Who do we draft?

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A.J. Cann - G - Gamecocks

South Carolina G A.J. Cann spent the majority of his pro day workout at center.

"Cann, a 51-game starter at left guard, showed off the same explosiveness while snapping the football that caused him to rank atop NFLDraftScout.com's guard rankings," wrote CBS Sports' Dane Brugler. "The positional versatility will, of course, only help his case to break into the top 32, as will impressive numbers during measured drills, including a 32.5" vertical jump and 30 repetitions on the bench press." We haven't heard why Cann might be considering a shift inside, though, as Brugler mentions, the versatility won't hurt and, in addition, Cann's 6-foot-3, 313-pound frame might profile better to the pivot. Either way, we still think he's going in Round 2.
Source: CBS Sports

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This has been my feeling for the last month.

@LRiddickESPN @Thomas_Petry @steelers Not even a discussion. Landon Collins not a "first round" safety. Take KJ.

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Interesting. Lance Zierlein just Tweeted that he expects Cedric Ogbuehi to be drafted "in the top 11." Has him being drafted ahead of Clemmings now. When asked if a shot at matt kalil implied in the choice of that number and he replied "bingo."

[dead_poet]

A.J. Cann - G - Gamecocks

South Carolina G A.J. Cann "should become a starter early in his career, and if he stays healthy, he can pay for a long time," wrote the National Football Post's Greg Gabriel.

"On tape, Cann looks to be as good an athlete as there is in this draft at the guard position," wrote Gabriel. "He is best as a run blocker, as he comes off the ball low and is explosive on contact. He is usually able to get movement and can get to the second level. In pass protection, he moves his feet well, plays with bend and can slide and recover." The analyst believes Cann's hand use could stand to improve in pass protection. Gabriel ranks Cann as the class' No. 4 interior lineman.
Source: National Football Post
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Marcus Peters - DB - Huskies

CBS Sports expects the Patriots to choose either a CB or DT at No. 32 overall, and analyst Frank Cooney suggests that Washington CB Marcus Peters is a perfect fit.

New England lost a pair of starting cornerbacks this offseason when Darrelle Revis signed with the Jets and Brandon Browner signed with the Saints. "Peters, who was dismissed from Washington in November after several run-ins with the coaches, has the natural talent to be an impact starter from Day 1 and New England isn't afraid to take risks," Cooney wrote. Dane Brugler mocks Ronald Darby (Florida State) to New England at No. 32. Colleagues Pete Prisco (Carl Davis, DT, Iowa) and Rob Rang (Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State) both have the Patriots seeking interior help in the first round.
Source: CBS Sports

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Brandon Scherff - T - Hawkeyes

Iowa OL Brandon Scherff is the No. 1 interior lineman in the class, according to the National Football Post's Greg Gabriel.

Want to guess who the analyst compared him to? If you guessed Zack Martin, please accept your prize on the way out of this blurb. Gabriel does think Scherff could play tackle, but sees him as a better fit as a stud guard. As you know, we believe Scherff can stick at left tackle long term. "As a player, he is a smart technician with good hand use," Gabriel wrote. "Like most Iowa linemen, he has been well coached. He plays with bend and knows how to get and keep good position. He is a consistent run and pass blocker and has the strength and power to get movement. He is a consistent pass blocker who gets and keeps good position and can anchor."
Source: National Football Post

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Tre' Jackson - G - Seminoles

The National Football Post's Greg Gabriel ranks FSU G Tre' Jackson as the No. 3 interior lineman in the class.

That said, the analyst believes Jackson arguably should have entered the draft last year, which the prospect considered, because Jackson was better on tape in 2013 than in 2014. "Jackson needs to drop to around 320 to be most effective. He can play either guard position and should start as a rookie. I highly doubt he gets drafted in the first round, but he should be a solid second round choice," Gabriel wrote. We tend to think Jackson, a three-year starter named first team All-ACC by the Associated Press and ACC coaches in 2014, is an overrated prospect. He simply surrendered too much interior pressure last season to be worth an early-round pick.
Source: National Football Post

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Andrus Peat - T - Cardinal

Two of three CBS draft analysts mock Stanford T Andrus Peat No. 22 overall to the Bengals.

Cincinnati needs help along both lines and would love to add a tackle with LT Andrew Whitworth and RT Andre Smith both health question marks and one year from free agency. Dane Brugler and Rob Rang both have them taking Peat, though Frank Cooney sees La'el Collins as the best fit. "The last time the Bengals drafted a LSU offensive lineman, the franchise landed a Pro Bowl left tackle (Andrew Whitworth, 2006 second-round pick) and history could repeat itself if Collins is still on the board for Cincinnati in round one," Cooney wrote. "Like Whitworth, it might not always look pretty, but Collins consistently gets the job done and offers versatility to play tackle or guard, serving as the protege for 33-year old Whitworth."
Source: CBS Sports

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Ali Marpet - C - Statesmen
Hobart OL Ali Marpet "has some special qualities" and "may be a better player than many of the guys who are drafted ahead of him" in two years' time, believes the National Football Post's Greg Gabriel.

Gabriel ranks Marpet as the No. 5 interior lineman ahead of some much bigger names. "Sure he is raw from a technique point of view, but that is easily corrected with coaching and Marpet takes well to coaching," wrote Gabriel. "While he played tackle at Hobart, he played guard at the Senior Bowl and may end up being a center at the NFL level. He is very intelligent and is a strong leader and that bodes well for the center position." The analyst isn't so sure Marpet will be able to start during his rookie year, but thinks he's worth the investment anyway.
Source: National Football Post

[Mothman]

Interesting. Lance Zierlein just Tweeted that he expects Cedric Ogbuehi to be drafted "in the top 11." Has him being drafted ahead of Clemmings now. When asked if a shot at matt kalil implied in the choice of that number and he replied "bingo."

It's more like a shot at Lance Zierlein because Ogbuehi is very unlikely to go to the Vikings at #11. I'll gladly go out on a relatively sturdy limb and say that's not going to happen.

Does he really think the Vikes will use the 11th pick in the draft on an under-sized tackle coming off an ACL injury?

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It's more like a shot at Lance Zierlein because Ogbuehi is very unlikely to go to the Vikings at #11. I'll gladly go out on a relatively sturdy limb and say that's not going to happen.

Does he really think the Vikes will use the 11th pick in the draft on an under-sized tackle coming off an ACL injury?

Yeah, to say I'm skeptical of that would be an understatement. Granted teams are less concerned these days with ACL injuries (as long as they aren't chronic or with complications), but it seems like an odd choice. I always thought he was more of a zone guy that struggled a bit with powerful defensive linemen ("doesn't play very strong" according to a scout). I'm curious what made Zierlein change his tune. Just a few weeks ago he wrote that NFL evaluators were "very worried" about Texas A&M T Cedric Ogbuehi's "core strength and ability to anchor in pass protection." FWIW, many expert "big boards" still have him in their top-25.

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Preston Smith - DL - Bulldogs

Miss State EDGE/DL Preston Smith is visiting the Vikings on Wednesday, according to Tony Pauline.

You know this section leads the Preston Smith fan club, so we are obviously in favor of Smith landing with Mike Zimmer. Dating back to his time with the Bengals, Zimmer focused on "bigger" edge players with some possessing the skills to move inside in sub-packagae situations. Smith checks each of these boxes and is also a plus athlete. He sits at No. 13 on Josh Norris' board.
Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter

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T.J. Yeldon - RB - Crimson Tide

NFL Media analyst Charles Davis is "hearing more and more buzz" about Alabama RB T.J. Yeldon.

"The thing is, Yeldon has often been left out of discussions about the top running backs in the draft," Davis wrote. "I think the team that lands him in the middle rounds will be very happy with the value he provides, though. He's a talented rusher with good receiving ability." NFL Media colleague Bucky Brooks agrees, seeing the 6-foot-2, 221-pound Yeldon as the undervalued RB in this years' class. "Yeldon is productive, and I was on hand last month for his pro day, where he ran very well," Davis wrote. "The stopwatches I saw had him in the mid-4.4s, a big improvement from his NFL Scouting Combine 40 (4.61)."
Source: NFL.com

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Stefon Diggs - WR - Terrapins

Maryland WR Stefon Diggs "ran scissor-sharp routes and caught the ball very well" at his pro day, according to TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline.

In the days surrounding the event, Diggs met with the New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. Standing on his forty time, Diggs timed 4.11 seconds in the short shuttle, besting his combine time by almost two-tenths of a second. Diggs was recently dubbed "Playmaker's 2015 sleeper favorite" by Football Outsiders' Playmaker Score.
Source: Walter Football

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Ifo Ekpre-Olomu - DB - Ducks

Oregon CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu "would be in the conversation for top cornerback in the draft" if he were healthy, believes NFL Media analyst Charles Davis.

Ekpre-Olomu tore an ACL prior to the College Football Playoffs. "Now, he's not in the first-round conversation and I have him ranked as the No. 10 corner available," Davis wrote. "He might need a redshirt year as a rookie as he recovers from the injury, but he's such a good player. It will be interesting to see how early a team will be willing to draft him. At 5-foot-9, he's going to struggle against size at times, but he's an excellent tackler, even though he missed a few last season, and has great intangibles." Ekpre-Olomu told reports in February that doctors have told him his knee is healing ahead of schedule.
Source: NFL.com

[The Breeze]

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu - DB - Ducks

Oregon CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu "would be in the conversation for top cornerback in the draft" if he were healthy, believes NFL Media analyst Charles Davis.

Ekpre-Olomu tore an ACL prior to the College Football Playoffs. "Now, he's not in the first-round conversation and I have him ranked as the No. 10 corner available," Davis wrote. "He might need a redshirt year as a rookie as he recovers from the injury, but he's such a good player. It will be interesting to see how early a team will be willing to draft him. At 5-foot-9, he's going to struggle against size at times, but he's an excellent tackler, even though he missed a few last season, and has great intangibles." Ekpre-Olomu told reports in February that doctors have told him his knee is healing ahead of schedule.
Source: NFL.com

I saw quite a bit of this kid until his injury. I wonder where he will go? He's a bit like a Winfield in terms of being technically sound but smaller. If he recovers his health fully, I think he'll be quite good after a season or two. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Eagles snatch him.

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DeVante Parker - WR - Cardinals

Sharon Katz and John Parolin of ESPN Stats & Information compare Louisville WR DeVante Parker's draft profile to Mike Evans.

The similarities are statistical. Evans led the NFL with 18 catches of 20-plus yards last season and led the NCAA in that stat the year before at Texas A&M. Parker, meanwhile, accrued 49 percent of his receiving yards last year on passes thrown 20-plus yards. By percentage, he was the nation's best deep threat last year, better than even Ohio State’s Devin Smith. "Although Parker is shorter than Evans, he tracks deep balls and can make tough over-the-shoulder catches like Evans," wrote Katz and Parolin.
Source: ESPN Insider

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Hasan makes the case for Clemson LB Stephone Anthony in Round 2.

As the NFL draft nears, the Minnesota Vikings may be more defined by their second pick than their first one—and picking Stephone Anthony could be the best solution in the long run if the Vikings want to maintain relevance and boost a defense in desperate need of new blood.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2425 ... ne-anthony

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Breshad Perriman - WR - Player

SI's Peter King says Central Florida WR Breshad Perriman has at least two teams in the teens "looking seriously at him."

Perriman's Pro Day times of 4.19 and 4.27 at 6'2/212 have his stock on the rise. Just about every team in the teens could use difference-making WR help, but the 49ers (No. 15) and Browns (No. 19) stand out. Perriman is the son of ex-Lions WR Brett Perriman.
Source: SI.com

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PFF rates the guards (yes, PFF now does college football): https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2 ... ts-guards/

It should be noted that I strangely couldn't find Scherff in either the guard OR tackle ratings. Here are the tackle ratings: https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2 ... e-tackles/

– While Duke’s scheme certainly helped, guard Laken Tomlinson was the nation’s top pass protecting guard and he may be the top guard in the draft. He didn’t allow a knockdown all season.

The National Football Post's Greg Gabriel believes Duke OG Laken Tomlinson "should be a starter by his second year."

Gabriel anticipates Tomlinson getting drafted in the third to fourth round area. "The team that drafts him may want to move him to center. With his girth and power, he can be a force versus the big nose tackles in the league," Gabriel wrote. "He has the smarts and leadership skills to be the leader of the O-Line from the center position." As a four-year starter, Tomlinson never missed a start in his career. "As a player, he is best as a run blocker. He comes off the ball low and has some explosiveness on contact," Gabriel wrote. "He does a good job getting movement with his blocks and has enough athleticism in space to get to the second level. He also does a good job with combo blocks." Apr 5 - 8:05 PM
Source: National Football Post

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"He appears to be perfectly constructed for an NFL guard with thick hips and a broad upper body that is difficult to neutralize," Cooney wrote. "But he seems a bit robotic at times and it will be interesting to see how he adapts to taking on more athletic defenders in the NFL. He did impress at Senior Bowl workouts showing expected power against bull rush, but surprising lateral quickness in pass protection. Tomlinson will start as soon as he shows he can cope with the speed and athleticism of NFL players." Tomlinson, who intends to enter medical school to become a neurosurgeon, has one heck of a backup plan if the whole football thing doesn't work out. "Concussions in the NFL can lead to depression, especially in high impact positions. Wide receivers and running backs, those guys are prone to more low-impact collisions than anyone else in the game. So the research that's going on right now adds more to the knowledge at hand," future Dr. Tomlinson said.

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Duke OG Laken Tomlinson was named as one of the draft's 10 safest prospects by NFL Media.

He checked in at No. 10, but it's interesting that he made the list at all, as Tomlinson was the only one of the 10 who has zero chance of getting popped in Round 1. In fact, he'll probably go somewhere in Round 3. "It's hard to find a bad scouting word about Tomlinson, who really turned heads at the Senior Bowl by holding his own against [Danny] Shelton," wrote College Football 24/7 writer Chase Goodbread. "He's not considered a high-end first-round draft pick because of the position he plays -- guard simply isn't a premium position. But the senior has every physical tool to play the position and is considered a player of high character, as well." The 6-foot-3, 330-pounder has seen his stock jump over the winter thanks to a strong week at the Senior Bowl, though an NFL scout speaking with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel still believes Tomlinson "needs to work on his technique and balance."

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Huh.

2015 NFL Draft: Mario Edwards, a potential first-rounder you don't know

Certain teams definitely seem to like Edwards more than others, including the Vikings, who pick No. 11 overall. That might be high for Edwards -- plenty of mocks have nose tackle Danny Shelton going there -- though I wouldn't rule it out. And if perhaps you see the Vikings trade down out of that spot, definitely keep an eye on Edwards as a target. It wouldn't shock me at all if the Bengals, 49ers, Cowboys, Lions, Seahawks or Browns invested a top pick in him.

He would fill a need with plenty of 3-4 teams as well, though some have said they aren't sure he would fit at defensive end and doubt he could move to outside linebacker. Others believe he could play inside in a 3-4 in certain packages. Regardless, he has people talking, or perhaps whispering. His 4.74 time in the 40 and video of him doing a standing backflip -- at 300 pounds! -- and his athletic prowess are very difficult to ignore.

Personally, I won't consider it a surprise if he ends up going somewhere between 11th and 19th. After reading this, I suppose neither should you. I assure you in some draft meetings and war rooms, it won't be looked at as a stunner, either, if things play out that way.

[Mothman]

Huh.

2015 NFL Draft: Mario Edwards, a potential first-rounder you don't know

Interesting! Where is that quote from?

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Sorry. Here: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jas ... -dont-know

CBS/Jason LaCanfora