NFL Draft Rumors: Dontari Poe, Michael Brockers, Quinton Coples, Fletcher Cox, QB’s, Whitney Mercilus

Dontari Poe

Memphis DT Dontari Poe was one of the big winners of this year’s Scouting Combine, and despite his incredible combination of size and speed, at least one NFL scout believes that he’s not worthy of his kind of hype.

“He’ll be overdrafted,” said the scout, via Mark Eckel of the Trenton Times. “He did all of that at the Combine, so some team will take him way higher than he should go. I mean watch him play, just watch. He didn’t do anything. And he wasn’t playing at a very high level, either.”

This is definitely something that has to be considered, as every year there are a number of “workout warriors” that end up moving up draft boards, despite the fact that their college tape doesn’t add up to their workout’s or  measurable’s.

“All I know is he had one sack last year and it came against Austin Peay,” the scout continued. “You probably didn’t even know Austin Peay had a football team.”

It’s worth noting that Poe play’s in the middle of team’s defense, so the fact that he ended up with just one sack isn’t exactly the most staggering statistic. Sure, you would like to see better production and overall ability to get to the quarterback, but NFL team’s aren’t going to be paying him to lead the team in sacks. Poe is still a high-risk prospect that could end up going in the Top 15 picks.

Michael Brockers

Speaking of high-risk defensive tackles, Michael Brockers has been another player that has helped his draft stock with his combine workout and overall size, but his stop appears to be dropping in recent weeks.

Another NFL scout that Mark Ecke’ met with mentions that he still believes in his overall ability.

“I think he’s the best DT in the draft,” said the personnel man. “He can play the run and he has some pass rush.”

Greg Cosell of NFL Films sees Brockers as a project player that “will be drafted based on what he might become, not what he is now.”

Aaron Wilson of Scout.com reports that Brockers will meet with the Titans on Monday and the Patriots, Rams, Eagles and Browns at a later time.

Quinton Coples

There has been some negative attention surrounding UNC DE Quinton Coples in recent days, and some believe that he could actually fall out of the Top 10 in upcoming draft.

According to an NFL scout that spoke with Mark Eckel of the Trenton Times, Coples’ talent remains unquestioned but there are definitely concerns regarding his character.

“He’s good as hell, but he’s nuts,” said one NFL personnel man. “I’m not sure what’s up with him. I’d put him at left end in a 4-3, but he could do everything if he wants it.”

Greg Cosell mentions that Coples doesn’t have the “flexibility of [an] edge rusher” but believes he can be “effective as inside pass rusher in sub-packages.”

Fletcher Cox

Greg Cosell sees Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox a “much better prospect than [Dontari] Poe.” Cosell adds that Cox’s versatility could lead him to be taken within the first-twelve picks.

Cox seems like a perfect fit in a 3-4 scheme, but I’m sure that won’t prevent 4-3 teams from doing their homework on him. We have him going to the Cowboys at #14 overall in our recent 2012 NFL Mock Draft.

Whitney Mercilus

According to Greg Cosell, mentions that Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus is “not a natural pass rusher” and thinks he could be more effective lining up wide.

Back to Mark Eckel’s article for more perspective on Mercilus on his large 2011 sack total.

“Those 16 sacks are a little deceiving,” said an NFL scout. “A lot of it was just cleaning up. He’s not good against the run at all, so he might have to be a situational pass rusher.”

Mercilus is still considered a first-round pick by most, but that could change in the weeks leading up to the draft.

Quarterbacks

Kirk Cousins

NFL Films’ Greg Cosell tweets that he’s “disappointed” after watching five of MSU QB Kirk Cousins games. Cosell points to Cousins’ “average arm strength” and need for “functional space” to be effective, as some of the main concerns regarding the young quarterback.

Brock Osweiler

NFL Network’s Charley Casserly believes that ASU QB Brock Osweiler is a fourth-round prospect, despite some suggesting that he could actually make his way into the first-round. Casserly adds that NFL teams are concerned about his decision making and accuracy, and believes he possesses “questionable instincts.“

Nick Foles

Greg Cosell points to Foles’ “slow arm speed, heavy feet” and reliance upon space when throwing the ball as the main concerns regarding Arizona prospect.

Draft Notes

Here are some more draft notes from a very active Greg Cosell this weekend.

• Cosell tweets that he would prefer to take someone like Nebraska OLB Lavonte David over UNC LB Zach Brown because Brown has “no physicality” and is an “avoid contact player.”
• Boise State RB Doug Martin runs with “velocity” and “power” and maintains a “low center of gravity,” according to Cosell. Even mentions that Martin has the “mentality of feature back.”
• Sticking with running backs, Cosell mentions that Miami RB Lamar Miller is more of a “pure zone scheme runner” and points to his “excellent downhill burst” as being one of his best attributes. Cosell adds that he doesn’t have much “lateral explosion” which is something you’ll notice if you watch some of his footage that has been uploaded on YouTube.com. Here’s a link.
• Cosell tweets that he sees some similarities to Clay Mathews in Boise State OLB Shea McClellan.
• Here’s some of Cosell’s favorite players: CB Dwight Bentley, CB Ryan Steed, OLB Shea McClellan, DE/OLB Chandler Jones, RB Isiah Pead, S Lance Mitchell, WR A.J. Jenkins.