NFL Notes: Joe Mixon, Reuben Foster, Draft, Cardinals

Joe Mixon

• Tom Pelissero of USA Today reports that while Oklahoma RB Joe Mixon is off of some team’s draft boards, the belief remains that some team will draft him in either the second or third round.
• We have him being selected by the Bengals in the Second Round of our 2017 NFL Mock Draft.

Reuben Foster

While there are obvious concerns about Alabama LB Reuben Foster after the news that he produced a diluted urine sample at the combine, an AFC personnel executive tells Albert Breer that he still doesn’t see him falling too far in the draft.

“I’ll be surprised if he falls too far,” the executive said. “He’s talented enough to play on every down—he can play the run, play the pass. You have to have a plan, give him structure and direction, and follow his maturation and development on and off the field. But he’s got a chance to be a special player.”

Draft

• According to Lance Zierlein, several teams don’t have first-round grades on Michigan S/LB Jabrill Peppers, but sources around the league seem to think the Steelers are the team to watch for him.
• Zierlein expects to see a number of safeties taken in the first 50 picks or so including Obi Melifonwu, Marcus Williams, Marcus Maye, Josh Jones and Justin Evans.
• Zierlein can’t see Temple LB Haason Reddick lasting any longer that pick No. 15 and will likely be drafted ahead of Alabama LB Reuben Foster.
• Another player to keep an eye on, according to Zierlein, is Texas A&M DL Daeshon Hall, who could end up being a top-40 pick.
• Zierlein mentions that a number of teams view Tennessee DE Derek Barnett as “a solid player rather than a special one.” With this in mind, Zierlein wouldn’t be surprised to see Miami TE David Njoku drafted ahead of Barnett.

Cardinals

• Cardinals HC Bruce Arians reportedly gave Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes high marks in his evaluation.
  However, Albert Breer says that the call is up to GM Steve Keim, as it’s still possible Arians may retire in a year or two.