NFL Draft / College football

[Yadahell]

Arizona's offensive stars are shining entering the draft | National Football Post

 

[freaak]

 

[freaak]

Audio: Kiper and McShay talk WR, OL, DE and answer emails

 

[freaak]

 

[freaak]

 

[h0ckeysk83r]

Ryan Tannehill - QB - Player NFL Network draft expert Mike Mayock said Wednesday that he fully expects Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill to be a first-round pick in April.
"He’s got everything you want," Mayock said. "He’s got size, he’s got arm strength, really good athlete. All you have to do is look at his tape as a wide receiver two years ago. He’s a big, fast kid with a really good arm." Mayock said his lone question mark on Tannehill involves the 23-year-old prospect's "anticipation." Mayock does believe that aspect of Tannehill's game can be developed through experience. He only made 19 college starts


Alshon Jeffery - WR - Player Appearing on media conference call Wednesday, NFL Network's Mike Mayock confirmed that he's heard the rumors about South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery's weight ballooning before the Combine.
Mayock emphasized that Jeffery needs desperately to get in shape and run well in the forty-yard dash. "Alshon Jeffery does not separate," said Mayock. "What those guys run is important. He needs to run somewhere in those mid-4.5s." Mayock recently bumped Jeffery down his receiver rankings and does not believe he'll be a first-round pick. "Big and fast is good," said Mayock. "Big and slow is bad. Bottom line is, he has got to run well


Vontaze Burfict - LB - Player After watching "a bunch of tape" on Arizona State ILB Vontaze Burfict recently, NFL Network's Mike Mayock believes Burfict is not worth a first-round pick in April's draft.
"I'm not a fan at all," said Mayock. "I just watched a bunch of his tape the other day. I came away unimpressed." Mayock said he tried to filter out Burfict's off- and on-field behavioral issues and graded him strictly off game tape. "His instincts aren't good," Mayock observed. "He gets enveloped by bigger bodies and he runs around blocks. I don't see first round at all."


Orson Charles - TE - Player Georgia TE Orson Charles is now the top-rated tight end in the 2012 draft, per NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock's updated rankings.
Mayock ranks Charles No. 1, Stanford's Coby Fleener No. 2, and Clemson's Dwayne Allen No. 3. Rounding out the top five are LSU's DeAngelo Peterson and Ladarius Green of Louisiana-Lafayette. Described as a "Joker" tight end by Rotoworld draft guru Josh Norris, Charles probably won't be much of a blocking asset in the pros, but he can stretch the seam and may crack 4.4s in Indy.


Rueben Randle - WR - Player In NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock's updated top-five position rankings, he has Rueben Randle rated as the No. 4 receiver available for the 2012 draft.
Mayock, who makes changes based on continual pre-draft film study and info from NFL teams, moved South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery to No. 5 and Wake Forest's Chris Givens out of the top five. His top three are Justin Blackmon, Kendall Wright, and Michael Floyd. (Wright leaped Floyd.) Randle is a candidate for a big Combine. He was listed at 6-foot-4, 208 at LSU and averaged nearly 17 yards per catch in college. Meanwhile, Jeffery's perceived stock is slipping.

 

[clyde_carbon]

I've been saying for over a year now that Vontaze Burfict isn't a first round pick. Welcome to the party, Mike.

I can't believe people thought this guy was gonna be a better prospect than Patrick Willis at one point.

 

[CalamityX11]

I've been saying for over a year now that Vontaze Burfict isn't a first round pick. Welcome to the party, Mike.

I can't believe people thought this guy was gonna be a better prospect than Patrick Willis at one point.

Blasphemy!

:ss:

 

[BINGO]

Arizona's offensive stars are shining entering the draft | National Football Post

This is a perfect assessment of Criner from what I've seen of him and most importantly what I project of him. Within two years in the league Criner could be very good # 1 receiver in the league.

 

[Yadahell]

This is a perfect assessment of Criner from what I've seen of him and most importantly what I project of him. Within two years in the league Criner could be very good # 1 receiver in the league.

I posted that for you in particular, because I know you really like what he brings. You've certainly opened my eyes to him. Do you project that he will still be available at the 49ers 2nd round pick?

 

[BINGO]

I posted that for you in particular, because I know you really like what he brings. You've certainly opened my eyes to him. Do you project that he will still be available at the 49ers 2nd round pick?

I think teams will make a run at the WR position in the 2nd round. Right now I'd say yes, he would be available when we pick in the late 2nd. Worse case scenario, we may have to trade up to the middle of the 2nd round (give our 3rd and a future pick next year) to move up to the 47th-49th pick to try to select him. I'm assuming now he will be running in the 4.55/40. If he runs anything faster than a 4.49, than we would have to simply draft him with our 30th pick cuz no way in earth he would last on that long on the board.

 

[ChrisPozz]

Pre-Combine News & Notes

 

[BINGO]

NFL Draft 2012

Originally Published: February 16, 2012

Five who could emerge at NFL combineCombine offers chance for under-the-radar talents to make their mark

The National Invitational Camp -- aka the NFL scouting combine -- will open on Wednesday with coaches and scouting personnel from all 32 teams, and the first three of 11 position groups will arrive in Indianapolis for the annual seven-day event.

Kickers and other specialists will begin workouts on Feb. 24, followed by offensive linemen and tight ends (Feb. 25), offensive skill players (quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers on Feb. 26), offensive/defensive linemen (Feb. 27) and linebackers and defensive backs (Feb. 28). We'll provide cheat sheets for each position group next week featuring a detailed preview that includes schedule breakdown, prospect rankings, historic trends and the importance of certain drills/measurables for each position.

This week's Nickel Package will begin looking ahead, though, with a breakdown of five players who are not yet household names but are primed to make their mark at the combine. All five could use the workouts and/or interview process to boost their stock.

Dontari Poe's size and athleticism have his stock on the rise, and the NFL combine could boost it further.

Memphis DT Dontari Poe
(6-foot-3¾, 330 pounds; Grade: 89)
Poe is a freakish athlete for his size, and you rarely see players with his frame who move so well. He's still raw in terms of getting off blocks and playing with proper leverage, but Poe is so big and has enough initial quickness and power that he is fully capable of knocking blockers back off the line of scrimmage.

And because of his athleticism, he's not just a massive two-gap defensive tackle who will simply take on blocks and plug things up against the run. Poe is similar to 2011 first-rounder Phillip Taylor (Browns) in that their size causes them to be pigeonholed as two-gap nose tackles. Taylor showed the agility and mobility to make plays down the line as well as anchor against the run, and Poe is fully capable of shedding blocks and doing the same thing when he learns the proper technique.

There is plenty of depth in this year's defensive tackle class, but the combine offers Poe a great opportunity to cement his status in the late first round. Players like LSU's Michael Brockers, Mississippi State's Fletcher Cox, Michigan State's Jerel Worthy, Penn State's Devon Still and Clemson's Brandon Thompson are all potential first-rounders and more polished football players, but Poe can stand out in Indy with his impressive combination of size and athleticism.

He's already the No. 28 overall player on our board and should continue rising, and teams like the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos should have interest in Poe. A team like the Carolina Panthers could even trade back into the end of the first round.



Montana CB Trumaine Johnson (6-2, 205; 83)
Johnson is the most underrated defensive back on the board. He should turn heads at the combine with his ripped-up frame, smooth movements and excellent ball skills, and he's expected to jump out of the building during testing.

However, Johnson continues to fly under the radar in part because there are concerns in scouting circles about his football character. He developed a reputation as someone who put himself ahead of the team, was not a consistently great worker and was content to get by on natural ability because he was simply that much better than the competition at the FCS level.

That means the interview process will be important for Johnson, who needs to show humility and convince teams he's willing to work hard to be successful in the NFL. He's in a similar situation to 2011 first-round CB Jimmy Smith (Ravens) in that landing with a team that has strong veteran leadership to keep him focused on football is important.

Overall, though, Johnson's skills have him in the second-round range, and with the Patriots, Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers all having corner among their top three needs, there should be plenty of interest.


Janzen Jackson proved his overall game early in his career. Now he must answer character questions.

McNeese State S Janzen Jackson (5-11⅞, 193; 72)
Janzen began his career at Tennessee in 2009 and played most of two seasons there, but a number of off-field issues ultimately led to his dismissal from the program. The most alarming was a 2010 arrest along with three teammates for attempted armed robbery (charges were eventually dropped), but Janzen was also suspended in late 2009 and left the team for personal reasons in the spring of 2011 before finally being cut loose.

He enrolled at McNeese State and played 10 games there in 2011, but reviewing the tape from his two seasons at Tennessee shows a player with very good physical tools and the potential to develop into a quality NFL starter at free safety or cornerback. His natural cover skills are as good as any other safety's in the 2012 class, which is important as tight ends become more involved in NFL passing games.

Like with Johnson, interviews will be huge for Jackson. He can tell his side of the story, explain the personal issues he endured and try to show teams he is a changed man who is ready to focus on football. It takes only one team to fall in love with him, and if Jackson is contrite in the interview room and runs the 40-yard dash in the 4.4- or 4.5-second range, it will be a good week for him. Teams with safety needs that could show interest in the third round include the Cowboys, Patriots, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings.

Louisiana-Lafayette TE Ladarius Green (6-5¾, 237; 71)
Green is a bit undersized, but with today's NFL passing offenses looking for athletic tight ends who can cause mismatches Green's smooth movements, ball skills and potential to stretch the seam are attractive qualities. However, he has to overcome three hurdles.

First, there are reports floating around that Green has tendinitis in his knees, so his medical exam will be important to his status. Second, teams want to see whether he has added any bulk or strength to his frame since the end of the season. Finally, if Green has gotten up closer to 250 pounds, has it affected his quickness and athleticism? That question will be answered throughout the workout process.

Most agree that Stanford's Coby Fleener, Clemson's Dwayne Allen and Georgia's Orson Charles -- in some order -- are the top three tight ends on the board, but it's wide-open after that. If Green passes the three tests mentioned above, he has a chance to lock down the No. 4 spot and a place in the third round. Teams like the Broncos, New York Giants and Houston Texans likely will watch closely.

Georgia Tech WR Stephen Hill (6-4¼, 208; 71)
Hill is not on the same level as recent Georgia Tech prospects Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas, but he does have intriguing physical tools and natural athleticism. With bigger wide receivers being a valued commodity in the NFL, plenty of teams will be interested in what Hill does at the combine.

I expect he'll run better than anticipated, and at his size, teams will be happy if he comes in somewhere in the mid-to-high 4.5 range. Route-running will be as big a key, though, because Hill ran mostly 9 routes, drags and deep crosses in the Yellow Jackets' run-heavy offense. He'll have to show good agility in the three-cone drill and long/short shuttles, and prove he can be coached up in terms of route skills.

And while Hill made the most of his catches (29.3 yards per reception), he had only 43 receptions over the past two seasons and shows a tendency to lose focus on easier throws and let too many others into his body. He can make spectacular grabs anywhere on the field, but he has to display strong hands and focus during pass-catching drills at the combine. If he does, teams like the Patriots, Rams, Panthers, Texans, 49ers, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, St. Louis Rams and Washington Redskins could show interest on Day 2.

Todd McShay is the director of college scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998.

Follow Todd McShay on Twitter: @McShay13

 

[NinerSickness]

Reuben Randle is starting to grown on me because the QB position for the Tigers in his tenure wasn't very good, but he still had a great junior season.

He's taller than and maybe as physical as Sanu, and I think he's a faster.

 

[clyde_carbon]

Just a quick look at the 2013 draft:

QBs:
- Matt Barkley [USC]
- Tyler Bray [Tennessee]
- Derek Carr [Fresno St.]
- Landry Jones [Oklahoma]
- E.J. Manuel [Florida St.]
- Aaron Murray [Georgia]
- Sean Renfree [Duke]
- Denard Robinson [Michigan]
- Geno Smith [West Virginia]
- Logan Thomas [Virginia Tech]
- Jeff Tuel [Washington St.]
- Tyler Wilson [Arkansas]

RBs:
- Montee Ball [Wisconsin]
- Kenjon Barner [Oregon]
- Rex Burkhead [Nebraska]
- Knile Davis [Arkansas]
- Michael Dyer [Arkansas St.]
- Andre Ellington [Clemson]
- Johnathan Franklin [UCLA]
- Ray Graham [Pittsburgh]
- Marcus Lattimore [South Carolina]
- Cameron Marshall [Arizona St.]
- Christine Michael [Texas A&M]
- Joseph Randle [Oklahoma St.]
- Silas Redd [Penn St.]
- Orwin Smith [Georgia Tech]
- Zach Stacy [Vanderbilt]
- Stepfan Taylor [Stanford]
- Ed Wesley [TCU]
- Cierre Wood [Notre Dame]

WRs:
- Keenan Allen [California]
- Tavon Austin [West Virginia]
- Aaron Dobson [Marshall]
- Cobi Hamilton [Arkansas]
- Erik Highsmith [North Carolina]
- DeAndre Hopkins [Clemson]
- Justin Hunter [Tennessee]
- Tavarres King [Georgia]
- Da'Rick Rodgers [Tennessee]
- Roy Roundtree [Michigan]
- Russell Shepard [LSU]
- Kenny Stills [Oklahoma]
- Devin Street [Pittsburgh]
- Ryan Swope [Texas A&M]
- Terrence Williams [Baylor]
- Robert Woods [USC]

OL:
- Mario Benavides [Louisville]
- Jonathan Cooper [North Carolina]
- Cameron Fleming [Stanford]
- D.J. Fluker [Alabama]
- Dalton Freeman [Clemson]
- Travis Frederick [Wisconsin]
- Ben Habern [Oklahoma]
- Seantrel Henderson [Miami]
- Khaled Holmes [USC]
- Alex Hurst [LSU]
- James Hurst [North Carolina]
- Gabe Ikard [Oklahoma]
- Luke Joeckel [Texas A&M]
- Barrett Jones [Alabama]
- Jake Matthews [Texas A&M]
- Morgan Moses [Virginia]
- Xavier Nixon [Florida]
- Justin Pugh [Syracuse]
- Andrew Rodriguez [Nebraska]
- Lane Taylor [Oklahoma St.]
- Omoregie Uzzi [Georgia Tech]
- Ricky Wagner [Wisconsin]
- Mason Walters [Texas]
- Larry Warford [Kentucky]
- Chance Warmack [Alabama]

TEs:
- Asante Cleveland [Miami]
- Tyler Eifert [Notre Dame]
- Joseph Fauria [UCLA]
- Dion Sims [Michigan St.]
- Jake Stoneburner [Ohio St.]
- Michael Williams [Alabama]

DL:
- Kwame Geathers [Georgia]
- William Gholston [Michigan St.]
- Malliciah Goodman [Clemson]
- Jonathon Hankins [Ohio St.]
- Jordan Hill [Penn St.]
- Wes Horton [USC]
- Margus Hunt [Southern Methodist]
- Jackson Jeffcoat [Texas]
- Brandon Jenkins [Florida St.]
- Jarvis Jenkins [Georgia]
- Dion Jordan [Oregon]
- Star Lotulelei [Utah]
- Kareem Martin [North Carolina]
- Barkevious Mingo [LSU]
- Sam Montgomery [LSU]
- Alex Okafor [Texas]
- John Simon [Ohio St.]
- Kawann Short [Purdue]
- Devin Taylor [South Carolina]
- Joe Vellano [Maryland]
- Bjoern Werner [Florida St.]
- Jesse Williams [Alabama]
- Sylvester Williams [North Carolina]

LBs:
- Arthur Brown [Kansas St.]
- Gerald Hodges [Penn St.]
- Nico Johnson [Alabama]
- Jarvis Jones [Georgia]
- Patrick Larimore [UCLA]
- Michael Mauti [Penn St.]
- C.J. Mosley [Alabama]
- Alec Ogletree [Georgia]
- Sean Porter [Texas A&M]
- Kevin Reddick [North Carolina]
- Shayne Skov [Stanford]
- Kenny Tate [Maryland]
- Bruce Taylor [Virginia Tech]
- Manti Te'o [Notre Dame]
- Chase Thomas [Stanford]
- Cornelius Washington [Georgia]

CBs:
- Johnny Adams [Michigan St.]
- David Amerson [North Carolina St.]
- Johnthan Banks [Mississippi St.]
- Tre Boston [North Carolina]
- Travis Howard [Ohio St.]
- Micah Hyde [Iowa]
- Brandon McGee [Miami]
- Dee Milliner [Alabama]
- Jordan Poyer [Oregon St.]
- Greg Reid [Florida St.]
- Xavier Rhodes [Florida St.]
- Branden Smith [Georgia]
- Marcus Trufant [Washington]

S:
- Ray Ray Armstrong [Miami]
- C.J. Barnett [Ohio St.]
- John Boyett [Oregon]
- DeVonte Holloman [South Carolina]
- Tony Jefferson [Oklahoma]
- Isaiah Johnson [Georgia Tech]
- Orhian Johnson [Ohio St.]
- LaMarcus Joyner [Florida St.]
- Robert Lester [Alabama]
- T.J. McDonald [USC]
- Baccari Rambo [Georgia]
- Vaughn Telemaque [Miami]
- Kenny Vaccaro [Texas]

 

[numone9er]

I'm starting to like the idea of drafting Coby Fleener with our first pick (assuming he is there of course

Ideally i would hope either Michael Floyd, David Decastro, Cordy Glenn, or Janoris Jenkins could fall, but i doubt any of those guys are there when we pick. If Fleener was gone as well with that list then i wouldn't be opposed to trading back or trading for a future 1st round pick if it was offered.

 

[BINGO]

Reuben Randle is starting to grown on me because the QB position for the Tigers in his tenure wasn't very good, but he still had a great junior season.

He's taller than and maybe as physical as Sanu, and I think he's a faster.

Randle is underrated! He's not going to explode straight out of the gate, but you'll see some good things from him within his 2nd year. I was saying for some time now that I would much rather have him than someone like Fuller. Brian Quick is another mid round pick guy that will be a great receiver at some point in the future if developed accordingly in the right system.

 

[BINGO]

Just a quick look at the 2013 draft:

QBs:
- Matt Barkley [USC]
- Tyler Bray [Tennessee]
- Derek Carr [Fresno St.]
- Landry Jones [Oklahoma]
- E.J. Manuel [Florida St.]
- Aaron Murray [Georgia]
- Sean Renfree [Duke]
- Denard Robinson [Michigan]
- Geno Smith [West Virginia]
- Logan Thomas [Virginia Tech]
- Jeff Tuel [Washington St.]
- Tyler Wilson [Arkansas]

RBs:
- Montee Ball [Wisconsin]
- Kenjon Barner [Oregon]
- Rex Burkhead [Nebraska]
- Knile Davis [Arkansas]
- Michael Dyer [Arkansas St.]
- Andre Ellington [Clemson]
- Johnathan Franklin [UCLA]
- Ray Graham [Pittsburgh]
- Marcus Lattimore [South Carolina]
- Cameron Marshall [Arizona St.]
- Christine Michael [Texas A&M]
- Joseph Randle [Oklahoma St.]
- Silas Redd [Penn St.]
- Orwin Smith [Georgia Tech]
- Zach Stacy [Vanderbilt]
- Stepfan Taylor [Stanford]
- Ed Wesley [TCU]
- Cierre Wood [Notre Dame]

WRs:
- Keenan Allen [California]
- Tavon Austin [West Virginia]
- Aaron Dobson [Marshall]
- Cobi Hamilton [Arkansas]
- Erik Highsmith [North Carolina]
- DeAndre Hopkins [Clemson]
- Justin Hunter [Tennessee]
- Tavarres King [Georgia]
- Da'Rick Rodgers [Tennessee]
- Roy Roundtree [Michigan]
- Russell Shepard [LSU]
- Kenny Stills [Oklahoma]
- Devin Street [Pittsburgh]
- Ryan Swope [Texas A&M]
- Terrence Williams [Baylor]
- Robert Woods [USC]

OL:
- Mario Benavides [Louisville]
- Jonathan Cooper [North Carolina]
- Cameron Fleming [Stanford]
- D.J. Fluker [Alabama]
- Dalton Freeman [Clemson]
- Travis Frederick [Wisconsin]
- Ben Habern [Oklahoma]
- Seantrel Henderson [Miami]
- Khaled Holmes [USC]
- Alex Hurst [LSU]
- James Hurst [North Carolina]
- Gabe Ikard [Oklahoma]
- Luke Joeckel [Texas A&M]
- Barrett Jones [Alabama]
- Jake Matthews [Texas A&M]
- Morgan Moses [Virginia]
- Xavier Nixon [Florida]
- Justin Pugh [Syracuse]
- Andrew Rodriguez [Nebraska]
- Lane Taylor [Oklahoma St.]
- Omoregie Uzzi [Georgia Tech]
- Ricky Wagner [Wisconsin]
- Mason Walters [Texas]
- Larry Warford [Kentucky]
- Chance Warmack [Alabama]

TEs:
- Asante Cleveland [Miami]
- Tyler Eifert [Notre Dame]
- Joseph Fauria [UCLA]
- Dion Sims [Michigan St.]
- Jake Stoneburner [Ohio St.]
- Michael Williams [Alabama]

DL:
- Kwame Geathers [Georgia]
- William Gholston [Michigan St.]
- Malliciah Goodman [Clemson]
- Jonathon Hankins [Ohio St.]
- Jordan Hill [Penn St.]
- Wes Horton [USC]
- Margus Hunt [Southern Methodist]
- Jackson Jeffcoat [Texas]
- Brandon Jenkins [Florida St.]
- Jarvis Jenkins [Georgia]
- Dion Jordan [Oregon]
- Star Lotulelei [Utah]
- Kareem Martin [North Carolina]
- Barkevious Mingo [LSU]
- Sam Montgomery [LSU]
- Alex Okafor [Texas]
- John Simon [Ohio St.]
- Kawann Short [Purdue]
- Devin Taylor [South Carolina]
- Joe Vellano [Maryland]
- Bjoern Werner [Florida St.]
- Jesse Williams [Alabama]
- Sylvester Williams [North Carolina]

LBs:
- Arthur Brown [Kansas St.]
- Gerald Hodges [Penn St.]
- Nico Johnson [Alabama]
- Jarvis Jones [Georgia]
- Patrick Larimore [UCLA]
- Michael Mauti [Penn St.]
- C.J. Mosley [Alabama]
- Alec Ogletree [Georgia]
- Sean Porter [Texas A&M]
- Kevin Reddick [North Carolina]
- Shayne Skov [Stanford]
- Kenny Tate [Maryland]
- Bruce Taylor [Virginia Tech]
- Manti Te'o [Notre Dame]
- Chase Thomas [Stanford]
- Cornelius Washington [Georgia]

CBs:
- Johnny Adams [Michigan St.]
- David Amerson [North Carolina St.]
- Johnthan Banks [Mississippi St.]
- Tre Boston [North Carolina]
- Travis Howard [Ohio St.]
- Micah Hyde [Iowa]
- Brandon McGee [Miami]
- Dee Milliner [Alabama]
- Jordan Poyer [Oregon St.]
- Greg Reid [Florida St.]
- Xavier Rhodes [Florida St.]
- Branden Smith [Georgia]
- Marcus Trufant [Washington]

S:
- Ray Ray Armstrong [Miami]
- C.J. Barnett [Ohio St.]
- John Boyett [Oregon]
- DeVonte Holloman [South Carolina]
- Tony Jefferson [Oklahoma]
- Isaiah Johnson [Georgia Tech]
- Orhian Johnson [Ohio St.]
- LaMarcus Joyner [Florida St.]
- Robert Lester [Alabama]
- T.J. McDonald [USC]
- Baccari Rambo [Georgia]
- Vaughn Telemaque [Miami]
- Kenny Vaccaro [Texas]

Clyde, Michael Dyer plays for Auburn. In addition, you didn't include a handfull of marquee names out there... I guess after this year's draft when you decide to create your top 5/10 prospects at each position for the next class, then we can compare notes to see...

 

[BINGO]

Lack of speed won't hurt some prospects

February, 16, 2012
3:49PM ET
By Steve Muench

There is some truth to the old adage that you can't coach speed, and some prospects have certainly made a lot of money by running well at the NFL combine, but those shooting stars are the exception rather than the rule.

Most organizations value polished football players above talented athletes with upside, so an average or even below-average 40-yard dash time isn't a death sentence for a prospect, and current Cleveland Browns CB Joe Haden is an excellent example.

Haden ran in the 4.6-second range at the 2010 combine, which likely hurt his stock with some teams, but Cleveland took him with the seventh overall pick that year because Haden is a better football player than sprinter and the organization recognized his value.

So who in the 2012 class could be in a similar situation? Here is a look at five prospects who aren't expected to wow scouts and coaches with their 40 times at this year's combine, but whose lack of elite top-end speed won't raise serious red flags. In fact, these prospects are in position to boost their stock somewhat because expectations aren't high to begin with.

Non-seniors are noted with an asterisk.


Janoris Jenkins' elite cover skills mean more than his 40 time.North Alabama

CB Janoris Jenkins (Scouts Inc. Grade: 93)
Jenkins doesn't have elite speed and it showed at the Senior Bowl, where he struggled to turn and run with former Florida teammate Chris Rainey. In fairness, though, Rainey is expected to run one of the fastest 40s next week and Jenkins should post a respectable time. Jenkins likely won't turn many heads, but that's OK.

He's a quick-twitch athlete who can shadow receivers underneath and plays the ball well. Jenkins isn't as big as Haden and comes with some character baggage, but Jenkins has the kind of above-average man-to-man cover skills that should make him a first-round pick. He built momentum with a strong week at the Senior Bowl, and the Dallas Cowboys (No. 14 overall) and Cincinnati Bengals (No. 17) could still have interest in the middle of the first round.


Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu* (81)
Sanu's longest catch in 2011 went for just 32 yards, and he doesn't project as a vertical threat at the next level. On the other hand, he caught a Big East-record 115 passes and has all the tools teams look for in a No. 2 receiver. He's big enough to line up on the outside, knows how to get open underneath and has above-average ball skills.

The Houston Texans are an interesting possibility for Sanu later in the second round. Current Texans WR Kevin Walter and upcoming free agent Bryant Johnson both turn 31 this year, and 2007 third-round pick Jacoby Jones hasn't shown he can hold down the No. 2 spot in the long term. Sanu would infuse youth and has the potential to be an excellent complement to standout WR Andre Johnson.


Temple RB Bernard Pierce* (72)
Pierce isn't much of a home run threat, and the inability on tape to break away when he gets a seam should translate to an average 40 time next week. However, the combine isn't a great platform for Pierce's greatest strengths: his power and determination.

He is a powerful runner who can grind out tough yards between the tackles and pick up yards after contact, which could make him attractive to the Bengals on Day 2. With Cedric Benson set to become a free agent, Pierce could give the Bengals the physical presence they need and wouldn't be asked to do much on third down, an area in which he needs to improve.


Vanderbilt DC Casey Hayward (71)
Hayward didn't show great speed on film or at the Senior Bowl -- and likely won't at the combine, either -- and he doesn't have the same short-area explosiveness Jenkins' shows. That might not keep him out of the Day 2 mix, though.

Hayward has excellent instincts and masks his average burst with early breaks on the ball. There's also a lot to like about his ball skills. Hayward doesn't fit well in every scheme and teams that play a lot of man-to-man coverage won't value him as much, but he would be a good addition to a zone-heavy scheme like the one the Chicago Bears run.


Georgia Tech WR Stephen Hill* (71)
Hill's 29.3 yards per catch in 2011 is misleading, because Georgia Tech's commitment to the ground game led to a lot of breakdowns on play-action that Hill was able to exploit. However, he doesn't appear to have the speed to run by NFL corners when corners do not bite on a fake, but his lack of a blazing 40 time likely won't hurt much.

The good news, though, is that Hill is fast enough to get downfield, where he has the frame, big hands and long arms to compete for jump balls. The Denver Broncos' run-heavy scheme makes them a natural fit for Hill. The Broncos should be in the market for a receiver considering WRs Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas both have durability issues, while Eddie Royal is scheduled to become a free agent.

 

[BINGO]

OT at No. 23 for Detroit?
9:02AM ET

Detroit Lions
UPDATE: Within the eighth and final installment of Football Outsiders' "Plugging the Holes" series, Mike Kurtz explores needs for the NFC North quartet. When it comes to the team that plays its home games in the Motor City, he contends that fixing the offensive line is a key offseason issue, and help at OT can be found with their first-round pick (find his take at the bottom of the post).

---

The Detroit Lions roared their way back into the playoffs in 2011, an encouraging development considering this is a franchise that had a winless season in 2008. Nevertheless, they are by no means a flawless, complete group, so additions and adjustments will be made heading into the 2012 campaign. One of the positions that will need to be addressed sooner or later is left tackle -- considering that Jeff Backus will turn 35 this September and has no heir apparent on the current roster -- and one of the ways the Lions can do this is through the draft.

During a conference call on Wednesday, NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock indicated that the Lions may use the No. 23 overall selection on an offensive tackle, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Moreover, two particular options would make sense in that slot: Stanford's Jonathan Martin and Ohio St.'s Mike Adams.

Of course, the Lions could elect to target some help on the other side of the ball with that 23rd overall selection, and Mel Kiper, Jr. projects them to do just that in his latest mock draft:

- Tim Kavanagh​

Mel Kiper, Jr.
Janoris Jenkins is a great value here
"At one time, Jenkins was destined to be a top-10 pick, and his talent level hasn't dipped. After exiting Florida, he spent a year at North Alabama, and is finally ready for the NFL. As a pure cover corner, in terms of pure instincts, ball skills and athleticism, you're looking at a potential Pro Bowl player. Jenkins is already a major threat in the return game. He has a history, but get him in the right system, and you could have a star. We know Detroit needs help at corner, and Jenkins might be too much value to pass up here."

Football Outsiders
Adams, Zeitler can provide an upgrade
"Tackles Jeff Backus and Gosder Cherilus were poor in pass blocking; Backus gave up 7.5 sacks according to tape analysis, and Cherilus 6.5. Most of these sacks were complete failures to block anybody, including one play where Cherilus was beaten on a two-man rush. Fortunately, Detroit can make immediate repairs in the 2012 draft, where a number of quality linemen project out somewhere around Detroit's 23rd pick. Players like Wisconsin's Kevin Zeitler and Ohio State's Mike Adams, both of whom could play immediately and be instant upgrades, should be available." - Bill Barnwell