Random 2011 Draft Chatter....

[sbk92]

Niners investigate UNC prospects

Joining representatives from many other NFL teams, San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke and college scouting director Joel Patten took in UNC's pro day on Thursday, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.

Though athletes like DT Marvin Austin, WR Greg Little, QB Tyler Yates -- who strangely, yet impressively, threw 112 passes during the session -- and LBs Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter might be in consideration for the Niners and other teams in Round 2 and after, the most-heralded prospect on display Thursday was DE/OLB Robert Quinn.

Quinn, who sat out the 2010 season due to NCAA rules violations, may still be on the board when the Niners pick at No. 7 overall, and could be a nice option to fill their need as a pass-rushing OLB in their 3-4 system, dropping in to rush DE in nickel situations. Coincidentally, he's in the No. 7 spot on ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper, Jr's latest Big Board:

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Mel Kiper, Jr.
Quinn will contribute as a rookie

"Great natural pass-rusher, solid athlete, serious motor. High character; Quinn could be an early-impact threat."

 

[sbk92]

Cam as the Panthers' pick

UPDATE: Add the NFL Network's Albert Breer to the list of folks that believe -- about one month out -- that the Carolina Panthers will use the No. 1 overall pick on quarterback Cam Newton.

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Considering the Panthers' draft strategy this offseason is a bit like a decision tree, or to provide a literary example, a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book. First, they must decide whether they want to use the No. 1 overall pick on a quarterback; if they believe that they can find a player from this season's crop that has a better chance at developing into the franchise's leader than Jimmy Clausen, they might answer in the affirmative.

Next, they must decide which of the QBs has the best chance of achieving great success for them as a pro. Based on the voluminous reports being filed on the subject, it's a two-horse race, with Newton and Blaine Gabbert running neck-and-neck. As they continue to gallop towards the finish line, Newton's intangibles continue to be brought into question, the latest example of which was a report from Pro Football Weekly's Nolan Nawrocki.

Within the negatives section, Nawrocki writes, "Very disingenuous -- has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup. Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them. Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law -- does not command respect from teammates and will always struggle to win a locker room ... Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness -- is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example. Immature and has had issues with authority. Not dependable." (H/T to CSN New England for the quote).

As with any prospect in which they're interested, the Panthers have done their own due diligence on Newton, though head coach Ron Rivera is keeping the results of those investigations under wraps. "That's something that we're going to keep in-house as we go through the process with these guys," Rivera said at the NFL league meetings last week, per Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. "Whatever we find out about the guys behind the scene really is a private matter."

In addition to Newton's character concerns, some believe that it will take patience for a team drafting the QB, in that he won't be ready to be a bona fide NFL starter as a rookie. It's all a part of the puzzle in figuring out whether Newton's will be the first name called on the night of Apr. 28.

 

[sbk92]

Tyron lines up visits

Based on a report from Matt Mosley of Fox Sports Southwest this week, we know the Dallas Cowboys have some genuine interest in USC offensive tackle prospect Tyron Smith. So it's no shock that we read the news from Jason La Canfora of NFL.com that the Cowboys are amongst the group of at least seven teams that will visit with Smith prior to the draft.

Here are the seven, in order of first-round pick: the Cleveland Browns, Cowboys, Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons. Previously, Aaron Wilson of National Football Post had reported a list of six teams that Smith would visit, included five from La Canfora's list plus the Kansas City Chiefs. Though there's been no confirmation, we've speculated that the New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens may have some level of interest based on their need at OT.

But when it comes to the Browns, this interest seems a bit counter-intuitive to ESPN AFC North blogger James Walker:

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James Walker
Maybe if they traded back

"The Browns are in need of a right tackle but not to the point of taking one at No. 6. Therefore, the chances of landing Smith appear remote barring a trade down in the first round."

 

[Cr122]

If Smith is drafted, this will all but confirm that Marc Columbo is on his way out. The veteran RT carries a hefty salary headed into 2011, and has durability concerns. Mosley argues that Smith would be able to step in right away as the starting RT before replacing Doug Free at LT.

Good, see ya later Colombo.

Jesus, the writers can't even spell.

 

[sbk92]

Latest on Bowers

UPDATE: The feedback to Da'Quan Bowers' Pro Day performance continues to roll in. ESPN AFC West blogger says you can forget about Bowers going to the Denver Broncos at number two.

Denver was previously intrigued by Bowers partly because he reminded the team of Julius Peppers, who played for new coach John Fox in Carolina," Williamson says. "I think the only way Denver could take Bowers is if it traded down to the No. 5-7 range."

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UPDATE: And now, for the first time today, some good news for Da'Quan Bowers.

ESPN AFC North blogger James Walker says Bowers could still go to the Cleveland Browns or Cincinnati Bengals in the top six in the draft. He says Bowers would be a Week 1 starter in Cleveland.

Agent Greg Linton, meanwhile, quoted Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff as defending Bowers, saying he "isn't running 40 yards as a DE" and that he "[uses] his hands like an All-Pro."

Dallas Cowboys writer Josh Ellis, meanwhile, says Bowers could play in the Cowboys' 3-4 if he could put on 10 to 15 pounds without losing his explosiveness.

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UPDATE: After the disappointing performance that Da'Quan Bowers put on at Clemson's Pro Day (see below), questions emerged about the defensive end's health and fitness. As his athleticism comes into question, one observer says his on-field production is overrated too.

ESPN's Adam Schefter quotes a "front-office exec" who was not impressed with Bowers' game tape. "He watched the tape and didn't see what some others have," Schefter writes. "He said that of Bowers' 15 sacks last season, six came when he wasn't blocked and another three came from a certain kind of scheme -- now his 15 sacks last season are down to six. The film also showed his effort is not consistent and his production was spotty."

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Last week, a number of reports emerged from various sources that injury concerns on Clemson defensive end prospect Da'Quan Bowers were overblown. At the time, we noted that Bowers would be able to answer those questions with a strong performance at his pro day.

That pro day took place on Friday morning, and the results are mixed. According to Tony Pauline of Sports Illustrated, Bowers unofficially ran 40-yard dash times of 4.92 and 4.85. From a qualitative standpoint, Darin Gantt of the Rock Hill Herald didn't appear too optimistic: "Carolina Panthers scout Jeff Beathard is here. He's watching Bowers run fairly slowly. If he's fully healed it doesn't look like it."

This is in stark contrast to statements last week that Bowers didn't look to be affected by his knee injury at all. More importantly, a report from Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer published prior to the workout is discouraging. Grossi passes along word that some teams aren't willing to take a chance on Bowers no matter how his pro day workouts played out. Grossi also speculates that the Browns will pass on Bowers if he is still available when they are on the clock at No. 6.

Any team using a Top 10 pick on Bowers will be sure to get a more detailed assessment of his medical prognosis. Given how productive he was this past collegiate season, he may wind up as the steal of the draft if things fall a certain way.

 

[sbk92]

Cam, Carolina, and the first pick

With each passing day, Cam Newton's selection by the Carolina Panthers as the first overall pick looks more and more likely -- but no less controversial.

Albert Breer of the NFL Network spoke to to executives in the league who would be "shocked" if Newton is not the first choice.

"I'd be shocked if Cam isn't the first pick," an NFC personnel man told Breer. "If I had the first pick, I'd take him. He dominated the best conference in college football, maybe the best individual season I've ever season in college football. And he did that being in a place for one year. You can knock his personality, but as far as leadership goes, I know this -- they followed him (at Auburn)."

"Would I be shocked if Cam slipped out of the Top 10?" an AFC executive asked. "I would be absolutely shocked." However, he acknowledged that Newton carries a lot of risk: "He scares the (blank) out of me."

On that note, Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports reminds us that Newton, like all of the quarterbacks in this year's draft, comes with glaring red flags.

One AFC personnel director told Cole that those who Newton at Florida said his personality was "a serious problem," but he seemed to mature during his time at a junior college and at Auburn. Then things changed.

"Now that he's had a taste of success, you're seeing some of the bad stuff come back," the source said. "The stuff he said to Peter King about wanting to be a star and all that crap. Hey, what about taking care of business first? I give him credit for realizing what he said was stupid -- or at least listening when other people told him he was being stupid ? but the whole package is questionable. Is he going to go back to being a jerk and, if he does, how much work is it going to take to get him out of that, if you can?

"That's not what you want when you take a quarterback No. 1 overall, which is what could happen."

For his part, ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinkas says the Panthers have no choice -- they must take a chance on Newton:

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Pat Yasinkas
Panthers need Newton.

"The Panthers need to use the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft on Auburn quarterback Cam Newton ? When you're out of Luck, there's only one thing left to do in this brave new world in which the Panthers are living. You take a chance. You aim straight for the sky instead of worrying about the floor collapsing. You take Newton."

 

[sbk92]

Falcons eyeing QB?

Yes, the Atlanta Falcons may select a quarterback at the NFL draft in a few weeks. No, Matt Ryan is not going anywhere. But quick: Can you name his backup? If you know the answer, you're either a huge Chris Redman fan, or you live in the 404.

The Falcons could certainly do better than Redman and John Parker Wilson on the bench. ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinkas suggests they turn to familiar territory and take Delaware passer Pat Devlin, who grew up in the same pocket of southeastern Pennsylvania that produced Ryan and former Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub.

Yasinkas points out that the Schaub selection and eventual trade turned a third-round pick into a pair of second-rounders, and that Devlin's pedigree is better than you'd expect from a Delaware quarterback -- he started his NCAA career at Penn State before transferring to the Blue Hens so he could get on the field sooner.

It could all be a coincidence, but Yasinkas says the Falcons' success in the area has been too strong to ignore:

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Pat Yasinkas
Why Devlin makes sense.

"I don't know that Devlin will ever end up being an NFL starter. He has size and background in common with Ryan and Schaub, but the knock on him is he doesn't have the world's strongest arm. But Devlin's been compared to Ryan and Schaub all his life and those are good quarterbacks to be mentioned along with. Drafting those two guys worked out very well for the Falcons. Maybe they need to look into their history and pull one more gem with a trip on U.S. Highway 322."

 

[sbk92]

Will St. Louis take Mark Ing-Ram?

Consensus Plan A for the St. Louis Rams is to take Alabama receiver Julio Jones with the 14th pick in the draft. Plan B, if Jones is off the board (perhaps to the Washington Redskins at number 10), is to go with the best front-seven player available.

Or is it? ESPN NFC West blogger Mike Sando discusses the possibility of the Rams grabbing another member of the Crimson Tide -- running back Mark Ingram. The concern among Rams fans is that Steven Jackson is nearing the end of his career.

In the end, Sando concludes that the Rams have too many other needs to take a first-round runner this year, but it's likely they'll want one in 2012:

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Mike Sando
Jackson's shelf life

"Jackson has averaged 375.5 touches per season since Steve Spagnuolo became head coach. At that pace, he would have 2,956 touches following the 2012 season. He would be 30 years old with more career touches than 22 of the 38 retired backs with at least as many rushing yards as Jackson has now. He would likely be nearing the end."

 

[sbk92]

Pittsburgh's draft strategy

The Pittsburgh Steelers gave up 43 sacks last year, so it makes sense that they'd be looking for offensive tackles in the draft. And indeed they are -- Ed Bouchette of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that three tackle prospects visited the Steelers on Friday.

The surprising bit is the identities of the tackles: Jarriel King of South Carolina, James Carpenter of Alabama and Marcus Gilbert of Florida. That's a trio of lower-tier names, none likely to go off the board in the draft's first three rounds.

If the Steelers are planning on taking an offensive lineman that late in the draft, is that a sign that they're targeting another position in the first round? This is purely speculation, but Rashard Mendenhall did not set the world on fire at running back -- maybe the Steelers are looking to replace him with Virginia Tech's Ryan Williams or Illinois' Mikel Leshoure.

 

[sbk92]

Round 1 thoughts for Chiefs

In mock drafts thus far in the pre-draft season, we've seen the Kansas City Chiefs taking an outside linebacker, wide receiver, defensive tackle and offensive tackle. Obviously, it's going to depend a lot on what the teams ahead of them do, and which players remaining on their board provide the best value.

But a reader of the ESPN AFC West blog had a particular idea, and that blog's proprietor, Bill Williamson tackled the idea within his mailbag column this weekend:

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Bill Williamson
OT possible, but pass-rusher more likely

"I think [drafting an OT like Derek Sherrod] is a possibility. There are several terrific pass-rushers available, so I think the Chiefs could go that way. Chiefs coach Todd Haley recently hinted he could look for a left tackle. That would mean Branden Albert would likely move to right tackle. So, it's an option. But if I had to guess, Albert will get one more year to show he can be the starter at left tackle and the Chiefs will grab a pass-rusher in the first round."

 

[sbk92]

A trade-up for the Patriots?

UPDATE: If the New England Patriots do elect to try and move up in the first round -- a big "if," to be sure -- ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss has a particular pick in mind (see the bottom of the post).

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With seven picks in the first four rounds, the Patriots are in excellent position to package some of those picks together to move up in the first round if a player strikes their fancy. It'd be a bit of a departure from their usual pick-stashing tendency, but ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi has indicated that using all of those picks would make the team too young (as referenced in a recent SportsNation chat by ESPNBoston.com scribe Mike Reiss).

The Pats' pick surplus comes during an offseason in which they may be looking to bolster their outside linebacking corps, as noted by Robert Lee of the Providence Journal. Moreover, this year's draft class has some dynamic options available, especially if the Pats move up several picks from No. 17.

Though the NFL draft pick points value chart may be a little outdated, it can give us a ballpark idea of how far the Patriots can move up if they so desire. Their picks -- with relevant point values -- are listed in the gray box.

Adding all of the top seven together gives them a total of 2,890 points, a number that is, by the chart, not enough to trade for the first pick, but more than enough for No. 2. Obviously, there are a number of different ways to combine these picks to come up with another value.

It's possible that the Pats won't move up at all this season -- or they could just bump up a few spots -- but they certainly have the ammunition to land one of the top picks, putting them in place to draft the draft class' top OLB prospect -- Von Miller -- if they so choose.

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Mike Reiss
This would be mutually beneficial

"If the Patriots consider trading up in the first round of the NFL Draft, I think Washington's No. 10 spot is a logical place as a starting point. The Redskins are without third- and fourth-round picks, and by moving down seven spots could replenish their mid-round supply."

 

[Midswat]

Is it me, or are they inviting a lot more people to the draft than normal.

I thought they only typically brought 8 or so guys to the draft. Seems like every day I'm reading more and more guys are accepting an invitation.

 

[Cr122]

Is it me, or are they inviting a lot more people to the draft than normal.

I thought they only typically brought 8 or so guys to the draft. Seems like every day I'm reading more and more guys are accepting an invitation.

It does seem that way.

 

[Midswat]

The closer we get to the draft, the less likely I think we'll actually take Tyron Smith.

I think the team either wants to trade up for Peterson, or move back and get more ammo.

 

[Midswat]

Julio Jones says medical recheck went well

4/9/2011 3:27:14 PM | More


Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post reports Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones went to Indianapolis this weekend for a medical recheck on his surgically-repaired foot.

"Everything went great in indianapolis with the recheck," Jones wrote on his Twitter account.

Jones had a screw inserted in his foot following the NFL scouting combine with foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson performing the procedure.

Jones ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds and turned in an 11-3 broad jump at the combine despite the injury.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder said he visited the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this week.

 

[sbk92]

Tyron's visits

UPDATE: Greg Cosell of NFL Films had some high praise for USC offensive tackle prospect Tyron Smith on Sunday, calling him the "best athlete I've seen at OT in long time. A stud."

Whether that athleticism will translate to a starting left tackle job in his rookie season remains to be seen, but given the amount of film Cosell watches, it's certainly an impressive statement.

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Based on a report from Matt Mosley of Fox Sports Southwest this past week, we know the Dallas Cowboys have some genuine interest in Smith. So it's no shock that we read the news from Jason La Canfora of NFL.com that the Cowboys are amongst the group of at least seven teams that will visit with Smith prior to the draft.

Here are the seven, in order of first-round pick: the Cleveland Browns, Cowboys, Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons. Previously, Aaron Wilson of National Football Post had reported a list of six teams that Smith would visit, included five from La Canfora's list plus the Kansas City Chiefs. Though there's been no confirmation, we've speculated that the New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens may have some level of interest based on their need at OT.

But when it comes to the Browns, this interest seems a bit counter-intuitive to ESPN AFC North blogger James Walker:

- Tim Kavanagh

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James Walker

Maybe if they traded back
"The Browns are in need of a right tackle but not to the point of taking one at No. 6. Therefore, the chances of landing Smith appear remote barring a trade down in the first round."

 

[sbk92]

Ravens checking out an RB

The Baltimore Ravens are set, for the time being, at the No. 1 spot on their running back depth chart. Ray Rice has proven to be an effective option as the feature back, and at 24-years-old, he's certainly got considerable tread left on his tires.

But with the likely departure of Willis McGahee this offseason, and the possible departure of Le'Ron McClain, the team is exploring the possibility of drafting some fresh blood for the group. According to Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun, the team conducted a private workout for Virginia Tech RB Ryan Williams.

ESPN AFC North blogger James Walker feels that Williams could make a nice fit for the Ravens:

- Tim Kavanagh

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James Walker

Power boost for Baltimore
"Williams is a bigger, 211-pound tailback who could complement the smaller Rice."

 

[sbk92]

Reed getting looks

Arizona pass-rusher prospect Brooks Reed's name has been linked to a number of teams sitting at the tail end of the first round, and we've got an update as to his precise visitation schedule.

According to Aaron Wilson of National Football Post, the Arizona Cardinals will visit with the DE/OLB on Monday, and will meet with the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins later this week. Previously, Reed has met with the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins.

In most multi-round mock drafts we've seen, Reed ends up being selected by a team in the bottom third of the first-round or the first several picks of the second round.

 

[sbk92]

Ingram falling out of the first?

Recently, we considered whether the St. Louis Rams would consider drafting Alabama running back prospect Mark Ingram with the No. 14 overall pick. (ESPN NFC West blogger Mike Sando came to the conclusion that there are better uses for the pick).

Ingram has frequently been linked to the team picking one spot after the Rams -- the Miami Dolphins -- though there has been an increasing number of voices over the past few weeks that this is by no means a foregone conclusion, despite the likely departures of both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. And if the Dolphins don't take him? He might just fall out of the first round entirely.

Rob Rang of CBSSports.com reports that some league sources believe that Ingram does not grade out as a first-round caliber player. Others are of the opinion that running backs are no longer worthy of a first-round selection.

"He's a helluva player," one team source told Rang. "But history has proven that you can find running backs later in the draft. Are you really getting the bang for your buck by taking a back in the first round?"

There's a chance that the New England Patriots might take a chance on Ingram (either at No. 17 or, more likely, at No. 28). Pats coach Bill Belichick is close with 'Bama head coach Nick Saban, so he can get the inside scoop on whether Ingram would be a smart addition to their stable. But aside from the Pats, the teams below the Dolphins are all pretty well-stocked at RB, or have much bigger needs elsewhere.

 

[sbk92]

Panthers closing in on choice

UPDATE: Cam Newton -- one prospect who is thought to be amongst the finalists to be the Carolina Panthers' top pick -- is scheduled to meet with the team this week. On Monday morning, ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas set the stage (read his comments below).

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With just over three weeks left before the draft officially gets going, the Panthers' behavior with the No. 1 pick remains cloaked in mystery. However, based upon a column from Tom Sorensen of the Charlotte Observer, we have a little bit of additional clarity as of this weekend.

Sorensen recently wrote that the Panthers appeared set on Newton as their pick, or at least, wanted the world to think they were set on him. In his latest piece, Sorensen indicates that the Heisman Trophy winner is one of three (or more) players that the Panthers love, being joined by Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green and LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson.

Not only that, but Sorensen appears to have crossed one young man's name off of his list: Blaine Gabbert. "If Carolina trades down, and Newton, Green and Peterson are gone, it could take Gabbert," Sorensen speculated. "But I swear that's the only way."

Within his recent "backup plan" column, our NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper, Jr. focused on a different area of need:

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Mel Kiper, Jr.

D-line needs the most help
"Carolina's top need is along the defensive line, where I feel they really need to find an elite defensive tackle. The options there are obvious, with Nick Fairley and Marcell Dareus dominating the conversation."

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Pat Yasinskas

We've entered the final stretch
"You could call this a final hurdle for Newton who has had his background and character questioned by the media and fans. But I don't think the background and character remain questions in the eyes of the Panthers. I think they're fine with that side of Newton and this is just one of their final acts of due diligence on the quarterback and they're in the process of doing the same thing with some other prospects."