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DYNASTY: Top 2013 College Prospects (1 Viewer)

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/blog/rob-rang/22097696/2013-nfl-draft-top-100-draft-board

2013 NFL Draft: Top-100 draft board
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
April 18, 2013 3:05 pm ET

The draft is just days away, and the draft board is just about set. The board has changed slightly over the pre-draft process, but the top 20 has stayed similar since the end of the season.

There aren't many changes from the Post-Combine top-100 Draft Board, but there are a few tweaks to the order with several players moving a few spots up or down.

2013 Draft Board (3.0)

1. OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan (6-7, 306, 4SR)
Fisher proved in the Senior Bowl and at the combine that he could hang with the big boys and not just dominate MAC competition. He has room to grow, but the upside is undeniable.

2. OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M (6-6, 306, 3JR)
A three-year starter, the game seems to come easy to Joeckel. He is smooth in his movements with a stout base, winning with both quickness and strength.

3. DE Dion Jordan, Oregon (6-6, 248, 5SR)
A rare athlete for his size, Jordan needs to show he can stay healthy and add good weight. His fluid feet and range makes him a versatile asset for any defense.

4. CB Dee Milliner, Alabama (6-0, 201, 3JR)
Although he doesn't have elite speed, Milliner makes up for his lack of quick-twitch athleticism with smooth hips, natural instincts and very good read/react skills.

5. OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma (6-6, 303, 5SR)
A personal favorite, Johnson moved to the offensive line in 2011 and is still growing at tackle, but he flashes all the necessary skills to develop into an NFL starting LT.

6. OG Chance Warmack, Alabama (6-2, 317, 4SR)
Warmack is a physical mauler with the natural bend and movement skills to block on the move. He won't be drafted as high as his talent due to positional value.

7. DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida (6-3, 297, 3JR)
A player still coming into his own, Floyd has always been a powerful athlete with natural feet, but he started to play with more consistent anger and technique in 2012.

8. DT Star Lotulelei, Utah (6-3, 311, 5SR)
A coordinated, fluid big man, Lotulelei flashes the get-off quickness and power at the point of attack to dominate games. He just needs to do it for all four quarters.

9. OLB Barkevious Mingo, LSU (6-4, 241, 4JR)
Mingo's draft projection is based more on potential rather than production, but he displays the length, quickness and overall athleticism to be a special edge rusher.

10. DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri (6-3, 294, 4JR)
Richardson is a disruptive force when firing on all cylinders. He needs to improve his pad level and stay under control, but his natural athleticism is impressive.

11. OG Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina (6-2, 311, 5SR)
Although he won't be an ideal fit for everyone due to strength limitations, Cooper has outstanding body control and mobility for an interior offensive lineman.

12. DE Bjoern Werner, Florida State (6-3, 266, 3JR)
Although his motor runs hot/cold at times, Werner shows an excellent blend of speed, power and first-step quickness for a player still learning the game.

13. CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida State (6-2, 210, 4JR)
There are some questions about his long speed, but Rhodes is a true bump-and-run corner who can match up with physical receivers and stay in their hip pocket.

14. DE Ezekiel Ansah, BYU (6-5, 271, 4SR)
A physical marvel, Ansah has only one year of starting experience, didn't step onto the football field until 2010 but should only develop with more experience.

15. TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame (6-6, 250, 4JR)
Eifert won't create a lot of separation, but he's a better blocker than given credit and one of the best at using his body aggressively to finish contested catches.

16. DE Datone Jones, UCLA (6-4, 283, 5SR)
Although he was often miscast on the Bruins' three-man defensive front, Jones has the quickness and hand strength to win in various ways from multiple positions.

17. WR DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson (6-1, 214, 3JR)
Although not the biggest or fastest, Hopkins is able to win and be productive with his ability to change gears in his routes, create space and attack the ball in the air.

18. DE Cornellius Carradine, Florida State (6-4, 276, 4SR)
An ACL tear this past November clouds his draft projection. But when healthy, Carradine is one of the most natural pass rushers this draft class has to offer.

19. WR Tavon Austin, West Virginia (5-9, 174, 4SR)
Austin will probably be limited to a slot role in the NFL, but he is an exciting space player with video game-like athleticism and rare change-of-direction skills.

20. OLB Jarvis Jones, Georgia (6-2, 245, 4JR)
While he was a productive pass rusher in Athens, Jones has a few concerns moving to the next level -- mainly his take-on strength and length to shed blockers.

21. LB Arthur Brown, Kansas State (6-0, 241, 5SR)
His lack of size and growth potential might limit him in some schemes, but Brown quickly diagnoses the action and wastes little time attacking with explosiveness.

22. DT Jesse Williams, Alabama (6-3, 323, 5SR)
Williams has the power and stout anchor to hold up at nose tackle but also has the first-step quickness and motor to play other positions on the defensive line.

23. WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee (6-2, 216, 3JR)
Based on potential and natural talent, Patterson has top-10 pick written all over him with his playmaking ability, but he's still very unpolished in many areas.

24. MLB Kevin Minter, LSU (6-0, 246, 4JR)
Minter is an aggressive thumper and physical presence against the run with enough range to make plays near the sideline but has some holes in pass coverage.

25. S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas (6-0, 214, 4SR)
Although he needs to do a better job breaking down and finishing in space, Vaccaro has the physical nature and athleticism to cover in space and defend the run.

26. WR Keenan Allen, California (6-2, 206, 3JR)
A talented all-around pass catcher, Allen has the size, speed and strong hands to be a productive target at the next level. His knee needs to check out medically.

27. DE Damontre Moore, Texas A&M (6-5, 250, 3JR)
Moore probably could have used another season in College Station to develop his pass rush moves, but his athleticism and non-stop motor make him intriguing.

28. CB Desmond Trufant, Washington (6-0, 190, 4SR)
There is no question that Trufant has the natural fluidity and athleticism to start at the next level, but his technique needs refinement to improve his consistency.

29. DT Sylvester Williams, North Carolina (6-3, 313, 5SR)
Although he's still relatively new to the game of footall, Williams has an athletic skill set with the strength and potential to develop into a quality NFL starter.

30. TE Travis Kelce, Cincinnati (6-5, 255, 5SR)
The younger brother of Eagles center Jason, Kelce is the top senior tight end in this class with the strength and speed to be a consistent receiving and blocking threat.

31. CB D.J. Hayden, Houston (5-11, 191, 4SR)
A serious heart issue ended his 2012 season (and almost his life). But with a clean bill of health, Hayden has first-round tools. Long-term durability is a question mark.

32. S, Jonathan Cyprien, Florida International (6-0, 217, 4SR)
A Louis Delmas-like safety prospect, Cyprien plays overaggressive at times and takes a lot of chances. But he is a physical striker with the range to hold up in coverage.

33. DT Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State (6-3, 320, 3JR)
Although he battled fatigue issues as an every-down defender in college, Hankins carries his weight well and offers scheme versatility to win with range and power.

34. MLB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame (6-1, 241, 4SR)
A determined, smart football player, Te'o has room to improve his on-field anticipation and consistency. Plus, the off-field concerns make his draft stock hazy.

35. QB Geno Smith, West Virginia (6-2, 218, 4SR)
Although he can't be ruled out as the No. 1 overall pick with his passing skill set, Smith isn't a flawless prospect. And there are concerns about his pro potential.

36. CB Jamar Taylor, Boise State (5-11, 192, 5SR)
Taylor is a quick-footed, fluid corner with loose hips and a professional work ethic. While he needs to get stronger against the run, he has NFL starting potential.

37. OT D.J. Fluker, Alabama (6-5, 339, 4JR)
While there are concerns that he lacks the fluidity to stay on the edges in the NFL, Fluker has the base, length and power to dominate defenders when in position.

38. CB Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State (6-2, 185, 4SR)
A ballhawking defensive back, Banks has room to tighten his technique and be more consistent. But he has very good height, length and confidence for the position.

39. CB Darius Slay, Mississippi State (6-1, 190, 4SR)
The "other" cornerback from the Bulldogs' defense, Slay has the higher NFL upside than Banks with his natural athleticism and size.

40. QB Ryan Nassib, Syracuse (6-2, 227, 5SR)
The second QB on the board, Nassib's touch and accuracy tend to waver. But he is a strong-armed passer with the feet, smarts and mentality to be an NFL starter.

41. OT Terron Armstead, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (6-5, 306, 4SR)
An athletic mover, Armstead doesn't have ideal experience against top competition, but is fluid on the move and has NFL teams intrigued with his physical tools.

42. WR Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech (6-0, 204, 5SR)
Although he doesn't look like much physically, Patton has the foot quickness to create after the catch and always seems to be playing fast but under control.

43. OG Larry Warford, Kentucky (6-3, 332, 4SR)
He'll get himself in trouble when he overextends, but Warford moves extremely well for a man his size, blocking well in motion and anchoring in pass protection.

44. RB Eddie Lacy, Alabama (5-11, 231, 4JR)
A strongly-built back, Lacy was productive behind a smash-mouth line. But he also created some yards on his own, staying light on his feet and running over tacklers.

45. OLB Sio Moore, Connecticut (6-1, 245, 5SR)
A versatile strong-side linebacker, Moore is scheme diverse with the talent to rush the passer, drop in space and hold up in zone coverage.

46. CB Robert Alford, SE Louisiana (5-10, 186, 5SR)
Alford needs to develop his strength and technique in the NFL. But, if healthy, he has the fluid movement skills to hold up in man coverage at the next level.

47. QB Matt Barkley, USC (6-3, 227, 4SR)
Although his size, athleticism and arm strength are average at best, Barkley has NFL-level skills between his ears that will carry him further than his physical skill set.

48. LB Alec Ogletree, Georgia (6-3, 242, 3JR)
A run-and-chase linebacker, Ogletree has a lean build and too often gets hung up in the trash. But his explosive speed and range will push him up most draft boards.

49. WR Robert Woods, USC (6-0, 210, 3JR)
Although he's not the biggest or fastest, Woods is a sharp route runner with very good quickness in his breaks to create separation and do something with the ball.

50. OG Dallas Thomas, Tennessee (6-5, 306, 5SR)
With very good starting experience at both tackle and guard over his collegiate career, Thomas isn't dominant in any one area but plays steady and balanced.

51. OT Menelik Watson, Florida State (6-6, 320, 3JR)
52. SS Matt Elam, Florida (5-10, 208, 3JR)
53. WR Justin Hunter, Tennessee (6-4, 200, 3JR)
54. WR Markus Wheaton, Oregon State (5-11, 183, 4SR)
55. OG Kyle Long, Oregon (6-6, 304, 5SR)
56. TE Zach Ertz, Stanford (6-6, 250 4JR)
57. CB Logan Ryan, Rutgers (6-0, 190, 4JR)
58. TE Jordan Reed, Florida (6-3, 240, 4JR)
59 DE Alex Okafor, Texas (6-5, 265, 4SR)
60. DE Corey Lemonier, Auburn (6-3, 255, 3JR)
61. TE Vance McDonald, Rice (6-4, 262, 5SR)
62. OG Justin Pugh, Syracuse (6-5, 301, 4JR)
63. RB Johnathan Franklin, UCLA (5-10, 201, 5SR)
64. QB Tyler Wilson, Arkansas (6-2, 218, 5SR)
65. S Eric Reid, LSU (6-2, 210, 3JR)
66. DT Kawann Short, Purdue (6-3, 308, 5SR)
67. RB Giovani Bernard, North Carolina (5-9, 200, 3SO)
68. OT David Bakhtiari, Colorado (6-4, 299, 4JR)
69. SS Shamarko Thomas, Syracuse (5-8, 213, 4SR)
70. DE Margus Hunt, SMU (6-8, 277, 5SR)
71. CB Tyrann Mathieu, LSU (5-9, 180, 3JR)
72. DB Sanders Commings, Georgia (6-2, 215, 5SR)
73. DT John Jenkins, Georgia (6-4, 359, 4SR)
74. WR Stedman Bailey, West Virginia (5-10, 195, 4JR)
75. DT Brandon Williams, Missouri Southern (6-2, 341, 5SR)
76. OG Barrett Jones, Alabama (6-5, 300, 5SR)
77. WR Da'Rick Rogers, Tennessee Tech (6-3, 210, 3JR)
78. QB Tyler Bray, Tennessee (6-6, 215, 3JR)
79. RB Andre Ellington, Clemson (5-10, 197, 5SR)
80. QB Mike Glennon, NC State (6-7, 220, 5SR)
81. OL Travis Frederick, Wisconsin (6-4, 312, 4JR)
82. OT David Quessenberry, San Jose State (6-5, 302, 5SR)
83. C Brian Schwenke, California (6-3, 314, 4SR)
84. CB Leon McFadden, San Diego State (5-10, 193, 4SR)
85. S D.J. Swearinger, South Carolina (6-0, 210, 4SR)
86. QB Zac Dysert, Miami (OH) (6-3, 224, 5SR)
87. RB Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State (6-1, 195, 3JR)
88. WR Ace Sanders, South Carolina (5-8, 175, 3JR)
89. OG Brian Winters, Kent State (6-4, 310, 4SR)
90. RB Christine Michael, Texas A&M (5-10, 220, 4SR)
91. DE Sam Montgomery, LSU (6-3, 262, 4JR)
92. DT Bennie Logan, LSU (6-3, 285, 4JR)
93. WR Terrance Williams, Baylor (6-2, 201, 5SR)
94. TE Gavin Escobar, San Diego State (6-6, 255, 4JR)
95. LB Jon Bostic, Florida (6-1, 245, 4SR)
96. WR Aaron Dobson, Marshall (6-3, 203, 4SR)
97. OT Brennan Williams, North Carolina (6-7, 315, 5SR)
98. LB Chase Thomas, Stanford (6-3, 244, 5SR)
99. DE William Gholston, Michigan State (6-6, 281, 3JR)
100. OLB Jamie Collins, Southern Miss (6-4, 250, 4SR)

 
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...ady-for-lots-of-steak-and-not-too-much-sizzle

Big Board: Get ready for lots of steak and not too much sizzle
by Rob Rang | NFLDraftScout.com
April 17, 2013 2:33 PM ET

There is a great misconception being perpetuated by some that the 2013 NFL Draft lacks talent.

That simply isn't true if you know where to look. While there is no denying that this year's class lacks the skill-position sizzle to get fans excited, it is the kind of draft that traditional football enthusiasts (and NFL scouts) love. That's because the class of 2013 offers an unusual bounty of the big guys who battle in the trenches, as well as the athletic, ball-hawking defensive backs to combat the complicated passing attacks en vogue in the NFL.

The Big Board isn't a mock draft. There is no attention given to team needs or the selection order. It is simply a ranking of the 100 best draft-eligible prospects for the 2013 NFL draft. Underclassmen are denoted with an asterisk (*).

1. *Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M: Having earned all-conference recognition all three years of his career, including first-team All-SEC honors and winning the Outland Trophy in 2012, the baby-faced Joeckel is already a proven star who is just going to get better as he grows into his frame. He isn't an elite athlete and needs to gain strength to hold up against the bull-rush, but he's remarkably smooth in pass protection, demonstrating the same caliber of efficient footwork, balance and technique that made Matt Kalil an instant star for the Minnesota Vikings a year ago. Having proven himself against elite competition throughout his career, he's the safest prospect in the draft -- and he's only going to get better.

2. Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan: While impressive against Michigan State and Iowa in 2012, scouts had some reservations about Fisher until a dominating performance against top competition at the Senior Bowl and he followed that up with a stellar performance in Indianapolis. He has the foot quickness, balance and length to be a "blindside" pass protector, it isn't out of the question to think the more physically mature Fisher could overtake Joeckel as the top tackle on some boards.

3. *Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama: Milliner emphatically put to bed any concerns about his straight-line speed in 4.37 seconds at the combine, answering the only question scouts had about his game. Tough, physical and possessing prototypical size (6-0, 201) for the position, Milliner is unquestionably the top defensive back in this draft and could be selected as high as No. 3 overall; only Shawn Springs (selected No. 3 by Seattle in 1997) has gone that early as a cornerback in the modern era.

4. *Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida: With so many talented defensive linemen playing in the SEC, Floyd didn't generate the buzz that he warranted. Used predominately at defensive end a season ago, the 6-3, 303-pound junior was moved back inside to his more natural defensive tackle position this year and stepped up his play, earning First Team all-conference honors with 46 tackles, including a team-high 13 tackles for loss. While his Gators lost the Sugar Bowl to Teddy Bridgewater and Louisville, Floyd was dynamic, sacking the mobile sophomore quarterback twice and showing scouts flashes of untapped potential.

5. Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah: Over the past two seasons, no defensive tackle has generated more attention from the opposition than Lotulelei, though the Utah star was put under the spotlight for all of the wrong reasons after a routine electrocardiogram at the combine turned up what appeared to be a life-threatening heart issue. Lotulelei has since passed "at least 10" medical exams, including two cardiac MRIs, considered to be the "gold standard" of all heart tests. The fact that Lotulelei was not invited back to the combine for a medical re-check is an indicator that teams are convinced the combine flare-up was a fluke, making the Utes' defender a strong contender for top 10 honors.

6. Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU: Having only played football for three years -- and starting just one season -- the native of Ghana is as raw as prospects come. Ansah is also as physically blessed as any prospect in the 2013 draft, demonstrating remarkable straight-line speed (4.63 in the 40-yard dash) and fluidity (4.26 seconds in the short shuttle), considering his 6-5, 271-pound frame. Proving athletic enough to handle converting to outside linebacker or staying at defensive end, Ansah could earn top five consideration if teams are convinced that he's committed to the game.

7. Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina: More athletic than Alabama's Chance Warmack and proving considerably stronger in Indianapolis than many had given him credit for (35 reps of 225), Cooper is a legitimate top 10 candidate, whose value is only increased by the fact that he can play center.

8. Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama: If the draft were held a week after the 2013 BCS title game, Warmack might have been drafted in the top 10. Now, there are some veteran scouts who question if he'll be drafted in the top 20. Some long-time evaluators suggest Warmack will even make the first round. He is shorter than scouts would like (6-2 even) and has performed poorly in workouts. I refuse to drop him out of the top 10 because his efforts on the field against elite competition but he's raised red-flags with a less-than-ideal work ethic and could surprise with how far he "slips" on draft day.

9. Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma: Having seen action at QB, DE and TE during his time at Kilgore Junior College (Texas), Johnson had already proven his athleticism. The 6-6, 303-pounder showed just how athletic he is at the combine, clocking in at 4.72 seconds in the 40-yard dash and registering a 34-inch vertical jump. With only two years at tackle, including just one on the blind side, Johnson isn't as polished as Joeckel or Fisher but may possess an even higher upside and some veteran scouts rank him as the elite tackle in this class.

10. *Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri: Richardson is a polarizing prospect because he's only been a dominant player for one season and therefore carries risk. He's the only defensive tackle I saw all year long hold up to the awesome Alabama interior offensive line, recording a game-high 14 tackles in that contest. He finished 2012 just four tackles behind linebacker Andrew Wilson as Missouri's leading tackler with 75 stops, leading all SEC interior defensive linemen in this category.

11. *Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee: Of this year's skill-position players, Patterson presents the most "wow" factor. In his first season at the FBS level, Patterson, 6-2, 217, dominated the SEC to the tune of 154.83 all-purpose yards a game, easily the most of any player in the power conference. Some believe he's the most dynamic kick returner to enter the NFL since Devin Hester. There remain concerns, however, about his work ethic and ability to handle a complicated NFL offense.

12. *Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia: Scouts are left to question how much of Jones' statistics were inflated by scheme after a less than impressive pro day workout in which he ran the 40-yard dash in a relatively pedestrian 4.90-seconds. Frankly, I don't care about that number. The numbers I think apply more are Jones 24.5 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles in 2012, which led the country. Jones may slip on draft day but he will prove a steal if he falls out of the top half -- just as Terrell Suggs did after a poor workout at Arizona State in 2003.

13. Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia: Some questioned if West Virginia's spread offense made Austin look faster than he really was but in clocking in at 4.34 seconds in the 40-yard dash in Indianapolis, he provided numerical proof of his game-breaking ability. Some will peg Austin as strictly a slot receiver at 5-09, 174 pounds. I see him as a matchup nightmare capable of lining up at receiver, running back and returner and pound-for-pound best player in the 2013 draft.

14. Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington: While lacking the size and physicality of Milliner or Rhodes, the 6-0, 190 pound Trufant showcased a blend of speed and fluidity in Mobile to arguably rank as this year's top cover corner. If the last name sounds familiar, it should. Both of his older brothers -- Marcus and Isaiah -- are already cashing NFL paychecks as cornerbacks with the Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets, respectively. Desmond, in fact, matched Marcus' time in the 40-yard dash exactly, clocking in at 4.38 seconds to solidify his first-round stock.

15. *D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama: Anyone who watched Alabama dismantle a talented Notre Dame defense in the BCS title game knows that the Crimson Tide offensive line, including Fluker, specifically, plays with great power. As such, ignore the fact that he "only" posted 21 reps at the combine. The 6-5, 339-pound Fluker shows plenty of explosion where it matters ... on the field.

16. *Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State: Despite the 6-2, 210-pound corner wowing during measured drills at the combine, Rhodes left Indianapolis slipping down some NFL boards after a less than impressive showing during the positional workout and in interviews.

17. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia: Smith possesses all of the physical traits scouts are looking for at the quarterback position, as well as the work ethic to build upon them. He also improved his completion percentage and touchdown/interception ratio in each of his three starting seasons, culminating in a senior campaign in which he completed a sparkling 71.24 percent of his passes and threw 42 touchdowns against just six interceptions. A reportedly stellar performance at his pro day workout will push him up the board for some but only solidifies the first round status he's had on my board all year long.

18. Matt Barkley, QB, Southern Cal: Barkley wasn't dynamic at his March 27 pro day but in completing 55 of 62 passes he answers any concerns about the health of his shoulder and may have eased doubts about his arm-talent, overall. The USC quarterback may lack eye-popping measureables but he possesses the best combination of the three traits I've found to be the greatest indicator future success in the NFL -- accuracy, awareness and anticipation.

19. *Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame: Possessing soft hands and excellent body control, Eifert is the prototypical security blanket and he eased concerns about his straight-line speed with a very respectable 4.68 second 40-yard dash at 6-6, 250-pounds. Eifert isn't the second coming of Jimmy Graham but he has the length and speed to be a challenging matchup and is experienced lining up wide, as well as in the traditional in-line role.

20. Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon: Scouts love Jordan's potential but the front office executive who invests a top 10 pick on him may question why he didn't more big plays. The 6-6, 245-pound Jordan has as much athleticism as any player in the 2013 draft and offers the flexibility to rush the edge as well as drop into coverage (which he did as a linebacker and cornerback for the Ducks). Jordan relies on his speed as an edge-rusher, however, showing no advanced complementary inside move, at this time. While he's capable of unique coverage responsibilities he's never proven productive in this role, either, posting two passes broken up and zero interceptions in a pass-happy conference.

21. *Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State: Blessed with a quick first step, heavy hands and surprising instincts given the fact that the German-native has played just five years of American football, Werner, 6-3, 266, is the surest of this year's talented defensive line class. He does not possess Ansah's upside but is currently a more polished and productive player, having earned the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 with 18 tackles for loss, including 13 sacks.

22. *Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU: Mingo possesses the frame (6-4, 241 pounds) and athleticism to warrant top 10 consideration, but at this point he remains a largely unpolished product who relies on his natural tools rather than technique to make plays. Given Mingo's upside, it is easy to imagine him terrorizing NFL quarterbacks off the edge as a multi-dimensional defender. Considering Mingo's relatively pedestrian numbers (38 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks) this season, as well as the struggles of other former highly regarded LSU defensive linemen in the NFL, the general manager who selects him that high is rolling the dice.

23. *Keenan Allen, WR, California: Recruited by Nick Saban to play safety at Alabama, scouts knew Allen, 6-2, 206, had the physicality to warrant comparisons to Anquan Boldin. Unfortunately, he also demonstrated the same lack of ideal speed as the former Florida Star standout during a personal pro day for scouts April 9. By clocking in at 4.70-4.76-seconds and further raising questions with a flagged drug test from the combine, Allen could easily slip into the second round. I'm higher on him than most. Criticize that fact now. Remember it later.

24. Kenny Vaccaro, FS, Texas: Instinctive, athletic and tough, Vaccaro has many of the traits scouts are looking for, though he showed less than ideal speed at the combine (4.63) and isn't a natural ball-hawk. He does possess the versatility teams require in today's game, as Vaccaro has starred as an in-the-box run-stuffer, single-high cover safety and even demonstrated the fluidity to handle nickel responsibilities. He carries some character red-flags, however, which teams will want to investigate.

25. *Robert Woods, WR, USC: While all eyes were on his quarterback, Woods stole the show at USC's pro day, March 27, turning in much faster times in the shuttle drills, proving the quick change-of-direction so evident on his tape. Pro-ready due to his ability to line up inside and out and run route in a pro-style offense, Woods is viewed by some as the safest of the 2013 receiver class.

26. *Matt Elam, SS, Florida: An instinctive defender with a knack for making the big play in big games, everything about Elam's game is big ... except his 5-10, 208-pound frame. If he were two inches taller I believe Elam would overtake Vaccaro as the top safety in this draft class; he may do so yet.

27. Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State: In a draft class filled with talented cover corners, Taylor is one of the more enjoyable defenders to watch on tape as he's every bit as impressive zone, press and off-man coverage, as well as in run support. Taylor stood out at the Senior Bowl and certainly erased any concerns about his overall athleticism with a stellar performance at the combine. Taylor is a better all-around player than former Boise Standout Kyle Wilson, who was selected by the Jets 29th overall in 2010.

28. *DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson: A polished route-runner who plays with burst and physicality, Hopkins is earning first round grades from some teams. He has everything scouts are looking for except straight-line speed. The 6-1, 214-pound Hopkins has consistently clocked in the mid to late 4.5s by scouts on hand for his combine and pro day workouts.

29. *Eric Reid, FS, LSU: Reid entered his junior season as my top-rated safety. His big-play production dropped with the Tigers losing three defensive backs to the NFL (cornerbacks Morris Claiborne, Ron Brooks and strong safety Brandon Taylor) and Tyrann Mathieu to suspension. Reid is NFL ready -- terrific in run support, has the speed and length to be an eraser in deep coverage and has proven his ball skills.

30. *Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M: No player dropped further on my Big Board due to his performance (or lack thereof) during combine and pro day drills than Moore, who proved both slower (4.95) and weaker (12 reps) than many of the prospects measuring much smaller than him (6-4, 250) at the combine. Moore has proven to be a playmaker at both defensive end and outside linebacker but the lack of preparation for the testing could be a sign that Moore's statistics were inflated by the Aggies' scheme and that he should have returned for his senior season.

31. Datone Jones, DE, UCLA: A few years ago Jones, at 6-4, 280 pounds might have been considered a 'tweener. With defensive coordinators forced to adjust to the rapidly expanding offenses of today's NFL, however, Jones ranks as an intriguing hybrid defender who can hold up against the run as a base defensive end, while beating interior lineman with his quickness if moved inside on passing downs. Jones racked up an impressive 19 tackles for loss in 2012 and has been equally impressive at the Senior Bowl and combine since.

32. Margus Hunt, DE, SMU: Hunt began the 2012 season atop Bruce Feldman's "Freak" list as the nation's top athlete and certainly didn't disappoint at the combine, posting a 4.62-40 yard dash and tying all defensive linemen with 38 reps of 225-pounds at 6-8, 277-pounds. In the first round, you're looking for dominant traits in which coaching can turn into production. With some polishing, Hunt could be an extraordinary player.

The second tier

33. Arthur Brown, OLB, Kansas State: Scouts wish he was a bit bigger and made more impactful plays but no linebacker in the 2013 draft plays with greater instincts, hustle and reliable open-field tackling than Brown.

34. *Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama: A disappointing pro day (including a 4.59-second 40-yard dash) could push Lacy down the board but he's much more impressive on game day with a unique combination of vision, balance and burst. If a running back is selected in the first round, it will be Lacy.

35. Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame: Other than a BCS Title game in which Alabama's incredible offensive line simply powered through the Irish's defensive line to get to him, Te'o proved to be a reliably consistent defender throughout his career. Ignore the hype. He'll prove a solid starter in the NFL.

36. Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama: Experienced inside and out in the 3-4 alignment and projecting nicely at defensive tackle in a four-man front, as well, Williams is one of the safer, tougher defensive linemen in the 2013 draft.

37. Cornelius "Tank" Carradine, DE, Florida State: Carradine proved to be the more impressive overall prospect than either of his more hyped teammates, Bjoern Werner or Brandon Jenkins in 2012. If not for concerns about his recovery from a torn ACL suffered on November 24, he'd be a top 20 pick.

38. *Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford: A "move" tight end in Stanford's pro-style offense, Ertz is a versatile, athletic pass-receiver. He does not, however, offer much as a blocker which limits his stock.

39. D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston: With team doctors' signing off on his surgically-repaired heart, scouts are left to focus on Hayden's undeniable fluidity and instincts in coverage.

40. *Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State: If grading strictly on his 2012 tape, Watson ranks as a top 20 prospect in the 2013 draft. Teams are left to question if the junior college transfer will take advantage of the unique traits he demonstrated in his one season at the D-I level or disappoint - like he did in workouts. Some see a future Pro Bowler in Watson. Others think he's the second coming of workout warrior Bruce Campbell.

41. *Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee: Hunter dropped too many big passes for my taste in 2012 but he's shockingly fluid for a 6-4, 196-pounder and could emerge as a Pro Bowl-talent with greater concentration.

42. Justin Pugh, OL, Syracuse: Whether he winds up remaining at left tackle or moving inside to guard Pugh has the athleticism to go along with his 6-5, 307-pound frame. Only the fact that he has shorter than preferred arms (31.5") makes this a concern.

43. Kawann Short, DT, Purdue: Snap to snap consistency has been an issue with Short throughout much of his career but he's also proven to be a natural playmaker, averaging 16 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and three blocks kicks over the past three years.

44. Alex Okafor, DE, Texas: Due to his time inside at defensive tackle, Okafor uses his hands very well and proved a better than advertised overall athlete at his March 26 pro day, as well.

45. Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas: The Arkansas passer wasn't as productive as hoped in 2012 but he possesses the physical and leadership traits to compete for a starting role early in his NFL career.

46. Jonathan Cyprien, SS, Florida International: The ultra-physical Cyprien was dynamic in Mobile, erasing my previous concerns about his level of competition but speed (4.64) is a concern.

47. Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina: Frankly, I would have liked to have seen more consistency with Williams over his two seasons with the Tar Heels but there is no questioning his combination of burst and strength.

48. Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse: Nassib wasn't as impressive at the Senior Bowl as I'd hoped for but he possesses the combination of physical traits -- including a strong arm and functional mobility in the pocket -- as well as intangibles to win over scouts and coaches, alike.

49. *Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU: On a defense blessed with extraordinary talent, Minter was the most consistent LSU defender a season ago. His lack of elite size, speed pushes him into the second round, but he should emerge as a quality starter early in his pro career.

50. Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State: Banks ran poorly at the combine (4.61) but has the length, physicality and aggression to be successful in a press scheme. His 16 career interceptions largely against SEC competition should not suddenly be forgotten because of a poor 40-yard dash.

Just missed the cut

51. Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech
52. Phillip Thomas, FS, Fresno State
53. Larry Warford, OG, Kentucky
54. E.J. Manuel, QB, Florida State
55. Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA
56. *Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU
57. Dwayne Gratz, CB, Connecticut
58. *Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU
59. John Jenkins, DT, Georgia
60. Terron Armstread, OT, Arkansas Pine-Bluff
61. *David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State
62. Bacarri Rambo, FS, Georgia
63. *David Bakhtiari, OT, Colorado
64. *Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
65. Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State
66. *Da'Rick Rogers, WR, Tennessee Tech
67. Brennan Williams, OT, North Carolina
68. Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
69. Brian Winters, OG, Kent State
70. *Alec Ogletree, OLB, Georgia
71. Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor
72. Brandon Williams, DT, Missouri Southern
73. *Chris Faulk, OT, LSU
74. *Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina
75. Kyle Long, OL, Oregon
76. Vance McDonald, TE, Rice
77. Matt Scott, QB, Arizona
78. Sio Moore, OLB, Connecticut*
79. Chris Harper, WR, Kansas State
80. Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M
81. John Simon, OLB, Ohio State
82. Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M
83. Hugh Thornton, OG, Illinois
84. Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State
85. Robert Alford, CB, Southeast Louisiana
86. D.J. Swearinger, SS, South Carolina
87. Travis Kelce, TE, Cincinnati
89. *LeVeon Bell, RB, Michigan State
90. Kiko Alonso, ILB, Oregon
91. *Corey Lemonier, OLB, Auburn
92. Khaseem Greene, OLB, Rutgers
93. *Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego State
94. Barrett Jones, OL, Alabama
95. *Jamie Collins, OLB, Southern Miss
96. *Travis Frederick, OC, Wisconsin
97. Shawn Williams, SS, Georgia
98. Josh Boyce, WR, TCU
99. Malliciah Goodman, DE, Clemson
100. Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina*

Rob Rang is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.

 
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap1...2013-nfl-draft-mike-mayocks-top-100-prospects

2013 NFL Draft: Mike Mayock's top 100 prospects

A rundown of NFL.com draft analyst Mike Mayock's top 100 prospects heading into next week's 2013 NFL Draft.

1. Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
2. Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
3. Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
4. Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
5. Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon
6. Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
7. Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
8. Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
9. Ziggy Ansah, DE, BYU
10. Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU
Click to expand...
11. Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
12. Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
13. Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
14. D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston
15. D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama
16. Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
17. Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
18. Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
19. Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
20. Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

21. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
22. Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
23. Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame
24. Justin Pugh, OT, Syracuse
25. Matt Elam, FS, Florida
26. Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
27. Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
28. Eric Reid,FS, LSU
29. Kyle Long,OG, Oregon
30. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

31. Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State
32. Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
33. Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
34. Kevin Minter,ILB, LSU
35. Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
36. Arthur Brown, ILB, Kansas State
37. Keenan Allen, WR, California
38. Jonathan Cyprien, FS, Florida International
39. Margus Hunt, DE, SMU
40. Kawann Short, DT, Purdue

41. EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State
42. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson
43. Matt Barkley, QB, USC
44. Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia
45. Robert Woods, WR, USC
46. Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
47. Larry Warford,, OG, Kentucky
48. Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
49. Jamie Collins, OLB, Southern Mississippi
50. Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse

51. Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State
52. Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
53. Terrance Williams,, WR, Baylor
54. Cornelius Washington, OLB, Georgia
55. Brian Schwenke, C, California
56. Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State
57. D.J. Swearinger, SS, South Carolina
58. Jonathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
59. Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State
60. Aaron Dobson, WR, Marshall

61. Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
62. Bennie Logan, DT, LSU
63. Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina
64. Sio Moore, OLB, Connecticut
65. Jon Bostic, OLB, Florida
66. Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, Connecticut
67. B.W. Webb, CB, William & Mary
68. J.J. Wilcox, FS, Georgia Southern
69. Khaseem Greene, OLB, Rutgers
70. Brian Winters, OG, Kent

71. John Jenkins, DT, Georgia
72. Dwayne Gratz, CB, Connecticut
73. Stedman Bailey, WR, West Virginia
74. Robert Alford, CB, Southeastern Louisiana
75. Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson
76. Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego State
77. William Gholston, DE, Michigan State
78. Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech
79. Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
80. Travis Kelce, TE, Cincinnati

81. Mike Glennon, QB, North Carolina State
82. David Bakhtiari, OT, Colorado
83. Brandon Williams, DT, Missouri Southern State
84. David Quessenberry, OT, San Jose State
85. Jordan Poyer, CB, Oregon State
86. Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee
87. Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M
88. Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State
89. John Simon, DT, Ohio State
90. Dallas Thomas, OT, Tennessee

91. Barrett Jones, OG, Alabama
92. Travis Frederick, C, Wisconsin
93. Marquise Goodwin, WR, Texas
94. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Michigan State
95. Shamarko Thomas, SS, Syracuse
96. Vance McDonald, TE, Rice
97. Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama
98. Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU
99. David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State
100. Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA
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http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap1...ay-2-targets-include-quinton-patton-kyle-long

2013 NFL Draft: Day 2 targets include Quinton Patton, Kyle Long

By Bucky Brooks

Analyst, NFL.com and NFL Network

The 2013 NFL Draft has been lauded for the depth and talent in the second- and third-round range. Executives have openly discussed the minimal differences between the 10th-ranked player and those ranked in the 40s. This assessment has not only led many general managers to consider trading back to pick up extra picks on Day 2, but it has prompted teams to target several prospects in that range to see if they can discover the next Colin Kaepernick (the San Francisco 49ers' second-round pick in 2011) or Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens' second-round pick in 2008) to add to their rosters.

With that premise in mind, here are five Day 2 prospects I believe will become difference-makers for their future teams as rookies:

Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech: Polished route runners with outstanding hands and ball skills never go out of style in the NFL. Patton is not only exceptional in both areas, but also is a big-game player with a knack for raising his level of play against elite competition. In key games against Texas A&M, Utah State and San Jose State, Patton totaled 42 receptions for 539 yards with six touchdowns. Now, Patton struggled a bit against Houston cornerback D.J. Hayden's aggressive press tactics, but Pattton's game remains ideally suited for the NFL. If he lands with a team that features a quick-rhythm passing game designed to get the ball to playmakers on the move, Patton could shine as a pro early in his career.

Kyle Long, OT, Oregon: If not for a series of off-field incidents, he would garner serious consideration at the bottom of the first round. Long is a standout athlete with the size and frame to play guard or tackle as a pro. Most teams will attempt to place Long at tackle, likely on the right side, but I believe Long could develop into an elite interior blocker. Measuring 6-foot-6 and 313 pounds, Long is strong enough to move defenders off the ball, while displaying the athleticism to block on the move on pulls, traps or zone assignments. Of course, he still needs some footwork and skill refinement, but all of the physical attributes suggest Long should be a long-term starter in the NFL.

Travis Kelce, TE, Cincinnati: The 2013 tight end class is loaded with playmakers, but it is hard to find a more explosive or productive player at the position than Kelce. He snagged 45 balls for 722 yards during his final season at Cincinnati, while displaying a versatile game that is suited for offenses intent on featuring the tight end between the hashes. Kelce is a superb route runner with strong hands and sneaky running skills. Additionally, he flashes enough speed and quickness to stretch the field on vertical routes down the middle. Concerns about his durability (Kelce missed the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine with a sports hernia) and immaturity (suspended for entire 2010 season for undisclosed reasons) will knock Kelce down the charts, but his game is spectacular and worthy of a high grade on most boards.

Sio Moore, OLB, Connecticut: The ultra-productive linebacker has become a favorite of scouts and coaches around the league. Moore is a high-motor edge player with exceptional instincts, quickness and rush skills. Additionally, he is one of the best snap count anticipators in college football, which results in several "blow by" sacks off the corner. With 16 career sacks, including eight takedowns in 2012, Moore is the versatile three-down linebacker that defensive coordinators love to build packages around. Most importantly, Moore is the kind of player who can outplay his draft status to become a Pro Bowl-caliber player in the league.

Phillip Thomas, S, Fresno State: The depth of the safety class in this year's draft is unprecedented with Pro Bowl-caliber playmakers available at every turn. Thomas could emerge as the crown jewel with his superb physical traits, football IQ and ball skills. He generated 20 takeaways (13 interceptions, six forced fumbles and one fumble recovery) during his career, while displaying a knack for getting around the ball in key moments. That was evident this year when he snagged eight interceptions, including three pick-6s that helped the Bulldogs' defense emerge as a credible unit. Scouts voiced concerns about his speed (4.59 at Fresno State's pro day) and injury history (Thomas missed 2011 with a broken leg), but guys with an innate knack for getting their hands on the ball typically continue to make plays in the pros, which is why I'm high on Thomas as a potential difference maker.

Follow Bucky Brooks on Twitter @BuckyBrooks

 
Xue said:
I don't get why Bernard is ranked so low. Do these guys watch tape?
Click to expand...
I have looked at probably 10 top lists over the last week or two and bernard has pretty much ranked 60-65. good, solid prospect, but not considered elite. so one or two have a little lower seems realistic to me.

 
coolnerd said:
Xue said:
I don't get why Bernard is ranked so low. Do these guys watch tape?
Click to expand...
I have looked at probably 10 top lists over the last week or two and bernard has pretty much ranked 60-65. good, solid prospect, but not considered elite. so one or two have a little lower seems realistic to me.
Click to expand...
Talent evaluation is never an exact science and the group at NFLDraftScout.com do collaborate a fair bit on their rankings, so it is possible that one of them made some compelling arguments in what they saw on the tape that they had concerns with regards to his pro potential.

They are also ranking these players for real football purposes, not for fantasy football purposes, and the reality is that running back as a position has seen the positional value decline as a whole.

I like Bernard as a prospect, but it is true that there is no RB in this year's class that is a near lock to be in that truly special RB category.

 
I'm surprised Ertz is rated higher than Fleener by some pundits. In my opinion Fleener was a much better athlete.

 
Charley Casserly is trying hard to be contraversal. His latest mock has no QBs in the first and the Steelers taking Justin Hunter at 17. http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/mock-drafts/charley-casserly/171001 The 2nd WR off the board one spot behind Travon Austin.

I understand the fantasy hype surronding Justin Hunter but if I was a NFL GM I don't think I could convince myself to take Hunter in the first knowing he has a prior ACL injury. I would have to have a glowing report from Dr Andrews before I would even consider it.

 
Andy Dufresne said:
Sounds like Tank Carradine had a good workout today.
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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...rradine-shows-off-speed-in-impressive-workout

Tank Carradine shows off speed in impressive workout
By Dan Hanzus

Around the League Writer

Count Tank Carradine as one of the more intriguing names in the 2013 NFL Draft.

The talented Florida State defensive end was forced to sit out the pre-draft process while recovering from December surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. On Saturday, he gave NFL teams something to think about with an impressive personal workout.

According to Joe Reedy of The Cincinnati Enquirer, Carradine posted a time of 4.75 seconds in the 40-yard dash. To put that in perspective, 4.75 would have been the ninth-fastest time among D-linemen at the NFL Scouting combine.

Carradine's workout came 135 days after knee surgery.

The Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson reported Friday that several NFL teams were planning to attend the workout, including the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah listed Carradine as his No. 31 draft prospect.

In attendance for Carradine's workout were 11 teams: The Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Carradine, 23, has done his rehab work in Houston, working with the same physical therapist who helped Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson regain his superhuman form following reconstructive knee surgery.

Carradine was said to be doing well in the recovery process, and his 40 time on Saturday certainly backs that up. Don't be surprised if he sneaks into the back of the first round.

Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.
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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...uzz-ucla-rb-jonathan-franklin-gaining-on-lacy

Draft buzz: UCLA RB Jonathan Franklin gaining on Lacy
By Chris Wesseling

Around the League Writer

Alabama's Eddie Lacy remains confident that he's the complete package after a disappointing pro day, but he's no longer viewed as the consensus top tailback prospect in the 2013 NFL Draft.

A number of teams tell Draftinsider.net's Tony Pauline that UCLA's Jonathan Franklin ranks higher than Lacy on their boards. The New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers are among the teams "looking hard" at Franklin, according Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.

Franklin is drawing comparisons to Frank Gore and Doug Martin as a three-down back with NFL-ready pass-protection skills and the physicality to succeed between the tackles at the NFL level.

Highly productive last season at UCLA, Franklin piled up 1,734 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns while adding 33 catches for 323 yards. He's a more complete back than Lacy.

Other draft buzz from around the league:

» Jets general manager John Idzik has "sent out word" that he's interested in trading down acquire extra picks to rebuild a shallow roster, according to ESPNNewYork.com. The Jets are believed to be "smitten" with LSU pass rusher Barkevious Mingo.

» Although NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah has pegged Oregon pass rusher Dion Jordan to the Jaguars at No. 2 overall, several general managers and personnel directors have told him they expect Jacksonville to select an offensive tackle in the first round. Of course, that interest could be a smokescreen to bait tackle-needy teams into a trade.

» There is a feeling in some NFL front offices that Florida State's E.J. Manuel has "leapfrogged" Matt Barkely, Mike Glennon and Ryan Nassib and could now be the second quarterback off the board, according to the National Football Post. While Manuel does have a bust factor, his physical tools leave room for a higher ceiling.

Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.
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http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...-wr-cordarrelle-patterson-140907738--nfl.html

The Shutdown 50: Tennessee WR Cordarrelle Patterson
By 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.

#14: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

We continue this year's series with Tennessee receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, who made a fairly significant impact at the FBS level despite a lack of experience in doing so. After two years at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, Patterson joined the Vols in 2012, and scored two touchdowns -- one rushing and one receiving -- in his first game against North Carolina State. He caught six passes for 93 yards over NC State cornerback David Amerson, projected by many to be a second-round pick. By the time his season was over, Patterson had firmly established himself as one of the most dynamic offensive players in the SEC by catching 46 passes for 778 yards and five touchdowns, adding 308 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries, and scoring touchdowns on both kick and punt returns. And after just that one season, Patterson made the decision to go pro.

That decision seemed wise when Patterson, at 6-foot-2 and 216 pounds, ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, fourth-best among all receivers. Though he could not participate in agility drills or the bench press due to injuries, that pure speed -- which is very evident on tape -- had to excite NFL teams in need of a scary playmaker, whether he's in need of developmental work or not. Patterson is not the most polished receiver in this draft class -- in fact, he may be the rawest of all the top-seeded prospects at his position. But he'll hear his name called early in round one of the NFL draft, because the physical upside is pretty ridiculous, and the NFL is more a height/weight/speed league than it was even a few years ago.

Pros: Big, physical receiver who comes off the line with burst and authority. Will win physical battles that other receivers simply aren't equipped to. Has a great frame for an 'A'-level receiver -- good musculature, strong upper body. Blocks well to help with run support -- sporadically with his technique, but almost like a tight end at times. Runs straight-line routes with outstanding glide and gets up to top speed (which is very impressive for his size) in a hurry. Has a natural ability to move and cut in traffic that makes him a potential yards-after-catch nightmare for every defenses. Not afraid to grab the pass in traffic when he know he's going to get hit. Drives upfield after the short and intermediate catch and uses his physical nature to bull through tackles. Plants and cuts well on drive routes (slants, in-cuts, drags).

Can be a real factor in the return game, where his combination of size, speed, and agility really show up. Reads the action in front of him well and cuts decisively to get away from tacklers. Has that final gear to excel as a deep returner, as well as a deep seam and boundary receiver. Dynamic red zone target who understands how to get his body in front of defenders quickly in short spaces. Has the physical characteristics to play the "X" spot as the isolated receiver, but may really shine as a "Z" at the next level, where he can take coverage off the top and open things up for other targets. Rushing ability will transfer to the NFL and could make him an interesting multi-formation player.

Cons: Patterson's lack of high-level experience shows up very clearly in his lack of overall route development and awareness, and this isn't an issue that can be corrected overnight. Played in a simple, mostly single-read offense, which stunted his development. Doesn't always transition well to catch out of quick-breaking routes, which seems to be more a function of concentration and technique, because he will catch balls in traffic. The eye-to-hands connection is a work in progress, and he'll suffer lapses in concentration and ball security as a result.

Tends to get drifty on routes than require precision, such as curls and comebacks. More a jumper than a route-savvy guy on boundary catches, because he will struggle to regain position with cuts. Needs to learn how to better adjust to press corners who want to re-route him. Doesn't always fight for the ball in contested situations -- not that all of Tyler Bray's errant ducks are Patterson's fault, but it would be nice to see him go after those picks a little harder.

Conclusion: NFL teams in need of a breakaway receiver with virtually unlimited potential will see Patterson as a highly appealing option, because there are times on tape where he appears virtually uncoverable, and it's relatively easy to put some of the blame for the bad plays on a basic offensive system, a lack of experience, and a highly erratic quarterback. In the right system, and under a coaching staff who will not expect too much from him right away in the route-running department, Patterson could be a rookie impact player.

Patterson is hitting the league at the right time, because the higher prevalence of multi-receiver sets turns some receivers into specialists, and specific schematic nods to the college game has forced coaches to come up with ways for less-developed receivers to win battles with NFL pass defenders. Patterson may have a limited role at first -- perhaps as a guy who makes things happen with a combination of quick screens and slants, end-arounds, and vertical routes. If he is ever able to grab a full command of an NFL route tree, Patterson could be one of the best in the league. One thing's for sure -- he is a scheme-transcendent receiver, which means that he'll probably be the first pass-catcher off the board in the draft -- and possibly a top-10 pick.

NFL Comparison: Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs
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http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...-virginia-wr-tavon-austin-000052777--nfl.html

The Shutdown 50: West Virginia WR Tavon Austin

By 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.

#12: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

We continue this year's series with West Virginia receiver Tavon Austin, who may just be the most exciting and explosive player in this draft class. He's certainly been one of the most productive over the last couple of seasons, especially in 2012. Last year, he caught 114 passes for 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns, added 643 yards and seven touchdowns on 72 rushing attempts, returned 32 kicks for 813 yards and a touchdown, and returned 15 punts for 165 yards and another touchdown, just for good measure.

His 1,932 yards from scrimmage ranked first in the Big 12 and ninth in the nation, but Austin's NFL potential is about more than just stats. In an NFL that welcomes elite positional versatility more than ever, Austin hit his peak and is ready for the pros at precisely the right time. That was never more evident than his Nov. 17 game against Oklahoma, when he put up 572 total yards -- including 344 yards on 21 carries -- to prove that when he's put in place to succeed as a moveable chess piece, he's almost impossible to stop on a consistent basis.

Pros: Has rare on-field speed and agility that allows him to do some pretty epic damage from a number of positions. Austin is quick enough to break away from chasing defenders even when they're moving in a straight line and he's heading at an angle. Could be the most devastating Pistol running back ever because his lack of height works to his extreme advantage -- defenses lose Austin's first step while they're picking him up, and one step is all Austin needs.

Possesses amazing straight-line speed, but it's his lateral agility and quickness that makes him so tough to stop. Whether at the line or in space, he can cut on a dime and leave defenders in his dust. Puts his foot in the ground at full speed and drives his body away from contact. Has some ability to move through contact for his size,. though this is not a primary asset. Very durable for his size -- never missed a game in high school or college. Understands how to break contact by spinning out of hits and running out of bounds.

As a receiver, returner, and running back, has good patience as the start of a play -- presumably because he knows he can blast off at any time. Doesn't yet run a complete route tree, but doesn't really need to -- can create his own gains after the catch on quick routes, bubble screens, and end-arounds. Ran an official 4.34 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, as if there was any doubt.

Cons: Has probably topped out from a size perspective, because he's already pretty decently muscled and any more mass could affect his speed and make him average. Not a pure running back per se -- this is more an adjunct skill, because he tends to go east-west too often and doesn't have the body mass to break out of tackles. Boom-or-bust player to a point; if he runs into too many brick walls, his athleticism might be negated. Will face more multiple defenses in the NFL; many college opponents of West Virginia's high-flying offense played on their heels and just tried to hold on. Needs a coaching staff that understands his total positional value.

Conclusion: There are two fairly common perceptions when it comes to Tavon Austin's NFL prospects, and I think both might be egregious when you consider how the league has changed. Some believe that Austin will max out because he doesn't play one specific position, and others think that his size will limit his potential. But when the Seattle Seahawks traded a first-round draft pick for former Minnesota Vikings receiver Percy Harvin and gave him a six-year, $67 million contract in March, it forwarded what the Vikings knew with Harvin, what the Green Bay Packers have developed with Randall Cobb, and what the New England Patriots have done with Aaron Hernandez. More and more, players who can win battles in multiple spaces are providing optimal value, and Austin may wind up as the next-level example of this process. If he's half as dynamic and explosive as he was in college, he's going to make some offensive coordinator very, very happy. Especially if that offensive coordinator runs the Pistol -- well, if you're a defensive coordinator, watch the Oklahoma game and see if you don't get nightmares.

NFL Comparison: Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings/Seattle Seahawks
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Draft buzz: Scout claims Sharrif Floyd is overhyped

By Kevin Patra NFL.com

Defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd has been projected as being drafted as high as No. 2 overall in Thursday's 2013 NFL draft.

The Florida Gator's speed and disruptive play-making have him ranked the No. 1 defensive tackle at both the 4-3 and 3-4 defensive schemes in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn's poll of 10 scouts, getting five first-place votes in each scheme.

Floyd's versatility is evident in his game tape, however not everyone is convinced he's a stud worthy of a top selection.

"Those idiots on TV made Floyd," a scout told McGinn during his annual draft preview series, citing short Floyd's short arms as one reason he's not impressed. "He's not that good. He's not better than Ziggy Hood. Floyd's not a real bulky guy but he can run."

As with almost every draft pick this season, every scout and talent evaluator will differ greatly on how they value each player and each position. Floyd could be the first defensive tackle off the board in the top five. He could also fall out of the top 10 as a run on offensive tackles at the top is expected.

Some other draft notes from Sport's Illustrated's Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback on what he is hearing from around the league:

»The Falcons would love to land Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, according to King. However, it might cost Dimitroff too much to move up from the No. 30 spot into the top 15, where Richardson could come off the board.

»On Houston's D.J. Hayden: "I was stunned to hear the Bengals interested in him in the first round, and now I hear reliably they have company."

»Offensive tackle Kyle Long's name hasn't been bandied about much in recent weeks, unless it was a discussion about depth at the position in this draft. However, one scout told King he believed Long's versatility to play both the tackle and guard spots will push him into the first round.

Follow Kevin Patra on Twitter @kpatra.

 
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Matt Barkley: USC's play-calling got too predictable

By Gregg Rosenthal

Around The League Editor

Matt Barkley would like to change a few things about his final year at his USC. Starting with the play-calling.

One season after wide receiver Robert Woods lit up the Pac-whatever-the-number-is-this-year, the USC offense geared things more towards talented sophomore Marquise Lee.

"(Coach Lane Kiffin) kind of suited the play-calling toward Marqise," Barkley told Michael Silver at Yahoo! Sports. "It was rough at times, because defenses kinda knew what was coming. It was sort of predictive. Robert Woods is a great player. ... You want to be respectful of your coaches, because they are your elders, but when it falls on your shoulders, you probably should get involved."

Barkley found the balance of leadership difficult in his final year. He noticed things around him going wrong, and he wishes he said more about it.

"Yeah, I've thought about it long and hard," Barkley told Silver. "I learned how to handle adversity last season, and maybe I could have done a few things differently. I could've had a bigger voice, given more input and taken it to the next level -- pretty much as the owner of the company might ... not just letting things happen.

"You put faith in your coaches, but when you see trends, things not happening the right way, and when the team rests on your shoulders, it's almost like you have to step up. You can't just let these things go by and watch them disintegrate in front of you. You've got to put the glue in somewhere. Looking back, I wish I'd been more forceful."

You can look at Barkley's comments in a few ways. He's taking stock of the situation and learning from it. He's hard on himself. That's great.

On the other hand, teams may be looking for leaders at quarterback that were naturally more forceful to begin with. The types of quarterbacks that would have spoken up if they felt like the offense was geared too much towards Lee. Barkley doesn't have a great arm or great feet, so he needs his intangibles to qualify as a big plus.

Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.

 
Faust said:
Faust, on 22 Apr 2013 - 10:42, said:



Matt Barkley: USC's play-calling got too predictable

By Gregg Rosenthal

Around The League Editor

Matt Barkley would like to change a few things about his final year at his USC. Starting with the play-calling.

One season after wide receiver Robert Woods lit up the Pac-whatever-the-number-is-this-year, the USC offense geared things more towards talented sophomore Marquise Lee.

"(Coach Lane Kiffin) kind of suited the play-calling toward Marqise," Barkley told Michael Silver at Yahoo! Sports. "It was rough at times, because defenses kinda knew what was coming. It was sort of predictive. Robert Woods is a great player. ... You want to be respectful of your coaches, because they are your elders, but when it falls on your shoulders, you probably should get involved."

Barkley found the balance of leadership difficult in his final year. He noticed things around him going wrong, and he wishes he said more about it.

"Yeah, I've thought about it long and hard," Barkley told Silver. "I learned how to handle adversity last season, and maybe I could have done a few things differently. I could've had a bigger voice, given more input and taken it to the next level -- pretty much as the owner of the company might ... not just letting things happen.

"You put faith in your coaches, but when you see trends, things not happening the right way, and when the team rests on your shoulders, it's almost like you have to step up. You can't just let these things go by and watch them disintegrate in front of you. You've got to put the glue in somewhere. Looking back, I wish I'd been more forceful."

You can look at Barkley's comments in a few ways. He's taking stock of the situation and learning from it. He's hard on himself. That's great.

On the other hand, teams may be looking for leaders at quarterback that were naturally more forceful to begin with. The types of quarterbacks that would have spoken up if they felt like the offense was geared too much towards Lee. Barkley doesn't have a great arm or great feet, so he needs his intangibles to qualify as a big plus.

Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
Click to expand...
I posted something similar to this not too long ago about Barkley's comments about play calling geared toward Lee and ignored Woods. This is another reason why those of you who are dismissing Woods as one of the top WRs in this draft are going to be sorry you did. Woods is going to be a fine pro and he will be fantasy relevant. Probably more fantasy relevant his first year than any other WR in this draft, except maybe Austin or Hunter.
 
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Greg Cosell’s mock draft: Picks 1-16

By Greg Cosell | Shutdown Corner

Here’s picks 1-16 in my mock draft, you can see picks 17-32 here. The parameters I presented for those selections still apply. One other point: I don’t place grades on players based on the round in which I believe they should be selected. I project players to the NFL, and then look at team needs. If a player I feel transitions well to the NFL fits a given team, then, as far as I’m concerned, that’s a good pick.

1. Kansas City Chiefs: My pick here is Central Michigan Eric Fisher. He and Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel have very similar skill sets, but I like Fisher a little more. The Alex Smith trade was the impetus for this selection. Andy Reid acquired Smith to solidify the quarterback position. Smith is an efficient, system player who does not turn the ball over. The objective was not to lose games because of your quarterback. That’s the Smith factor. It makes little sense to make that trade, structure your offense that way, and then not address your OL, especially when you have Jamal Charles in the backfield.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: The next best player on the board is Luke Joeckel. And it just so happens to be at a position of serious need for the Jaguars. As of this writing, they do not have a RT. Right now, their quarterbacks are Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne. Neither can function without a high quality OL. Just like Fisher, the strength of Joeckel’s game is repetitive execution more than elite athleticism and movement. What always stood out watching Joeckel (and Fisher) on tape was he never seemed to be off balance. He was comfortable, composed and economical on every play. If I were to make a comparison, I would say Joeckel is a smoother mover than Jake Long when he came out of Michigan as the number one overall pick, but not as naturally fluid as Ryan Clady, who was the 12th pick in the same 2008 draft.

3. Oakland Raiders: This selection is easy. It’s defensive tackle Shariff Floyd of Florida, one of my favorite players to evaluate on tape. Forget about the fact the Raiders do not have a starting quality DT on their present roster. Floyd is worthy under any circumstances. You talk to outstanding defensive tackles like Warren Sapp, and they talk about hips. Floyd has very loose hips. He’s lively and limber, with great balance and body control. He played both through and around blocks. He’s what I call a tackle-for-loss DT, disruptive with an explosive closing burst. He transitions best as a classic 3-technique in a four-man line, but he would be equally effective as a DE in 1-gap 3-4 front.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: This is where the defensive player that intrigues me the most comes off the board. That’s Oregon DE/OLB Dion Jordan. I was fortunate to be on the field at the Scouting Combine, and to watch this 6-foot-6, 250-pounder move was a revelation. He looked like a wide receiver. On film, he was naturally athletic, very smooth and fluid, and surprisingly explosive given his length. At Oregon this past season, he primarily played in space, which he did exceptionally well. I had to study a lot of games to get a feel for his pass rush skills. They were impressive, and I believe he will become a very good edge rusher in the NFL. He showed the ability to get low and bend the edge with the needed flexibility to succeed against quality NFL offensive tackles. There’s much to like about Jordan, and he’s just scratching the surface. Want a comparison? How about Jason Taylor.

5. Detroit Lions: Let’s start with two questions - What is a greater position of need for the Lions, OT or CB? Which of those two positions has the higher rated player? For me, it’s OT. My pick is Oklahoma LT Lane Johnson. Johnson is still a work in progress due to his lack of experience at the position, but he improved steadily as the 2012 season progressed. He has all the traits you look for in an NFL LT: he’s light on his feet, he’s agile, he’s a natural knee bender, he has long arms, and he’s competitive. He plays LT, Riley Reiff is your RT, and you are set at the position for years. Your franchise quarterback, Matthew Stafford, will be well protected.

6. Cleveland Browns: I’m selecting Notre Dame TE Tyler Eifert. Conventional wisdom says TE is not a position you take in the top ten. Two tight ends have been taken in the top ten in this decade, both at number six: Kellen Winslow in 2004, and Vernon Davis in 2006. I have written extensively about the increased value of the “Joker” TE in today’s NFL, and have talked to many defensive coordinators who have told me that matching up to “12” personnel (one back, two tight ends, and two wide receivers) is a real problem. Eifert is the most athletic TE in this draft class. I saw him split outside the numbers many times, and beat corners on vertical routes. Two things to keep in mind: Rob Chudzinski was the OC in Cleveland in 2007 when Winslow had 82 catches for 1,106 yards (the Browns won the AFC North that season), and new OC Norv Turner is a master at utilizing the TE, most recently Antonio Gates, but you can go all the way back to Jay Novacek with the Cowboys in the early 1990s.

7. Arizona Cardinals: West Virginia WR Tavon Austin. Most know at this point how I feel about Austin. Here’s how I described him in a previous column:

He aligned all over the formation, including in the backfield, and possesses an extraordinary combination of flash quickness, lateral explosion, stop and start acceleration and top end speed. He’s a live wire with the ball in his hands: shifty, elusive and unpredictable, with the ability to turn routine plays into impact, game changing masterpieces.

Now think about new head coach Bruce Arians. Last year in Indianapolis, he had rookie T.Y. Hilton, at 5-foot-9 and 183 pounds. Hilton played 61 percent of the Colts' snaps, had 861 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. In addition, he averaged almost 12 yards per punt return, with another touchdown. Prior to that with the Steelers, Arians featured 5-foot-10, 186-pound Antonio Brown. In 2011, Arians last year in Pittsburgh, Brown had 69 catches for 1108 yards. Austin is more versatile, and more explosive than both Brown and Hilton.

8. Buffalo Bills: LSU DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo makes perfect sense for the Bills. They do not have a pass rusher at the linebacker position, and new DC Mike Pettine, formerly of the Jets, feature scheme multiplicity with athletic players who can align in different spots. Mingo flashed explosive traits, and the kind of closing speed you cannot teach. He’s a work in progress, not yet close to a finished product. He did not show elite body flexibility, with the ability to bend the edge. He needs an NFL weight room. But you put on the Clemson tape, and you see the kind of burst and speed that can impact games.

9. New York Jets: The pick here is my number one guard in the draft, North Carolina's Jonathan Cooper. As I mentioned with Floyd, Cooper was also one of my favorite players to evaluate. He was as purely athletic as any guard I can remember studying. He had remarkably light feet for a 310-pound man, with such ease of movement. As a puller in the run game, he had extraordinary balance and body control. You know what I liked the most: he was a tenacious competitor, with a nasty streak. He looked to initiate contact whenever possible. He was fun to watch, the kind of player that will be a tempo setter for an offensive line. Everybody is focusing on defense with the Jets, but their offense is worse than poor, and in my mock, Cooper is the best player available.

10. Tennessee Titans: The next best offensive guard on the board is Alabama's Chance Warmack. The Titans are trying to manage and manipulate an erratic Jake Locker with a consistent and sustaining running game. That’s why they signed Shonn Greene to complement Chris Johnson, and underrated OG Andy Levitre. Warmack is an outstanding prospect, with excellent core strength and a powerful lower body. Overall, he showed a very desirable combination of size, strength and athleticism. What really stood out for a man with his squatty build was his movement in space, his ability to strike a moving target with balance and body control. In addition, he had unyielding anchor strength in pass protection. Warmack and Cooper: two of the best OG prospects we have seen in recent years.

11. San Diego Chargers: The best combination of size, speed and athleticism at linebacker in this draft is Georgia's Alec Ogletree. He has no athletic limitations -- he’s field-fast with sideline-to-sideline range and speed. He consistently showed explosive traits both as a run defender and in pass coverage. The concern is play recognition, or what most refer to as instincts. He needs to become quicker and more decisive with his reactions, especially in the run game. There were times he was too hesitant, or too passive. But the bottom line is Ogletree is long and athletic with outstanding movement, a classic run-and-chase linebacker in a game increasingly defined by the passing game.

12. Miami Dolphins: Here’s where my top corner comes of the board. That would be D.J. Hayden of Houston. He’s the most physically gifted corner in this draft class. As I wrote in a recent column, “Cornering the Market”, Hayden has the most complete and impressive combination of sudden movement, change of direction, the ability to effectively play both press man and off coverage zone, a challenging and competitive playing temperament, and as an added dimension, his willingness to support in the run game with aggression. No corner has a more fluid and compact backpedal, with balance, body control and the quickest feet of any prospect in the draft.

13. New York Jets: My pick is Georgia OLB Jarvis Jones. I believe that Jones is the most ready of all the potential 3-4 outside linebackers in this draft. Ignore the 40 yard dash time. Put on the tape. Jones is a fluid athlete with sudden movement and quick change of direction. He showed body flexibility as a pass rusher, with excellent closing speed. I also liked his ability to transition from speed to power as a pass rusher. He got underneath the pads of bigger OL, and drove them back into the quarterback. You know who he reminded me of at times: Terrell Suggs, another player who ran a supposedly slow 40 when he came out of Arizona State. Remember Rex Ryan was in Baltimore with for the first six years of Suggs’ career.

14. Carolina Panthers: Again, you have a team with a glaring need at a specific position, and a terrific prospect who can fill the void. Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, along with Sharrif Floyd, is one of the two most athletic interior defensive linemen in this draft. What I saw when I watched his tape was initial quickness, active and light feet, strong and at times violent hands, and outstanding overall athleticism. There was a sudden and explosive element to his game; he was quick in everything he did. And I loved his effort and competitiveness. He made many plays in pursuit, showing the kind of range you don’t normally see from defensive tackles. Like Floyd, he transitions best to the NFL as a one gap “3 technique” with dominant traits, and the potential to be a disruptive penetrator and double digit sacker.

15. New Orleans Saints: My pick here is Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei. Lotulelei, based on overall skill set, could have easily been selected higher in my mock. He has a very impressive combination of size, strength, athleticism and competitiveness. He had light feet, ease of movement, strong hands. There were times I conjured up the word nimble to describe Star’s movement. I would not call him explosive in the same manner I would Shariff Floyd or Sheldon Richardson, but Lotulelei was stronger with the ability to shoot his hands with power. He’s not a true inside pass rusher, but he has the attributes to develop into an effective rusher due to his athleticism and strength. In an ideal Rob Ryan defense, which places a premium on both position and scheme versatility, Lotulelei is a perfect fit.

16. St. Louis Rams: Who will run the ball for the Rams? How about Alabama running back Eddie Lacy? St. Louis can't play effective offense without a consistent running game. I don’t do discussions of “value”. Those philosophical conversations don’t have any meaning for coaches in the middle of the season when they are trying to win games. There are arguably three backs in this draft that are foundation / feature backs: Eddie Lacy, Le’veon Bell and possibly Montee Ball. Lacy is easily the best of the three, and without question, one of the 20 best players in this draft. He’s my pick for the Rams. He’s a decisive and powerful downhill runner with deceptively quick feet and short area burst. He’s a move the chains sustainer who was very effective in confined space. The only question with Lacy, and it’s a legitimate one, is, does he have the mindset and mentality to be a foundation back. He did not truly fill that role for Alabama. There’s no question, however, he has the physical attributes. By the way, I’d rather have Lacy and DJ Swearinger than Kenny Vaccaro and Bell.

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Greg Cosell’s mock draft: Picks 17-32

By Greg Cosell | Shutdown Corner

Here’s Part One of my mock draft: picks 17-32. A little explanation is in order before I begin. Here’s how I did it: I chose players based on my film study and my evaluations, and then factored in my sense of team needs. I have no idea what different teams' draft boards look like, nor will I try to speculate what they might be. I didn’t do a study of each organization, and how they have drafted in previous years. I didn’t analyze general managers, personnel directors and coaches to ascertain a profile or template that speaks to their draft patterns.

I’m certain there will be some significant discrepancies between what you have seen from many analysts, and my mock draft. The point of my mock is not to be right, i.e., to predict which players are selected by particular teams. My main objective is to further discuss the players I have evaluated highly by placing them in a draft format. It’s simple as that. So please, don’t look at my mock and reflexively say, that won’t happen. You know that, I know that, but that totally misses the point.

One other caveat: I am disregarding documented off-field transgressions, character concerns, potential medical problems that might impact draft position, anything that is not a function of on-field play. I understand that teams significantly factor those into the equation, but again each team weighs those differently, and I am not in the speculation or guesswork business. So I am basing my player evaluations solely on the tape. That’s what I do. I watch tape, and I love it.

Here's picks 17 through 32; you can read picks 1-16 here.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: The pick is Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner, my number two rated corner. Milliner is a very comfortable press man corner with smooth balance and body control. In Alabama’s defense, he often aligned to the boundary, or the short side of the field. He was very aggressive as a run defender, and he was an aggressive blitzer. In those two areas, he reminded me of Stephon Gilmore coming out of South Carolina a year ago. Here’s what’s important. In an era in which wide receivers are trending bigger, the 6-foot-0, 201 pound Milliner provides the size that’s increasingly demanded. Remember, the Steelers play Cincinnati, Baltimore and Cleveland each twice. They must match up to bigger receivers with AJ Green, Torrey Smith, and Josh Gordon. Milliner can do that. He’s both short area quick with excellent change of direction and transition, and fast enough to run vertically with the needed top end speed. And in Nick Saban and Kirby Smart’s Crimson Tide defense, he has extensive experience with multiple coverage concepts.

18. Dallas Cowboys: Do the Cowboys have a healthy starting caliber safety on their roster? Here’s where extreme need intersects with talent, and an outstanding prospect: Safety Kenny Vaccaro of Texas. Vaccaro is 6-foot-0, 215 pounds. That’s very good size for the position. He’s a smooth athlete with excellent movement skills. Not only did he display the ability to play man-to-man versus wide receivers, he also was utilized as a deep safety, both in single high coverage and two deep shells. In those situations, he was both fluid and active in coverage, and aggressive playing downhill in the run game. He always pressed to the ball, and demonstrated sideline-to-sideline range with outstanding play speed and a reckless attitude. He showed explosion as a tackler with natural pop. Overall, I saw Vaccaro as a multi-dimensional safety with an expansive skill set and no physical shortcomings that would limit new DC Monte Kiffin.

19. New York Giants: Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah of BYU. I know for many he’s a top-five player in this draft. They see the natural athleticism, the size/speed combination and the rare arm length, and intuitively project "big-time player." That may happen. By means of comparison, Ansah did not show the kind of pass rush skills that Jason Pierre-Paul displayed at South Florida, and Pierre-Paul was seen as exceedingly raw. Ansah is not close to being a finished product, but he competed on every play, and he showed the ability to maneuver his body in almost any position necessary. His size, body type and movement profile best at DE, but I can easily see him aligned inside at DT in sub-package situations. Ansah is a fascinating prospect who needs to be taught much as a pass rusher, so there’s a significant leap of faith, but the movement and motor are there.

20: Chicago Bears: I’m selecting D.J. Fluker, the mammoth right tackle from Alabama. Fluker impressed more and more every time I evaluated him. I looked at a lot of Alabama games, and I must admit I initially thought Fluker was best suited to move inside to OG. And by the way, I believe strongly he would be an All-Pro OG, right from the start. The more I watched, the more I felt he could develop into a very good NFL RT. I saw a powerful and imposing player whose run blocking was outstanding. I loved the way he kept his feet moving on contact, sustaining blocks. Fluker is a work in progress in pass protection. At times he can be a little slow out of his stance, and choppy in his pass set. Those are concerns that need to be addressed with hard coaching. They will be with Marc Trestman and his staff. And keep in mind that Trestman’s passing game features shorter drops, with the ball coming out quicker. The bottom line, however, is Fluker’s overall size/movement package is hard to find.

21: Cincinnati Bengals: Here’s where one of my favorite players in the draft comes off the board. It’s safety Jonathan Cyprien of Florida International. I loved this kid on film. The first thing I noticed when I plugged in the tape was his size and muscle definition. His dimensions are very similar to Vaccaro’s, but Cyprien just looks bigger and more defined. What really stood out was he played the game fast, with velocity, passion and tenacity. There’s no question there were times he was over-aggressive and reckless, although overall he played with an efficient mix of ferocity and control. Given his height – over 6-foot-0 – and his physique, he exhibited surprising athleticism, with excellent change of direction and closing speed. As a deep defender, Cyprien showed a very smooth back pedal, with the ability to plant and drive with burst and speed. His range as a single high safety, with his size and stride length, was outstanding. He made an interception against Louisville that was as good as any I have seen this off-season breaking down college tape.

22. St. Louis Rams: I’m selecting defensive tackle Sylvester Williams from North Carolina, another player whose game impressed the more I watched. This is a draft with some very athletic defensive tackles, and Williams fits that profile. What I really liked was he improved significantly as the season progressed. Early in the fall, he did not always play to his athleticism. He absolutely did later in the season. Williams showed excellent initial quickness with the balance, body control and closing burst to finish. He showed quick and active hands to both strike and swim. He played multiple positions along the Tar Heels defensive front, so he brings both position and scheme versatility. I see him best as a one gap penetrator, but he can be equally as effective as a two gap DT. Think about a DL with Williams and Michael Brockers at DT, and Chris Long and Robert Quinn at DE. Not bad.

23. Minnesota Vikings: This is where the offensive player that intrigues me the most comes off the board. That’s Justin Hunter, the Tennessee receiver. Hunter has a very similar body type to AJ Green: long, lithe and sinewy. Relax, I am not saying he’s Green at this point. But Hunter is the most explosive outside receiver in this draft class with his size/speed combination. He’s 6-foot-4, and there are not many with his height, length and movement. He showed the kind of vertical acceleration that impacts games. With free access, he ate up ground in a heartbeat, lifting the top off the coverage. The concern as he transitions is his inconsistent hands. He must catch the ball more consistently. But no WR has Hunter’s mix of size, fluidity, speed and explosion.

24. Indianapolis Colts: My pick is Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes. Rhodes played boundary corner in Florida State’s defense. He was predominantly a press man corner; he was competitive and challenging. He had some balance and footwork issues that can be coached and cleaned up. There were times I felt he was a little tight hipped and stiff in his transition when he turned and ran versus vertical routes. Yet, as with Milliner, in an era in which bigger wide receivers are more widespread, Rhodes, at 6-foot-1 1/2 and 210 pounds, brings the size and physicality that’s needed. There’s no question Rhodes needs work in zone coverage awareness and discipline, not having played a lot of it in college. But overall, he has a very intriguing blend of size, length and physicality. He would give the Colts and Chuck Pagano two very good press man corners, teaming with Vontae Davis. You have maximum flexibility defensively when you can line up with two corners that can play man-to-man.

25. Minnesota Vikings: My favorite overall linebacker in this draft is Arthur Brown from Kansas State. He’s not as athletically gifted as Alec Ogletree but at this point he’s a more consistent player. Brown is an active, athletic, movement LB with some quick twitch to his game. He showed excellent agility and change of direction. As a tackler, he was sudden and explosive, with short area burst and striking ability. What I really liked was his ability to fight through blocks, work through traffic and take the most direct path to the ball. He trusted what he saw, showed excellent play recognition and was decisive with his reactions. His overall consistency was such I believe he could step right in from day one and be Minnesota’s starting MLB.

26. Green Bay Packers: My pick is defensive lineman Datone Jones of UCLA. In some ways, Jones reminded me of Richard Seymour when Seymour came out of Georgia in 2001. Seymour was a bigger man at 315 pounds, which of course enhanced his value significantly; it was one of the reasons he was the sixth pick in the draft. Jones is 280 pounds but his overall skill set is somewhat similar. I would describe Jones as a chameleon. By that I mean he played both bigger and smaller than his 280 pounds. He showed outstanding short area quickness with both explosion and power. He was very effective as a gap penetrator. He was active and disruptive, and strong and powerful. He has great position and scheme versatility, with the attributes to play 3-4 DE, 4-3 DE and 4-3 DT. My sense is he’d be most effective in a one-gap scheme. One final point: I believe he will develop into a better pass rusher in the NFL than he was in college.

27. Houston Texans: Again, this is a clear example of need and talent intersecting. I select receiver Keenan Allen from California. Many see Allen as purely a short to intermediate receiver due to his size (6-foot-2, 206 pounds) and lack of explosive speed. I saw much more than that. He’s a smooth accelerator with deceptive vertical burst. He’s very fluid, quick in-and-out of breaks. He had a wide catching radius, consistently snatching the ball with his hands. He handled press coverage very well, with both quickness and strength. You do not see that very often with college receivers. Something else you don’t see frequently in college, and it’s so critical in the NFL, is the ability to make every route look the same off the line of scrimmage. Allen did that with his compact vertical stem. NFL corners will tell you it’s very difficult to read routes when that’s the case. How about this for a comparison: Reggie Wayne, who was the 30th player chosen in the 2001 draft. By the way Wayne was the sixth WR selected that year. Remember the top 5: David Terrell, Koren Robinson, Rod Gardner, Santana Moss and Freddie Mitchell.

28. Denver Broncos: I’m going with defensive end Cornellius "Tank" Carradine from Florida State. I know he’s coming off an ACL injury, but I really liked Carradine on film, more so than his teammate Bjorn Werner. He was a more fluid, flexible athlete than Werner, with a broader skill set and better overall attributes. Carradine possesses size, length, flexibility and excellent movement. He was not a classic bend the edge, get low pass rusher; there are not many of those. If he was, I’d be talking about him as a top ten pick. But he showed the ability to transition from speed to power, and he had the kind of closing burst you look for. What stood out on film was his playing personality; he always pressed to the ball. He’s the most active DE in this draft class. He ran down Florida QB Jeff Driskel after a 31-yard run that was as impressive as any play you’ll see by a DE. There’s no question he has to get stronger, but it’s much easier to do that than make a player more athletic or more competitive.

29. New England Patriots: This is where Tennessee receiver Cordarrelle Patterson comes off my board. He’s a multi-dimensional weapon that can align anywhere in the formation, including the backfield, which he did at Tennessee. He is dynamic with the ball in his hands: shifty, elusive and explosive. He has open field movement ability that you cannot teach. And remember, he’s 6-foot-2 and 216 pounds. My guess is Bill Belichick will figure out a way to utilize him effectively. But don’t lose sight of the fact that Patterson has much work to do as receiver. At this point, he is not as quick and explosive as a route runner as he is with the ball in his hands. He’s more measured and methodical. He has little sense of the pace and tempo of route running, and how to set up and beat corners. But he has the athletic traits you look for; in addition, he showed good hands, and a willingness to make tough catches in the middle of the field.

30. Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons select my fourth-rated corner: Jamar Taylor of Boise State. Taylor was one of the smoothest corners I evaluated, an easy mover with very fluid change of direction and transition skills. He was predominantly the boundary corner at Boise State, and he played significant snaps of both press man, and off coverage man and zone. He showed the ability to mirror in press position, and then flip his hips and turn and run. He was a deceptive accelerator running with vertical routes. What really stood out was his fluidity in off coverage. He may have been the best I watched planting and driving with closing burst and speed. Taylor has a complete skill set to be a very good outside corner, but he also can move inside and play over the slot. As the boundary corner in college, he blitzed on occasion, and he was very good at it, showing the necessary closing speed.

31: San Francisco 49ers: Here’s where another player I very much liked on film comes off my board: defensive tackle Jesse Williams of Alabama. I’ll just start by saying I did not see a large difference between Williams and Star Lotulelei the more I watched each player. Williams aligned at multiple DL positions for the Crimson Tide, including “3 technique”, a position normally associated with athleticism and explosiveness. He played with excellent leverage and strength; he had a powerful lower body. What really jumped off the screen was his movement; again, I will use the word nimble. Williams had incredibly light and athletic feet for a man almost 6-foot-4 and 320-plus pounds. He dominated the LSU offensive line with his outstanding combination of core strength and short-area quickness. There was a lot to like about Williams, and he is nowhere close to being a finished product given his lack of football experience.

32. Baltimore Ravens: The final pick in the first round is Kevin Minter, the LSU linebacker. Minter is the kind of player you like the more you watch him. He’s not a top athlete for the position so he doesn’t immediately stand out with his movement. But he’s very active, very competitive. His play recognition was consistently good, his reactions were decisive, and he always pressed to the ball. Like Arthur Brown, Minter showed the ability to work through the bodies in front of him, and efficiently find the ball. He’s a smooth inside mover with the ability to scrape and flow and make tackles in the run game. And he was deceptive with his overall movement; as I said, he was not an explosive athlete, but he is field fast and showed sideline-to-sideline range. He was also very good in pass coverage. He can run the middle hole in zone, and he can lock up man-to-man, even at times against wide receivers. I saw him run the seam with Arkansas WR Cobi Hamilton, and he was stride-for-stride. Minter is a better player than athlete, and has the look of a Day One starter.

 
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap1...-things-i-believe-amid-all-the-misinformation

2013 NFL Draft: Ten things I believe amid all the misinformation

By Daniel Jeremiah

Analyst, NFL.com and NFL Network

It's hard to know what to believe in the days leading up to the 2013 NFL Draft. I've had several instances when I've been told one thing by a personnel man ... only to be told the exact opposite 20 minutes later by an executive from a different team.

Despite all of the misinformation that is out there, I do feel confident in a few areas. Here are 10 things I believe as we head toward Thursday night:

1) I believe Eric Fisher and Luke Joeckel will be taken in the first three picks.

The Kansas City Chiefs are a near-lock to select an offensive tackle with the first overall selection. (I think Fisher has a great shot at being their choice.) And I also expect either the Jacksonville Jaguars or Oakland Raiders to select one, as well.

2) I believe the San Diego Chargers will have to trade up if they want to land OT Lane Johnson.

Once upon a time, the Chargers were in a great spot to nab the Oklahoma offensive tackle. However, with the both Fisher and Joeckel expected to go early, I don't see how Johnson falls to pick No. 11.

3) I believe Sharrif Floyd could fall out of the top 10 if the Oakland Raiders pass on him at No. 3.

The teams picking fourth through ninth either don't fit Floyd scheme-wise or they are set at the position. The Tennessee Titans (10th pick) would be his last hope to land in the top 10, barring a trade-up from another team.

4) I believe Justin Hunter is going to be selected in the first round.

I'm not extremely high on this Tennessee wideout, but apparently several teams feel differently. He's created a lot of buzz over the last week and numerous teams have told me that he is a lock to go on Thursday night.

5) I believe Manti Te'o will hear his name called in Round 1, too.

There just aren't 32 better football players in this draft class who would push Te'o out of the first round. I believe the Baltimore Ravens would be elated if he fell to them at No. 32, but I don't see him falling that far down the board.

6) I believe there's greater than a 50 percent chance that we don't have a running back selected in the first round.

Eddie Lacy needed to convince everyone at his pro day that he is worthy of a first-round selection. He failed to do so, and I don't see any other running back solidifying a spot in the top 32, either.

7) I believe the Miami Dolphins will draft a cornerback in the second round.

The Dolphins found Sean Smith in the second round back in 2009, and I think that is where they will find his replacement, as well. I'd look for Miami to land safety Kenny Vaccaro, tight end Tyler Eifert or offensive guard Chance Warmack with its top selection at No. 12 overall.

8) I believe we will have a surprise cornerback selected on Thursday night.

Look for someone like Robert Alford or Darius Slay to sneak into the back end of the first round. With several teams in need of CBs at the bottom of the round, we could see a run on the position.

9) I believe Jamar Taylor is one of the safest picks in this draft.

Taylor has passed every test. He was very good on tape, he had a great week at the Senior Bowl and he performed well at the NFL Scouting Combine. He should hear his name called either late in the first round or at the top of the second.

10) I believe none of us have a clue as to when/where these quarterbacks are going to go.

I can't recall another year when there was such uncertainty as to where the top signal-callers will land. I spoke with several team executives over the last 48 hours and they were literally speechless when I asked them to match QB prospects with other teams. Nobody has a feel for this group.

Follow Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter @MoveTheSticks.

 
Sounds like Hunter will go in the first round. Not a huge surprise. After much deliberation and flip-flopping I recently settled on him as my #1 WR in this class. Atypical frame, but compensates with some truly standout athletic traits in different categories. A 6'4" guy with 4.4 speed who can hit 40.5" in the vertical and 11'6" in the broad jump is going to be a nightmare running downfield. Somewhere like Pittsburgh, Indy, or Carolina would make a lot of sense for him.

 
A few quick hits from Rotoworld:

Clemson WR DeAndre Hopkins is working out for the Rams on Monday.
Head coach Jeff Fisher will attend the workout. This means Hopkins has met with the Rams twice in the last four days, making for an interesting development. The team did something similar with Brian Quick last year and ended up selecting the receiver at no. 33 after a last minute workout. We think the rams will decide between Tavon Austin and Hopkins.

Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter




National Football Post's Russ Lande writes Pittsburgh RB Ray Graham could be a starter in the NFL if healthy.
"Returning from a knee injury suffered in 2011, Graham finished his college career on a high note by having the best statistical season in his final season with 1,042 yards, but after running a 4.80 40 at the Combine he is unlikely to be drafted," Lande writes. "Instinctive and deceptively quick footed, Graham finds the open hole/crease and gets through it faster than his 40 time would have you expect. His ability to change directions quickly helps him to easily make tacklers miss. While a running back who runs a 4.80 40 is going to have trouble shining in the NFL, if he gets all the way back to his pre-injury form in 2013 (Which will be nearly two years since the injury, which is usually the amount of time a running back needs to get back to 100%) then he could develop into a productive and versatile starting tailback in the NFL."

Source: National Football Post




ESPN's K.C. Joyner writes UCLA RB Jonathan Franklin had the highest good blocking yards per attempt of all running backs.
"In an 11-game review of his 2012 season, Franklin racked up 10.1 good blocking yards per attempt (GBYPA), which gauges a running back's productivity when he receives good blocking. That is a higher total than the GBYPA marks posted last year by Eddie Lacy (9.4), Andre Ellington (8.3), Marcus Lattimore (7.8) and Le'Veon Bell (5.6)." Franklin is one of our favorite runners in this year's draft, especially because he's shown improvement in the last two years as a ball-carrier. We view him as a second-round prospect.

Source: ESPN.com
SI's Peter King writes a few teams love NC State QB Mike Glennon.
King could see Glennon has a late second-round pick and calls him "an acquired taste." The Wolfpack quarterback could do well in a team that runs an offense featuring three and five step drops, quick reads, with a faster tempo, since the longer Glennon holds the ball the more fans will get worried.

Source: Sports Illustrated
ESPN's Rich Cimini believes the Jets could select a QB in the second-round.
Cimini suggested Mike Glennon as a possibility since former Jets quarterback Ken O'Brien has tutored the NC State product. The beat writer also threw out the name Jordan Rodgers, little brother of Aaron, since he worked with O'Brien as well.

Source: ESPN

 
I'm starting to really come around on Andre Ellington as the draft rolls around. I'm sure his 40 time at the combine scared a lot of those who put a lot of weight on that sort of thing, but watching him play it's pretty obvious his speed isn't an issue; I'd say he's quite possibly the quickest RB in the entire draft, and quickness is more important than long speed anyway. Besides his quickness, he can cut on a dime, he has little wasted movements, does a good job of following his blockers and finding running lanes, and he actually bounces off quite a few tackles for someone his size.

After Lacy and Bernard, I'd put Ellington up there with any RB in this draft.

 
Faust said:
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
Click to expand...
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?

 
https://twitter.com/NU_Gap/status/326793553093201926

Most yards after the catch in the entire TE class: 1) Travis Kelce, 2) Jordan Reed 3) Jake Stoneburner 4) Nick Kasa 5) Mychal Rivera
Click to expand...
https://twitter.com/NU_Gap/status/326793112733249537

Least yards after catch in entire TE class: 1) Zach Sudfeld, 2) Joseph Fauria, 3) DC Jefferson, 4) Tyler Eifert, 5) Zach Ertz
Click to expand...
http://www.thesidelineview.com/columns/nfl/metrics-study-overrated-draft-prospects

Justin Hunter, WR - Tennessee

The metrics for Justin Hunter point to the same negative factors as Stills. Hunter dropped an astounding 12.1% of all targets thrown his way, which gives him the worst hands of any receiver slotted to be drafted in the first 5 rounds.

Hunter’s been billed as a physical specimen after his superb combine performance, but he was only able to garner 4.9 yards after the catch in 2012. That YAC isn’t as bad as Stills, but ideally you’d want more from a first round prospect. Other notable wide receivers such as Cordarrelle Patterson averaged 6.4 yards, Tavon Austin 8.2 yards, and Keenan Allen 6.8 yards.
Click to expand...
 
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