NFL Draft Rumors: 49ers, Cardinals, Jaguars, Falcons, Dee Millner, Daniel Jeremiah & Draft Notes

49ers

Matt Maiocco of the CSN Bay Area lists: SMU DE Margus Hunt, Florida State DE/OLB Tank Carradine, FIU S Jonathan Cyprien, and Stanford TE Zach Ertz as four players to watch regarding the 49ers‘ No. 31 overall pick.

Previous speculation mentioned that San Francisco could try to trade up to secure a potential replace for DE Justin Smith.

Carradine’s stock appears to be on the rise to point where he could be taken several picks ahead of the 49ers. Cyprien is also generating a good amount of buzz in the day leading up to the draft and could go as high as No. 21 to the Bengals. Ertz appears to be a backup option for San Francisco. There’s an obvious tie to HC Jim Harbaugh given that he coached Ertz while at Stanford, but there hasn’t been a lot of talk regarding him being a first-round selection. Hunt is a polarizing prospect. Some love his athleticism and believe he could be an impact player in time, but others aren’t buying his ability to make the transition into the NFL.

Cardinals

Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reports that the Cardinals are “high” on Oklahoma LT Lane Johnson.

Interestingly enough, there were reports over the weekend that suggested that Arizona was most likely to pass on Johnson, even if he was available to them at No. 7 overall.

Jaguars

Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell said that he would be “surprised” if they wound up trading out of No. 2 spot, per Ryan O’Halloran.

Caldwell mentioned that they have a “pretty good idea” of who they will take on Thursday, but added that “we don’t expect to” fill all of the team’s needs during the draft. One other interesting note from Caldwell; He mentioned that he ideally prefers “big school players,” which could be an indication that he could pass on Central Michigan LT Eric Fisher.

Speculative options for the Jaguars include: Fisher, Texas A&M Luke Joeckel, Oregon DE/OLB Dion Jordan, BYU DE Ezekiel Ansah and possibly even West Virginia QB Geno Smith.

Falcons

Peter King of Sports Illustrated writes that if the Falcons “had their way,” they would walk away from Thursday’s first-round with Missouri DT Sheldon Richardson.

King adds that a move up for Richardson could end up being “too costly” for Atlanta, as King believes someone could take him in the top-ten.

Richardson is one of my favorite players in this year’s draft class, but it seems as though the general consensus has him going to one of the Panthers, Steelers or Cowboys.

Dee Millner

Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Alabama CB Dee Millner may not be ready in time for training camp.

“We haven’t been able to do the rehab like I want to because I’ve been going to different teams,” Milliner said. “But once the draft is over, I’ll be able to start to rehab it and try to get back on track.”

Peter King of Sports Illustrated also mentioned that his shoulder injury is a bit of a concern for NFL teams.

Milliner has been considered the best cornerback in this year’s draft class for some time now, but it appears as though others like Houston CB D.J. Hayden have been gaining on him in days leading up to the draft.

Mike Mayock actually has Hayden rated higher than Millner and there’s a growing belief that a cornerback will not be taken in the top-ten.

Daniel Jeremiah Notes: (Article)

• Central Michigan LT Eric Fisher has a “great shot” of being drafted No. 1 overall by the Chiefs.
• Jeremiah expects the Jaguars and Raiders to take an OT as well.
• The Chargers will most likely have to trade up for Oklahoma OT Lane Johnson.
• Florida DT Sharrif Floyd could drop out of the top-ten if the Raiders pass on him.
• “Numerous teams” have informed Jeremiah that Tennessee WR Justin Hunter is a “lock” to get drafted in the first-round.
• Notre Dame LB Manti Te’o will be a first-round pick.
• Southeastern Louisiana CB Robert Alford or Mississippi State CB Darius Slay could surprise people by being selected in round one.
• Jeremiah sees Boise State CB Jamar Taylor as one of the “safest” picks in this year’s draft.

NFL Draft Notes:

• Steelers reportedly view Tennessee’s Tyler Bray as the most talented QB in this year’s draft class. (NFLTR) 
• Jets are “especially high” on LSU DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo. (Newark Star-Ledger)
• Two NFL scouts mentioned that Florida DT Sharrif Floyd is overrated. (NFLTR)
• Rams brought in Clemson WR DeAndre Hopkins for a second workout in four days. (NFLTR)
• An NFL “scouting boss” mentioned that Oregon OL Kyle Long will be a first-round pick. (Sports Illustrated)
• Browns are believed to be considering Oregon DE/OLB Dion Jordan with their No. 6 overall pick. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
• Saints “seem quite intrigued” by Florida State DE/OLB Tank Carradine. (Jason La Canfora)
• Bengals DC Mike Zimmer held a private workout of Florida International S Jonathan Cyprien on Monday. (Pro Football Talk)
• Jets HC Rex Ryan was in attendance for Houston CB D.J. Hayden’s workout Monday. (Adam Schefter)