NFL Draft | QB Smith to visit Browns, work out for Jets

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QB Smith to visit Browns, work out for Jets

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports West Virginia QB Geno Smith will visit with the Cleveland Browns and then privately work out for the New York Jets.

Both teams are in need of a quarterback in some sense. The Browns still have last year's first round selection, Brandon Weeden, but he doesn't appear to have sold the staff based on last year's performance. Like Weeden, Smith can throw the ball well vertically, which is a fit for Rob Chudzinski's system. As for the Jets, it's uncertain exactly which direction they'll go in but it wouldn't hurt to draft Smith, who could be an upgrade over the disappointing Mark Sanchez.

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Mon, Apr 8, 2013 03:34:00 PM

Kiper still has Bama OT Kouandjio in Round 1

Although some experts believe Alabama T Cyrus Kouandjio has lost his opportunity at a Round 1 selection, ESPN's Mel Kiper assigns the Crimson Tide enforcer to the Panthers at No. 28.

Kouandjio shredded his ACL and MCL as a freshman and minor cartilage issues persist in his knee today. Because of his arthritic knee, several NFL teams failed him on combine medical exams. That's not his only current problem, however. Last month, draft insider Tony Pauline called Koaundjio's combine workout "sluggish, slow and totally unprepared" after the big left tackle posted an official forty time of 5.59 seconds (slowest amongst tackles) and 10 yard splits of 1.79 and 1.87 seconds. The 6-foot-7 tackle, once thought to be a Round 1 lock, only registered 21 bench press reps. "There were some concerns about his medicals at the combine, but Kouandjio is going to come in healthy and ready to contribute," wrote Kiper. "And it's worth remembering that he won't turn 21 until after the draft. While Kouandjio has a high ceiling, he's not merely a physical talent who could develop -- this is a kid who was battering SEC defensive linemen at the age of 19."

Source: ESPN Insider

Mar 16 - 3:34 PM

Kiper: Lewan could have been top OT in 2013

ESPN's Mel Kiper wrote that Michigan T Taylor Lewan "could have graded out as the top tackle last year if he chose to enter the draft."

Considering that three of the top four picks in 2013 were OTs -- the Chiefs took Central Michigan's Eric Fisher No. 1, the Jags selected Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel No. 2 and the Eagles tabbed Oklahoma's Lane Johnson No. 4 -- this is lofty praise indeed. Lewan slots No. 9 to the Bills in Kiper's mock draft. "I like Cordy Glenn, but protection was still a problem for the Bills last year, so I have them placing a higher priority on keeping EJ Manuel upright and shifting their attention to the deep class of wide receivers in Round 2 or 3." Kiper believes Lewan possesses "the prototypical length as a pass-blocker" and "really gets after it as a run-blocker."

Source: ESPN Insider

Mar 16 - 3:05 PM

Kiper: Jags won't pass on DE Clowney at No. 3

ESPN's Mel Kiper doesn't believe the Jaguars will pass on South Carolina edge player Jadeveon Clowney if he's still available at No. 3.

In a recently published mock draft, Kiper, who currently sees Khalil Mack and Greg Robinson as the top two picks, presents a scenario in which the Jaguars could have their pick of the draft's top three QB prospects -- Blake Bortles (UCF), Teddy Bridgewater (Louisville), and Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M) -- and pass on them all. "The Jags decided to re-sign Chad Henne, and while I don't think they did so based on the idea he's an immovable object at starter, I do think they believe they can win football games with him starting if they improve everywhere else," wrote Kiper. "And Clowney certainly improves a pass rush that we've been talking about as a draft priority for way too long."

Source: ESPN Insider

Mar 16 - 2:29 PM

Cosell: Teddy did a lot at line of scrimmage

NFL Films' Greg Cosell believes Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater was asked to do a lot at the line of scrimmage, "which you don't see very often in college."

"I think Bridgewater is a very solid player, who is really good in a number of areas," Cosell said during a podcast interview. "He has great pocket instincts. I think he can make, pretty much, every throw." Cosell did add that Bridgewater needs to work on his downfield game, which many agree with, but pointed to the short to intermediate areas as bright spots. The longtime evaluator noted he would rank UCF's Blake Borltes as the top prospects at the position in this class.

Source: NFL.com

Mar 16 - 1:48 PM

Mack goes No. 1 to Texans in Kiper's mock

Buffalo edge player Khalil Mack slotted No. 1 to the Texans in Mel Kiper's most recent mock draft.

Most analysts have ticketed either a QB or Jadeveon Clowney to Houston with the top pick, but ESPN.com's Kiper points out that the Texans are similar to the Chiefs last season in that they're picking at No. 1 as a playoff-hopeful team. Because of that, they have more freedom than most to simply choose the player they feel is best, regardless of position or popularity. If they decide to go off script, Mack is a strong choice. "Mack is a fit in most systems, but he'd excel in this system as a pass-rusher and a player who can back up and make plays in space and to the edges," wrote Kiper. "Houston hasn't been active in free agency, but Mack can fill a role and be a key contributor early for a team that can start winning again."

Source: ESPN Insider

Mar 16 - 1:20 PM

CB Gilbert 'cements' top-15 ticket at pro day

Oklahoma State CB Justin Gilbert "solidified his status in the top half of the first round" by putting on "a standout performance" at Oklahoma State's Thursday pro day, according to NFL.com's Gil Brandt.

The NFL was well represented in Stillwater, as all 32 teams sent at least one employee to check out Cowboys' prospects. Notably, six defensive back coaches, Patriots assistant to the coaching staff Michael Lombardi, and the general manager (Kevin Colbert) and head coach (Mike Tomlin) of the Steelers were in attendance. "Gilbert looked outstanding in the position drills," wrote Brandt. "He was especially adept at backpedaling. Gilbert cemented his position as a top-15 caliber draft pick."

Source: NFL.com

Mar 15 - 7:49 PM

OW Thomas 'absolutely electric' at pro day

Oregon RB/WR De'Anthony Thomas was "absolutely electric" Thursday at Oregon’s pro day, according to NFL.com's Gil Brandt.

Thomas (5-foot-8 5/8, 174 pounds) ran speed-of-light forties of 4.34 and 4.35 seconds. He added a 34-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot-3 broad jump, a 4.21 second short shuttle and a three-cone drill time of 6.83 seconds. "Thomas is going to be a lot like a running back version of Philadelphia Eagles WR DeSean Jackson," wrote Brandt. "That is, Thomas will be a luxury for an NFL team, which will have to design a special set of plays for him to get him on the field. Thomas is really special as far as being an athlete is concerned. A lot of people will be chasing him around on the field, but I don’t think he can hold up at his structure/size."

Source: NFL.com

Mar 15 - 7:43 PM

Amaro improves on combine 40 at pro day

Texas Tech TE Jace Amaro ran a 4.69 second forty against the wind and 4.68 with the wind at Texas Tech's pro day event.

For sake of comparison, Amaro officially logged a 4.74-second 40-yard dash at the combine in Indy. Former Texas Tech quarterback Seth Doege threw to Amaro at the event in Lubbock and the TE "looked smooth running routes," according to NFL.com's Gil Brandt. Amaro (6-foot-5 3/8 and 265 pounds) snagged 106 receptions and set an NCAA record for a TE with 1,352 receiving yards. "Amaro could be drafted as high as late in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft," Brandt believes.

Source: NFL.com

Mar 15 - 5:27 PM

Su'a-Filo runs sub-5 second forty at pro day

UCLA OG Xavier Su'a-Filo ran the forty in 4.97 and 5.07 seconds at the school's pro day event.

Bruins' coach Jim Mora said that scouts have told him that Su'a-Filo is the "best guard prospect since All-Pro Steve Hutchinson" came out in the 2001 draft. At the exhibition for scouts, Su'a-Filo added a 26-inch vertical and 8-7 broad jump, did the short shuttle in 4.46 seconds and the three-cone in 7.93 seconds, and lifted 26 reps on the bench press. Su'a-Filo's 5.04 second forty in Indy was the second-fastest amongst guards.

Source: NFL.com

Mar 15 - 3:46 PM

Jets have been 'all over' WR Brandin Cooks

The Jets have been "all over" Oregon State WR Brandin Cooks, according to a source close to beat writer Rich Cimini.

Cooks may be best suited as a slot receiver in the NFL, but there were plenty of occasions where in won on the outside in the Pac-12. In fact, Rotoworld's Josh Norris compares him to Victor Cruz, despite his shorter stature. Some have compared Cooks to Tavon Austin and Wes Welker, but what separates Cooks from other top receivers in this class is his inability to win consistently at the catch point in contested situations.

Source: Rich Cimini on Twitter

Mar 15 - 12:10 PM

Patriots worked out WR Robert Herron 1-on-1

Patriots staff members worked out Wyoming WR Robert Herron 1-on-1 after the school's pro day.

After running a 4.48 forty at the NFL Combine, Herron recorded a low 4.3 second sprint at the pro day workout. This fits the slot receiver's game more, but the big difference is a bit questionable. Herron could draw a third-round pick. He is extremely slippery at the line of scrimmage against press man coverage.

Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter

Mar 15 - 11:42 AM