Category: NFL Draft (Page 42 of 102)

Chiefs, Browns, Seahawks all interested in CMU’s LeFevour

According to Central Michigan beat writer Drew Ellis of the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun, the Chiefs, Browns and Seahawks were all on hand to watch quarterback prospect Dan LeFevour work out at his Pro Day on Wednesday morning. The Panthers and Vikings also watched him go through passing drills.

The most notable name on hand was new Kansas City offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, who told Ellis that he was specifically there to watch LeFevour. There was also a rumor that the Chiefs had dinner with LeFevour last night.

Questions have been raised about LeFevour’s arm strength and there also is concern that since he played mostly out of the shotgun in college that he won’t be able to run a pro style system at the next level. According to Ellis, LeFevour may not have quelled scouts’ fears about whether or not he can make all the throws.

“He did well throwing the short to intermediate passes today,” Ellis said. “But there was more loft on his deeper throws than you’d like to see and there wasn’t much velocity on his passes when he wasn’t throwing short. He might ultimately have to play in the West Coast Offense where accuracy is the most important thing.”

Ellis’ last bit about the West Coast Offense provides reason why the Browns would be interested, but why the Chiefs? GM Scott Pioli insisted in late February that the team would not be in the market for a starting quarterback in this year’s draft and is committed to Matt Cassel after signing him to a six-year, $63 million contract last season. And after extending a second-round tender on Brodie Croyle, they seem to be set on Cassel’s backup too, so it’s a little perplexing why Weis would want to watch LeFevour.

Another note from CMU’s Pro Day is that receiver Antonio Brown was garnering attention from the Vikings, Lions, Raiders and Dolphins. In fact, Miami held a private workout with him after he ran a 4.4 40-yard dash, which was an improvement over his 4.5 time at the combine. Brown’s stock has improved and he may wind up being selected before LeFevour.


Photo from fOTOGLIF

Report: Browns interested in Colt McCoy

ESPN’s Chris Mortesen is reporting that the Browns have genuine interest in quarterback Colt McCoy and could use their second round pick on the Texas product, or even package picks to move into the bottom of the first round.

So far this offseason, GM Mike Holmgren has done some major reconstructive surgery on Cleveland’s quarterback position. He released Derek Anderson, traded for Seneca Wallace, signed Jake Delhomme and dealt Brady Quinn to the Broncos. But anyone with 20/20 vision or a strong pair of prescription eyeglasses can see that Wallace and Delhomme aren’t the answer. Wallace is fine in small doses, but struggles to carry a team on a full-time basis and Delhomme has been a disaster since the 2008 Divisional Round playoffs. I know that some Browns fans are optimistic that Delhomme will return to his 2007 form, but watch him orchestrate an offense without Steve Smith, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart at his disposal – and then evaluate how optimistic you are.

That said, I don’t think McCoy is the answer for the Browns. He’s a class act all the way and he did some tremendous things at UT, but there’s no telling what kind of shape his shoulder is in. He recently told NFL.com’s Gil Brandt that he’s 100% and will be able to throw at the Longhorns’ Pro Day on March 29, but that will be the first time he throws since the BCS title game. Even if he does throw well and his shoulder has healed, there are still question marks surrounding his arm strength and his unfamiliarity with a pro style offense.

Of course, the one thing McCoy has never been criticized about is his accuracy, which is vital for quarterbacks running the West Coast Offense. Maybe Holmgren believes McCoy is the right fit for his system and also likes the QB’s athleticism. Still, McCoy succumbed to Nebraska’s immense defensive line pressure in the Big 12 title game last season, raising questions about whether or not he could survive in the NFL.

I guess what I’m ultimately saying is that I’m not completely sold on McCoy as a prospect. I loved watching him play at Texas and I think he can be successful because he’s an incredibly hard worker with a great head on his shoulders. But will he be successful? As a starter, I’m not entirely sure.


Photo from fOTOGLIF

Lions to target Jahvid Best in the second round?

John Niyo of the Detroit News believes that the Lions may target Cal running back Jahvid Best if he falls to their pick in the second round.

The Lions have made no secret of the fact they plan to add another running back this offseason. Kevin Smith is busy rehabbing after suffering a torn ACL in December, leaving Maurice Morris as the only healthy NFL veteran in Allen Park. Aaron Brown, DeDe Dorsey and Cedric Peerman are the other backs on the roster.

If the Lions manage to trade down from the No. 2 pick — still a long shot, I think — Clemson’s C.J. Spiller will get strong consideration later in the top 10. More likely, though, Cal’s Jahvid Best could fall to the Lions at the top of the second round. And if he’s there, the Lions better be ready to pounce — maybe even trading up a few slots to get him — “because he’s got first-round ability,” NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock says.

In my mock draft, I have Best going to the Chargers with the 28th overall pick, but some believe Fresno State running back Ryan Matthews will be selected before him. I think either back would be a perfect fit with Kevin Smith in Detroit. There’s no question that GM Martin Mayhew needs to give quarterback Matthew Stafford more quality playmakers on offense.


Photo from fOTOGLIF

Will Ndamukong Suh drop in the top 5?

It didn’t seem that long ago that Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was a near lock to be taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the April’s NFL draft. But now it appears that his stock is falling, even though he is still highly regarded as the top prospect in this year’s draft.

The Tampa Tribune is reporting that Suh is scheduled to visit the Buccaneers on April 13, which may mean something – could mean nothing. But when you look at the dynamics surrounding the first two picks in the draft, there is reason to believe that Tampa Bay could have Suh fall into their laps at No. 3.

While the Rams have plenty of holes to fill on both sides of the ball, defensive tackle isn’t a pressing need. There are several pundits that believe they’ll select Oklahoma product Sam Bradford at No. 1 because 1) they need someone to replace Marc Bulger and 2) if they’re spending No. 1-overall money, then they want to spend it on a position such as quarterback. There is also growing sentiment that the Lions (who pick second) will take Oklahoma State offensive tackle Russell Okung, meaning Suh will slide to the Bucs (who are desperate for defensive tackle help) at No. 3.

In my latest mock draft, I have the Rams taking Bradford at No. 1, but the Lions drafting Suh at No. 2. My opinion could change leading up to the draft, but given how Jim Schwartz built his defensive around Albert Haynesworth in Tennessee, I can’t foresee him passing on a player of Suh’s caliber. That said, the Lions recently traded for Corey Williams and he plays the same position as Suh in Schwartz’s defense, so read into that situation how you want.

Either way, if Suh is still available at No. 3 then Roger Goodell might as well just stand up at the podium and read the Lions and Bucs’ picks back to back. Because there’s no way Raheem Morris would allow Suh to get past Tampa at No. 3.


Photo from fOTOGLIF

Chad Henne: Tim Tebow is not an NFL quarterback

Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne apparently isn’t a big fan of Tim Tebow.

From USA Today:

Dolphins QB Chad Henne is not among those impressed by Tim Tebow’s performance at his pro day on Wednesday.

Tebow, showing off his overhauled throwing motion to NFL talent evaluators for the first time, drew positive reviews. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock called Tebow’s improvement “ridiculous.”

But Henne remains skeptical of the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner.
He told WQAM radio in Miami:

“My judgment is that he’s not an NFL quarterback. I’ll leave it at that.”

Last time I checked, Tebow won a Heisman Trophy and a couple of National Championships while at Florida and Henne won roughly about nothing. Well, I take that back. He did beat Tebow’s Gators in the 2008 Capital One Bowl and was the game’s MVP. So…there.

I have my own doubts about whether or not Tebow will become a quarterback at the next level. And I know that Henne showed promise last year with the Dolphins, but just because he’s won seven games in the NFL doesn’t make him a pro scout.


Photo from fOTOGLIF

« Older posts Newer posts »