The 2011 NFL Draft scuttlebutt thread. (1 Viewer)

[Andy Dufresne]

From PFT:

Texas A&M’s Von Miller creates Senior Bowl stirPosted by Evan Silva on January 26, 2011, 1:17 PM ESTTexas A&M pass rusher Von Miller led the nation in sacks in 2009, so it made sense that he’d forgo his senior season and enter the 2010 NFL draft. Instead, Miller stayed in College Station to iron out kinks in his game such as cover skills and run defense.Miller returned with a splash play-filled senior season. Playing the “joker” position as an edge-rushing hybrid, Miller earned the Butkus Award as college football’s top linebacker and continued to cause constant disruption. He graduated with 27.5 sacks and 39 tackles for loss in his final two seasons.“Von is one of the most amazing kids we’ve ever had come through A&M,” said AggieAthletics.com editor Jon Lee. “Extremely talented, smart, classy, and ‘shredded’.”Lee’s use of the term “shredded” referenced Stacey Dales’ description of Miller during Monday’s Senior Bowl weigh-in. “He is absolutely shredded,” said the NFL Network’s Senior Bowl sideline reporter. Dales also called Miller a “class act.”Miller has proceeded to impress on the practice field in Mobile.“What we’ve seen here is that he can drop into coverage,” said ESPN’s Todd McShay, indicating that Miller’s return for his senior season to polish his game paid off. “He’s an absolute playmaker on every passing down.”Asked for a scouting report on Miller, NFL Network’s Mike Mayock was effusive in his praise of the 6-foot-3, 237-pound linebacker’s pass rush ability:“Two words,” said Mayock. “Defies. Gravity. Bends parallel to the ground. This guy comes off the edge and it’s scary how quick he gets to the quarterback. In my notes from the season, I had the word ‘wow’ written (about Miller) more than any other player.”Miller is projected to be a top-ten pick this April.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Also from PFT:

Titus Young turning heads at Senior BowlPosted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 26, 2011, 10:30 AM ESTEach year, a handful of players help boost their draft stock with an exceptional week at the Senior Bowl.While it’s early in the process, Boise State wide receiver Titus Young looks like one of those players this season.The reviews for Young’s performance in Mobile have been glowing. Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune calls Young the “unanamious” best receiver in Mobile. NFL Network’s Mike Mayock compared Young to DeSean Jackson for his speed, playmaking ability, and some of the maturity questions that hurt Jackson’s stock two years.Young was listed No. 4 in Mayock’s initial top-five rankings at wide receiver. He’s someone that could help in the return game and at receiver as a rookie.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Some had Von Miller dropping to the Lions @ 13, looks like he'll be long gone by then.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

A couple tidbits from DraftDaddy:

From the North-South practices...

From Tuesday

We try not to highlight the same players over and over but it should be noted that Tennessee tight end Luke Stocker had the play of the day, with a nice one-handed catch despite getting lit by the defensive back. It's probably been shown on tv highlights several times, but we are noting it for posterity, great play.

Also, Miami wide receiver Leonard Hankerson has continued to make outstanding catches on less than ideal balls. He comes back to the ball and fights for it. Both players have had a great week of practice thus far and look like professionals at their positions.

Washington quarterback Jake Locker started erraticly in drills, throwing high, but made several nice plays as practice progressed into more live team activities. He is better throwing on the move than in the pocket, and at times his accuracy can be an issue. But he has a live arm and is a gamer. Locker has the raw attributes for which league scouts are searching and with all the quarterback needy teams, should easily fit into the first round picture.

Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi was having an excellent day of practice, finding the open man, making nice throws and throwing a tight spiral. However after the Burney interception, his game came apart a little and seemed to lose confidence toward the end. Still, he turned in a very solid performance overall, and a team could find a starter in Stanzi, at backup prices.

Oklahoma running back Demarco Murray was quick through the hole and showed reliable hands in the screen game. He ran high at times but if he stays healthy could be a three-down back who could project as a Darren McFadden type player at the next level.

San Diego State wide reciever Vincent Brown had an outstanding day of practice. He ran sharp routes, displays great hands and used his body to shield defenders despite being heavily covered. He can run well after the catch and avoid tacklers. Quarterbacks looked to him as practice continued and he did not dissapoint. Brown's draft stock is clearly rising with his practice success.

From Monday

South Alabama wide receiver Courtney Smith is the first player ever from his school to be invited to the Senior Bowl. However he certainly wasn't wide-eyed as Smith played like a big school veteran. Tall, cagey and sure-handed, Smith made several big plays, and showed impressive run-after-catch ability. As with all the wide receivers and cornerbacks, his timed speed will dictate draft value, but he has a knack for getting open and looked big-time to this observer. We wonder what is stock would be like were he wearing a helmet from a traditional football factory.

Kentucky tailback Derrick Locke showed superior quickness in several situations. In the draw plays during scrimmages, he flashed burst for a couple big gains. In receiving drills he had great route running and hands, frustrating the linebackers.

Miami wide receiver Leonard Hankerson made it look easy on the outside. He may not have had the greatest weigh-in, measuring at 6'1 instead of 6'3" but was in shape and ran well in pads; looks the part of a professional receiver.

The quarterback play was somewhat affected by the wind today (and we will observe them more as the week progresses) but the best of the South group appeared to be TCU's Andy Dalton. Although not the strongest armed, he threw a catchable ball and displayed above average accuracy.

Georgia Tech running back Anthony Allen showed smooth hands in drills, and has a nice natural stride once in the open field. One to watch as the week progresses.

Louisville running back Bilal Powell showed off his long speed in running drills, and could be a gamebreaker; he seems to accelerate away from the trash and find the open field.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Sporting News' Risers and Fallers from East-West Shrine week:

Good impressions

North Carolina DT Marvin Austin. Austin had an outstanding Wednesday practice. He was explosive off the ball and was consistently disruptive, particularly during the 9-on-7 period. He used his hands to disengage from blocks quickly. In one-on-one drills, he showed flashes of dominance as an interi again as well as the quickness to beat his man off the ball. He struggled with endurance, which may be a byproduct of being suspended for the 2010 season.

Richmond DT Martin Parker. Parker has a very thick build and is shockingly explosive off the ball. He has very active hands and feet and was able to defeat his man with a variety of rips and swims. He was easily the most consistent player on the defensive front.

Lehigh OT William Rackley. Rackley was a very competitive blocker Wednesday, using his length and punch to lock on and sustain blocks, particularly in the running game. He doesn’t have the classic size and elite athleticism of an

NFL tackle, but he is a coachable player and has the attitude NFL teams covet.

Syracuse RB Delone Carter. Carter has a very thick build and runs aggressively through tackles. He shows good quickness but lacks breakaway speed. He looked natural today catching the ball out of the backfield and turning upfield smoothly after the catch.

Florida DE Justin Trattou. Trattou showed speed on the edge and effective hand use when rushing the passer. He wasn’t as effective against the run, however, as he struggled to consistently get off blocks.

Bad impressions

Indiana WR Terrance Turner. Turner dropped several balls in individual drills because he was slow to turn his head off his break and get his hands up. In one-on-one drills, he struggled against man coverage because he wasn’t physical enough at the point of attack. He seemed to get frustrated easily and was unable to refocus after mistakes.

Connecticut ILB Greg Lloyd. Lloyd has limited range and looks like a two-down run defender. He lacks closing speed and aggressiveness inside, as he tends to wait for the play to come to him. He also tends to get caught in traffic, showing poor lateral agility.

Central Florida OT Jah Reid. In team play, he struggled to stay square to his target and didn’t show the athleticism to handle speed rushers or recover once beaten. He plays with poor knee bend and generally looks stiff. This issue is compounded by his habit of grabbing his man outside the pads, which allows easy access to his chest.

Virginia Tech QB Tyrod Taylor. Taylor struggled throughout the practice with his footwork and accuracy. On one play, he underthrew a deep ball to the middle of the field, allowing a DB to make the interception. His lack of height also was a problem, as he was slow to see the field and get through his progressions.

Tennessee DE Chris Walker. Walker plays too high off the ball and takes too long to accelerate off the snap. Throughout practice, he couldn’t get off blocks and didn’t show much of a pass-rushing repertoire. He needs to be more competitive at the point of attack against both the run and pass.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Colin Kaepernick may be making Cutler-like climb

Posted by Evan Silva on January 27, 2011, 3:44 PM ESTIn 2006, Jay Cutler took the Senior Bowl practice field after starting all four years at Vanderbilt. In his final start, Cutler engineered a 28-24 upset of Tennessee, giving the Commodores their first victory over the Vols in 15 years. Observers knew of Cutler’s impressive arm and athleticism, but he lacked a high profile because Vandy didn’t win much.Cutler went on to blow away scouts in Mobile with his quick release, accuracy, and arm power. He earned the Senior Bowl start for the North squad, winning 31-14. Three months later, Cutler was selected with the 11th pick in the draft.In 2011, Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick took the Senior Bowl practice field as a four-year college starter coming off impressive wins over undefeated Boise State and Boston College in the Fight Hunger Bowl. Observers knew Kaepernick could throw a baseball 95 mph and was a former Cubs draft pick. They also knew of Kaepernick’s athleticism. He averaged 6.85 yards per college rushing attempt, joining Missouri’s Brad Smith as the only players in NCAA history to top 8,000 yards passing and 4,000 rushing. Onlookers questioned Kaepernick’s ability to play in a pro-style offense coming from Nevada coach Chris Ault’s pistol spread.Like Cutler in ’06, Kaepernick appears to have silenced doubters.According to FOX Sports’ Adam Caplan, Kaepernick was “great” on Monday and “by far” the best quarterback in practice on Wednesday. CBS’ Rob Rang noted Kaepernick’s “spectacular” arm strength. Rotoworld’s Michael Schottey observed that Kaepernick “threw the ball as well as anyone,” generating “buzz from team scouts.”Asked about more heralded Washington QB Jake Locker, NFL.com’s Pat Kirwan replied “The kid from Nevada … has shined on top of him a little bit.”Of course, NFL Network’s Mike Mayock already knew about Kaepernick’s “huge” arm. At the 2010 Manning Quarterback camp, Mayock recalled seeing Eli and Peyton so awed they were “giggling” about the 23-year-old’s howitzer. Said Mayock after watching one of Kaepernick’s Thursday throws, “Did you see the RPMs there? Man, I’d love to work with that kid.”Kaepernick entered the Senior Bowl with a middle-round projection. Could he make a Cutler-like jump into the first round?The arrow seems to point in that direction.In Tony Pauline of SI.com’s blog, Kaepernick is already suggested as second-round prospect while reportedly drawing significant interest from the Dolphins and Vikings. Citing a league source, the Palm Beach Post seconds Pauline’s report in saying the Dolphins “think very highly” of Kaepernick.The Sacramento Bee‘s Matt Barrows capped it with this clincher:“One scout told me (Kaepernick) might have made the most money of any Senior Bowl player this week.”

 

[scrumptrulescent]

San Diego State wide reciever Vincent Brown had an outstanding day of practice. He ran sharp routes, displays great hands and used his body to shield defenders despite being heavily covered. He can run well after the catch and avoid tacklers. Quarterbacks looked to him as practice continued and he did not dissapoint. Brown's draft stock is clearly rising with his practice success.

I'm liking everything I've read about this guy. Sounds like a WR ready for the NFL. Great route runner, knows how to use his body, catches the ball with his hands, creates seperation, can adjust to balls in the air. He may be one of those 4.5 40 guys who plays fast.

 

[Faust]

Against The Grain: Draft thoughts

It becomes easy to follow the consensus leading up to the draft, but things never turn out the way everyone thinks in April. Here are some observations on the avalanche of draft analysis starting to pour in on this year's class:

1. College football fans are surprised Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert is such a highly rated NFL prospect. His numbers -- 63.4 completion percentage, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season -- don't scream top-five prospect, especially considering current New Orleans Saints backup Chase Daniel completed 72.9 percent of his passes and threw 38 touchdowns his senior year in the same system.

Obviously college statistics don't go that far in draft evaluation. Otherwise Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore would have left early and gone in the first round. But Moore is 6-foot and probably will never get drafted. Gabbert is 6-5, athletic, and has a strong arm. And if you look closer at Gabbert's numbers, he was headed toward a prolific season when he ran into a great Nebraska defense midway through the season and got pretty beat up. It seemed to take him all season to recover physically and mentally, but he looked great in the Insight Bowl, throwing for a season-high 434 yards.

College football experts always wonder why players who succeeded at the college level aren't considered more valuable. The answer is simple: The NFL is looking at different skill sets. Teams have no interest in running quarterbacks because of the injury risk, and they're more comfortable with taller QBs. Gabbert has NFL written all over him.

2. It's no surprise Jake Locker disappointed some people at Senior Bowl practice after completing just 55 percent of his passes his senior season. Why was everyone so eager to anoint Locker as the next big thing? Even in his breakout junior season he completed 58 percent of his passes -- a solid number, but not dazzling. He was exceptional because he could run. Again, a skill that doesn't move the needle for a franchise at the next level. Locker probably didn't make as big a mistake as everyone thinks by not going pro last season, because I'm not convinced he would have been the No. 1 overall pick after being evaluated for three months.

3. Cam Newton will probably go too high, even though he is spectacular. Newton didn't have to thread in too many tight passes at Auburn because half the defense was watching him to make sure he didn't run. NFL teams may be convinced Newton will be able to freeze defenders with his running ability and once again have his choice of open receivers. That formula just doesn't work in the long run. Perhaps Newton can be a Ben Roethlisberger-type and keep plays alive in the pocket long enough to get guys open deep. But Roethlisberger had already shown the ability to consistently throw down field in college. It's uncertain if Newton can be that kind of passer.

4. To be the first defensive tackle taken No. 1 overall since 1994, Nick Fairley would have to be perfect. While the on-field evidence was impressive this season, he is working out in Houston and word is he's not built like the ideal NFL defensive lineman. That could push him a bit lower in the top 10 than everyone expects.

5. LSU star Patrick Peterson is a monster, but there are questions. He was listed at 6-1, 222 pounds at LSU. Isn't that too big to play cornerback in the NFL? Peterson has talked about setting records with his 40 time this Spring. But even if he does, at that size he'll likely end up being an Antonio Cromartie-type cornerback -- great running a straight line, not as great turning with quick, smaller receivers.

Peterson is a potential top three pick, and he'll really only be that valuable if he can shut down half the field like Darrelle Revis, who is 5-11, 185 pounds. Maybe he can show that in workouts, but he'll probably look a lot like a safety instead of a cornerback at that size. As for his vaunted return skills, is that really a factor for someone being considered at No. 1 overall? Do you even want your supposed shutdown returner getting hit as a returner? It worked with Deion Sanders, but he was too fast to hit.

6. Quarterback Ryan Mallett seems to be falling down everyone's chart because of the flaws in his game at Arkansas and possible character issues. He obviously can't handle a rush up the middle of the field. But don't NFL coaches think they can work with him on that? As for the character issues, this season has made it pretty clear quarterbacks don't have to be saints to win games. They don't even have to be likeable. Mallett may very well fall out of the first round. But he has the best arm in the draft -- better than Gabbert's .. probably better than even Andrew Luck's, who would have been the No. 1 overall pick if he went pro. The right coaching staff might see an opportunity to help Mallett improve.

7. Every year offensive linemen seem to slowly creep up the charts throughout the draft season. Experts seemed down on the top linemen prospects coming into the offseason, but you can bet a tackle prospect will make a run into at least the top 10. Consider that an offensive tackle has gone in the top 5 nine out of the last 11 drafts. Is this year's crop that much worse?

Gabe Carimi fell during the season, but the 6-7 Wisconsin tackle is already making up ground with a strong Senior Bowl practice. Same with Boston College's Antony Castonzo. Experts seem comfortable with them in the 10-20 range, and the same goes for USC's Tyron Smith and Mississippi State's Derek Sherrod, but teams have to be considering offensive line help before that.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Not much about skill players, but...

Link

Rising stock

1. Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois. Perhaps no player is flying up draft boards quite like Liuget. As a junior, few scouts had dissected his game on film until he entered the draft last month. Some had told us that he was a second- or third-round prospect, but after grinding his film we think he could/should be a top-10 pick. He had an outstanding 2010 season, showing great strength and athleticism. For such a big and powerful defensive tackle, he has rare explosiveness off the snap to blow up plays in the backfield by driving offensive linemen backward or by shooting a gap. Defensive tackles Nick Fairley of Auburn and Marcell Dareus of Alabama still rate higher on most teams' draft boards, but Liuget is closing fast and ultimately could be drafted higher than one or both.

2. Tyron Smith, OT, Southern Cal. Here is another underclassman on the cusp of overtaking the seniors at the top of teams' draft boards. Smith (6-4 3/4, 285) is not as tall as Colorado's Nate Solder or Boston College's Anthony Castonzo but is a great athlete with the strength to be a real force at the point of attack. Smith was surprisingly consistent on film, the only offensive lineman we saw block Cal DE Cameron Jordan in 2010. As scouts over-analyze Solder's and Castonzo's practices at the Senior Bowl, Smith could overtake them both in the end.

3. Danny Watkins, G/OT, Baylor. His stock took off at the Senior Bowl. From game film, he was viewed as an athletic tackle who lacked ideal size, strength and athleticism to play left tackle in the NFL. After a week of practice in Mobile, Ala., he showed the athleticism, technique and competitiveness to be a great guard. He played so well inside that he could join the battle to be the first offensive lineman drafted. Although not polished on guard techniques, he does bend his knees well to pass block with good leverage and uses his hands quite well to control defensive tackles. He reminds us a lot of Patriots All-Pro G Logan Mankins, a mid-round tackle who flew up draft boards once moved inside and proved to be a special player.

Falling stock

1. Nathan Enderle, QB, Idaho. When the 2010 season began, we had him pegged as a "sleeper" because of his good size, strong arm and refined mechanics. However, he struggled greatly at the East-West Shrine practices and game and then again last week at the Texas vs. The Nation workouts. For a QB with his gifts, it's amazing how inaccurate he is throwing the ball. He also failed to go through progressions and make smart decisions in practices or games.

2. Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA; Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia. Personnel men desperate for pass-rush help were excited when these two juniors entered the draft. However, the film on both prospects is quite disappointing. Ayers is a tall and linear linebacker who functions much better going forward than dropping into coverage, and he is an inconsistent pass rusher. On the other hand, Houston is an athletic linebacker with all the physical tools to be great but he doesn't work hard or play with much intensity. Houston really struggles to shed blocks. After hours and hours of film study, both linebackers appear to be mid-round prospects, not the first-rounders once hyped to be.

3. Preston Dial, TE, Alabama. He mostly played fullback in college but came to the Senior Bowl hoping to prove his worth as a tight end/H-back worthy of a third-round pick. He has some receiving skills, but he lacks the explosiveness or speed to make big plays in the passing game. Unless he surprises us at the Combine with a great workout, he will be a late-round pick.

Read more: http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/2011-...s#ixzz1DV4DSzDW

 

[Shawnky]

I've always like Titus Young and have been considering him with all of my late 1st rd dynasy picks. After watching the Senior Bowl and all the reading I've been doing, Hankerson seems like he will be a steal in the late 1st. He is going to be a ppr beast! Id rather have him than Baldwin, Leshoure, Williams, and Young.

 

[nlgb1]

http://www.draftcountdown.com/features/Sen...Senior-Bowl.php

thats everything youre looking for x50

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Risers/fallers

Phil Taylor moving up fast Aaron Wilson

MARCH 14, 2011Print This1 COMMENT

We've been casting a net with NFL scouts and league sources about the stock of various draft prospects.

Here's a few things we're hearing about who's moving up and who's falling:

Hawaii wide receiver Greg Salas is rising on NFL draft boards, drawing praise for his package of size, durability and athleticism.

The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds at the NFL scouting combine and bench pressed 225 pounds 15 times.

He caught 285 career passes for 4,385 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Last season, he caught 119 passes for 1,889 yards.

Meanwhile, teams have been cooling on Boise State wide receiver Titus Young due to his demeanor and questions about his 10-game suspension three years ago.

Young is a burner, but is slim at 5-11, 175 pounds. He caught 71 passes for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns this season.

He ran a 4.43 at the combine, but teams were expecting and hoping. he would run faster than that.

We're hearing that Connecticut running back Jordan Todman, the Big East Conference Offensive Player of the Year, is moving upward into second-round consideration.

Todman has 4.40 speed, a 38-inch vertical leap and bench pressed 225 pounds 25 times.

He rushed for 3,179 career yards and 34 touchdowns.

Oklahoma State running back Kendall Hunter is on the slide with most projecting him to the third round.

Undersized at 5-7, 199 pounds, Hunter rushed for 4,181 career yards and 37 touchdowns. He ran a 4.46 at the combine and in the 4.5 range at his Pro Day workout.

Rangy New Mexico State cornerback Davon House is entering the second-round conversation.

The 6-1, 203-pounder runs a 4.44 and has very long arms.

House played hurt last season with an ankle injury, but is healthy now and impressing teams.

Utah cornerback Brandon Burton didn't play as well on film last season as teams anticipated he would.

He also ran a 4.50 at the combine, slower than expected

Baylor nose guard Phil Taylor is moving up quickly on draft boards.

He's a destructive inside presence with unique size. True nose guards are rare.

One NFL general manager at the Senior Bowl said, "If this kid checks out off the field, he can go in the top 10 picks of the draft."

Illinois junior defensive tackle Corey Liuget has impressive mobility and a lot of upside.

The 6-foot-2, 298-pounder runs a 4.97, and the second-team All-Big Ten Conference selection recorded 63 tackles, 12 1/2 for losses, 4 1/2 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries and three pass deflections.

In Illinois' Texas Bowl game win, Liuget had five tackles and a sack.

There are mixed opinions around the NFL on whether he's going to be a first-rounder or if he's more of a second-round priority for NFL teams seeking a penetrating interior defensive lineman.

 

[pantherclub]

Most people are saying its all but a lock that Newton goes to Carolina at #1.

Please be a smokescreen to trade down for Peterson. When was the last can't miss corner?

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

50. San Diego (9-7) - Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor

Baylor nose guard Phil Taylor is moving up quickly on draft boards.He's a destructive inside presence with unique size. True nose guards are rare.One NFL general manager at the Senior Bowl said, "If this kid checks out off the field, he can go in the top 10 picks of the draft."

great pick in the Shark Pool Mock Draft. Maybe SD has to take him in round1 now at 18????

 

[Ridgelake]

I seen a couple of places now that indicate that Dallas has requested additional tape on Tyron Smith. Far more than any other team.