NFL Draft Rumors: Justin Blackmon, Fletcher Cox, Lamar Miller, Stephen Hill, Dontari Poe, Amini Silatolu

Justin Blackmon

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that “it doesn’t look like” Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon will participate in the running drills at this year’s Scouting Combine.

There’s been a lot of talk as of late about Blackmon’s forty-time so he could put off running until his pro day in March rather than risk posting a poor time and seeing his draft stock fall a bit. Even if Blackmon doesn’t post as good of a time as Kendall Wright or some of the other wide receivers in this year’s draft, he still expected to go in the top half of the draft and should be taken in the top ten.

Fletcher Cox

Tony Pauline of SI.com reports that draft “insiders” from around the NFL see Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox as one of the players that could increase their draft considerably at this year’s Combine.

Pauline mentions that Cox could actually post a sub-4.8 forty time which would be amazing when you consider that he’s a 300 pound man.

Cox would be a great fit in a 3-4 defensive scheme but as enough versatility to play in a 4-3.

Lamar Miller

Continuing with Pauline’s article for SI.com, he mentions that Miami (FL) RB Lamar Miller recovered from the shoulder surgery that he underwent a few months ago. Pauline adds that he’s been preparing for this forty-yard-dash and is reportedly running the “mid-4.3s.”

If Miller can post a similar time at the Combine, he’ll give a number of team’s something to consider towards the later part of the first and early second-rounds. He could be a fast riser and certainly someone to watch in the coming days.

George Iloka 

Pauline reports that Boise State S George Iloka is “the top free safety on draft boards around the league” and believes that he could be gone in the earlier portion of the second-round.

Iloka has great size and limited group of safety prospects could really help someone like him if he’s able to post a good forty-time at the Combine but we’re not exactly as high on him as others.

Dontari Poe

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that the Pittsburgh Steelers should look to add talent at nose tackle, inside linebacker, and offensive guard in this years draft.

One name in particular that continues to linked to the Steelers at #24 is Memphis DT Dontari Poe who has been rising up draft boards because of his athleticism and strength. Pittsburgh is in a tough position with their current cap situation and rumors have suggested that Casey Hampton, 35, could be on the chopping block so drafting his replacement seems like a strong possibility at this point.

Stephen Hill

Rob Rang of CBS Sports  sees Georgia Tech WR Stephen Hill as being similar to Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas and mentions that he could come off of the board as early as the second-round.

Hill has great size 6-foot-5, 206 pounds and could run as low 4.4 at the Combine which should warrant plenty of interest from NFL teams. One quick note: Hill had a 29.3 yards per reception at Georgia Tech last season.

Amini Silatolu

The NFL Network’s Mike Mayock mentioned that Midwestern State T/G Amini Silatolu as being a sleeper prospect that could go as early as the second-round.

“This kid played left tackle. Most people think he’s gonna kick inside,” says Mayock. “But I put the tape on … I couldn’t believe how well this thick-bodied left tackle moved laterally. Trust me folks, he’s nasty as can be. He might be a second-round pick.”

That’s pretty high praise for the young man. We actually just moved into our Top 100 Big Board earlier in the week so we’ll have to see how he does in the coming weeks.