Draft Sharks NFL Draft News & Notes

Topdawg13 · Mar 29, 2011

Sorry no link, directly from my inbox.............

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Draft Sharks
NFL Draft News & Notes
March 28, 2011
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With the NFL Draft just a month away, here’s what we’re hearing…

** Georgia’s A.J. Green is still regarded as the top WR prospect in this year’s draft class, although Alabama’s Julio Jones has definitely closed the gap. That being said, Browns beat writer Terry Pluto wouldn’t be surprised if Cleveland selected Jones over Green with the 6th overall pick in this April’s draft. Jones, a physical WR and an excellent downfield blocker, is a better fit in new HC Pat Shurmur’s West Coast offense. But passing up Green’s big-play ability would be tough.

** We’re no closer now to knowing who the Panthers are taking with the 1st overall pick than we were a month ago. Beat writer Steve Reed believes that Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert and Alabama DT Marcell Dareus are the odds-on favorites to head to Carolina. Reed says “support is dwindling” for Auburn’s Cam Newton. Meanwhile, beat writer Darin Gantt and ESPN’s Adam Schefter believe Newton will be the pick. This is still a fluid situation, and we probably won’t have a really good idea about who the Panthers are targeting until just a few days before the draft. But for what it’s worth, our money is on Gabbert.

** With Clemson DE Da’Quan Bowers’ Pro Day just a few days away – and new reports surfacing that he’s failed at least two physicals – agent Joe Flanagan is once again claiming that Bowers’ knee is not an issue. “Recently, inaccurate reports have surfaced regarding our client, Da’Quan Bowers, the health of his knee and the scheduling of his workout,” Flanagan said. “Bottom line: Da’Quan’s knee has progressed ahead of schedule, in every regard, since the day he walked out of his procedure. There have been no ‘setbacks’ or new concerns.” Flanagan can say whatever he wants, but ultimately, Bowers’ draft stock hinges on how he looks at his workout this Friday.

** It’s anyone’s guess as to what the Bills will do with the 3rd pick. HC Chan Gailey has been talking up all the top prospects. A few days after calling both Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert “outstanding,” Gailey raved about Texas A&M LB Von Miller. “He understands leverage, he understands blow delivery, he’s got amazing speed and quickness,” Gailey said. “He’s an interesting guy.” Gailey got a long look at Miller when coaching his team at the Senior Bowl. We’re still thinking that Buffalo is going QB in the 1st-round, but Miller will likely be the pick if they don’t.

** Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd opted to return to school for his Senior season after receiving a 3rd-round grade from the Draft Advisory Committee. But after a recent DUI arrest – his 2nd in the past 14 months – Floyd may end up declaring for the NFL after all. He’s been suspended indefinitely from the Notre Dame football program, and has the option of entering the supplemental draft in July. Floyd goes 6’3, 227 pounds and holds the Irish record for career TD receptions. In our opinion, he’d be the 3rd-best WR in this year’s draft class.

** Wes Bunting of the National Football Post is hearing that USC OT Tyron Smith is a real possibility for the Cowboys in the 1st-round. #9 overall seems a bit early for Smith. And there’s no way Dallas is passing on Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara if he gets to them.

** According to Fox Sports’ Adam Caplan, most teams don’t have a 1st-round grade on Washington QB Jake Locker. He’s boosted his draft stock with a good offseason, but teams are still concerned about his accuracy inside the pocket. Still, remember that it takes just one team to fall in love with him to make Locker a 1st-round pick.

** NFL Network’s Mike Mayock says it’d be an “upset” if the Broncos didn’t select Alabama DT Marcell Dareus at #2 overall. We’re leaning that way too. Denver needs serious help on its defensive line, and Dareus has emerged as a much safer prospect than Auburn’s Nick Fairley. Dareus is a perfect fit in new HC John Fox’s 4-3 scheme.

** Here’s one we haven’t heard: ESPN’s Trent Dilfer believes TCU QB Andy Dalton will come off the board in the 1st-round this April. "One of the reasons why he hasn't generated as much momentum and hype is because what personnel and coaches do at this time of the year when they've kind of settle on who they want, they're going to shut up about that guy," Dilfer said. "At the end of the day, the good quarterback people in this league -- I will not be wrong here -- are going to be wanting Andy Dalton late in the first round or early second round if he happens to fall that far." Interesting thought, but we’re not buying it. Dalton’s lack of arm strength limits him to teams who run West Coast offenses. We expect him to land in the late 2nd or early 3rd-round.

** Opinions continue to be split on Georgia DE/LB Justin Houston. The National Football Post’s Wes Bunting talked to two scouts after Houston’s Pro Day last week. One scout was certain that Houston will come off the board within the first 16 picks because of his freakish size-speed combination. The other scout compared Houston to Denver’s Robert Ayers and said that he views him as a 2nd or 3rd-rounder. Our guess? Houston will get picked in the early 20s. Kansas City and New Orleans are possible landing spots.

** Looking for the next Chris Johnson? You probably won’t find him. But the closest thing in this year’s draft class may be Eastern Washington RB Taiwan Jones. Jones is a wiry 6’1, 200 pounds, but he can run like the wind. A foot injury prevented him from working out at the Combine, but Jones expects to run a 4.3 40-yard dash at his Pro Day in mid-April. “He has an explosive burst vertically and laterally, as well as the acceleration to get to the second level of the defense,” NFL Draft Scout’s Rob Rang says. “Jones is the most dynamic open field runner in this draft.” He’s currently viewed as a mid-round pick, but a blazing 40-time could really boost his draft stock – ala Chris Johnson.

** Pointing to the fact that they allowed the 6th-fewest sacks in the league in 2010, Lions GM Martin Mayhew claims that offensive line isn’t a major need for his club. "They're all saying that's an issue for us, that that's a problem for us,” Mayhew said. “I think they make a connection between the injuries and the ability to protect the QB, when that may not be a correct assumption.” Lions QBs suffered 5 different injuries last season, including Matt Stafford’s 2 shoulder separations. Numbers can be deceiving sometimes. Based on the eye test, Detroit definitely needs help on the offensive line. We’d still put the odds of them grabbing an OT with the 13th overall pick at greater than 50%.
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ToddsPhins · Mar 29, 2011

Gailey raved about Texas A&M LB Von Miller. “He understands leverage, he understands blow delivery
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HA! I can't believe Von fell for that one! Thought that test only worked on desperate actresses, but what do I know.

ToddsPhins · Mar 29, 2011

Is it too soon to trade into the top spot of the supplemental draft?

MonstBlitz · Mar 31, 2011

Draft Sharks? Isn't that the fantasy football website? Which really sucks, btw. Their projections are the worst. And they charge the most money of any pay site.

Topdawg13 · Apr 12, 2011

MonstBlitz said:

Draft Sharks? Isn't that the fantasy football website? Which really sucks, btw. Their projections are the worst. And they charge the most money of any pay site.
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Well, I don't pay them a penny, I get their free "e mailer". I don't agree they suck, but to each their own.

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