NFL Draft Rumors: Trent Richardson, Dre Kirkpatrick, Courtney Upshaw, Andrew Luck, Robert Grffin III

Trent Richardson 

Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune mentioned that the Buccaneers are looking to find a running back that has both “breakaway speed and the ability to touch the ball on every down,” which basically means someone other than LeGarrette Blount.

Cummings adds that the team can address their needs for a cornerback in the free agent market which would then allow them to take Alabama’s Trent Richardson with the #5 overall pick in this years draft.

So far we’ve heard Michael Bush and Mike Tolbert mentioned as speculative free agent targets for the Buc’s but either one of them fit Cummings requirements.

Dre Kirkpatrick

There’s been a lot of guessing as to who the Broncos will be targeting with the #25 pick in the upcoming draft. Many, including us, feel that the Broncos will most likely address the defensive tackle position and someone like Devon Still or Michael Brockers, depending on who’s available.

Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post writes that the Broncos are “focusing on” Alabama’ CB Dre Kirkpatrick during the teams Pro Day.

The Broncos will have to address the cornerback position in the very future as both of their starters, Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman, are well into the thirties.

Kirkpatrick has some question marks surrounding him despite the fact that he’s largely viewed as first-round talent. he was arrested for marijuana position a few months ago and has been largely unimpressive in recent weeks which could drop his stock enough that he could be available to the Broncos.

Courtney Upshaw

Tony Pauline of SI.com reports that Alabama DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw chose not to participate in today’s Pro Day.

Upshaw’s stock is another Alabama player who’s draft stock is on the decline after a underwhelming performance at last month’s Scouting Combine. Upshaw will work out for NFL teams on March 29th but he’ll have to show them something if he’s going to convince a team to take him in the first-half of round one.

Andrew Luck

NFL Films’ Greg Cosell mentioned that he doesn’t see presumed #1 overall pick Andrew Luck as a “special passer” after watching three of Stanford’s game tapes.

Cosell does mention that Luck has sharp mechanics and the ability to manipulate defensive backs while passing the ball efficiently.  His concern is that Luck lifts his back foot before throwing the ball which can have an inverse effect on his velocity.

It’s worth noting that Cosell is a very astute talent evaluator so this will most likely be one of the things that Colts will work on with him.

Robert Grffin III 

Greg Cosell continued his evaluation of this year’s draft prospects by taking a look at Baylor QB Robert Griffin III.

Cosell noted that RGIII has great arm strength and displayed “natural velocity” when throwing the ball, especially down the field.

He did note that Griffin will have to work on completing the intermediate throws and limit some of the “undisciplined” plays he made outside of the pocket. He also added that Griffin’s forty time was the “most meaningless stat of the Combine.”

Justin Blackmon

Greg Cosell  took at look at some of Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon’s game tape as well and came with the impression that he’s not of the same level as Andre Johnson or Calvin Johnson heading into the draft.

Cosell even mentioned that this year’s group of wide receivers a whole wouldn’t qualify “top WR class.” Cosell seems Blackmon as a similar player to Hakeem Nicks.

Jim Thomas reports that Blackmon will take part in Oklahoma State’s Pro Day on Friday so teams will be able to get a better look at the presumed Top 10 talent.

Nick Toon 

Tony Pauline of SI.com reports that Wisconsin WR Nick Toon posted a forty-time in the “low 4.5’s” at the school’s Pro Day on Wednesday.

Pauline even mentions that one scout actually had the time at 4.48 which is a great number for the young wide receiver.

Before his foot injury, some evaluators had him as a fringe first-round talent but he has since dropped down draft boards because of injury concerns. This kind of time could get him back into the later portion of the second-round.