NFL Draft Rumors: Derek Carr, Dee Ford, Falcons & More

Derek Carr

Fresno State QB Derek Carr has really been the bigger thus far for quarterback prospects.

Derek CarrĀ has clearly separated himself as the top passer in Mobile with his top-shelf arm strength, athleticism and overall feel for the game,”Ā Dane Burgler writes. “He hasn’t been perfect and needs to iron out a few of his bad habits, but the arm talent and competitive drive are there for him to be a starter in the league.”

As things stand right now, it appears as though Carr has done enough to justify being a first-round selection this May.Ā Peter SchragerĀ mentions that CarrĀ “belongs in Bortles-Bridgewater-Manziel conversation.”

Dee Ford

Auburn LBĀ Dee FordĀ has put together back-to-back solid practices this week and has done as much for his draft stock as anyone in Mobile.

Even Jaguars HC Gus Bradley spoke highly of him and his performance on Tuesday.

“Dee is exciting,” Bradley said, via Mocking The Draft. “I really like his personality, I like his spirit, h loves the game and he showcases that on the practice field. Anytime a guy can come off the edge and show the ability to have some rushes in him, it really stands out.”

Ford took advantage of North Dakota State’s Billy Turner and Vanderbilt’s Wesley Johnson on Tuesday and will remain one of the most watched players throughout the week.

Falcons

Charlie Campbell ofĀ WalterFootball.com reports that Falcons’Ā sources mentioned that HCĀ Mike Smith enters the 2014 season on a “warm seat.

Campbell adds that his sources wouldn’t go as far to say thatĀ Smith is “on a full blown hot seat,” but there it’s at least getting “warmer.”

Smith reportedly understands the situation has beenĀ accountable for the team’s awful 2013 season that produced a top-10 selection.

Team Notes:

  • The Raiders have reportedly shown more interest inĀ Clemson QB Tajh Boyd than any team this week. (San Francisco Chronicle)
  • Falcons GMĀ Thomas DimitroffĀ was reportedly keeping an eye onĀ Miami OTĀ Seantrel HendersonĀ and UNC DEĀ Kareem MartinĀ during Monday’s practice. (Dan Kadar)
  • Eagles had three scouts talking with Washington State S Deone Bucannon after practice.Ā (Dan Kadar)
    • Bucannon also spoke with the Broncos and Chargers on Tuesday.Ā (Dan Kadar)
  • The Ravens reportedly spent a “lot of time” with Wisconsin LBĀ Chris Borland.Ā (Dan Kadar)
  • A Saints scout spent a good portion of Tuesday’s post-practice session with Louisville OLB Marcus Smith.Ā (Dan Kadar)
  • The Chiefs scouts were reportedly “paying a lot of attention to wide receivers” Ā and “praising bigger bodied guys.” (Matt Miller)
  • Steelers HCĀ Mike Tomlin was reportedly watching CBs and WRs on Tuesday.Ā (Dan Kadar)
  • Georgia Tech LB Jeremiah Attaochu had meetings with the Eagles and Colts.Ā (Dan Kadar)
  • LionsĀ were seen speaking with Oklahoma WRĀ Jalen Saunders.Ā (Dan Kadar)
  • A JadeveonĀ ClowneyJ.J. Watt combination is “quite possible.” (Peter Schrager)
  • Eagles met withĀ Auburn DE/LB Dee Ford. (Shane Hallam)
  • RedskinsĀ met withĀ Utah CB Keith McGill.Ā (Shane Hallam)
  • BroncosĀ met withĀ Florida State S Terrence Brooks.Ā (Shane Hallam)
  • Saints met withĀ Ryan Grant, Chris Davis.Ā Ā (Shane Hallam)
  • Ravens met withĀ Mike Davis, Chris Smith.Ā Ā (Shane Hallam)
  • ChargersĀ met withĀ Gabe Ikard, Jon Halapio.Ā Ā (Shane Hallam)
  • CardinalsĀ met withĀ Craig Loston.Ā Ā (Shane Hallam)

NFL Draft Notes:

  • South Carolina DE JadeveonĀ Clowney is the “big talk among executives.” (Peter Schrager)
  • Minnesota DE Ra’Shede Hageman is a “no brainer first round pick.” (Peter Schrager)
  • Dane Brugler believes Notre Dame OLĀ Zack Martin is the best player at the Senior Bowl.
  • Clemson QBĀ Tajh Boyd looked “better today but still no more than a last day pick.” (Tony Pauline)
  • Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomaslooked awful” on Tuesday.Ā (Tony Pauline)
  • Florida CBĀ Jaylen WatkinsĀ is “one of the better players here that isn’t talked about much.”Ā Ā (Dane Brugler)
  • One scout believes that Vanderbilt WRĀ Jordan MatthewsĀ is an “early second round”Ā pick. (Peter Schrager)
  • Missouri DE/OLBĀ Michael Sam was great in drills while playing DE, but is struggling to make the transition to OLB. (Tony Pauline)
    • Dan KadarĀ mentions that “it’s hard to see a team spending a pick on the first two days of the draft on [Sam].”
  • Dane Brugler mentions that NFL scouts and coaches were not speaking highly of the North QBs.
  • E. Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo and Fresno State QB Derek Carr “looked sharp.” (Dane Brugler)
  • Mike Mayock mentioned thatĀ Utah CB Keith McGill looked like a “combination of Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman.” (CFB24/7)
  • Iowa OLB Christian Kirkseymade a splash play today.” (Josh Norris)

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2 COMMENTS

    • Considering the wide ranging opinions regarding a number of prospects, specifically quarterbacks, this year looks to be on pace to set a record for the amount smoke circulating around.

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