smaller number of plays run in a variety of ways or sets to beat defenses. Projection: First round

3. Zac Dysert, Miami of Ohio: Dysert, who is perhaps another surprise at No. 3, has so many great qualities as a passer. Poor offensive line talent forced him to play in a four- or five-wide quick-read offense in 2012, but he still showed excellent pocket movement and vertical placement, along with an ability to throw on the run. Projection: Third round

4. Mike Glennon, N.C. State: The longer Glennon holds the ball, the more concerned I get. He's got plenty of accuracy and velocity to be successful if he lands in an offense that allows him to hit a first read after planting his back foot off of a three- or five-step drop. But as he has shown, when he's pressured on the interior, things break down quickly. Projection: Second round

5. Ryan Nassib, Syracuse: There's a lot to like about Nassib, namely his willingness to work through reads and decisively fire passes to his receivers. Though he is mobile, his pocket movement is frenetic and could put him in bad spots. Projection: Second round

6. Matt Barkley, USC: Barkley, who might make more pre-snap reads than any other quarterback in this class, will have to rely on rhythm, timing and placement to win. Though the longtime Trojan starter has struggled to buy time against pressure, he has shown nice touch when hitting receivers downfield. Projection: Second round

7. EJ Manuel, Florida State: Many love Manuel's tools, most notably a compact release and the mobility he showed when things broke down. However, against pressure, Manuel tended to fall off his throws or make very poor decisions. In that regard, there are some similarities between Manuel and Blaine Gabbert. Projection: Second round

Follow Josh Norris on Twitter @JoshNorris.

I had to bit my tongue when I read this QB ranking. I thought it was one of the worst rankings I had ever read but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Now that 32 teams have actually drafted, I now know this is one of the worst rankings ever written.

It obviously doesn't look good now based on where these guys got drafted, but I think it's pretty silly to criticize anyone's rankings before these guys play a single game.

This is very true. There is no definitive end to something like this unless many years down the road. Using the philosophy employed here, if someone saying that Brady was the best QB of his draft would have been showing the worst rankings ever written yet would have been right. I appreciate the willingness to go against the group think and present original thinking. The NFL and fantasy worlds are over populated with those who are too willing to follow the masses even as there are tons of examples of the masses being dead wrong.

 

[Donnybrook]

2013 NFL Draft: Tyler Wilson, Geno Smith top quarterbacks

By Josh Norris NFL.com

Draft Analyst

With the 2013 NFL Draft set for April 25-27 at Radio City Music Hall in New York, NFL.com draft analyst Josh Norris is identifying the top prospects available at every position. Today, he presents an overview of the best quarterbacks. For a complete list of the rest of the positions, click here.

Let me start by saying these quarterback rankings are not reactionary. I've felt the same way about the top four since the end of the 2012 season, with Tyler Wilson holding on to his No. 1 spot since summer evaluations. I know the Arkansas product is not a popular choice when it comes to picking the best quarterback in the 2013 NFL Draft class. However, as we've seen in every single draft, prospects who are selected later than others can often emerge as better players.

I believe the paramount trait a quarterback must possess is an ability to make things happen in the face of pressure and in confined space. Turn on any tape of Wilson and you'll see him take a pounding from opposing pass rushers, get up and move on to the next play. That is not to say that Wilson was prone to taking sacks; quite the contrary. However, he will take a hit to ensure his receiver has enough time to create a sliver of separation. There were also plenty of instances in which Wilson bought himself time and tested vertically after scanning the field for open targets. Such aggressiveness and toughness -- important factors when looking for a quality starter -- are uncommon among quarterback prospects.

Wilson is not perfect. He's been known to have footwork issues, force passes to a single target (Cobi Hamilton in 2012) or loft attempts to receivers in double coverage. But considering his ability to change throwing platforms, recognize open receivers, accurately distribute the ball and take punishment in the pocket, I have Wilson atop my list.

I like Geno Smith as a prospect quite a bit, as you can see from his ranking here. However, he is not quite the complete package he has been made out to be. There are things I like when watching Smith in the pocket, but too often, he has looked slow in his reads after locking on to an initial target. He also has a tendency to hop in his drops and drift from pressure, though these issues likely won't doom him, since he did not flash them in every game. Of course, this ranking has nothing to do with Smith off the field; it's only about things he can do to improve on it.

1. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas: I don't expect Wilson to be among the top quarterbacks selected in April's draft, but he can be successful wherever he lands, thanks to his willingness to stick to the pocket and test vertically. There are some placement issues, but those can be fixed with improved footwork. Projection: Third round

2. Geno Smith, West Virginia: Some might call the offense Smith ran in college a gimmick. Rather than worry about that, I would isolate the throws and reads he made, as well as the poise he displayed, and consider how that all projects to the NFL. Smith did switch offenses prior to his junior season, shifting to one that focused on a smaller number of plays run in a variety of ways or sets to beat defenses. Projection: First round

3. Zac Dysert, Miami of Ohio: Dysert, who is perhaps another surprise at No. 3, has so many great qualities as a passer. Poor offensive line talent forced him to play in a four- or five-wide quick-read offense in 2012, but he still showed excellent pocket movement and vertical placement, along with an ability to throw on the run. Projection: Third round

4. Mike Glennon, N.C. State: The longer Glennon holds the ball, the more concerned I get. He's got plenty of accuracy and velocity to be successful if he lands in an offense that allows him to hit a first read after planting his back foot off of a three- or five-step drop. But as he has shown, when he's pressured on the interior, things break down quickly. Projection: Second round

5. Ryan Nassib, Syracuse: There's a lot to like about Nassib, namely his willingness to work through reads and decisively fire passes to his receivers. Though he is mobile, his pocket movement is frenetic and could put him in bad spots. Projection: Second round

6. Matt Barkley, USC: Barkley, who might make more pre-snap reads than any other quarterback in this class, will have to rely on rhythm, timing and placement to win. Though the longtime Trojan starter has struggled to buy time against pressure, he has shown nice touch when hitting receivers downfield. Projection: Second round

7. EJ Manuel, Florida State: Many love Manuel's tools, most notably a compact release and the mobility he showed when things broke down. However, against pressure, Manuel tended to fall off his throws or make very poor decisions. In that regard, there are some similarities between Manuel and Blaine Gabbert. Projection: Second round

Follow Josh Norris on Twitter @JoshNorris.

I had to bit my tongue when I read this QB ranking. I thought it was one of the worst rankings I had ever read but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Now that 32 teams have actually drafted, I now know this is one of the worst rankings ever written.

It obviously doesn't look good now based on where these guys got drafted, but I think it's pretty silly to criticize anyone's rankings before these guys play a single game.

I think the EJ Manuel/Blaine Gabbert comparison is ridiculous if you have watched any highlights let alone game film. EJ Manuel pocket presence is excellent. Gabberts was terrible coming out of college. I recall Hodge saying of Gabbert - if his first read is not open he automatically resorts to running.

On his highlights there are many examples of EJ Manuel delivering the ball with the pocket collapsing around him. I remember one play inparticular when Sharrif Floydd scheds a block and is barreling down on Manuel. Manuel simply fakes one way, side steps the other way and delivers the ball. Gabbert would have simply curled up in the fetal position.

 

[JohnnyU]

Tinkering with Allen's pre-combine (estimated) comparables I noticed that all of them had similar adjusted draft positions (draft position adjusted for things like small schools, previous injury, etc -- basically trying to separate perceived talent from perceived risk).

WR A 52WR B 64WR C 70WR D 77WR E 78WR F 98WR G 71K Allen ??That's a very tight range, especially given that there were some extenuating circumstances for WR F.So if Allen measures close to his current estimates (74.5" -- 210 -- ~4.5) I think it's pretty unlikely he's a first round pick, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him go in the third. Especially given that those are ordered in terms of their collegiate performance metric.

ETA: there is no adjustment to Allen's draft position -- so his actual draft position and his adjusted draft position will be the same.

Looking pretty good. Allen is being credited with 4.58 at NFL Draft Scout. He should probably hope teams don't really believe he runs a 4.71.

ETA: pick 76. Right in line with the his best comparables.

I love draft scout, but they are notoriously wrong about 40 times. Not sure where they are getting their information, or if it's just a projection. I wouldn't put too much stock in their 4.58 40 time for Allen.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Tinkering with Allen's pre-combine (estimated) comparables I noticed that all of them had similar adjusted draft positions (draft position adjusted for things like small schools, previous injury, etc -- basically trying to separate perceived talent from perceived risk).

WR A 52WR B 64WR C 70WR D 77WR E 78WR F 98WR G 71K Allen ??That's a very tight range, especially given that there were some extenuating circumstances for WR F.So if Allen measures close to his current estimates (74.5" -- 210 -- ~4.5) I think it's pretty unlikely he's a first round pick, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him go in the third. Especially given that those are ordered in terms of their collegiate performance metric.

ETA: there is no adjustment to Allen's draft position -- so his actual draft position and his adjusted draft position will be the same.

Looking pretty good. Allen is being credited with 4.58 at NFL Draft Scout. He should probably hope teams don't really believe he runs a 4.71.

ETA: pick 76. Right in line with the his best comparables.

I love draft scout, but they are notoriously wrong about 40 times. Not sure where they are getting their information, or if it's just a projection. I wouldn't put too much stock in their 4.58 40 time for Allen.

Their draft times end up being the 'official' times once they adjust them following the combine. But many (most?) teams use their own method, and the TV guys throw out other numbers -- so the times you see quoted are all over the board. I use NFLDS because it's the same process every year so they're more likely to be internally consistent.

As for Allen, I agree he's probably slower than a 4.58, but they decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and they've got more info so that's the time I'll use.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

2013 NFL Draft: Tyler Wilson, Geno Smith top quarterbacks

By Josh Norris NFL.com

Draft Analyst

With the 2013 NFL Draft set for April 25-27 at Radio City Music Hall in New York, NFL.com draft analyst Josh Norris is identifying the top prospects available at every position. Today, he presents an overview of the best quarterbacks. For a complete list of the rest of the positions, click here.

Let me start by saying these quarterback rankings are not reactionary. I've felt the same way about the top four since the end of the 2012 season, with Tyler Wilson holding on to his No. 1 spot since summer evaluations. I know the Arkansas product is not a popular choice when it comes to picking the best quarterback in the 2013 NFL Draft class. However, as we've seen in every single draft, prospects who are selected later than others can often emerge as better players.

I believe the paramount trait a quarterback must possess is an ability to make things happen in the face of pressure and in confined space. Turn on any tape of Wilson and you'll see him take a pounding from opposing pass rushers, get up and move on to the next play. That is not to say that Wilson was prone to taking sacks; quite the contrary. However, he will take a hit to ensure his receiver has enough time to create a sliver of separation. There were also plenty of instances in which Wilson bought himself time and tested vertically after scanning the field for open targets. Such aggressiveness and toughness -- important factors when looking for a quality starter -- are uncommon among quarterback prospects.

Wilson is not perfect. He's been known to have footwork issues, force passes to a single target (Cobi Hamilton in 2012) or loft attempts to receivers in double coverage. But considering his ability to change throwing platforms, recognize open receivers, accurately distribute the ball and take punishment in the pocket, I have Wilson atop my list.

I like Geno Smith as a prospect quite a bit, as you can see from his ranking here. However, he is not quite the complete package he has been made out to be. There are things I like when watching Smith in the pocket, but too often, he has looked slow in his reads after locking on to an initial target. He also has a tendency to hop in his drops and drift from pressure, though these issues likely won't doom him, since he did not flash them in every game. Of course, this ranking has nothing to do with Smith off the field; it's only about things he can do to improve on it.

1. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas: I don't expect Wilson to be among the top quarterbacks selected in April's draft, but he can be successful wherever he lands, thanks to his willingness to stick to the pocket and test vertically. There are some placement issues, but those can be fixed with improved footwork. Projection: Third round

2. Geno Smith, West Virginia: Some might call the offense Smith ran in college a gimmick. Rather than worry about that, I would isolate the throws and reads he made, as well as the poise he displayed, and consider how that all projects to the NFL. Smith did switch offenses prior to his junior season, shifting to one that focused on a smaller number of plays run in a variety of ways or sets to beat defenses. Projection: First round

3. Zac Dysert, Miami of Ohio: Dysert, who is perhaps another surprise at No. 3, has so many great qualities as a passer. Poor offensive line talent forced him to play in a four- or five-wide quick-read offense in 2012, but he still showed excellent pocket movement and vertical placement, along with an ability to throw on the run. Projection: Third round

4. Mike Glennon, N.C. State: The longer Glennon holds the ball, the more concerned I get. He's got plenty of accuracy and velocity to be successful if he lands in an offense that allows him to hit a first read after planting his back foot off of a three- or five-step drop. But as he has shown, when he's pressured on the interior, things break down quickly. Projection: Second round

5. Ryan Nassib, Syracuse: There's a lot to like about Nassib, namely his willingness to work through reads and decisively fire passes to his receivers. Though he is mobile, his pocket movement is frenetic and could put him in bad spots. Projection: Second round

6. Matt Barkley, USC: Barkley, who might make more pre-snap reads than any other quarterback in this class, will have to rely on rhythm, timing and placement to win. Though the longtime Trojan starter has struggled to buy time against pressure, he has shown nice touch when hitting receivers downfield. Projection: Second round

7. EJ Manuel, Florida State: Many love Manuel's tools, most notably a compact release and the mobility he showed when things broke down. However, against pressure, Manuel tended to fall off his throws or make very poor decisions. In that regard, there are some similarities between Manuel and Blaine Gabbert. Projection: Second round

Follow Josh Norris on Twitter @JoshNorris.

I had to bit my tongue when I read this QB ranking. I thought it was one of the worst rankings I had ever read but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Now that 32 teams have actually drafted, I now know this is one of the worst rankings ever written.

It obviously doesn't look good now based on where these guys got drafted, but I think it's pretty silly to criticize anyone's rankings before these guys play a single game.

I think the EJ Manuel/Blaine Gabbert comparison is ridiculous if you have watched any highlights let alone game film. EJ Manuel pocket presence is excellent. Gabberts was terrible coming out of college. I recall Hodge saying of Gabbert - if his first read is not open he automatically resorts to running.

On his highlights there are many examples of EJ Manuel delivering the ball with the pocket collapsing around him. I remember one play inparticular when Sharrif Floydd scheds a block and is barreling down on Manuel. Manuel simply fakes one way, side steps the other way and delivers the ball. Gabbert would have simply curled up in the fetal position.

I wasn't implying anything about EJ Manuel or any other QB on that list. I'm just saying it's foolish to criticize anyone's rankings before these guys play a single game. You can say that you vehemently disagree with someone's rankings, but to act like one person's rankings are objectively the worst before any of the players play a game is silly.

 

[Donnybrook]

2013 NFL Draft: Tyler Wilson, Geno Smith top quarterbacks

By Josh Norris NFL.com

Draft Analyst

With the 2013 NFL Draft set for April 25-27 at Radio City Music Hall in New York, NFL.com draft analyst Josh Norris is identifying the top prospects available at every position. Today, he presents an overview of the best quarterbacks. For a complete list of the rest of the positions, click here.

Let me start by saying these quarterback rankings are not reactionary. I've felt the same way about the top four since the end of the 2012 season, with Tyler Wilson holding on to his No. 1 spot since summer evaluations. I know the Arkansas product is not a popular choice when it comes to picking the best quarterback in the 2013 NFL Draft class. However, as we've seen in every single draft, prospects who are selected later than others can often emerge as better players.

I believe the paramount trait a quarterback must possess is an ability to make things happen in the face of pressure and in confined space. Turn on any tape of Wilson and you'll see him take a pounding from opposing pass rushers, get up and move on to the next play. That is not to say that Wilson was prone to taking sacks; quite the contrary. However, he will take a hit to ensure his receiver has enough time to create a sliver of separation. There were also plenty of instances in which Wilson bought himself time and tested vertically after scanning the field for open targets. Such aggressiveness and toughness -- important factors when looking for a quality starter -- are uncommon among quarterback prospects.

Wilson is not perfect. He's been known to have footwork issues, force passes to a single target (Cobi Hamilton in 2012) or loft attempts to receivers in double coverage. But considering his ability to change throwing platforms, recognize open receivers, accurately distribute the ball and take punishment in the pocket, I have Wilson atop my list.

I like Geno Smith as a prospect quite a bit, as you can see from his ranking here. However, he is not quite the complete package he has been made out to be. There are things I like when watching Smith in the pocket, but too often, he has looked slow in his reads after locking on to an initial target. He also has a tendency to hop in his drops and drift from pressure, though these issues likely won't doom him, since he did not flash them in every game. Of course, this ranking has nothing to do with Smith off the field; it's only about things he can do to improve on it.

1. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas: I don't expect Wilson to be among the top quarterbacks selected in April's draft, but he can be successful wherever he lands, thanks to his willingness to stick to the pocket and test vertically. There are some placement issues, but those can be fixed with improved footwork. Projection: Third round

2. Geno Smith, West Virginia: Some might call the offense Smith ran in college a gimmick. Rather than worry about that, I would isolate the throws and reads he made, as well as the poise he displayed, and consider how that all projects to the NFL. Smith did switch offenses prior to his junior season, shifting to one that focused on a smaller number of plays run in a variety of ways or sets to beat defenses. Projection: First round

3. Zac Dysert, Miami of Ohio: Dysert, who is perhaps another surprise at No. 3, has so many great qualities as a passer. Poor offensive line talent forced him to play in a four- or five-wide quick-read offense in 2012, but he still showed excellent pocket movement and vertical placement, along with an ability to throw on the run. Projection: Third round

4. Mike Glennon, N.C. State: The longer Glennon holds the ball, the more concerned I get. He's got plenty of accuracy and velocity to be successful if he lands in an offense that allows him to hit a first read after planting his back foot off of a three- or five-step drop. But as he has shown, when he's pressured on the interior, things break down quickly. Projection: Second round

5. Ryan Nassib, Syracuse: There's a lot to like about Nassib, namely his willingness to work through reads and decisively fire passes to his receivers. Though he is mobile, his pocket movement is frenetic and could put him in bad spots. Projection: Second round

6. Matt Barkley, USC: Barkley, who might make more pre-snap reads than any other quarterback in this class, will have to rely on rhythm, timing and placement to win. Though the longtime Trojan starter has struggled to buy time against pressure, he has shown nice touch when hitting receivers downfield. Projection: Second round

7. EJ Manuel, Florida State: Many love Manuel's tools, most notably a compact release and the mobility he showed when things broke down. However, against pressure, Manuel tended to fall off his throws or make very poor decisions. In that regard, there are some similarities between Manuel and Blaine Gabbert. Projection: Second round

Follow Josh Norris on Twitter @JoshNorris.

I had to bit my tongue when I read this QB ranking. I thought it was one of the worst rankings I had ever read but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Now that 32 teams have actually drafted, I now know this is one of the worst rankings ever written.

It obviously doesn't look good now based on where these guys got drafted, but I think it's pretty silly to criticize anyone's rankings before these guys play a single game.

I think the EJ Manuel/Blaine Gabbert comparison is ridiculous if you have watched any highlights let alone game film. EJ Manuel pocket presence is excellent. Gabberts was terrible coming out of college. I recall Hodge saying of Gabbert - if his first read is not open he automatically resorts to running.

On his highlights there are many examples of EJ Manuel delivering the ball with the pocket collapsing around him. I remember one play inparticular when Sharrif Floydd scheds a block and is barreling down on Manuel. Manuel simply fakes one way, side steps the other way and delivers the ball. Gabbert would have simply curled up in the fetal position.

I wasn't implying anything about EJ Manuel or any other QB on that list. I'm just saying it's foolish to criticize anyone's rankings before these guys play a single game. You can say that you vehemently disagree with someone's rankings, but to act like one person's rankings are objectively the worst before any of the players play a game is silly.

Whatever, then I vehemently disagree with his rankings. All his ranking, IMO, seem to be a blantant attempt to be contraversal rather than judging these prospects objectively.

According to most scouts at the senior bowl, Dysert was clearly behind Glennon and Nassib in his development. It is a huge leap of faith to say that he will end up being better than those two prospects.

 

[Faust]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000165045/article/san-francisco-49ers-find-delanie-walkers-replacement

San Francisco 49ers find Delanie Walker's replacement

By Marc Sessler

Around the League Writer

It's hard to argue with the choices the San Francisco 49ers made in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Despite a talent-packed roster, they picked up 11 new players and addressed their short list of weaknesses.

If any of those picks made offensive coordinator Greg Roman smile, our bet is on Rice tight end Vance McDonald, who was snatched up in the second round at No. 55 overall. The 49ers were on the hook to fill the shoes of the departed Delanie Walker, who signed with the Tennessee Titans in March.

The 6-foot-4, 267-pound McDonald, a versatile threat, should allow the 49ers to keep people guessing on offense.

"I've played all over the field," McDonald told the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday.

McDonald saw plenty of time in the slot at Rice. He's long-armed and comfortable in space and gives the 49ers a legitimate pass-catching weapon across from Vernon Davis. His blocking needs development, but the 49ers have a player they can line up all over the formation.

The 49ers had a chance to grab Stanford tight end Zach Ertz in Round 2, but Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports reported Sunday that "the guy they really wanted" was McDonald.

Teams league-wide are gravitating toward double-tight end sets, and Roman arguably is more creative with players at that position than any of his peers, meaning McDonald quickly could become a headache for defenses.

Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.

 

[Lash]

3.03: WR, Marvin Jones, Bengals3.04: WR, Nick Toon, Saints3.06: RB, Mike Goodson, Raiders4.08: RB, Dan Herron, Bengals4.10: RB, Michael Smith, Buccanneers4.13: QB, Ryan Lindley, Cardinals4.14: WR, Justin Hunter, Tennessee

I haven't played in a dev league but is it normal to take crap players instead of potential 1st round picks like Da'Rick Rogers and Justin Hunter?

As much as I think too much are being made of Rogers and Hunter...yea, those guys shouldn't be drafted ahead of them. Yea, you're waiting an extra year or 2 for a guy that may or may not pan out, but there's a much greater chance of them being fantasy starters than those current year rooks.

disclaimer:<--- check the logoDa'Rick will bust IMO, diva, cusses out his position coaches routinely, body catches, etc ... good athlete and very strong, needs babying, he won't get back-patted in NFLBray nearly as big a PITA, skipped his training therapy sessions constantly, not a good student in film room, teammates dislike him ... not to mention he will be the skinniest QB to come through as long as I can remember ... makes Tom Brady's combine pics look like a bodybuilder'sHunter is the one you want ... he's a freak ... catches everything ... big ... tall... fast ...quick ... routes ... was looking at being a top10 pick pre-injury ... now who knows

Had dinner last night with an associate ad at Tennessee. He continues to tell me that there the only way Bray comes out is if they play in the bcs, which isn't happening. Also tells me they have three receivers going in the first two rounds.

I'm just telling you what I've been told by the guy paid to know these things by the university.And i don't have a clue where the fiction higher up came about Rogers being a baby and bray being unliked by his teammates. That is rich.

you get your information from the associate AD ... congratsi get mine from a much closer source than thati don't care that you think it is "fiction" ... believe what you want, that's what these boards are for, assimilate info and decide for yourselfnever said Rogers was a baby, said he was a diva ... and i said he would bustdraft him if you want when he comes out

then later in the Da-Rick Rogers booted off Tennessee team thread Lash wrote on August 17th:

meaninglesshe wouldve only been the 3rd best WR on the team this year and only in on 3 WR sets and resting Hunter or Patterson (or injury to JH or CP)Hunter is a first round talent and Patterson is a beast, just scored 4 minutes into his NCAA careerboth are over 6'3 200 lbs

c'mon Abraham, that crow tastes gooood?

seriously, i'm just joshin with ya, I just happen to have a source in the IMMEDIATE vicinity of the players, so giving the scenario above that eventually played out to near perfect prediction this week isn't that hard ... Bray looked to a 'T' what I described when he went on Gruden QB camp

The key to me was when he skipped film sessions and training sessions telling folks "man we playin Kentucky this week don't worry about it"

that was the week Kentucky broke Tennessee's decades long win streak between the two

Da'Rick likes the weed man, nothin more to say when he got stoned in a post game party in a random town AFTER A ROAD GAME this year

 

[Faust]

Video Link:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-netwo...4970/Which-rookie-QB-is-in-the-best-situation

Which rookie QB from the 2013 NFL Draft is in the best situation?

02:11 – Charles Davis breaks down the situations of quarterbacks from the 2013 NFL Draft and determines which ones are in the best spots.

 

[Faust]

Video Link:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap2000000164966/Biggest-rookie-impact

Biggest 2013 NFL Draft rookie impact?

02:00 – Charley Casserly and Charles Davis debate which players from the 2013 NFL Draft will end up having the biggest impact in the 2013 NFL season.

 

[Faust]

Slideshow Link:

http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap1000000165058/2013-bold-rookie-predicions

2013 Bold Rookie Predicions
*** I left the spelling mistake in the title

 

[Faust]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...-who-will-have-the-biggest-impact-as-a-rookie

2013 NFL Draft: Who will have the biggest impact as a rookie?

 

[Faust]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...ly-to-be-starting-by-week-1-of-the-nfl-season

The 23 rookies likely to be starting by Week 1 of the NFL season

 

[Donnybrook]

2013 NFL Draft: Who will have the biggest impact as a rookie?

Adam Rank is living in a fantasy world. He thinks Keenan Allen could catch a 100 balls in the San Diego offense. I think that would put him 2nd all time to Boldin's 101 receiptions in his rookie year. Talk about unrealistic predictions.

I think this shows a lack of respect to current WRs on the roster. Although I don't doubt that San Diego will be airing it out this year.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

The 23 rookies likely to be starting by Week 1 of the NFL season

Kirwin really missed the boat on ignoring the Raiders. I expect their top two picks, and possibly more, to be in teh starting lineup opening day.