The NFL Combine starts in earnest today and while most eyes will be on players such as star Quarterbacks Andrew Luck out of Stanford and Heismann Trophy Winner Robert Griffin III from Baylor we here at www.mocknfldrafts.blogspot.com are going to take a look at some of the players who have been somewhat underneath the radar at this point but could make big movements up the draft board with a good showing this week. Last year saw players such as Julio Jones, Stephen Paea, Roy Helu and Torrey Smith improve their draft stock with good showings at the Combine and all four have produced on the field during last season. So who will make an impact this time around and who will surprise the most? We take a look after the jump.
Janoris Jenkins-Cornerback, North Alabama
Current Projected Draft Spot #17 (Cincinnati Bengals)
Jenkins had some off-field issues during his College Career which has affected his draft stock over the past year, however the last couple of months has seen fellow cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick come under scrutiny for off-field behaviour and Jenkins has been the chief beneficiary of Kirkpatrick’s slide. There is no question that Jenkins has the talent, and if he can have a big Combine then he could slide into the top half of round 1 where teams like Jacksonville at #7, Buffalo at #10 or Dallas at #14 could be interested. Right now we have Jenkins going to the Bengals who have a huge need at corner but after this week he may not be around for Cincinnati at #17.
Andre Branch-Defensive End, Clemson
Current Projected Draft Spot #38 - (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Branch is another that has seen his stock rise over the past three months and a dominant pass rusher is on almost every team’s list of needs so there is no telling where the 6’4’’ 260lb Defensive End could go. Right now we here at www.mocknfldrafts.blogspot.com have Branch going at the top of the second round to Jacksonville but an impact at the Combine could have him moving up above his position rivals like Whitney Mercilus, Nick Perry and even Quinton Coples into a solid first round pick. Teams that will be taking a closer look include Chicago at #19, Tennessee at #20 and Green Bay at #28.
Kendall Reyes-Defensive Tackle, Connecticut
Current Projected Draft Spot #59 - (New Orleans Saints)
Reyes was considered more of a project DT but with not a lot of true 4-3 Defensive Tackles declaring it gives the 6’4’’ 296lb Connecticut red-shirted Senior an opportunity to really make a mark in the upcoming weeks. There is no better place for Reyes to start than the Combine, however he is already in the eye of most teams and will be one to watch this week. We have Reyes going to New Orleans with their first pick, 59th overall, however don’t be surprised if he goes much earlier than that. Look out for New England, Indianapolis, Minnesota or Carolina to pull the trigger either late first or early second if things go well for Reyes this week.
George Iloka-Free Safety, Boise State
Current Projected Draft Spot #60 - (Green Bay Packers)
This year does look like a weaker than usual safety class but George Iloka is rising the pack to become the top ranked Free Safety on the board. That title still has him going at #60 overall to the Green Bay Packers in our humble opinion but a good Combine and pro-day could see him rise further as in the era of the Quarterback, every team is desperate to improve their secondary. Teams that may be interested include Miami, the New York Jets, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh as a second round selection.
#64 - NY Giants, Sean Spence - Outside Linebacker Miami (Fla.)
Current Projected Draft Spot #64 - (New York Giants)
He is only 5’11” but the Miami Senior is one of only a few true 4-3 OLB’s to enter the draft and continues to steadily climb the boards as the weeks roll on. Spence needs a good showing this week to overcome concerns over his height, or lack thereof. We have him currently projected to the New York Giants at #64, if he can allay the fears over his height he could easily go to St. Louis, Seattle or Cincinnati in the 2nd.
Brock Osweiler-Quarterback, Arizona State
No Current Projected Draft Spot
Osweiler made a late decision to enter the 2012 NFL Draft, the junior probably spurred on by the fact there is a high demand for quality players at his position but thanks to the likes of Matt Barkley and Landry Jones returning to school, not that much supply. Osweiler has definitely been flying under the radar but won’t be after this week as the huge 6’7” Quarterback will get the chance to throw lots of balls and be on show to the nation. We have him going outside the top 2 rounds however that is sure to change. A good week could see him catapult into the first 2 rounds with teams like Buffalo, Kansas City and Seattle all interested and others like Cleveland and Washington who would jump if he fell their way if QB is still on their need list at the right time.
Vontaze Burfict-Inside Linebacker, Arizona State
No Current Projected Draft Spot
Burfict has some issues and despite being seen as beast or monster by some, others see him as an ill-disciplined, penalty machine. Burfict needs to allay those fears and will do so as much in the interview room as he will during the drills. Still, a good turnout in the drills will build back the hype that is fast fading away, as we here at www.mocknfldrafts.blogspot.com have had him going to the Ravens as the long-term replacement Ray Lewis in the past but currently don’t see anyone taking a chance on him inside the top 2 rounds. Teams that may be interested if he does well this week include Tampa Bay, San Diego, Denver or the Giants. And even though Lewis is returning to Baltimore, he could also be a good fit in purple.
Other players to keep an eye on include LT’s Mike Adams and Bobby Massie, NT Dontari Poe, QB’s Ryan Lindsey and Kellen Moore, DE’s Whitney Mercilus and Melvin Ingram and WR’s Stephen Hill and Alshon Jeffery. These players have either climbed or fallen from various draft boards in the past few months and will want a strong combine to either continue their rise or stop the slide as we get closer to D-Day in April.
So tell us what you think. Do you agree, disagree? Are there any players that you have on your radar that could make a big impact in Indianapolis this week? Let us know by commenting below.
Janoris Jenkins-Cornerback, North Alabama
Current Projected Draft Spot #17 (Cincinnati Bengals)
Jenkins had some off-field issues during his College Career which has affected his draft stock over the past year, however the last couple of months has seen fellow cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick come under scrutiny for off-field behaviour and Jenkins has been the chief beneficiary of Kirkpatrick’s slide. There is no question that Jenkins has the talent, and if he can have a big Combine then he could slide into the top half of round 1 where teams like Jacksonville at #7, Buffalo at #10 or Dallas at #14 could be interested. Right now we have Jenkins going to the Bengals who have a huge need at corner but after this week he may not be around for Cincinnati at #17.
Andre Branch-Defensive End, Clemson
Current Projected Draft Spot #38 - (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Branch is another that has seen his stock rise over the past three months and a dominant pass rusher is on almost every team’s list of needs so there is no telling where the 6’4’’ 260lb Defensive End could go. Right now we here at www.mocknfldrafts.blogspot.com have Branch going at the top of the second round to Jacksonville but an impact at the Combine could have him moving up above his position rivals like Whitney Mercilus, Nick Perry and even Quinton Coples into a solid first round pick. Teams that will be taking a closer look include Chicago at #19, Tennessee at #20 and Green Bay at #28.
Kendall Reyes-Defensive Tackle, Connecticut
Current Projected Draft Spot #59 - (New Orleans Saints)
Reyes was considered more of a project DT but with not a lot of true 4-3 Defensive Tackles declaring it gives the 6’4’’ 296lb Connecticut red-shirted Senior an opportunity to really make a mark in the upcoming weeks. There is no better place for Reyes to start than the Combine, however he is already in the eye of most teams and will be one to watch this week. We have Reyes going to New Orleans with their first pick, 59th overall, however don’t be surprised if he goes much earlier than that. Look out for New England, Indianapolis, Minnesota or Carolina to pull the trigger either late first or early second if things go well for Reyes this week.
George Iloka-Free Safety, Boise State
Current Projected Draft Spot #60 - (Green Bay Packers)
This year does look like a weaker than usual safety class but George Iloka is rising the pack to become the top ranked Free Safety on the board. That title still has him going at #60 overall to the Green Bay Packers in our humble opinion but a good Combine and pro-day could see him rise further as in the era of the Quarterback, every team is desperate to improve their secondary. Teams that may be interested include Miami, the New York Jets, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh as a second round selection.
#64 - NY Giants, Sean Spence - Outside Linebacker Miami (Fla.)
Current Projected Draft Spot #64 - (New York Giants)
He is only 5’11” but the Miami Senior is one of only a few true 4-3 OLB’s to enter the draft and continues to steadily climb the boards as the weeks roll on. Spence needs a good showing this week to overcome concerns over his height, or lack thereof. We have him currently projected to the New York Giants at #64, if he can allay the fears over his height he could easily go to St. Louis, Seattle or Cincinnati in the 2nd.
Brock Osweiler-Quarterback, Arizona State
No Current Projected Draft Spot
Osweiler made a late decision to enter the 2012 NFL Draft, the junior probably spurred on by the fact there is a high demand for quality players at his position but thanks to the likes of Matt Barkley and Landry Jones returning to school, not that much supply. Osweiler has definitely been flying under the radar but won’t be after this week as the huge 6’7” Quarterback will get the chance to throw lots of balls and be on show to the nation. We have him going outside the top 2 rounds however that is sure to change. A good week could see him catapult into the first 2 rounds with teams like Buffalo, Kansas City and Seattle all interested and others like Cleveland and Washington who would jump if he fell their way if QB is still on their need list at the right time.
Vontaze Burfict-Inside Linebacker, Arizona State
No Current Projected Draft Spot
Burfict has some issues and despite being seen as beast or monster by some, others see him as an ill-disciplined, penalty machine. Burfict needs to allay those fears and will do so as much in the interview room as he will during the drills. Still, a good turnout in the drills will build back the hype that is fast fading away, as we here at www.mocknfldrafts.blogspot.com have had him going to the Ravens as the long-term replacement Ray Lewis in the past but currently don’t see anyone taking a chance on him inside the top 2 rounds. Teams that may be interested if he does well this week include Tampa Bay, San Diego, Denver or the Giants. And even though Lewis is returning to Baltimore, he could also be a good fit in purple.
Other players to keep an eye on include LT’s Mike Adams and Bobby Massie, NT Dontari Poe, QB’s Ryan Lindsey and Kellen Moore, DE’s Whitney Mercilus and Melvin Ingram and WR’s Stephen Hill and Alshon Jeffery. These players have either climbed or fallen from various draft boards in the past few months and will want a strong combine to either continue their rise or stop the slide as we get closer to D-Day in April.
So tell us what you think. Do you agree, disagree? Are there any players that you have on your radar that could make a big impact in Indianapolis this week? Let us know by commenting below.
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