Melvin Ingram
Tony Pauline reports that South Carolina DE Melvin Ingram drew “rave reviews” from multiple sources and believes that he’ll be drafted in the “top 8 for sure.”
NFL.com’s Mike Mayock echoes that by mentioning that he believes the only question left for Ingram is where he’s going to play in the NFL.
“Melvin Ingram, for me, is a really fun puzzle to try to figure out,” Mayock said. “At 272 pounds, short arms, where do you play him? At South Carolina they did a great job moving him around. He played defensive end, outside linebacker, he played defensive tackle in their sub package. and I think that’s what you need to do in the NFL.”
Mayock continued by giving him some high-praise.
“For me, he’s a first-round pick, he’s a Top 15 player, and I think the 3-4 teams are really going to like him,” Mayock said. “Very similar to [James] Harrison and [LaMarr] Woodley.”
Pauline added that the New York Jets had a “large presence” watching Ingram during his position drills.
Ingram is probably my favorite prospect in this years draft, mainly because of his overall versatility. He could end up being a game-changing force in the right situation so it will be interesting to see where he ends up.
We actually have the Panthers grabbing him at #9 in our most recent 2012 NFL Mock Draft but recent rumors have suggested that the Jaguars are considering him as high as #7 overall.
Alshon Jeffery
Tony Pauline of SI.com tweets that South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery ran forty times of 4.47 and 4.54 at hi Pro Day.
Jeffery has been a lightning rod for scrutiny thus far but these times should really help his stock draft. Conditioning is still a concern regarding Jeffery but he also showed up lighter than he was at the Combine so he could also be getting that under control.
Jeffery will most likely go in the early-second round there’s a chance that he actually cracks the top-32. We have him going to the Dolphins at #42 to replace Brandon Marshall in the second-round of our 2012 NFL Mock Draft list.
Rams
Jeff Fisher mentioned that he sees the Cleveland Browns as a “potential trade partner,” according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Fisher added that it’s “very realistic” that the Rams could move up or down from their #6 overall pick and believes that a move up to #4 isn’t out of the question, although he admits that it will be determined by “what kind of compensation” the Browns are looking for.
It’s interesting that Fisher is suggesting that the Browns could be a trade partner considering that they chose to trade the #2 overall pick to the Redskins. St Louis figures to be targeting Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon but there’s a chance that he could be available to them at #6.
Stephen Gilmore
Another South Carolina player that really stood out during today’s Pro Day was CB Stephen Gilmore. Mike Mayock raved about Gilmore and even sees him as a Top 15 talent.
“Trust me, six-foot corners with long arms are rare, especially when they run 4.4 with his movement skills,” Mayock said. “I’ve got him as the No. 2 corner for a reason. I think he’s a Top 10 to Top 15 pick. Not a lot of people have him that high, but I saw it again today.”
Gilmore has been shooting up draft boards in the last few weeks, mainly because no one has solidified themselves as being the #2 cornerback in this year’s draft class. We have Gilmore going to the 49ers at #30 in our 2012 NFL Mock Draft, but I’ll admit that he could go much higher.
Ryan Tannehill
Dane Brugler reports that Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill will hold his personal Pro Day tomorrow where he’s expected to run the forty-yard dash
Tannehill underwent foot surgery a little while ago so this is certainly good news for him. At this point, he’s basically the consensus #3 quarterback prospect in this year’s draft and should be a Top 10 pick. We have him going to the Dolphins at #8 in our 2012 NFL Mock Draft, but he could go as high as #3 overall depending on the level of interest.
Kirk Counsins
Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly mentions that the Cleveland Browns could target Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins at some point in the draft.
“I think he’s the best fit,” said Nawrocki. “He’ll probably sit in there early in the second round. He’d make a lot of sense for the Browns.”
Nawrocki added that he’s the perfect fit for someone like Mike Holmgren considering that he’ll need some time to develop.
“I can see Holmgren playing a part with whomever they bring along,” said Nawrocki . “I think he’d have a very easy time working with a player like Kirk Cousins.”
Cardinals
Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt hinted that they could be targeting a tight end in this year’s draft.
“We’re in the era of throwing the football and the tight end position has worked, creating mismatches,” said Whisenhunt, per Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “A lot of the guys coming out of college are in the habit of spreading the field because of the spread offense.“
The Cardinals are without a second-round pick and targeting a tight end as high as #13 doesn’t make a whole lot of sense given this year’s group of prospects. Arizona could be looking at someone in the third-round, however, and there’s a chance they could be looking at Orson Charles or Lardarius Green at that point.
One-Liners:
Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly took part in a conference call today and provide some interesting perspective on the upcoming draft. Here’s some things that stood out during the call.
- Nawrocki mentions that Arizona WR Juron Criner is a “dime a dozen wide receiver.” Nawrocki mentions that he has talent, but will most likely be a mid-round pick.
- Nawrocki said that Alabama LB Dont’a Hightower could actually be better than his teammate Courtney Upshaw. He also added that Hightower can play both inside and outside linebacker.
- Nawrocki mentions that a lot of people are “unimpressed” by Oklahoma St. WR Justin Blackmon after watching him.
- Nawrocki said that Oregon RB LaMichael James is “the most instinctive runner in the draft.” and believes that he has “rare speed for the NFL level.”
- Nawrocki believes that Memphis DT Dontari Poe’s “rare size, rare movement skills” could vault him into the top 10 and thinks that the Chiefs would love to see him there at #11.
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