Draft Rumors

[everlong]

Bortles was coached by BOB's mentor wasn't he? I suspect that will play a part.

Edit. Yup George O'Leary. HC at UCF.

That's a good point. We'll see.

 

[everlong]

I wouldn't rule out TB. New regimes hate old regimes left overs at QB. That goes for MIN and TEN as well. I think all the Bridgewater crap is posturing.

I agree on the posturing and new regimes. I think in the case of BOB he might go with Zach Mettenberger later in the draft.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Scott Zolak said he was convinced the Texans wouldn't draft a QB based on his relationship with BOB. He relayed that he asked Albert Breer what he thought and Breer said he talked to a close friend of BOB's who said it wouldn't be a QB which to Zolak confirmed his thoughts. I think McClain is a fine reporter however BOB just got there so I don't know if he has the pulse of how BOB operates yet. Clearly the Texans could take a QB but I always took BOB to have the same confidence bordering on arrogance that McDaniels has demonstrated. JM was once quoted as saying I could take a high school QB and coach him up on this offense and he would be effective. So some of this is what I've read but to be fair I did have a preconceived notion on how BOB would approach this.

 

[everlong]

That's certainly where the confidence came from.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Marqise Lee would be nice, but it seems like a smoke screen. He will be long-gone before the Patriots pick. If not, then they have a dilemma because they really need more help at other positions such as TE, DL, S, and even LB.

I watched his highlights and he is a "long-strider". He 40 time is not that stellar, but he has deep speed and the ability to accelerate throughout his route and pull away from DBs. And he is slippery/smooth as an eel after the catch. Not bad, but that Patriots have more pressing needs. If the Patriots do take him, then I gotta believe it is a pick to mollify Brady.

I just watched Lee's highlight tape. And what I see is a bona fide deep threat. He only ran a 4.5 40 but the scouts say that he has 'game speed'.
After watching The Supreme Marqise lee Highlights - YouTube I believe it. He was getting past DBs and grabbing the deep ball with ease. I also found it interesting that he is an explosive threat in the return game which is something we will need if Edelman leaves.

Lee's explosion numbers are what impressed me with a 38" vertical and 127" broad jump to go along with his other numbers. It is unlikely but possible that Lee slips all the way to 29. That is because he is 'only' 6 foot tall, and his 40 time does not impress. If Lee does slip that far, and say both Jace Amaro and Ebron are gone, then the Pats have a tough choice to make. Right now after watching the forum mock it is entirely possible that ALL the good TE talent is gone by pick #62. Therefore the Pats might have to take an offensive player at #29 if they want to provide any upgrade at all for Brady. In that case I could live with Lee or Cooks as our pick at #29.

Marqise Lee Cemented Status as 1st-Round Selection with Combine Performance | Bleacher Report

 

[Ivan]

I would be really surprised if the texans don't trade out of the first pick.

 

[manxman2601]

I would be really surprised if the texans don't trade out of the first pick.

That means someone would want to trade ahead of the Rams because they would definitely be happy to trade back. That means someone trading up for Clowney or Greg Robinson presumably.

 

[mayoclinic]

From Albert Breer, FWIW:

Most common comparison I heard for Blake Bortles was Andrew Luck, though Bortles is not quite the athlete, and not nearly as developed.

NFL teams comparing Bortles to Colts star QB Luck - NFL.com

And other QB gossip.

 

[manxman2601]

Reported from combine Arizona Cardinals ready to throw big $$$ @ Branden Albert; heard they spent a lot of time with Aaron Donald on Monday

Tony Pauline

 

[mayoclinic]

Adam Schefter thinks that "Khalil Mack has elevated himself as a top 5 pick, possibly even a top 3 selection." Gil Brandt thinks he will get consideration by Houston at #1.

 

[mayoclinic]

From Tony Pauline:

After a lengthy examination then re-examination process TCU cornerback Jason Verrett has decided to undergo surgery to repair his injured labrum. Here’s why.

Speaking with those from Verrett’s camp this evening I found out most of the news from doctors re-examining his injured labrum was positive. Verrett was offered two options; 1) rehabilitate his injured labrum without surgery or 2) undergo surgery to repair the labrum.

While rehabilitation without the surgery sounded comforting I’m told Verrett was informed he would be dealing with a large degree of potential pain moving forward and there was no guarantee another knock to the shoulder would not further damage the labrum at which point surgery would be a necessity. That meant the possibility of missing a portion of the 2014 season.

Surgery before the draft would immediately repair the injury, lessen any pain experienced from the start of camp and severely reduce the potential of further damage moving forward.

Considering Verrett will have at least four months after the procedure to rehab his labrum, undergoing surgery was a no brainer.

I’m told Verrett’s schedule will closely follow what I originally reported from the combine on Saturday, February 22nd, though the date of surgery has yet to be confirmed.

Tomorrow Verrett will participate in pro-day at TCU and is expected to bench press and take part in position drills. League franchises will also be informed of the exact date of the surgery in the next day or so.

League sources told me tonight this will not effect Verrett’s draft stock. Dion Jordan and Dee Milliner had similar procedures a year ago and both ended up in the top ten selections in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Verrett to have surgery

 

[everlong]

Tomorrow Verrett will participate in pro-day at TCU and is expected to bench press and take part in position drills.

Why would anybody with a labrum injury bench press?

 

[mayoclinic]

Dr. James Andrews disputes reports about Cyrus Kouandjio's knees that were reported during the NFL Combine:

Dr. James Andrews says no issues with Cyrus Kouandjio's knee - CBSSports.com

 

[patfanken]

League sources told me tonight this will not effect Verrett’s draft stock. Dion Jordan and Dee Milliner had similar procedures a year ago and both ended up in the top ten selections in the 2013 NFL Draft.

It might not have affected their draft status, but I can't help but notice the coincidence that BOTH Jordan and Milliner had horrible rookie years.

 

[Kontradiction]

Tony Pauline

With Donald and Albert added, the Cards may have an elite third down defense next year.

 

[Hercules Rockefeller]

With Donald and Albert added, the Cards may have an elite third down defense next year.

Brandon Albert is left tackle no? Going Chuck Bednarik next year? That will be a steal!

 

[Kontradiction]

Brandon Albert is left tackle no? Going Chuck Bednarik next year? That will be a steal!

Yeah it's been a long day. I forgot the Pats talked with Talib's agent in another thread. Probably time for me to go home but I still have some time to kill.

 

[DaBruinz]

Personally TB is the only one I would draft that high. I do love Carr's accuracy but not playing in a pro style offense he's going to take some time at best. I don't like Bortles accuracy and I think Manziel isn't a leader or a team guy. I'm not convinced about his playing in the pocket and he doesn't have the size of a Big Ben to take a constant beating and stay on the field.

The part in BOLD is why Russel Wilson slid the way he did. People didn't believe he had the size. Now, that being said, Manziel doesn't have the body that Wilson does either.

I think that Manziel falls because of what you mentioned in terms of intangibles, but also falls because of his size because the NFL want's the 6'4 220 lb QBs.. Not the 5'11 mites who disappear in the mix so the fans can't see where the ball is..

 

[Wilfork#75]

The part in BOLD is why Russel Wilson slid the way he did. People didn't believe he had the size. Now, that being said, Manziel doesn't have the body that Wilson does either.

I think that Manziel falls because of what you mentioned in terms of intangibles, but also falls because of his size because the NFL want's the 6'4 220 lb QBs.. Not the 5'11 mites who disappear in the mix so the fans can't see where the ball is..

I did a 1 round mock in another thread and I really had a hard time finding a landing spot for Manziel (and Bridgewater too). It seems to me Derek Carr has moved up to #2 QB in the draft behind Bortles. I don't think Manziel is a fit for Houston, I think they end up taking Bortles #1.

Jacksonville's offense is built on a strong running game, play action pass and a big armed QB to take shots down the field. That doesn't sound like Manziel or Bridgewater so I think they could go for someone like Mettenberger in the 3rd or 4th round.

Clevelands new front office doesn't seem so high on Manziel now that Lombardi is gone and they reportedly prefer Derek Carr.

Oakland could go hard after Vick and might go another direction at #5. They also reportedly aren't too high on Bridgewater and prefer Carr over Manziel.

TB is an option to go QB if they really like either Manziel or Bridgewater. My gut feeling is Bridgewater would be a better fit but they could also pass on both and go LT like Matthews. Minnesota at #8 is another option although I could see them getting in on Mallett. If either fall past #8 they could be in for a bit of a free fall.

Right now I could see it going:

1. Houston- QB- Bortles
3. Jax- OLB- Khalil Mack (Mettenberger later in the draft)
4. Cle- QB- Derek Carr
5. Oak- WR- Sammy Watkins (Sign Vick and draft Tahj Boyd later)
7. TB- QB- Bridgewater
8. Minnesota trade down and trade for Mallett or sign a vet FA

It seems these QB's might not be rated as highly as we previously thought.

 

[Coach42]

I hope Verrett slips and I hope we draft him.