NFL Draft | Kiper lists Cooper at No. 8, Warmack at 13

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Kiper lists Cooper at No. 8, Warmack at 13

ESPN's Mel Kiper lists UNC G Jonathan Cooper at No. 8 overall, with Alabama's Chance Warmack slotted at No. 13.

Cooper is "nimble yet powerful," and "a potential star at left guard," according to Kiper. "Cooper has started since his redshirt freshman season, doesn't miss blocks, hits moving targets and has a great punch." For Warmack, Kiper writes "as a run-blocker, he simply takes defenders where he wants them to go, using great power and quickness at his size."

Source: ESPN

Fri, Mar 22, 2013 10:33:00 AM

QB Miller insinuates he's returning to OSU?

During a celebration at Ohio Stadium to celebrate Ohio State’s title, OSU senior QB Braxton Miller said "we've got another year to do it," which some are taking as an indication he will return to campus this fall.

"Privilege and honor to be part of this team," Miller told fans. "Guess what, we've got another year to do it. So go Bucks." Miller enrolled for the spring semester at OSU, another indication that he seems to be leaning towards returning to Columbus. Miller won't participate in spring practice due to a shoulder injury. When he returns -- if he returns -- the preseason battle between Miller, J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones for the starting gig will be perhaps the most epic in the history of college football. It's important to note that Miller could transfer and play immediately in 2015 as a graduate transfer. This story isn't over yet.

Source: NBC's College Football Talk

Jan 24 - 5:29 PM

Report: QB Jones could have gone in top 10-15

Ohio State redshirt sophomore QB Cardale Jones could have been drafted as high as the top 10-15 if he'd opted early into the draft, an NFL team executive told Fox Sports.

"Maybe he would have gone in the second round," the executive told foxsports.com, "but I think it's just as likely (he) could have gone in the top 10 or 15. Look at that body, that arm -- and look at his competition (in the draft)." A different source told Fox that Jones can develop more effectively in college this coming season. "In a way I'm glad he (returned). He needs reps, even spring reps. He needs time," the source said. "The problem with the NFL is it would take a unique situation for a team to draft him and not feel the pressure to play him next year, probably before he's ready." Jones himself told Sports Illustrated that he had an opportunity "to be picked in the second or third round of the 2015 draft," while two NFL sources speaking with CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd said his draft ceiling would have been Round 4 had he entered. We think the 6-foot-5, 250-pound Jones probably would have ended up going on Day 2.

Source: Fox Sports

Jan 24 - 3:38 PM

Analyst reports teams are warming to Orchard

NFL Media analyst Charles Davis wrote that the "word is out that teams are intrigued" by Utah redshirt senior edge rusher Nate Orchard.

"Orchard entered the week looking to answer questions about whether he has the traits to play as an outside linebacker after playing with his hand in the ground at Utah," Davis wrote. "I think he proved he can make the transition to standing up. He can rush the passer and is stronger than you would think -- his bull rush surprised people. I saw him walk some offensive linemen back to the quarterback using his bull rush. One NFL executive asked me to please not tell anyone that his team really likes the former Utes star. His secret is safe, but word is out that teams are intrigued by Orchard." The Utes prospect recorded 84 tackles including 21.5 tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks in 2014. NFL Media Analyst Bucky Brooks believes that Orchard is "is viewed as a bit of a "one-year wonder" following his remarkable spike in production as a senior.

Source: NFL.com

Jan 24 - 2:44 PM

Pauline: DE Odighizuwa has 1st-round talent

TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline believes UCLA redshirt senior edge rusher Owamagbe Odighizuwa "should be in [the] 1st round conversation."

"After Carl Davis no defender has helped themselves this week more than Odighizuwa," the analyst wrote. The 6-foot-3, 270-pounder is scheme versatile, and would fit comfortably in either a 4-3 or a 3-4. Odighizuwa "has the traits to be a NFL starter if he stays healthy and builds off the momentum he showed as a senior," CBS Sports' Dane Brugler recently wrote. Rotoworld draft guru Josh Norris wrote that Odighizuwa "has an awesome first snap but limited bend."

Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter

Jan 24 - 2:30 PM

Shelton dropped from 360 to 342 before SB

Washington senior DT Danny Shelton told ESPN's James Walker that he fist pumped on the scale earlier this week at the Senior Bowl because he had ballooned to 360 in early January.

Shelton stepped the scales Tuesday and weighed in at 342 pounds. "I’ve been training really hard," Shelton said. "I’m on a nutritional diet and so it’s looking good for me." Shelton looks like no worse than a top-15 pick at the moment. "[Shelton] was hard to move in the middle and did a good job shedding blockers [in practices]," Walker wrote. "He showed very good strength and moved well to the football in team and individual drills."

Source: ESPN.com

Jan 23 - 9:43 PM

Davis: FB Fowler reminds me of Tom Rathman

Alabama senior FB Jalston Fowler "will run defenders over as a lead blocker," wrote NFL Media analyst Charles Davis.

"He also is dependable carrying the ball, not that he's asked to do so often, and has good hands to catch the ball out of the backfield," Davis wrote. "He reminds me a bit of former 49ers fullback Tom Rathman. One NFL executive told me Fowler would be a Day 1 starter for any team that still utilizes a fullback." The 5-foot-11, 264-pounder didn't get many opportunities to touch the ball at Alabama, but he made life easier for a host of stud offensive teammates. Fowler also has experience at H-Back.

Source: NFL.com

Jan 23 - 8:36 PM

Senior Bowl DBs: Crowder was hardest to cover

NFL Media analyst Charles Davis reported that a poll of defensive backs at the Senior Bowl revealed Duke senior WR Jamison Crowder was the hardest receiver to cover.

"I knew coming into this week that Crowder was an elite kick and punt returner, and the team that drafts him can count on him to deliver in that way from the jump. However, he also is a great route runner and has good hands," Davis wrote. "Crowder is well-schooled in the passing game coming from Duke, where he was coached by David Cutcliffe. He's built more like a slot receiver at 5-foot-8, 174 pounds, and he's probably best-suited to play inside." The 5-foot-8, 174-pound Crowder has drawn comparisons to Saints' 2014 first-round pick Brandin Cooks and Steelers' Pro Bowl WR Antonio Brown.

Source: NFL.com

Jan 23 - 7:19 PM

QB Mariota slides to No. 18 in Brooks' mock

Oregon redshirt junior QB Marcus Mariota dropped all the way to No. 18 in Bucky Brooks' mock draft.

"Given Andy Reid’s reputation for developing quarterbacks, Kansas City would be the ideal spot for Mariota to grow into a franchise player," was all Brooks wrote by way of explanation. Brooks had Jameis Winston going No. 1 to the Bucs, meaning he projected 17 teams to pass on the next-highest rated QB on the board, including a few with acute signal-calling needs, such as the Titans, Jets and Rams. The Eagles, it should be noted, pick No. 20, and figure to start making calls if Mariota begins to slide.

Source: NFL.com

Jan 23 - 7:05 PM

Klatt ranks Mariota as No. 1 overall prospect

FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt ranks Oregon redshirt junior QB Marcus Mariota as the No. 1 player in the class.

As recently as a few weeks ago, this wouldn't have been news. Now, however, it's vogue to rank Mariota No. 2 -- amongst quarterbacks (behind Jameis Winston). Mariota fell to No. 6 overall on Todd McShay's recent Big Board, and NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah ranks the Oregon prospect No. 11. Many believe Mariota will fall in the draft, with some postulating that the Eagles will make a play up the board when he does. "Prototypical size at 6-feet-4 and 220 pounds and his arm is much stronger than most think," Klatt wrote. "The system at Oregon will not help him, but he would have flourished in any system that he played in. His best trait is his ability to extend the play and keep his eyes down the field for big plays."

Source: Fox Sports

Jan 22 - 5:35 PM

WR White graded as Jeremiah's No. 3 prospect

NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah ranks West Virginia WR Kevin White as the No. 3 overall prospect in the class.

This is officially a love affair. We already knew that Jeremiah graded White as the No. 1 receiver the class -- most give that designation to either Amari Cooper, or, as is the case of Rotoworld, Dorial Green-Beckham -- but now we know he also values White more than such elite prospects as Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, and Shane Ray. "White has excellent size and is an extremely explosive wide receiver," Jeremiah explained. "He uses his strength to power through press coverage, and he shows a burst to create early separation. He is still developing as a route runner, but he can drop his weight and get out of his breaks efficiently. He has outstanding tracking skills and he consistently high points the ball down the field. He had several 'wow' catches this season. He excels after the catch because of his ability to run through tackles as well as make defenders miss. I love his overall competitiveness, physicality, play speed and ball skills."

Source: NFL.com

Jan 22 - 4:50 PM

Jeremiah ranks Devin Smith at No. 23 overall

NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah ranks OSU WR Devin Smith as the No. 23 overall prospect int eh 2015 class.

This is one spot above fellow receiver Devin Funchess. We think Smith is much more role and scheme reliant than Jeremiah appears to. Some team might draft him appropriately as just a vertical threat who can win in contested situations. Others might select him as a No. 2 receiver who is asked to win at multiple levels. We think, right now, the former is his real value.

Source: NFL.com

Jan 22 - 9:52 AM