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Jimmie Ward - DB - Huskies

ESPN's Mel Kiper gave out two "A" draft grades, singling out the 49ers and Jaguars as the winners of this year's process.

He listed San Francisco first. "The Niners just got so many good players," Kiper wrote, and went on to praise most every selection, from No. 30 overall NIU S Jimmie Ward to seventh-rounder No. 245 overall Oklahoma FB Trey Millard, perhaps the top prospect at his position. "What I like about this draft is the 49ers are in a championship window, and they still managed to balance both the need for immediate help and also got a lot of talent for the future," Kiper wrote. "The window can remain open."

Source: ESPN Insider

May 11 - 4:29 PM

Jordan Lynch - QB - Huskies

Bears signed Northern Illinois QB Jordan Lynch.

Lynch (6-foot 1/4, 217) made 28 starts for the Huskies, compiling a 24-4 record and 100 all-purpose touchdowns (51 passing, 48 rushing, one receiving). He completed 61.8 percent of his throws with a 51:14 TD-to-INT ratio and 6.56 YPC average. Lynch isn't an NFL-caliber passer, but drew pre-draft interest from teams at tailback and safety. Unfortunately, he also lacks athleticism for a position switch with 4.76 speed and a 9-foot-1 broad jump. Perhaps Lynch will find a niche as a gadget player and special teamer, but ultimately his game simply isn't suited to the NFL.

May 11 - 2:06 PM

Ken Bishop - DL - Huskies

Cowboys selected Northern Illinois DT Ken Bishop with the No. 251 overall pick in the NFL draft.

A stock "tweener" one-slash-three technique at 6-foot 1/4 and 306 pounds, Bishop was a first-team All-MAC selection as a senior with the Huskies. He ran 5.21 at the NIU Pro Day and pumped 31 reps on the bench. Bishop isn't a high-ceiling NFL prospect, but he's entering a good situation in Dallas from a roster standpoint. The Cowboys have the weakest defensive line in the league.

May 10 - 7:02 PM

Jimmie Ward - DB - Huskies

49ers selected Northern Illinois S Jimmie Ward with the No. 30 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft.

Ward (5-foot-10 3/4, 193) was a third-team All-American in 2013, finishing his career with 11 interceptions, four forced fumbles and four blocked punts. He started at corner as a sophomore, and safety as a junior in senior, but still covered the slot in passing situations. Ward ran 4.47 at the Huskies' Pro Day, adding a 38-inch vertical and 10-foot-5 broad jump. Built identically to Patriots FS Devin McCourty (5'11/193), Ward has also drawn Kenny Vaccaro comparisons for his versatility and man-cover skills, and is arguably a better tackler than both of them. Recovering from foot surgery, Ward is expected to be ready for training camp.

May 8 - 11:33 PM

Jimmie Ward - DB - Huskies

Northern Illinois S Jimmie Ward visited 12 teams during the draft process.

The Falcons, Ravens, Panthers, Cowboys, Colts, Saints, Texans and Vikings are just a few of the teams. Rotoworld's Josh Norris ranks Ward as the No. 2 safety in this class and loves his versatility to line up over the slot or work in the deeper portions of the field.

Source: Adam Caplan on Twitter

Apr 29 - 11:02 AM

Jimmie Ward - DB - Huskies

Northern Illinois S Jimmie Ward (foot) has been cleared to resume running, reports ESPN's Adam Caplan.

Good news for a possible first- or early second-rounder with the draft now 10 days away. Ward had been recovering from foot surgery after screws were inserted to shorten the healing process. Ward was given a six-to-eight week recovery timetable after going under the knife in early March, and he's right on track. Because Ward will be good to go for training camp, we don't believe this affects his stock any.

Source: Adam Caplan on Twitter

Apr 28 - 8:53 PM

Jimmie Ward - DB - Huskies

NFL Films' Greg Cosell speculated that Northern Illinois S Jimmie Ward could end up as a slot corner in the NFL.

The analyst said on the "Ross Tucker Podcast" that Ward played that spot in sub packages at NIU and was "really, really good" at it. Cosell stressed that he likes Ward as a prospect and said that the Huskies' star has the "best man-to-man cover skills of the safeties in this class." However, he doesn't believe Ward (5-foot-10, 191 pounds) can be a "box player" at that size. Tucker, for the record, disagreed that Ward's size might move him off safety.

Source: Ross Tucker Podcast

Apr 24 - 8:08 PM

Jimmie Ward - DB - Huskies

Northern Illinois S Jimmie Ward recently visited the Ravens, per beat writer Aaron Wilson.

The team previously met with Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Washington State's Deon Bucannon. The Ravens are expected to look for a rangy free safety opposite Matt Elam, and Ward has the necessary versatility to win in a variety of sets. Ward is still recovering from foot surgery after screws were inserted to shorten the healing process.

Source: Baltimore Sun

Apr 17 - 1:37 PM

Jimmie Ward - DB - Huskies

CBS Sports' Dane Brugler assigned Northern Illinois S Jimmie Ward to the Packers at No. 21 in a mock draft published Monday.

Ward hasn't gotten a ton of top-25 buzz, but he's a prospect who could take on helium as we get closer to draft day. Ward should benefit from the NFL's increased desire to identify playmaking, versatile safeties. "Green Bay has a need at free safety and although it would be somewhat uncharacteristic for Ted Thompson to go safety in the first round, Ward gives the Packers an instant upgrade in the secondary," wrote Brugler.

Source: CBS Sports

Mar 17 - 10:47 PM

Jordan Lynch - QB - Huskies

NFL.com's Bucky Brooks believes Northern Illinois QB Jordan Lynch's best chance to stick in the NFL is as a DB.

Lynch, open to a position change, worked out at QB and DB at Northern Illinois' pro day earlier this month. "While I certainly understand the intrigue with Lynch playing running back or wide receiver at the next level due to his remarkable production as a dual-threat playmaker for the Huskies, I believe a move to safety would give him the best chance to carve out a nice career as a pro," wrote Brooks. Lynch (6-foot 3/8, 220 pounds) simply doesn't possess the arm strength to play QB in the NFL. "Lynch will face an uphill climb to make a roster following a position switch, but his ability to contribute as a playmaker on special teams could buy him enough time to master the nuances of the position while making contributions as an active player," wrote Brooks, who himself moved from WR to DB with the Packers in 1996.

Source: NFL.com

Mar 17 - 8:18 PM

Jimmie Ward - DB - Huskies

Ravens secondary coach Steve Spagnuolo attended Northern Illinois' pro day to scout S Jimmie Ward, reports the Baltimore Sun.

Ward ran an unofficial 4.47 second 40-yard dash despite a small fracture in his foot that forced him out of February's combine. Ward will undergo surgery next week and will be healthy in time for the draft. The Ravens are reportedly on the prowl for a free safety because they intend to shift Matt Elam to his natural strong safety position. Ward would fit like a glove.

Source: Baltimore Sun

Mar 8 - 12:19 PM

Jordan Lynch - QB - Huskies

Jordan Lynch worked out at QB and DB at Northern Illinois' Pro Day.

In addition, Lynch participated as a RB in Indy at the combine. Lynch (6-foot-0 3/8, 220 pounds) has poor hand size (8' 3/4) and a noodle arm. While he has no chance of sticking as an NFL QB, he showed the requisite athletic ability and toughness in college to be given an opportunity at a non-throwing position.

Source: Packer Report on Twitter

Mar 7 - 10:29 PM

Jimmie Ward - DB - Huskies

NIU S Jimmie Ward will undergo surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot next week.

The six-to-eight week recovery timetable ensures that Ward will be healthy in time for the draft, and ready to go for minicamp. Ward is a versatile prospect capable of lining up in the slot or playing effective center field. If a safety-hungry team misses out on Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Louisville's Calvin Pryor, they'd do well to snatch up Ward, whom Rotoworld's Josh Norris believes is Pryor's equal.

Source: Brad Biggs on Twitter

Mar 7 - 6:36 PM

Jimmie Ward - DB - Huskies

NIU S Jimmie Ward was timed by one scout at 4.47 seconds on two forties at the school's pro day.

Rotoworld's Josh Norris has said Ward is a top three safety in this class and has a legitimate chance to be a first-round pick. Ward's versatility to play corner, line up in the slot, or cover ground in the deeper portions of the field could lead to some Kenny Vaccaro comparisons.

Source: Brad Briggs on Twitter

Mar 7 - 1:12 PM

Jimmie Ward - DB - Huskies

Northern Illinois S Jimmie Ward is now the third ranked prospect at the position, according to NFL Network's Mike Mayock.

Ward surpassed Deone Bucannon (No. 4) and Lamarcus Joyner (No. 5) on the rankings. He is still squarely behind Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Louisville's Calvin Pryor on nearly everyone's rankings, but Rotoworld's Josh Norris sees Pryor and Ward on nearly the same level. Do not be surprised if the NIU Husky is a first-round pick.

Source: NFL.com

Mar 4 - 10:11 AM