NFL Combine Information

[numone9er]

Pre Combine: Top 15 prospect rankings | National Football Post

A few surprises there. Ta'amu at 14, Charles at 13, Glenn at 9, and DeCastro at 4.

Kendall Wright...I'm just going to go ahead and say it. He's the DHB of this years draft.

 

[BINGO]

Richardson's knee issue
9:52AM ET
Trent Richardson
Wednesday evening, reports emerged -- like this one from the NFL Network -- that Alabama RB Trent Richardson would not be doing on-field drills at the NFL scouting combine. Richardson suffered a knee injury prior to the BCS Championship game, and had a "minor scope," per the report.

It's bad timing for the top RB prospect in this year's class, and as it turns out, the surgery may have been a little more serious than initially reported. According to ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen, Richardson won't work out at Alabama's Pro Day, either.

Though Richardson has gone as high as No. 4 to Cleveland in some mock drafts, his injury status -- along with the declining value of NFL RBs in general -- could push him later in the first, possibly to Cincinnati at No. 17 or 21.

- Tim Kavanagh​

 

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You must not be a big fan then, since you weren't a huge fan of Watt last year either.

Whaaa. Go trace the old 9er boards. If they're still in existence. I never uttered one negative thing about Watt. You are obviously confusing me with someone else.

 

[BINGO]

2012 NFL combine primer
AFC West combine primer
February, 23, 2012 11:00AM ET
By Bill Williamson

INDIANAPOLIS -- Let’s take a look at what AFC West each team may be seeking during the NFL combine, which starts Thursday:

Will the Raiders still love speed? It became a combine ritual. The Raiders would draft the fastest, or one of the fastest players, at the combine. It happened several times in recent years: Stanford Routt, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Jacoby Ford and DeMarcus Van Dyke. No team in the NFL valued speed more than Al Davis’ Raiders. Davis died in October. Will the Raiders be married to speed now that Reggie McKenzie is the general manager? I’m sure the Raiders will stick to Davis’ values somewhat, but I think it will no longer be automatic to connect the fastest combine runners to the Raiders.

Will the Chargers get their pass-rusher? The Chargers took defensive end Corey Liuget at No. 18 last year and bypassed several pass-rushers in a deep class. This year’s class is not nearly as deep, but the Chargers still need a pass-rusher. Once again, San Diego has the No. 18 pick.

Safety Mark Barron is one of several Alabama defenders that AFC West teams may take a look at.

Will the Alabama defense roll into the AFC West? Alabama won the BCS championship last season on the strength of a dominant defense. There are several key Alabama defenders who will go early in the draft, starting with linebackers Courtney Upshaw, safety Mark Barron and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick. I could see all three players drawing interest in the AFC West. I think San Diego would jump on Upshaw if he somehow fell to No. 18, and it could take Barron if it doesn’t address safety in free agency. If Kirkpatrick drops, Denver could take him at No. 25.

Will the Broncos look at quarterbacks? Yes, I believe they will, but it remains to be seen whether Denver makes a play for a quarterback in the early rounds. Denver looked at all the top quarterbacks last year, and I think John Elway and his group will do the same this year. In his last mock draft, Todd McShay of Scouts Inc. has Denver taking Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill at No. 25. I’m not sure Denver -- which has committed to Tim Tebow going to training camp as the No. 1 quarterback -- will take a quarterback that high, but there will be interest in the position.

Is Trent Richardson on the Chiefs’ radar? The Alabama star running back won’t compete at the combine because of a minor knee surgery. However, he will be able to run at his pro day early next month. Still, perhaps the Chiefs will meet with Richardson. He has been connected to Kansas City in several mock drafts. I’d be surprised if Kansas City ended up with him because of other needs and because the Chiefs have running back Jamaal Charles coming back from a torn ACL. But it is an intriguing scenario.

Chiefs, Chargers looking at the O-line: Both Kansas City and San Diego could use their top pick on an offensive lineman. There are several players who could help their standing with a strong combine. I think Stanford tackle Jonathan Martin will be closely watched by both teams. San Diego could also look at Wisconsin’s Peter Konz if it doesn’t want to re-sign free agent Nick Hardwick.

Watch out for Luke Kuechly: The Boston College inside linebacker has a chance to be a hot name in the top half of the first round if he has a big combine. He was productive in college and his game translates well to the NFL. Kansas City will surely be interested in him and could have competition if Kuechly lights it up in Indy.

Broncos will be watching running backs: The Broncos probably will add a running back early in the draft or in free agency. Denver could use its top pick on the position. It will be closely watching Miami’s Lamar Miller, Washington’s Chris Polk, Virginia Tech’s David Wilson and Boise State’s Doug Martin, among other tailbacks, this week

Is this the time for a tight end in San Diego? I expect the Chargers to look at tight ends this week. This isn’t considered a great class, but the Chargers need to consider getting younger at the position. Antonio Gates will turn 32 in June and has been dealing with injuries the past few years. The Chargers probably would have to commit a second-round pick for the top tight ends, which include Stanford’s Coby Fleener, Clemson’s Dwayne Allen (though, they could both be late first-round choices) and Georgia’s Orson Charles.

Nick Foles needs to show Denver some accuracy: There was talk that the Arizona quarterback could be on Denver’s radar last season. But he had some trouble with interceptions, which may have cooled the team on him. If he can show better accuracy at the combine. Foles could be a mid-round target of the Broncos again.

The Raiders need to pay big attention: The Raiders currently have the smallest draft class in the NFL this season. They have just a fifth- and a sixth-round pick. They will, though, probably get two or three compensatory picks next month. The earliest will be at the end of the third round. But don’t think for a moment that the combine won’t matter to Oakland. The Raiders will have to dig deep and find great value in the mid-to-late rounds to get some something positive from this class. Closely scouting the combine will be essential.

Is Brandon Weeden too old? The Oklahoma State quarterback is one of the more interesting players in the draft. He has skills that translate to the NFL, and some people think he could be a future starter. But Weeden turns 29 in October. There really isn’t much time to groom him. Is it worth spending a premium pick on a player who could be over the hill in five years? I think both Denver and Kansas City could look at him, but they would have to be comfortable with his age.

Will the coin flip the Chiefs’ way? The Chiefs will have a coin flip with Seattle to determine the No. 11 and No. 12 picks in the draft. It is set to take place Friday. If the Chiefs lose and get the No. 12 pick, it will not be the end of the world, but there’s no denying there is more value in having the No. 11 pick.

Will Mercilus impress the Chargers? One player to keep an eye on for the Chargers is Illinois pass-rusher Whitney Mercilus. He came on strong in 2011, but there are consistency questions. If he answers all the right questions on and off the field this week, I could see his being a target at No. 18.

Will Chiefs look at suspect character players? Kansas City has a reputation for taking players with sterling off-field reputations. However, last year, genearl manager Scott Pioli took Pitt receiver Jon Baldwin in the first round and Georgia pass-rusher Justin Houston in the third round. Both had character questions. Baldwin ended up missing a chunk of his rookie season because of a reported training camp fight with veteran Thomas Jones. It hurt his development. However, Houston was outstanding as a rookie. Let’s see whether Pioli takes more risks this year.

Will Broncos add players to aid Tebow? If Denver takes a running back early, adds to the offensive line and beefs up the defense, that means it is doing what it can to build around Tebow. The best way Denver can win with Tebow is with a good running game and strong defense.

Will the Broncos finally draft a defensive tackle in the first round? Denver could take a defensive tackle at No. 25. Among the players it may consider are Penn State’s Devon Still, Mississippi State’s Fletcher Cox and Michigan State’s Jerel Worthy. Denver hasn’t taken a defensive tackle in the first round since Trevor Pryce in 1997.

Will Arizona State linebacker impress the Chiefs or Chargers? Arizona State’s middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict was considered a top-10 pick before the season. But after his production fell off and he had some character issues, Burfict is no longer considered a sure first rounder. I think he could help both the Chiefs and Chargers. His progress this week will be watched by these two teams.

 

[BINGO]

2012 NFL combine primer
AFC North combine primer
By Jamison Hensley

As the NFL combine kicks into gear today, here are the hot draft topics involving the AFC North teams:

Robert Griffin III is one player the Browns will be interested in meeting with at the combine.

Will Robert Griffin III fit into the Browns' system? The Browns say they're still evaluating the Heisman Trophy winner, and they'll ultimately have to determine whether he's worth trading up from the No. 4 overall pick. RG3 plans to run the 40-yard dash (he's targeting sub-4.4 seconds) but he probably won't throw until his pro day on March 21. The biggest question that the Browns have to answer is whether RG3 can convert from the spread offense that he ran at Baylor. That will come during the interview process when Cleveland officials will go through their offense and pick his brain. ESPN's Todd McShay said he would "be surprised if he doesn't floor teams with his intelligence and understanding of the game."

Sticking to standard line: The Steelers have used their first-round pick on strengthening the offensive or defensive line for the past three years. The trend has a strong chance of continuing this year, and it's not out of habit. The Steelers need to find a potential replacement for nose tackle Casey Hampton, who is coming off ACL surgery and has a high cap number. The best fit is Memphis' Dontari Poe, a 350-pound powerhouse. There's a chance he could challenge the combine record of 49 reps in the bench press. The Steelers might have to consider moving up from No. 24 if Poe has a strong showing.

Tracking the running backs: The Browns and Bengals each have two first-round picks, and they both could use one on a running back. The Bengals aren't expected to re-sign Cedric Benson, and the Browns could do the same with Peyton Hillis. There won't be any on-field evaluation of Alabama's Trent Richardson, the No. 1 running back in the draft who won't participate in drills after having minor knee surgery. This shouldn't hurt his draft status because Richardson's size, speed and power make him a legitimate top-10 pick. Miami's Lamar Miller, who has been linked to the Bengals' second first-round pick, is looking to solidify his standing as the second-best back in the draft by showcasing his speed. He could record the fastest time of any player in the 40-yard dash.

Center of attention: Not many centers get selected in the first round, and the Ravens have never taken one that high. That could change this year because starter Matt Birk isn't expected to return (even if he decides not to retire) and backup Andre Gurode is an unrestricted free agent. Wisconsin's Peter Konz is trying to remain the top center in this draft. His biggest hurdle is the medical check. Konz was diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs in 2009 and then missed three games in 2011 with a dislocated left ankle (he did return to start the Rose Bowl). Baltimore has taken players off their board in the past (like tight end Rob Gronkowski last year) because of medical concerns.

Sorting through the secondary: The Bengals are in need of a young cornerback and could take one in the first round. Leon Hall's status is unknown after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. Nate Clements is entering his 12th season. Plus, top backups Adam Jones and Kelly Jennings are unrestricted free agents. Cincinnati has no shot at the top cornerback in the draft, LSU's Morris Claiborne, who should go in the top five. The Bengals have to figure out who is the second-best corner: Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick or North Alabama's Janoris Jenkins.

Disappointing double move: One potential target for the Browns' fourth overall pick is Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon. Cleveland is in desperate need of a playmaker for an offense that ranked 30th in scoring. Blackmon is considered the top wide receiver in the draft because of his hands and body control. But, if the Browns are going to invest this high of a pick, they have to gauge whether he has the speed to get open. It looks like the Browns will have to wait until Blackmon's March 9 pro day before they can time him. ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports "it doesn't look like" Blackmon will run with the rest of the receivers on Sunday.

 

[ChrisPozz]

Bob Glauber:

49ers' GM Trent Baalke on not taking combine 40 times too seriously. Says some who run 4.3 "are going to be 4.6 guys all day long in pads."

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Matt Miller:

Trent Baalke, to the dismay of all scouts, says the #49ers do put some stock in the 40 yard dash

 

[BINGO]

2012 NFL combine primer
AFC South combine primer
By Paul Kuharsky

INDIANAPOLIS — With the NFL scouting combine under way, a look at some storylines that will develop at Lucas Oil Stadium and the meeting rooms in the Indiana Convention Center.

Hello Mr. Luck: Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck was here briefly during Super Bowl week for a Gatorade promotion. But his podium session Friday will be viewed as the first of many times he will dissect his play at LOS, which everyone expects will become his home stadium when the Colts draft him first overall at the end of April.

Defensive end Quinton Coples cemented his status as an elite draft prospect at the Senior Bowl.

Will the Jaguars fall in love with Quinton Coples? A year ago, virtually every analyst had the Jaguars taking defensive end Ryan Kerrigan in the first round. And that’s what they would have done if they had not jumped up with a trade to take Blaine Gabbert. Now it looks like the team will be paired with North Carolina defensive end Couples. Do the Jags develop the same affection for him that they did for Kerrigan a year ago?

Barron’s health: Mark Barron is recovering from double hernia surgery. Does the lack of field work here and at the Crimson Tide’s pro day affect his draft stock? And can that be a positive thing for the safety-needy Titans, who pick 20th and would have to consider him if he lasted that long? After Barron, the position doesn't offer a great deal in the draft.

Houston’s needs: The Texans are the least likely team in the division to add a significant outsider in free agency, because they have salary-cap issues. Their draft needs could be shaped by what happens with their own pending free agents. If Mario Williams leaves, they’ll need another outside linebacker for their 3-4. If Chris Myers gets away, center becomes an issue. But more than anyone in the division, the Texans should set up to be able to draft the best players they see. Being unpressured by a giant need is always somewhat of a relief.

Learning philosophies: Colts general manager Ryan Grigson and coach Chuck Pagano have been doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work to get their house in order and lay the groundwork for their plans. We should start to learn more about their philosophy and intentions in the coming days. How far can they take a hybrid 3-4 in the first year? What will an offense under a new staff look like? And what kind of players here can make those schemes go?

The influence of Khan: Jacksonville general manager Gene Smith is now preparing for his first draft with a new boss. Shahid Khan has said he’s all in, so the Jaguars could do some significant spending in free agency before the draft arrives. If Smith was lacking in any resources before, such things should not be an issue now.

Webster’s influence: A year ago, Ruston Webster had a big influence over the Titans' draft, and it produced a very good looking class. Now Webster has been promoted to general manager. So this draft won’t only have his fingerprints on it, it’ll have his signature on it. He’s a highly respected personnel man who appears to be a steady, methodical guy who can find productive people who fit what Mike Munchak and his staff want to do.

Phillips’ opinions: In his first year as the Texans' defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips had a big influence on the Texans' draft. End J.J. Watt and outside linebacker Brooks Reed were giant contributors in their rookie seasons. The Texans showed great defensive depth, but can still stock up help at every level of the defense. Can Phillips help general manager Rick Smith and the front office tab a few more top-flight contributors?

Thin spots: Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. says he sees safety as the thinnest overall position and offensive line as less than stellar. That’s bad for Tennessee and Indianapolis as both teams need help at both spots. That’s good for Houston and Jacksonville, which did good work filling safety spots in 2011 and won’t have a lot of offensive line work, though the Jaguars' pass protection needs to improve.

 

[BINGO]

2012 NFL combine primer
NFC North combine primer
February, 22, 2012 3:00PM ET
By Kevin Seifert

The NFL's annual scouting combine opens Wednesday and will conclude next Tuesday. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Media interviews begin Thursday morning and continue through Sunday, and I'll be on hand for an access schedule that should net us time with the general manager and/or coach of every NFC North team over the next few days.

Although we don't have access to most of the workouts themselves, dozens of players should be available for interviews. I'll feed the blog with zeal, of course, but to help sharpen our focus, let's consider a few important NFC North storylines to follow. If you have other ideas, hit the mailbag.

Will USC left tackle Matt Kalil be available for Minnesota to draft with the No. 3 pick in April?

The value of the No. 3 position: Historically, the combine has helped solidify the top of the draft. We don't always leave Indianapolis knowing the order of the top few picks, but we generally know which players will comprise that pool -- knowledge that should help the Minnesota Vikings determine who they'll have to choose from at No. 3 and how intense trade interest will be.

We should know, for example, if USC's Matt Kalil is unquestionably the draft's top left tackle, or if there are any lingering doubts about his status. Is Kalil good enough that the St. Louis Rams will consider him at No. 2 overall? We'll get a better idea of interest in Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. Would the Rams trade out of No. 2 with a Griffin-infatuated team?

Finally, what other options would the Vikings have if they neither draft Kalil nor trade out of the spot? Is LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne a top-3 pick? What about Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon or Alabama running back Trent Richardson?

That Mega-contract: The Detroit Lions' tight salary cap situation has been one of our top offseason storylines, and presumed relief would begin with extending the contract of receiver Calvin Johnson. As it stands, Johnson is scheduled to have a cap number of around $22 million in 2012 and, if unaddressed, would be eligible for a franchise tag of around $26 million in 2013. The proximity of agents and team executives at the combine often fosters productive negotiations, and it's safe to assume that Lions president Tom Lewand will have some talks with Johnson's agent, Bus Cook.

The Lions aren't yet in crunch time with Johnson, but reducing his cap number by March 5 would make it easier for them to use the franchise tag on defensive end Cliff Avril, as they reportedly plan to do. Johnson has most of the leverage in this situation and figures to emerge, eventually, as the NFL's highest-paid receiver and possibly the best-paid non-quarterback in the league.

Second-tier pass rushers: The Green Bay Packers certainly will spend time negotiating with their free agents, from tight end Jermichael Finley to center Scott Wells to special teams ace Jarrett Bush. But it's also safe to assume they'll focus on prioritizing the pool of pass rushers who could be available to them at the bottom of the first round, or possibly in a trade to move up in the second round.

Elite pass rushers usually don't get past the top half of the first round, putting the Packers in a race to find the next Brooks Reed, the Houston Texans' second-round pick in 2011 who started 11 games and had six sacks as a rookie. Scouts Inc. currently has two defensive ends with grades that would give them value at the end of the first round: Syracuse's Chandler Jones and USC's Nick Perry.

Secondary help: To varying degrees, all four NFC North teams could use an influx of defensive backs. Given the league-wide passing explosion in recent years, it's fair to say there are plenty of other teams on that list as well. That means searching far and wide for talent, and to that end, Scouts Inc.'s Kevin Weidl offers a list of 12 small-school defensive backs who should get attention.

You'll need an Insider subscription to see the entire list, but it's topped by former Florida cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who spent last season at North Alabama. It also includes Montana cornerback Trumaine Johnson and Coastal Carolina cornerback Josh Norman.

WR depth: If new Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery takes to heart a suggestion from his quarterback, he'll have an interesting group of big receivers to evaluate this week. "Anyone really over 6-2 at this point is going to look good," Jay Cutler said this week on ESPN 1000.

It's safe to assume that Blackmon won't be available when the Bears draft at No. 19 overall. The rest of ESPN anlayst Mel Kiper's list top five receivers looks like this: Baylor's Kendall Wright, Notre Dame's Michael Floyd, LSU's Rueben Randle and South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery. Wright is a 5-10 speedster, so if the Bears truly focus on big receivers, our combine focus will be on Floyd (6-3), Randle (6-4) and Jeffery (6-4).

Related: For those interested, here is a comprehensive schedule for the players invited to Indianapolis, beginning with medical testing for three position groups who will arrive Wednesday.

 

[Yadahell]

"Broncos will be watching running backs: The Broncos probably will add a running back early in the draft or in free agency. Denver could use its top pick on the position. It will be closely watching Miami’s Lamar Miller, Washington’s Chris Polk, Virginia Tech’s David Wilson and Boise State’s Doug Martin, among other tailbacks, this week."

I think Robert Turbin will also be in consideration here. I'm certain the Bronco's scouts have seen plenty of him and he fits their scheme. Of course I would prefer that he's wearing a 49er uniform as he brings a lot more to the table when compared to 3rd stringer Anthony Dixon.

 

[BINGO]

2012 NFL combine primer
NFC East combine primer
February, 22, 2012 2:30PM ET
By Dan Graziano

With the NFL scouting combine kicking off, let's take a look at some of the story lines involving NFC East teams in Indianapolis this week. We'll do them in draft-pick order:

Washington Redskins
Biggest need: Well, it's quarterback, as everyone within 500 miles of the beltway knows. But the Redskins will also be talking to wide receivers, defensive backs and offensive linemen at this year's combine. They have a number of needs, and a number of different things they can do with the No. 6 overall pick. The key question is whether they'll stay at No. 6. A big part of the combine is the after-hours interaction between team executives, agents, etc. By the end of this week, if they don't already, the Redskins might have some idea about what it would cost them to trade up to No. 2 overall and ensure they could draft Baylor quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III. Once they have some idea of that price, they can decide whether Griffin is their answer at quarterback or whether they need to find one in free agency and use the No. 6 pick on a receiver or a defensive back.

Interview targets: The Redskins will surely want to talk to Griffin, along with other, lower-ranked quarterback prospects such as Ryan Tannehill, Brock Osweiler and Brandon Weeden. At other positions, it makes sense for them to be keeping an eye on wide receiver Justin Blackmon, cornerback Morris Claiborne and maybe an offensive tackle such as Riley Reiff.

Later-round sleepers: Boise State safety George Iloka is a second-day type of player on whom the Redskins could have their eye if the chips fall correctly. LaRon Landry looks like he may be a goner in Washington, and they could use some help at safety. And there's some buzz right now about Midwestern State tackle Amini Silatolu, who projects as a guard in the NFL and might look nice on the left side of the line next to Trent Williams.


Dallas Cowboys
Biggest need: They have several, but none so glaring as cornerback. When one of your starters gets hurdled by two fullbacks in the division title game, you know you have a problem at the position. The Cowboys pick 14th in the first round, and if they've addressed cornerback in free agency they could use the pick on a pass rusher, a safety or even an interior offensive lineman like Stanford's David DeCastro. But even if they pick up a big-name free-agent corner, it's not out of the question they could draft another in the first round. Their need at the position is that desperate.

Interview targets: With Claiborne almost certain to be gone by 14, the two corners on which the Cowboys have their eye are Janoris Jenkins and Dre Kirkpatrick. But they'll surely check in on DeCastro as well as pass rushers such as Melvin Ingram and Courtney Upshaw. Mel Kiper had the Cowboys taking Alabama safety Mark Barron in his most recent mock draft, and with Abram Elam's 2012 status in doubt, it wouldn't be a huge shock to see them take the top available safety at 14.

Later-round sleepers: Todd McShay's recent post on possible combine sleepers mentions Montana cornerback Trumaine Johnson and McNeese State safety Janzen Jackson as guys who could be there for the Cowboys at need positions after the first round.


Philadelphia Eagles
Biggest need: The Eagles need linebackers — at least two of them. The issue is whether there is value at that position in the first round. If Boston College's Luke Kuechly is still there at No. 15, it would make a ton of sense for the Eagles to take him. But Andy Reid's draft history doesn't indicate that he likes taking linebackers that high. In spite of their disappointing 2011 season, the Eagles don't look, on paper, like a team with a lot of obvious needs. If they don't take a linebacker at 15, I'd expect them to either move down or pick a big defensive tackle such as Fletcher Cox, Devon Still or Dontari Poe. And if DeSean Jackson is traded or leaves via free agency, they could target a wide receiver such as Michael Floyd or Kendall Wright.

Interview targets: All of those names above, but I'm going to throw the two cornerbacks in here as well — Kirkpatrick and Jenkins. The Eagles obviously love to stock up on cornerbacks, and if they trade Asante Samuel for salary/overcrowding reasons, it's not crazy to imagine them deciding one of those corners has too much value to pass up. As for their troubled pasts... hey, this is Andy Reid we're talking about here.

Later-round sleepers: Michael Vick's not going to be around forever, so don't be surprised to see the Eagles spend an early-round or mid-round pick on a quarterback such as Osweiler or Nick Foles. But those guys aren't really sleepers, because you've heard of them. Nebraska's Lavonte David is a well-regarded, if undersized, linebacker prospect. At wide receiver, remember the name Tim Benford from Tennessee Tech.


New York Giants
Biggest need: Offensive line. The champs patched it together in January with a line that wasn't very good in the first half of the season but played big when it needed to. But Kareem McKenzie looks set to leave as a free agent, David Diehl won't play forever and the Giants need to be thinking about what their offensive line will look like in the future. They haven't taken an offensive lineman in the first round since Luke Petitgout in 1999, but at No. 32, their pick is barely in the first round, and they'll take the best player available, as they always do. Don't be surprised if that player is a tight end such as Clemson's Dwayne Allen. The Giants did lose two tight ends to knee injuries in the Super Bowl. Oh, and if they lose both Aaron Ross and Terrell Thomas in free agency, they may need a cornerback.

Interview targets: Allen and Stanford's Coby Fleener at tight end. Mike Adams and Bobby Massie at tackle. I also wouldn't be surprised to see them look at a versatile rush linebacker like Marshall's Vinny Curry. I always think the Giants need help at linebacker, though they never seem to agree.

Later-round sleepers: Louisiana-Lafayette tight end Ladarius Green could fill a need for them in the middle rounds if his knees check out this week. And the Giants like to take late-round running backs, so keep an eye on Senior Bowl star Doug Martin from Boise State.

 

[ChrisPozz]

Utah State's Wagner to miss Combine - NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN

 

[BINGO]

2012 NFL combine primer
NFC West combine primer
By Mike Sando

A few of the NFC West angles I'll be tracking from the NFL scouting combine beginning Thursday:

•Value of the No. 2 overall pick. The St. Louis Rams hold it, but they already have their quarterback. The pick's trade value could fluctuate based on how well Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III performs — not just at the combine, where he is expected to run (not throw), but also at his pro day. The Rams have needs throughout their roster. They need additional picks. Moving back from No. 2 would not necessarily require settling for a lesser player if quarterbacks were the first two players chosen.
[+] Enlarge

Receiver Justin Blackmon could help his draft stock depending on how well he performs at this week's NFL combine.

•Justin Blackmon's 40-yard time. The Rams need weapons for quarterback Sam Bradford. Blackmon, the big wide receiver from Oklahoma State, could help in that area. NFL teams will want to see how well he runs at the combine. Raw speed isn't everything for wide receivers, of course. It can be vastly overrated, particularly for wideouts with Blackmon's size. Still, a respectable 40-yard time could make teams feel better about drafting Blackmon among the first few picks overall.

•Coin toss. Seattle and Kansas City finished tied in calculations for draft order. As a result, they will flip a coin to determine which team picks 11th and which one picks 12th.

•QBs beyond the top two. Andrew Luck and Griffin figure to be long gone when Seattle picks 11th or 12th overall. Will Ryan Tannehill or another quarterback open eyes at the combine? Last year, early mock drafts projected only a couple first-round quarterbacks. Teams wound up drafting four among the top 12 overall choices. Seahawks general manager John Schneider recently stressed an aversion to forcing a quarterback pick based on need. Is it too early to rule out taking one 11th or 12th?

•Sizing up the pass-rushers. Seattle would love to snag a top-tier rusher in this draft, particularly if quarterback isn't a viable option early. North Carolina's Quinton Coples and South Carolina's Melvin Ingram are two to watch. We'll want to emerge from the combine with a better feel for which players might fit.

•Kalil and the tackle class. Arizona and St. Louis need help at offensive tackle. USC's Matt Kalil figures to be the top prospect and gone among the first several overall selections. Where do Iowa's Riley Reiff and Stanford's Jonathan Martin fit into the picture? Will they be gone when Arizona picks 13th overall?

•Value at the receiver position. The San Francisco 49ers have relatively few needs. They went 13-3 on the strength of good coaching and talent. They could use help at wide receiver, however. That doesn't necessarily mean they need to draft one in the first round. Last year, they watched Doug Baldwin, who had played for 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh at Stanford, become a threat in Seattle as an undrafted free agent. Receiver wound up being one of the very few positions San Francisco did not address particularly well, either through free agency or the draft. Which wideouts could make surprising rookie impacts among those chosen later?

Thanks to those who weighed in with thoughts earlier Wednesday. I'm still going through some of those and will follow up as the combine gets going.

 

[BINGO]

2012 NFL combine primer
NFC South combine primer
By Pat Yasinskas

With the NFL combine kicking off, let’s take a look at several of the potential story lines involving the NFC South during the draft-preparation event:

Double dipping again? Last year, Tampa Bay general manager Mark Dominik used his first two picks on defensive ends Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers. The year before that he used his first two picks on defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Brian Price. In that same draft, Dominik also took two receivers almost in succession, with Arrelious Benn coming in the second round and Mike Williams in the fourth. If there’s a position where I can see Dominik doubling up this year, it’s cornerback. It’s unclear what the future holds for Ronde Barber and Aqib Talib.

The pressure is on coach Mike Smith to get the Falcons to the Super Bowl, not just the playoffs.

Sitting it out: The Saints and Falcons don’t have first-round picks. But their scouts and coaches should be paying close attention to all the top prospects. You never know who might fall out of the first round, like Bowers did last year. More importantly, there’s no guarantee the Saints or Falcons stay out of the first round. They both have aggressive front offices and both are in a win-now mode. I can see either one trading back up into the first round.

Flip a coin: That literally is what it will come down to in deciding who gets the No. 8 pick and who gets the No. 9 pick between Carolina and Miami. The coin flip will be held Friday in Indianapolis. Carolina general manager Marty Hurney is an extremely superstitious guy and I’m guessing he’s carrying some sort of coin that he thinks is lucky. By the way, Hurney is so superstitious that he’s hoping for the No. 8 pick for another reason besides the fact it’s one spot higher than No. 9. In the 2003 draft, the Vikings failed to turn in their pick on time. The Panthers wound up jumping ahead of them and taking offensive tackle Jordan Gross. He’s had a pretty nice career, so Hurney probably is hoping for a repeat.

In need of a hit: Like coach Mike Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan, Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff is under a bit of pressure if the Falcons don’t advance deep into the playoffs next season. Owner Arthur Blank has said simply making the playoffs isn’t good enough. He wants to contend for the Super Bowl. Dimitroff has had mixed success with his first-round picks. Ryan and linebacker Sean Weatherspoon have worked out pretty well and Julio Jones looks like he can be an elite player. But defensive tackle Peria Jerry and offensive tackle Sam Baker have had their careers stall. Dimitroff is going to be busy in free agency, but he needs to pull a starter somewhere out of this draft and it would be especially nice if that guy was a defensive end or a left offensive tackle.

In need of a pass rush: The problem with new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnulo’s scheme is that the Saints don’t have the personnel to run it effectively yet. Spagnuolo likes to generate almost all his pressure from the front four. Outside of veteran defensive end Will Smith, the Saints don’t have any real pass-rush threats on the line. The Saints almost certainly will address that in the draft.

 

[ChrisPozz]

Joe Person:

Miami's Jacory Harris announced as "throwing QB," which means he stays and throws DB drills. Worked out pretty well for T.J. Yates last yr.

 

[clyde_carbon]

Whaaa. Go trace the old 9er boards. If they're still in existence. I never uttered one negative thing about Watt. You are obviously confusing me with someone else.

Bingo I was talking to Sick. That's why I quoted SICK.

 

[ChrisPozz]

Mary Kay Cabot:

Ohio State tackle Mike Adams said he's talked to the Browns and they've discussed playing him at right tackle.

------

Scott Kegley:

Harbaugh: "I can't wait to find these guys and ask them why they didn't come to Stanford. Confront them." #Combine49
------

Matt Miller:

If you've never sat through a Jim Harbaugh press conference, you're missing out.

Harbaugh: "Alex is our guy." #49ers
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Aaron Wilson:

Ohio state tackle mike adams told me he has a meeting with the ravens today has also met with the rams among others

 

[clyde_carbon]

Here's my pre combine top-25. This was really, really hard to do and a lot of guys are real close to each other. Hopefully it'll be easier after the combine? Also I'm sure it looks crazy to put some guys in this 25 but I usually have a pretty unorthodox list. Anyways:

1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. Matt Kalil, OT, USC
3. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St.
4. Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama
5. Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
6. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
7. David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
8. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
9. Devon Still, DT, Penn St.
10. Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska
11. Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
12. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
13. Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia
14. Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
15. Orson Charles, TE, Georgia
16. Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
17. Ronnie Hillman, RB, SDSU
18. Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia
19. Nick Perry, DE, USC
20. Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
21. Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
22. Doug Martin, RB, Boise St.
23. Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.
24. David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
25. Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma St.

 

[ChrisPozz]

Kalil said in his interview that he's up to 306 lbs, according to numerous twitter feeds. He also checked in at 6'6 which likely means the exact measurement is a hair under 6'6.

 

[Smalls]

Here's my pre combine top-25. This was really, really hard to do and a lot of guys are real close to each other. Hopefully it'll be easier after the combine? Also I'm sure it looks crazy to put some guys in this 25 but I usually have a pretty unorthodox list. Anyways:

1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. Matt Kalil, OT, USC
3. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St.
4. Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama
5. Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
6. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
7. David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
8. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
9. Devon Still, DT, Penn St.
10. Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska
11. Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
12. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
13. Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia
14. Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
15. Orson Charles, TE, Georgia
16. Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
17. Ronnie Hillman, RB, SDSU
18. Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia
19. Nick Perry, DE, USC
20. Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
21. Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
22. Doug Martin, RB, Boise St.
23. Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.
24. David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
25. Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma St.

It is pretty unorthodox. Interesting though for sure. You're RB and WR rankings stand out to me. You must value Miller's speed a ton.

 

[BINGO]

Bingo I was talking to Sick. That's why I quoted SICK.

My bad, it was too early in the morning. Trying to work with an empty stomach - which had an adverse affect with my focus.