Random 2011 Draft Chatter....

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Non-Ingram options for Dolphins

"Everyone from Mel Kiper to my Aunt Kathy thinks the Dolphins will use their 15th pick on Mark Ingram if the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner still is on the board," ESPN AFC East blogger Tim Graham writes Thursday. But given his low Speed Score -- read all about it in this article by Bill Barnwell of the Football Outsiders -- maybe he's not as much of a shoe-in as everyone appears to think.

Though there is some talent up and down the Dolphins' roster, running back is not their only need. Referring back to the team needs article from Gary Horton of ESPN's Scouts, Inc., quarterback, safety, interior offensive line, wide receiver and a pass-rusher are also considered areas of need this offseason.

One person who doesn't have the Dolphins taking Ingram at No. 15 overall is a man that covers the team for a living. Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel has the Dolphins taking speedy WR Torrey Smith with their first pick, noting that Smith has the capacity to stretch the field for the Dolphins.

Given the number of pass-rusher prospects in this year's class, that would appear to be another strong possibility.

 

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Taylor a first-rounder?

With the prevalence of the 3-4 defense in the NFL -- and the importance of the nose tackle to that formation -- a young draft prospect that projects to being able to handle the rigors of playing NT can be stick out, even in a draft that is as stacked with D-linemen as this one.

Such could be the case for Baylor product Phil Taylor. "Don't see him getting out of the first round," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock recently said, per Evan Silva of NBCSports.com. "I must have gotten five phone calls after his pro day, people just raving about him."

Four teams in the Top 10 run a 3-4 -- the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins -- though there are bigger needs elsewhere for each. The Houston Texans sit at No. 11, and they will need an NT as they make the switch to a 3-4, but help in the secondary is a more pressing concern (to put it mildly). The next possibilities are the San Diego Chargers at No. 18, the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 21 and the New York Jets at No. 30. The Miami Dolphins just used their franchise tag on Paul Soliai, so it wouldn't make a lot of sense to use a first-round pick on another NT.

 

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The Titans and Cam

The Tennessee Titans are among the nine teams slated to visit with quarterback Cam Newton in preparing for the NFL draft. And if he's still on the board when it's the Titans' turn to make their pick at No. 8 overall, there's a figure from Oilers/Titans franchise lore that wants them to take the Auburn product.

According to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, Warren Moon -- who has been working with Newton -- is going to reach out to new Titans coach Mike Munchak (a former teammate), and extol Cam's virtues as a unique player.

"Now I have no idea what Mike is thinking as far as where he wants to go, but I know they don't have a (quarterback) right now and I know this guy is going to be special," Moon said, per Wyatt. "I'm just going to tell him what I know as he tries to make his decision."

Of course, maybe the Titans' recent experiences with a highly-drafted, successful college QB may sway the team another direction. In a tweet on Friday morning, ESPN AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky noted that "there are legitimate comparisons" between Newton and Vince Young.

 

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Bears going OL in first?

Mike Tice is generally seen as a difference-maker for making what he could out of the Chicago Bears' offensive line during the 2010 season. In an effort to give him a blue-chip player to work with in 2011, will the team use their first-round pick (No. 29 overall) on one of the front five spots?

That's one idea, and in the first mock draft compiled by Bob LeGere of the Daily Herald, he has the Bears taking Danny Watkins, who played at Baylor. As LeGere notes, Watkins played left tackle in college, but is being projected as an interior lineman at the NFL level.

With a grade of 88 by ESPN's Scouts, Inc.'s standards, Watkins is the second highest-rated interior lineman behind Florida's Mike Pouncey.

 

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CB idea for Steelers

One idea for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the draft is to trade up from No. 31 overall so as to get in position to pick Maurkice Pouncey's brother Mike. Pouncey is the 24th-highest rated prospect by ESPN's Scouts, Inc., so this would not be a small trade.

On Thursday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was at another school in the Sunshine State (the Pounceys are University of Florida products): the University of Miami, where the Hurricane prospects staged their pro day. Chris Freet of the UM athletic department tweeted that a number of NFL head coaches were on hand, including Tomlin, Jack Del Rio, Tony Sparano and Bill Belichick.

After seeing this report, ESPN AFC North blogger James Walker thinks that Tomlin may have been there for a specific player:

- Tim Kavanagh

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James Walker
Harris could be a match

"Miami cornerback Brandon Harris could be a player of interest with the No. 31 overall pick. The Steelers have a big need at cornerback, and Harris is projected to go late in the first round or early in the second round."

 

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Ravens thinking CB?

Two of the Baltimore Ravens' top needs this offseason involve the passing game: a speedy wide receiver to complement the underneath work being provided by Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason, and a cornerback, given the health and free agent status of the unit.

With the opening of the free agent market uncertain -- meaning they'll have to wait to make their pitch to players such as Nnamdi Asomugha, Antonio Cromartie, Johnathan Joseph and the like -- the draft is one surefire way for the team to address their needs. And so, it comes as no surprise that the Ravens are gathering information on top WR and CB prospects that may be available to them at No. 26 overall.

According to Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun, the Ravens met with Jimmy Smith after his Colorado pro day, and Smith is a player that could be available to them.

"Smith is a talented guy who needs to work harder and get in better shape and take these workouts seriously," Gil Brandt of NFL.com said, per Hensley. "Because he does have talent, but he sometimes doesn't play up to it. He's definitely the No. 3 corner in this draft behind Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara."

 

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Another idea for Browns at No. 6

While no one knows exactly how the night of April 28 will play out, hints can be found by examining the various mock drafts and looking for common ideas. One such idea is for the Cleveland Browns to address their need at wide receiver at No. 6 overall by drafting A.J. Green, thought to be the top WR available in this season's class.

But if they don't grab Green, another idea is for the team to build up the defensive line. The Browns are switching back to a four-man front for 2011, and at No. 6, they'll be able to take a player that would likely be an upgrade at any of the four spots.

In the latest mock draft from Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Grossi has the team taking defensive tackle Nick Fairley, who some people envision going first overall to the Carolina Panthers.

Grossi does not claim to have any inside info that the Browns are definitely targeting Fairley, but he did report Thursday that of the team's football operations staff, president Mike Holmgren was the only one not at Auburn's pro day this week. Though Cam Newton was the prospect that many of the attendees were most closely monitoring, the Browns may have been more interested in his former teammate on the D-line.

 

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Detroit draft theory

For all the weaknesses on the Detroit Lions' roster, they seem to be set at a few positions. One of those solid spots is running back, with Jahvid Best entering his second season. However, while Best's speed is terrifying, he's not going to scare defenses with his size (less than 200 pounds). Would the Lions ignore other needs to grab a power back to complement Best, and take Alabama's Mark Ingram in the first round of April's draft?

ESPN NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert says he can see it. "I have to admit the combination of Best's speed and Ingram's bullish style sounds pretty good to me, especially when you consider Ingram proved to be a pretty solid receiver in college as well," Seifert says. "According to ESPN Stats & Information, Ingram caught 53 of the 62 passes he was targeted on over the past two years. Of the nine incompletions, only three were recorded as drops. The Lions like to throw to their running backs, and Ingram would fit right in."

Seifert says he expects the Lions to go in a different direction, but he wouldn't blame them for selecting Ingram. "To be clear: I would have no quibbles if they pulled the surprise," he says. "Many people consider running backs to be the proverbial 'dime a dozen.' To me, the decent running backs might be. The really good ones, however, are more difficult to find."

 

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Peterson's impact

ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper has LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson as the top athlete on his big board. In his latest mock draft, however, he projects Peterson falling to the seventh pick of the San Francisco 49ers in his latest mock draft. No cornerback has ever gone first overall in the draft, and few have gone in the top seven. Is it worth it to take a cornerback so high?

ESPN NFC West blogger Mike Sando looks back at every cornerback selected in the top seven of the NFL draft in the past 15 years and how they have fared. The list is only eight names long, showing just how rare it is for a cornerback to go so high.

Two of those players (Charles Woodson and Champ Bailey) are Hall of Fame candidates. Three were effective early in their careers before being undone by injuries (Shawn Springs, Bryant Westbrook) or off-field issues (Pacman Jones). Two have been consistent starters with varying degrees of success (Quentin Jammer, Terence Newman), and the jury is still out on one (2010 draftee Joe Haden of the Cleveland Browns).

Just goes to show that there are no sure things in the draft.

 

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49ers tip QB plans?

Texas Christian quarterback Andy Dalton had a number of onlookers at his pro day today, reports Gil Brandt of NFL.com. Observers included a number of NFL offensive coordinators, such as Jay Gruden of the Cincinnati Bengals and Dirk Koetter of the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, only one NFL head coach was on the scene: Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers.

Matt Bowen of the National Football Post says it makes sense for Harbaugh to be there. He suggests that rather than take a gamble on a first-round quarterback, the 49ers should pick from a group of second-round quarterbacks who lack jaw-dropping physical gifts, but have experience in pro-style offenses. That group includes Dalton, Florida State's Christian Ponder, and Iowa's Ricky Stanzi.

 

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Rams' draft blueprint

Most mock drafts before the NFL combine had the St. Louis Rams filling their need at wide receiver with Alabama's Julio Jones. Then came the combine, and Jones' show-stealing performance. Now Jones is unlikely to make it to the Rams at 14. (ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper has Jones going to the Washington Redskins at 10 in his latest mock draft.) If that's the case, what do the Rams do then?

ESPN NFC West blogger Mike Sando addresses that issue in his latest mailbag. One Rams fan suggests that the Rams need help in the secondary, especially following the release of safety Oshiomogho Atogwe. Sando disagrees, saying the front seven is a bigger priority.

"Teams feel as though their scheming can mask issues in the secondary more than it can mask deficiencies on the line," Sando writes. "Dominant defensive tackles such as Ndamukong Suh or Cortez Kennedy will cause more immediate problems for offenses than talented safeties or cornerbacks will ever cause. Offenses can always throw away from defensive backs. They cannot avoid huge men lining up within a few feet of their quarterback."

Kiper agrees -- he sees the Rams going with Illinois defensive tackle Corey Liuget:

- Vince Verhei

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Mel Kiper, Jr.
Liuget fills a need spot for the Rams.

"A relentless player who displays leverage, power and the ability to locate the ball well against both the rush and the pass, Liuget fills a need spot for the Rams and is a player I'm sticking with here from the last mock ... I also can see the Rams going for an outside linebacker at this spot. Liuget solidified his elevated stock in Indy and has moved up in a deep defensive line class."

 

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The Dolphins and TEs

The New England Patriots won the AFC East last season with a 14-2 record, and they did it with an offense largely built around a pair of rookie tight ends, Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. Could the Miami Dolphins try to fight fire with fire, using a two-tight end approach against the Pats? If they want to do that, they're going to need another tight end.

When we say that Anthony Fasano was the only tight end on the Miami roster last season, it's almost literally true -- the other tight ends on the roster combined for exactly two receptions. Which is why it's interesting that Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post reports that the Dolphins will have a private workout with Arkansas tight end D.J. Williams before April's NFL draft. Teams work out and visit prospects all the time -- Wilson notes that four other teams have also expressed interest in Williams -- but there seems to be substantial fire behind Miami's smoke.

Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post says Williams "fits [Miami's] need of speed." Wilson notes that Williams ran a 4.59-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine, and he would give the Dolphins a big-play option on seam routes. He's undersized at 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, but scouts compare him to another successful AFC East tight end: Dustin Keller of the New York Jets.

Because of his size, Williams is the fifth-ranked tight end in the draft. The Dolphins should be able to get him in the third or fourth round, a great value at that point.

 

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Injury woes for Bowers?

After skipping on-field drills at the NFL scouting combine, defensive end Da'Quan Bowers had hoped to impress scouts at Clemson's pro day -- and NFL executives were just as hopeful for a chance to see what Bowers could do. But now, Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post says Bowers is still recovering from knee surgery and will not participate at the pro day.

"Bowers is now slated to do on-field work April 1 for those interested," writes Legwold, "allowing him more time to regain his form."

"That flies in the face of the '100 percent' evaluation Bowers gave his knee at the combine, though he did not do on-field work in Indianapolis last month. Because he had just one big season with the Tigers, pro day is an important step for Bowers to maintain the lofty draft status he enjoyed before the workout season began."

"Bowers' knee surgery is a question mark, with several teams now saying it is more serious than he has said. The medical staffs for every team in the league got a good look at it at the combine, including an MRI."

This injury may cause Bowers to slip in the draft. ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper currently projects him to go to the Titans at number eight:

- Vince Verhei

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Mel Kiper, Jr.
A tremendous natural pass-rusher.

"Bowers falls a little because of needs elsewhere before this pick and because of some very small but lingering questions about his knee. He was unable to work out in Indy as a precaution with his recovery. Tennessee targeted its pass rush in the first round last year, but Bowers simply represents too much value at this position and with the pass rush still in need of an upgrade, he provides immediate help as well."

 

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Browns trading down?

There's at least one Cleveland Browns fan out there who wants the team to trade down in the draft. ESPN AFC North blogger James Walker addressed that possibility in his latest mailbag. He expects a lot of trades in the draft this year, but says the Browns would probably be best served sticking with the sixth pick and adding a playmaker.

And what a playmaker -- ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper expects the Browns to come out of the draft with the top wide receiver available:

- Vince Verhei

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James Walker
Will Browns trade down?

"There's always a possibility, and this is a great year to do it, because there are a lot of good prospects in the top 20. The Browns wanted to trade down last year but could not generate enough interest in their seventh pick. This year, there will be several teams looking to move up depending on how the draft board shakes out. But I think the Browns, who need more star players, would be wise to take the best player at No. 6."

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Mel Kiper, Jr.
A true No. 1 wideout.

"Green answered all the necessary questions at the NFL combine, checking in just a hair under his listed 6-foot-4, with a 211-pound frame that could easily take on a little more weight, and his 4.48 speed in the 40 was solid given his size. In Green you have a player with the profile of an immediate impact talent at wide receiver and a solution on the outside in Cleveland, where they are desperate for a true No. 1 wideout. He's a perfect fit, and it's hard to imagine the Browns passing on him if he's around. (Especially if they ask Colt McCoy for an opinion.)"

 

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New target for Bengals

Sitting at No. 4 overall, the Cincinnati Bengals have been linked to a number of different players with that pick from quarterback Cam Newton to defensive linemen Nick Fairley, Da'Quan Bowers and Marcell Dareus to cornerback Patrick Peterson. After the first week of pro days, there's another name in the mix.

According to draft guru Gil Brandt of NFL.com, the Bengals sent DB coach Kevin Coyle to Nebraska's pro day, and the primary DB on showcase amongst the Cornhusker prospects was Prince Amukamara.

As Brandt notes, there has been some recent buzz that the Carolina Panthers are giving serious consideration to drafting Peterson first overall, and the Denver Broncos also appear to be quite interested in the LSU product. That being the case -- and mindful of the fact that Johnathan Joseph may be splitting this offseason -- the Bengals are covering themselves for that possibility.

Then again, if the Panthers take Peterson, that may leave Newton for the Bengals, who ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper, Jr. feels is the right choice:

- Tim Kavanagh

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Mel Kiper, Jr.
Palmer saga driving decision

"In 2003, Marvin Lewis' first year as head coach with the Bengals, the franchise drafted Carson Palmer, and had the discipline to start Jon Kitna all season and let Palmer learn the system while waiting to step in as the franchise quarterback. With Palmer on his way out, Lewis could do something similar in 2011, drafting Newton, letting him take a year to learn the system and plugging in an interim solution in the meantime."

 

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Another WR option for Rams

A number of draft prognosticators have the St. Louis Rams selecting a wide receiver with their first-round pick (No. 14 overall). With A.J. Green likely off the board by that point, Julio Jones seems to be the name most frequently mentioned as the team's likely choice. But what if both Green and Jones are taken by then?

For starters, they'll have to take someone else with that pick, and such was the case in ESPN NFL draft guru Mel Kiper, Jr.'s latest mock (see who he thinks they'll take in that scenario in the excerpt at the bottom of the post).

But the Rams may also be interested in grabbing another WR prospect later on over the course of the draft, and one possibility is Ricardo Lockette, who has been putting up some noteworthy measurables in the pre-draft season. Lockett -- a former track star -- blazed to a 4.37 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL draft combine, and bench-pressed 225 pounds 22 times at his pro day, according to Aaron Wilson of National Football Post.

Draftinsider.net reports that Lockett may wind up in the fourth round, and that the Rams have shown particular interest in him. All is not lost if the Rams whiff on Green, Jones, Lockett and the rest during the weekend of April 28-30; the free agent market (whenever it opens) features a number of productive wideouts.

- Tim Kavanagh

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Mel Kiper, Jr.
Illinois DT Liuget becomes the pick

"A relentless player who displays leverage, power and the ability to locate the ball well against both the rush and the pass, Cory Liuget fills a need spot for the Rams and is a player I'm sticking with here from the last mock. If a receiver were to fall to this position, I think St. Louis would jump, but like Detroit in front of them, their position of biggest need doesn't offer a sensible value matchup right here. I also can see the Rams going for an outside linebacker at this spot. Liuget solidified his elevated stock in Indy and has moved up in a deep defensive line class."

 

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OLB prospect intrigues Pack

As has been mentioned a number of times already in recent weeks, the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers are in good shape heading into this offseason: their small army of players that finished the season in IR will be returning, plugging a lot of alleged "holes" on the roster.

But just like every other team, the Pack will be participating in the draft, and there are some positions in need of some fresh blood. One spot that could be bolstered is outside linebacker. Clay Matthews will continue to hold down that spot on one side, but a bookend is needed, and it's possible the Pack will target draft prospects to fill that role.

One under-the-radar option is Marc Schiechl, who holds the Div. II record for career sacks after finishing his tenure at Colorado School of Mines with 45 occasions on which he placed the quarterback on the ground. Schiechl ran the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds, bench-pressed 225 pounds 38 times and had a vertical jump of 35 inches, according to Draftinsider.net. Per the site, the Packers were among three teams in attendance for the workout (the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos being the other pair).

So Schiechl might be an option in later rounds. ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper, Jr. also has the Pack taking an OLB in Round 1:

- Tim Kavanagh

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Mel Kiper, Jr.
Packers feeling the need for Arizona's Reed?

"At about 260 pounds, Brooks Reed is a productive player who profiles well as a rushing 3-4 outside linebacker who could help take some pressure off Clay Matthews in Dom Capers' system. A smart player with above-average quickness, he's a sleeper in this class, as a player who can get after the passer, but also shows instincts as a guy who can drop into coverage."

 

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Falcons set on a DE?

There has not been all that much buzz on the Atlanta Falcons' first-round draft behavior yet, primarily because the conventional wisdom is that they'll be taking the best pass-rusher available and that's that.

But while Jay Adams of AtlantaFalcons.com and Dave Choate of Falcons blog The Falcoholic did concur in a recent chat that finding a pass-rusher was of paramount importance -- with Purdue product Ryan Kerrigan seen as a viable choice -- another possibility was discussed: the always popular trade-down.

Should there be a run on defensive ends in the spots ahead of the Falcons, that will mean that top prospects at other positions may slide -- including a QB or two -- and this would make the team's pick at No. 27 overall quite enticing for those in the first half of Round 2. If the Falcons' top options are already off the board, and they still feel as though they can get a productive player in this later spot while picking up an extra pick in the mid to late rounds, it's a smart move.

Meanwhile, ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper, Jr. has them taking another DE from the Big Ten:

- Tim Kavanagh

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Mel Kiper, Jr.
Iowa's Clayborn a relentless force

"The Falcons are a solid team without a true glaring need, but a 4-3 defensive end with the ability to rush the passer and great awareness and discipline against the run can help them in 2011. Clayborn has good size, a reputation for relentlessness and the respect of his peers -- Gabe Carimi called him the best defensive end he'd faced at the college level."

 

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Cincy's pro day plans

Earlier Sunday, we examined the possibility that the Cincinnati Bengals would use the No. 4 overall pick in the draft on Nebraska product Prince Amukamara. It's a pretty wild scenario -- two cornerbacks being taken in the Top 4 picks -- but it is technically possible.

In any case, the Bengals will continue their pre-draft season by attending pro days this week, and Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer thinks that three specific campus-based sessions will intrigue the Bengals.

Monday is LSU's pro day, and that means that CB Patrick Peterson will be on display. Wednesday will be the day for Florida State prospects to show off, including QB Christian Ponder, a possible second-round target for Cincinnati. Finally, on Thursday, Blaine Gabbert and the rest of the Missouri products will showcase their talents, and Gabbert is a possibility at No. 4 overall.

 

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Cincy's pro day plans

Earlier Sunday, we examined the possibility that the Cincinnati Bengals would use the No. 4 overall pick in the draft on Nebraska product Prince Amukamara. It's a pretty wild scenario -- two cornerbacks being taken in the Top 4 picks -- but it is technically possible.

In any case, the Bengals will continue their pre-draft season by attending pro days this week, and Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer thinks that three specific campus-based sessions will intrigue the Bengals.

Monday is LSU's pro day, and that means that CB Patrick Peterson will be on display. Wednesday will be the day for Florida State prospects to show off, including QB Christian Ponder, a possible second-round target for Cincinnati. Finally, on Thursday, Blaine Gabbert and the rest of the Missouri products will showcase their talents, and Gabbert is a possibility at No. 4 overall.

That would garuntee we don't select a corner with the 9th pick.