Random 2011 Draft Chatter....

[sbk92]

RB option for the Pats

It seems that a lot of folks are under the impression that the New England Patriots are going to use a draft pick on a running back this offseason, perhaps even in the first or second round. This in spite of the fact that their recent hits at the position -- BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead -- were signed as an undrafted free agent or picked up off of waivers, whereas the player on whom they recently used a high draft selection -- Laurence Maroney -- fizzled out in Foxborough before being traded for a fourth-rounder. This isn't to say that the Pats won't consider all options in making an acquisition at the position, but they're a team that's shown that using a high draft pick on an RB is foolhardy.

In any case, the Pats will get a deeper look at at least one RB draft prospect in the near future, as Aaron Wilson of National Football Post reports that the team will have a meeting (including dinner!) with UConn tailback Jordan Todman.

Todman was Big East Offensive Player of the Year, and backed up his on-field production with solid measurables at the NFL draft combine: a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash, 38-inch vertical and 10-06 in the broad jump.

Given the scouting report from ESPN's Scouts, Inc. on Todman's role in the passing game, it wouldn't seem like he'd be a great fit for the Pats as long as their offensive scheme remains similar to what we've seen over the past several seasons:

- Tim Kavanagh

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ESPN's Scouts, Inc.
Serious limitations as a blocker, receiver

"Comes off the field frequently on passing downs. Has potential to improve in this area but needs work. Shows strong hands when facing the QB but has struggled on occasion to adjust. Not very smooth as a route runner; needs reps. Willing in pass pro but effort is spotty. Does a solid job of cutting the blitzer's legs out from underneath him at times. But blocking is not an area of strength. He can get overwhelmed at the point of attack and he doesn't always fight to sustain."

 

[sbk92]

A.J. Green and the Wonderlic

The Wonderlic test that measures players' intelligence at the NFL scouting combine is usually considered to be important for quarterbacks, who must diagnose and/or coordinate the positions of all 22 players on the field on every play. For other positions, it's unclear how important intelligence is.

Take A.J. Green, for example. According to Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly, Green had the lowest Wonderlic score of any receiver at the combine.

Nawrocki talked to a few unnamed scouts about Green's score. "You're going to have to take it slow with him and let him start at one position and let him learn on the run," one evaluator told Nawrocki. "He's not going to be able to handle learning all three positions. If you ask him to be an X, Y and Z, you're setting him up for failure."

A second onlooker agreed. "You can't cover that guy," he said. "He's so difficult to defend. Will it take him some time? It could. That's on the coaches. It's their job not to give him too much. If you overload him, you could have some problems initially."

But one critic was unconvinced. "A.J. won't reach his full potential," he said. "It's hard for dumb receivers. I don't know that Julio Jones (who scored a 15, ranking in the bottom 12 among wideouts) will be much better."

LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson, like Green considered to be a lock for the draft's top 10, also posted a low score, tied for the lowest among defensive backs. That seems less critical for a cornerback, though. "He's a press corner," one observer told Nawrocki. "His strong suit is that he can run and press. He won't play for the [New England Patriots], where he's disguising coverage after coverage, but I still think he can be a No. 1 shutdown corner."

 

[sbk92]

More Lions draft plans

We told you earlier about the linemen who were visiting the Detroit Lions today, but there was also a playmaker in the Motor City -- Maryland wide receiver Torrey Smith.

"I think that I use my speed to my advantage to help inside on the offense a little more," Smith told Lions writer Tara Altman. "I think I can help out on special teams as a returner or a gunner, whatever they need me to do. I just want to come in here and help out in anyway I can. They really have some top-notch guys here."

Smith is likely to go in the first half of the second round. The Lions have the twelfth pick of that round, number 44 overall. It's possible Smith could last that long, but not guaranteed -- if the Lions are in love with him, they'll need to trade up or risk another team (he's already worked out with the New England Patriots, who pick 33rd)) stealing him.

With his deep-threat speed (4.37-second 40-yard dash at the combine), Smith would be a fine complement to Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson in the Lions' lineup, and could take over for the 29-year-old Burleson as a starter a year or two down the road. The Lions don't necessarily need a kick returner though -- Stefan Logan has ranked in the top ten in kickoff returns each of the last two seasons, and was also one of the top ten in punt returns last season.

 

[sbk92]

Giants going DL?

"You have to know the past to understand the present." - Carl Sagan

Perhaps with Dr. Sagan's quote in mind, Joe Fortenbaugh of the National Football Post has looked back at ten years of data to look at how the New York Giants have drafted, and how they might draft again in 2011.

Two patterns Fortenbaugh noticed: The Giants favor defensive linemen (14 drafted since 2001, more than any other position, including three first-rounders), and they've shown a preference for ACC players (six of their last nine first-round picks have played in the Atlantic Coast).

The Giants have the 19th pick in the first round, so they'll likely miss out on ACC stars like Robert Quinn and Da'Quan Bowers. No other ACC linemen are likely to go in round one, but in the second round the Giants could target one of a pair of defensive tackles, North Carolina'a Marvin Austin or Clemson's Jarvis Jenkins.

 

[sbk92]

Shocking destination for Gabbert?

We've already talked today about how Blaine Gabbert could end up in Arizona or Buffalo, but since then we've heard whispers of a surprising team showing interest in the Missouri quarterback: the Denver Broncos.

ESPN AFC West blogger Bill Williamson notes that two of the most powerful men in the Broncos organization -- vice president John Elway and head coach John Fox -- were in attendance at Gabbert's pro day on Thursday. That's surprising news for a team that already has both a veteran (Kyle Orton) and a youngster (Tim Tebow) at the position and a defense full of holes. As Williamson notes, however, Gabbert is not the only quarterback in which the Broncos have shown interest, suggesting neither Tebow nor Orton is safe in the Mile High City.

(Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun also reported that the Baltimore Ravens had a private workout scheduled with Gabbert, but almost immediately retracted that report.)

- Vince Verhei

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Bill Williamson
Broncos looking at QBs.

"Couple the fact that the Broncos' brass was at Missouri's pro day with the news of their plans to conduct a private workout with Washington quarterback Jake Locker, we have to assume the Broncos will consider taking a quarterback in next month's draft. However, I still have a difficult time buying the idea that the Broncos would bypass major defensive needs and take Gabbert with the No. 2 overall pick."

 

[sbk92]

Prince in Minnesota?

His name is Prince, and he is funky. No, not the guy from Paisley Park -- Prince Amukamara, the Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback. Likely to be the second corner off the board in April's NFL draft, Amukamara is expected to go off the board somewhere in the top ten to 15 selections. Will he make it past the Minnesota Vikings at number 12?

ESPN NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert says Amukamara would make sense for Minnesota in his latest mailbag. While he was asked whether the Vikings would take Amukamara just to spite the Detroit Lions, Seifert says that's irrelevant -- the Vikes may take Amukamara simply because he makes them a better football team.

(If Amukamara does end up in a Vikings jersey, we can all look forward to "Purple Rain" references in headlines for the next half-decade or more. He'll also be able to afford a little red corvette, and ... no, you're right, that's enough.)

- Vince Verhei

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Kevin Seifert
Vikes' corners old, fragile.

"The only certainty they have at cornerback is veteran Antoine Winfield, who turns 34 in June. Cedric Griffin is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, his second in as many seasons. Chris Cook showed some promise last summer in training camp but two knee injuries held him back during the season. The Vikings would have to think hard about taking Amukamara."

 

[sbk92]

Packers trading up?

If you're reading this page, you're well aware that the Green Bay Packers just won the Super Bowl despite putting 15 players on injured reserve. Clearly, this is a team that understands the value and importance of depth. On the other hand, we also know they already have plenty of depth, and that they could afford to put together a bundle of picks to move up in the draft and select a potential superstar, someone like Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller.

ESPN NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert points out that with all the depth on the Packers, any late-round picks they make are going to have a hard time making the team. Still, he doesn't see the Packers changing their organizational course now -- if it ain't broke, after all, don't fix it.

- Vince Verhei

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Kevin Seifert
Don't expect a deal.

"It makes some sense, but I it would require a significant departure from the way [Packers GM Ted] Thompson has built the team in the first place. I think the chances of him staying course -- adding more and more talent on annual basis -- are much higher than a one-time philosophical shift."

 

[sbk92]

Pass rusher in Falcons' nest

The Atlanta Falcons went 13-3 last season, so it's hard to find areas where they're desperate for improvement. They could use a pass rush boost, however. They were only 20th in league with 31 sacks, and it was largely a one-man show. John Abraham was the only player with more than four sacks, and he turns 33 in May. Time for some fresh talent here.

Enter Justin Houston of the Georgia Bulldogs. D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Houston will meet with the Falcons next week.

Houston had 10 sacks last season, and 20 in three years at Georgia. A linebacker in college, he would play at defensive end in the Falcons' 4-3 scheme. ESPN draft expert Todd McShay has Houston landing in Atlanta in his latest mock draft:

- Vince Verhei

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Todd McShay
Great size, great skills.

"Houston has the size (6-foot-2, 270 pounds) and pass-rush skills to be an effective right end in a 4-3 system. He would also find himself in a good situation playing behind and learning from Falcons DE John Abraham, who had 13 sacks in 2010 but will turn 33 during the offseason. Houston could help keep Abraham fresh while preparing to become his replacement."

 

[sbk92]

'Skins' trade idea

The Washington Redskins enter the 2011 draft with a need for a franchise quarterback and dearth of draft picks (they lost their third- and fourth-rounders in trades for Donovan McNabb and Jammal Brown). It's likely that both Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert will be gone when they pick at number 10, but that may not be the worst thing in the world -- the Redskins might be able to fill both needs by trading down.

ESPN's Matt Williamson lays out a dream scenario for the Redskins: trading back into the later part of the first round, then selecting (University of) Washington quarterback Jake Locker.

"I could certainly see [Redskins coach Mike] Shanahan and company being smitten with Locker," Williamson writes. "In a way, he is a combination of Jake Plummer and Jay Cutler. Locker moves very well. He is the strong, athletic type of passer who is needed for Shanahan's offense, both with designed quarterback movement and with his ability to get the ball deep downfield. If Washington could move down maybe ten spots in the draft, accumulate picks for other needs and land Locker if they so desire, I would be fine with that."

Shanahan himself is not averse to this plan. "You can always trade back," he told Redskins writer Larry Weisman. "That's a possibility."

 

[sbk92]

Aldon Smith's stock

Though much of the interest in Missouri's pro day on Thursday was on quarterback Blaine Gabbert, he's not the only potential first-rounder that played for the program in 2010. Smith, projected somewhere in the mid- to late-first round by most pundits, solidified his status in the eyes of those in attendance.

Tony Softli of 101 ESPN (St. Louis), a former NFL personnel man, had this to say about Smith: "Smith is a young player with a huge upside. He is a straight-liner off the edge with first-step quickness and the ability to turn speed into power, tilt tackles to create separation and burst to close on the quarterback. In my opinion, he is best suited for a 4-3 front as a pass rusher. Smith will need to improve the ability to stack at the point of attack against the run consistently. I feel he lacks the awareness to align as a 3-4 outside linebacker, attack from a two-point stance or drop off and play in space. He just might not be wired right for that position. I like his explosion, athletic movement, and first-step quickness."

Both of our draft gurus sent Smith to the Jacksonville Jaguars in their most recent mocks:

- Tim Kavanagh

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Mel Kiper, Jr.
He'll help fill out the D-line

"Smith offers a raw talent package with a lot of upside. He's a player who could easily have been a top-10 pick in 2012 had he stuck around Missouri for another year of development. The Jags went for veterans to spackle over the holes at defensive end last year, but it's time to develop some edge talent to go with what is a really promising defensive interior."

--

Todd McShay
Heir apparent to Kampman

"Smith is a developmental prospect with excellent pass rushing potential who could provide production on passing downs as a rookie while being groomed to become Aaron Kampman's replacement. Jacksonville clearly has more pressing needs in the defensive backfield and at linebacker (particularly WLB and MLB), but no prospect at any of those positions is worth taking with this pick."

 

[sbk92]

Chargers going OLB in first?

With defensive coordinator Ron Rivera hired away to be the new head coach of the Carolina Panthers, it's a time of transition for the San Diego Chargers, though they're expected to retain the 3-4 formation as their base defense. As a result, this year's first-round pick may be utilized on restocking the ranks on that side of the ball.

On Saturday, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune tweeted, "Take it for what it's worth on March 19: More I hear, more I like chance of Ryan Kerrigan being a Charger."

Both of our draft gurus have pass-rusher Kerrigan being selected by the New England Patriots in their most recent mock drafts. In Mel Kiper, Jr.'s vision, Kerrigan goes No. 17 (one spot ahead of the Chargers' pick) while he lasts until the No. 28 pick in Todd McShay's edition.

Following the NFL draft combine, the folks over at our Insider NFL draft blog noted that while Kerrigan had some limitations in coverage -- part of the puzzle as a 3-4 OLB -- he was improving:

- Tim Kavanagh

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Insider NFL Draft Blog
Still a potential liability

"Kerrigan did not perform as well as hoped during the week of the Senior Bowl, when he lined up at outside linebacker, and he doesn't have elite athletic ability. However, he did a better job of moving in space on Monday, and teams looking for help at outside linebacker late in the first round should take note of his improved body control in space."

 

[sbk92]

Another QB in Titans' sights

Sitting at No. 8 overall in the NFL draft, the Tennessee Titans may find themselves in position to take one of this draft class' Top 2 quarterbacks, Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert. However, if both Newton and Gabbert are off the board, all hope for finding a solid developmental prospect is not lost.

Generally, this class of QBs is not regarded as top-heavy, considering the number of analysts who have indicated that none of the prospects will be able to step in as a starter right away, a la Sam Bradford or Matthew Stafford. So in essence, the Titans might actually be in better shape to draft at another position of need in the first round -- anywhere in the defensive front seven, really -- and find a QB in the second round or later to develop with 2012 in mind. Of course, they'll need to find someone to actually start in 2011, but Kerry Collins has not ruled out a return.

In an effort to make an informed decision, the Titans will host Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick at their facilities on March 29. Even if he's drafted by the team, that visit will be the last time he'll see those facilities until there's a labor resolution, an illustration of the bizarre path the league is treading this offseason.

As we know, just because a team has representatives at a player's pro day or schedules an official visit does not mean that they are necessarily interested in drafting him. However, given that the Titans are looking for a long-term franchise QB to grow with their new coaching staff, Kaepernick is likely being considered to some degree.

 

[sbk92]

Browns' draft thoughts

According to what Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren told the media recently, the team does not have a set position to target with the No. 6 overall pick. The Browns have been investigating the quarterbacks, and in the variety of mock drafts being published in recent weeks, they've been given wide receiver A.J. Green (possibly their greatest offensive need), cornerback Patrick Peterson (possibly the best athlete in the class) or a defensive lineman (their biggest defensive need).

Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes that he expects the team to go with that final option on the night of April 28. The Browns should have a number of good options from which to choose, especially if two of the teams ahead of them choose QBs.

One hypothetical conundrum for the Browns will be if both Green and Peterson are available when they are on the clock. One could argue that given their draft picks in 2010 -- CB Joe Haden in the first, safety T.J. Ward in the second -- it doesn't make sense to use another high pick on a defensive back, given needs elsewhere. Then again, as Holmgren has said recently, per Pluto, "We added some people in the secondary last year, which really helped us, but they are young. You can never have too many corners."

 

[Cr122]

Holmgren is a corner whore too. lol

 

[sbk92]

Interest in Curtis Brown

Pegged as a second- or third-round pick in the NFL draft, University of Texas cornerback Curtis Brown has attracted less attention than that of his teammate Aaron Williams, but we do have an update on which teams are doing their due diligence on him.

According to what a source has told Adam Caplan of Fox Sports, Brown has visits scheduled with the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots, and is expected to have a visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers as well. There are likely other teams interested, though no official reports yet in that regard.

Brown is ranked as the seventh-best CB amongst this year's CB prospects according to ESPN's Scouts, Inc., and his profile indicates that he has above-average abilities in all areas except run support. Given that area of concern, teams that deploy some version of the vaunted Tampa-2 scheme -- which requires the CBs to play a role in stopping the run -- may show less interest.

 

[sbk92]

Another WR option for Rams

Though the St. Louis Rams will have some injured wide receivers returning to the fold in 2011, the buzz this offseason has been that they are amongst the group of teams looking to add to their corps of pass-catchers, either via free agency or the draft. One possibility for the team with their first pick (No. 14 overall) is Julio Jones, though some believe Jones may not be available when the Rams' pick comes up. With this being a possibility, the Rams are scouting the other prospects at the position as well.

One other such prospect is Torrey Smith, a Univ. of Maryland product. Gil Brandt of NFL.com reports that Rams receivers coach Nolan Cromwell participated in Smith's pro day.

From what we've been seeing and hearing, Smith figures to be a late first-round or second-round pick, so he would become the more likely pick if the Rams traded down.

 

[sbk92]

Falcons have a need for speed

ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas crafted an insightful column elaborating on the Falcons' need for a speedy wide receiver, including this interesting nugget culled from data provide by ESPN's Stats and Information group:

"On passes of 21 yards or more downfield, Matt Ryan completed 38.5 percent of his passes to Roddy White and three of them went for touchdowns. When throwing that same distance for other receivers, Ryan only completed 16 percent of his passes for one touchdown."

So, Ryan needs a secondary downfield threat behind White. One player that might be able to fill this role is Jerrel Jernigan, a Troy product who recently had a private workout attended by Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, head coach Mike Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In Ledbetter's view, this signifies that Jernigan is under serious consideration.

Jernigan, a QB in high school, has run a 4.32 in the 40-yard dash, and when asked to compare himself to a current pro, went with DeSean Jackson. "At Troy, I didn't get a lot (of press coverage). I can get off of press, but I just didn't see it a lot in the conference I played in. But I can get off press. I can play outside or inside."

Some feel that the Falcons are all but certain to take a pass-rushing defensive end in the first round (No. 27 overall), and it would appear that Jernigan is in the mix for them in the second. [Editor's note: He wasn't selected in Todd McShay's latest mock (which went two rounds deep), so it's possible].

- Tim Kavanagh

--

Adam Schefter
Other positions take priority

"I don't see them taking a wide receiver in round one, but it also depends on who is available. Few people would have thought that Dez Bryant would have slid where he did last season, and the Dallas Cowboys moved up to grab him -- so anything can happen. But in a perfect world, I see Atlanta going with an offensive lineman, a linebacker or even another cornerback. But it's hard to see wide receiver in round one -- just doesn't seem like the style of Atlanta's general manager Thomas Dimitroff."

 

[sbk92]

Chargers, Pats to swap picks?

That the New England Patriots could be dealing some of their draft picks this season is not too surprising; they're usually one of the more active teams in draft pick swaps. But a new report on Monday is noteworthy in that we now have a possible suitor for one of their first-rounders.

Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune passes along word from a San Diego Chargers executive that there is a buzz that the Pats are interested in moving the No. 28 overall pick, their second in the first round. Moreover, this executive acknowledges that the idea is an intriguing one for the team.

As Acee notes, the Chargers have picks No. 50, 61, 82 and 89 in the draft this year (after their own first-rounder at No. 18), and some of these -- or future year picks -- could be packaged to move back into the end of the first round if they like a certain player enough.

 

[sbk92]

Panthers whittling down from eight

Last week, the buzz seemed to be that the Panthers were zeroing in on quarterback Cam Newton as the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, for better or worse. However, we still have over five weeks before the team must officially make their selection, so it's not surprising to hear their public stance that the board is still shifting.

According to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer, the Panthers are considering eight different prospects as their choice, including three quarterbacks: Newton, Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Mallett. In addition to the QBs, other possibilities include cornerback Patrick Peterson, wide receiver A.J. Green and defensive linemen Marcell Dareus, Da'Quan Bowers and Nick Fairley.

When it comes down to it, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera isn't going to leave any avenue unexplored in trying to build up this roster. "We have a number of positions that we've identified as needs. We're trying to get to that point where we can start filling those needs as the time is appropriate," Rivera said, per Person. "If you can fill a need through free agency, we're going to do it. If we have to go through the draft, we'll do it. If we've got to make a trade, we'll do it."

- Tim Kavanagh

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John Clayton
Seems like they'll take a QB

"The Panthers will look at A.J. Green this week and he's definitely a consideration. If they draft Green, they probably would trade Steve Smith. Overall, though, I think they are going to draft a quarterback. As much as they like Jimmy Clausen, the organization realizes the value of having a franchise quarterback. I think they view Cam Newton as more of a potential franchise quarterback than Blaine Gabbert. That's why I'm starting to think Newton is going to be their pick, although I realize they are still trying to make up their minds."

 

[sbk92]

Chargers' first-round targets

Monday morning, we passed along a rumor indicating that the New England Patriots were open to moving their second first-round pick in this year's draft (No. 28 overall), and that the San Diego Chargers were a possible trade partner.

But the Chargers have their own pick at No. 18 overall to play with as well, a topic to which we devoted an update on Sunday. One possibility for the team is Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan, who would likely play OLB in the Chargers' 3-4 alignment.

Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune provided some other options on both sides of the ball, given that there is a need for help along both lines. In addition to Kerrigan, players on Acee's watch list are fellow OLB Aldon Smith, DEs Adrian Clayborn, Cameron Jordan and J.J. Watt and OTs Nate Solder, Anthony Castonzo and Tyron Smith.