NFL Draft Tracker : CBSSports.com Blogs

20 Players Worth Reaching On

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 17:36:28 EDT

By Joe Brown, BleacherReport.com

20. Brandon Graham—Michigan (DE/6-2/268) — Round: Mid-1st

Graham was a terror in the Big Ten and gave a sneak peek to other conferences after his MVP-showing at the Senior Bowl. He would instantly upgrade a teams’ ability, or lack thereof, to generate a consistent pass-rush.

Graham might be a bit undersized by NFL standards, but he’s the epitome of explosiveness. With his gym-rat, high-motor characteristics, any NFL defensive coordinator will be thrilled to add a player of Graham’s caliber.

Trojan pass-rushers: NFL projects

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:59:02 EDT

David Nestoff, DraftSite.com

Troy University injected two of the most prolific pass-rushers in to the NFL in the last half of the decade. A public mid-major in southeastern Alabama, the Trojans saw the likes of DeMarcus Ware and Osi Umenyiora leave on a train for the NFL and enjoy immense success.

With the Dallas Cowboys, Ware’s impact was immediate. He left Troy as one of the most effective pass rushers in school history. At the pro level, he recorded eight sacks in his rookie season, and has had double-digit sacks each of the four years since. In the last five years, Ware leads the NFL in sacks with 64.5.

At 47.5 sacks over the last five years, Ware’s former teammate and now New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora doesn’t fall far behind. Umenyiora is sixth in sacks over his last five seasons (he missed all of 2008 with an injury). Not to mention, his time with the Giants has rewarded the Troy alum with a Super Bowl ring.

UConn : Running back-U?

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 14:55:04 EDT

By Tim Rohan, DraftSite.com

The University of Connecticut may be developing into a legitimate place for NFL teams to look for talent. And the Huskies just might be the next running back-U if they keep their recent trends up.

Running back Andre Dixon is the most recent product of the run-hungry offense under coach Randy Esdall.

During Dixon’s redshirt-sophomore season, he split carries with Donald Brown, and started eight games on his way to an 828-yard campaign, which led the team. Dixon also averaged five yards per carry that season and caught 24 passes for 280 yards. Yet he was only able to tally four touchdowns.

Armanti Edwards: Flash of Brilliance

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:30:19 EDT

On September 1, 2007, life changed for Armanti Edwards.

He admits today that the game probably opened some people’s eyes to what he can do on the football field. His performance in Appalachian State’s upset win over then-No. 5 Michigan in the Big House launched Edwards onto the national spotlight.

Three seasons later, Edwards graduated with two Division I FCS national championships in his freshman and sophomore seasons.

The diminutive quarterback was a dual threat under center and carved the Wolverines up for 227 yards passing, 62 yards rushing and four total touchdowns.

Second-chance signal callers

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:26:46 EDT

By David Nestoff, DraftSite.com

Sometimes, a college career goes exactly as planned. All fanfare and expectations are met, and the results speak for themselves. But as often as that happens there are those recruits who fall short. Sometimes it’s a bad situation, filled with disagreements and laced with trouble. Sometimes the location is the issue, being a big city filled with too many opportunities to go the wrong way.

Sometimes, it’s as good an idea to leave a school as it is to stay, regardless of the opportunities that were once there, or the size of the school.

Change can be the best thing, which is just the way it panned out for three formerly high-profile Division I quarterback prospects turned NFL-hopefuls for the 2010 Draft. There might have been less fanfare and no limelight, but for Jacksonville State’s Ryan Perrilloux, Ole Miss’s Jevan Snead and Arkansas Tech’s Nick Graziano, change was the best thing, especially to boost their stock as NFL prospects.

Mock Drafts: Packers, Bucs, Steelers

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 1:48:14 EST

BleacherReport.com continues their series of team-by-team mock drafts, projecting the best-case, most realistic and worst-case scenarios for each team. As we move forward we'll combine these mocks in to three-team packages for easier consumption.

Take a look!

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers are one of the hottest teams in the NFL going into the 2010 season. And going into the draft they will look to add to an already explosive offense by giving quarterback Aaron Rodgers a few more weapons to play with.

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Fri, 12 Mar 2010 1:48:14 EST

Mock Drafts: Bengals, Jets, Pats

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:11:26 EST

Take a look!

Cincinnati Bengals

The AFC North might not be the best division in the NFL but it’s certainly one of the toughest. Playing Pittsburgh and Baltimore twice a year is enough to make any team battle-hardened.

Suh or McCoy?

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:26:35 EST

By Chad Reuter , NFLDraftScout.com

INDIANAPOLIS -- It's rare that a pair of defensive tackles get as much attention at the combine as the elite quarterbacks. Then again, Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh and Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy are rare talents.

Suh and McCoy are likely rated higher on many teams' boards than quarterbacks Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) and Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame), a rarity in today's of fense-happy NFL.

The St. Louis Rams and Detroit Lions have the top two picks, and could use McCoy and Suh on their porous defenses. But two questions remain: Who is better? And is either worth taking in the top two selections?

Team Mocks: Seahawks, Falcons, Saints

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:36:19 EST

Take a look!

Seattle Seahawks

Coming off a hollow 5-11 season, and with a total of only nine wins in the last two seasons, the rebuilding starts now for the Seattle Seahawks.

NFL Mock: Moving already

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:26:45 EST

There's no offseason for the crew at DraftSite.com . In our second mock draft posting, we're already beginning to see players jockeying for position within the Top 10. And, if that weren't enough, these guys go the full seven rounds for your enjoyment!

Check it out!

\ Full Mock Draft

Team Mocks: Redskins, Lions and Texans

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:40:20 EST

Take a look!

Washington Redskins

It has been a decade filled with highs and lows, sadness and hope, and anger and disbelief under Daniel Snyder's ownership.

Texas vs. the Nation: Star power

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:25:29 EST

By Chad Reuter , The Sports Xchange/NFLDraftScout.com

College football all-star games are known as much for sloppy play as big plays. The goal for players in Saturday's Texas vs. the Nation Challenge was to take advantage of a golden opportunity to make a positive impression on scouts.

Overall, quarterback play was average at best. Rusty Smith (Florida Atlantic) made some nice throws on the day but had a mental meltdown when he ran out of the back of the end zone for a safety. Tennessee's Jonathan Crompton threw the most consistently but was only 9 for 20 for the game.

Former LSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux (Jacksonville State) made the best throw of the day, loading up and throwing for 67 yards to Newberry's Kelton Tindal, who can run like no one else -- he's expected to run his 40-yard dash in the 4.2s at his pro day. Although Tindal didn't score, he made a nice adjustment to the ball in the air after using his elite separation speed, overcoming an up-and-down week of practices in terms of catching the ball. If he runs the blazing time most expect, look for Raiders' owner Al Davis to grab Tindal late in the draft.

Team Mocks: Rams, 49ers and Chiefs

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 2:00:17 EST

Take a look!

St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams have a lot of holes to fill.

Sleeper central

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 1:45:35 EST

By Chad Reuter , NFLDraftScout.com

The Texas vs. the Nation Challenge can become an afterthought on the postseason all-star game circuit, primarily because it is held in El Paso the week after the heralded Senior Bowl.

The success of recent participants has helped raise interest in the game among scouts and administrators.

Twenty-five players who participated in the Challenge last season were drafted in April, including immediate NFL contributors such as Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox (Abilene Christian), Packers offensive lineman T.J. Lang (Eastern Michigan), Bengals running back Bernard Scott (Abilene Christian) and Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb (Nicholls State). Alumni from the 2008 game include left tackle Demetrius Bell (Bills/Northwestern State), wide receiver Pierre Garcon (Colts/Mount Union) and running back Tim Hightower (Cardinals/Richmond).

Top of the Mocks

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:38:55 EST

While most of the sports world has been focused on other things... cough, cough... Super Bowl... cough... NFLDraftSite.com has been busy slating all seven rounds of the 2010 NFL Draft. We'll be checking in from time to time to see which players are rising, which are falling, and which players your favorite team is lined up to pick.

Take a look!

Check out the Full Mock!

Mock Madness! Bills, Steelers and Raiders

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:28:25 EST

Take a look!

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills 2010 Draft… So many holes to fill, and so few picks to do it.

Mike Kafka: Two Minute Man

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:30:01 EST

CBSSports.com wire reports

Mike Kafka was the only East team quarterback who didn't get to practice the 2-minute drill in front of NFL scouts before the East-West Shrine Game this week.

Instead, he showed the pros what he could do in live action.

The former Northwestern quarterback threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Quarless with 6 seconds remaining, lifting the East to a 13-10 win over the West on Saturday in the annual showcase for college all-stars looking to make an impression on NFL scouts.

2010 Browns Mock Draft: Defense needed!

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:08:22 EST

If you're the Cleveland Browns, this year promises to be a year of "change for the better".

With a new front office in place, a clear Super Bowl roadmap is being formulated, and the Browns have their best chance of making the postseason since the return to Cleveland in 1999.

The Browns have 11 draft picks to use this season due to trades made in the last year. While most of the picks come in the later rounds, any chance to increase your draft haul is a bonus for a struggling team.

The only predictable thing about the NFL draft is that it is unpredictable. Last-minute trades can still be made, and the teams picking ahead can always make a surprise move. Basically... this is an inexact science.

East-West Shrine Game: Opportunity knocks

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:06:28 EST

By Chad Reuter , NFLDraftScout.com

If Arizona State's Dexter Davis and Wisconsin's O'Brien Schofield want to hear their names called in the middle rounds of the NFL Draft in April, they face a critical week at the East-West Shrine Game. As the undersized collegiate defensive ends, they'll be attempting to prove that they can transition to outside linebacker in the NFL.

They'll see plenty of BYU tight end Dennis Pitta, who caught 62 passes for BYU last season. Pitta must prove to scouts representing all 32 NFL teams in Orlando that he has enough speed to stretch the field and can hold his own as an in-line blocker.

The Shrine Game (Saturday 3 p.m. EST) has emerged as an important kickoff week to the postseason all-star circuit. With the demise of the Hula Bowl and Blue-Gray All-Star Classic in recent years, the Shrine Game is the place for mid-round prospects to cement their status and for lower-tier players to catch the eyes of scouts.

Underclassman overload

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:06:55 EST

By Chad Reuter , NFLDraftScout.com

An average class of elite senior talent, and fears about future rookie contract limits, have pushed a huge number of juniors and redshirt sophomores into the 2010 NFL Draft mix.

Fifteen underclassmen went in the first round in 2009, tying the record shared with the 2004 draft. The 23 juniors and third-year sophomores picked in the top two rounds last April, however, set the league record.

Every underclassman deciding whether or not to come out early has a lot of variables to consider: from coaching situations to family considerations to where the NFL Advisory Committee says they might be selected.

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Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:06:55 EST

Top 10 Running Backs

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:08:49 EST

It's never too early to start looking forward to the NFL Draft...

And, with that in mind, NFL Draft Tracker is firing up again! This blog will be your one-stop source for all things draft-related. Like last year, we'll be featuring content from our writers, top-notch Community blogs and a mix of the very best work from out third-party affiliates.

Bookmark it now!

The 2010 NFL Draft is perceived as a class full of defensive talent, led by the Nebraska monster, Ndamukong Suh. There’s also a nice group of offensive tackles that will be vying for top picks and top money.

Rob Rang's Draft Grades

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:36:02 EDT

Giants, Niners lead way with Seahawks, Bengals right behind

NFLDraftSite.com | NFLMocks.com | Prisco's Draft Grades

Grading a draft immediately after it concludes is akin to giving your compliments to the chef before the meal has been served. Sure, the food might sound good (or bad) based on the ingredients listed on the menu, but the true test won't come until after the product has been tested.

It will take at least three years before we can truly assess how the 32 NFL teams fared over the weekend. But what is readily apparent is the different approaches that were taken, from going for the best available talent to focusing on team needs to gambling on character concerns and long-term potential.

NFL Draft: First round reaction!

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:09:24 EDT

The picks are in... See what Community members and experts are saying about your team's new players!

NFLDraftSite.com | NFLMocks.com

Pick #1: Lions select Matthew Stafford (QB, Georgia)

RichieStamos (user) : Using the first overall pick for Matthew Stafford could turn out to be a great move for the Detroit Lions, because as far as physical tools go, Stafford has them.

Rob Rang Chat Transcript

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:25:11 EDT

On Friday, April 24, NFLDraftScout.com senior analyst Rob Rang stopped by the Writer's Group for one more last-minute chat with the Community. The chat lasted a little over a hour, with Rob answering a variety of outstanding draft-related questions. Check out the full transcript below.

Rob Rang: Hello all, thanks for joining me for today's chat. I'm ready for your questions now!

funkyCanadian: Hi rob. What is the chance that the Packers will trade down in teh draft and pick up additional picks later on? They have multiple needs, i.e a NT, OL and CB and I feel these could be addressed best by an additional first round pick or early second round pick. If not, what is the latest buzz on who they take (Tyson jackson, B.J. Raji, Andre Smith if available)? Thanks,

The Final Mock Draft!

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 16:42:57 EDT

NFLDraftsite.com

Check out the rest of the mock draft at NFLDraftsite.com...

Chad Reuter: Trading up

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:30:47 EDT

Setting stage for draft swap meet

NFLdraftsite.com

NEW YORK -- The flurry of activity on the first day of the NFL Draft last year included 11 trades involving first- or second-round picks, and there could be at least that many this Saturday.

Last year's figure didn't even include the trades of top 64 picks for veteran players. We've already had two such deals this year, with Chicago including its first-round pick in the deal with Denver for quarterback Jay Cutler and the Eagles shipping several picks, including No. 28 overall, to Buffalo for left tackle Jason Peters.

Pete Prisco: Better-Than Team

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:30:02 EDT

Better-Than Team: Sleeper scouting starts with McGee

NFLdraftsite.com

During the 2007 college football season, I would watch Texas A&M games and think how unfair their offense was to quarterback Stephen McGee.

Dennis Franchione, then the coach of the Aggies, used a spread offense that featured plenty of option runs for McGee.

Chad Reuter: Mathematical Mock

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:32:05 EDT

Numerical order: Mock drafting by the numbers

NFLdraftsite.com

Even the best mock drafts miss on six or seven players in the first round. An author who accurately projects eight players to the correct team in the first round deserves praise for his work.

That makes studying trends and using history a good way to take some of the "over-thinking" out of the mock draft equation.

Rob Rang: Playing it safe

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:33:11 EDT

Looking for safe draft picks? Check out these future stars

NFLdraftsite.com

While the on-field activity between the pro day season and the NFL Draft crawls to a near standstill, the media and public interest in the prospects only intensifies.

With little workout news to report, rampant speculation regarding failed drug tests, poor practice habits and the inability to play different positions (or in different schemes) occupies too many headlines. It's enough to leave one with the impression that next week's draft lacks any talented, hard-working prospects at all.

The newest mock draft!

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:33:12 EDT

NFLDraftsite.com

Check out the rest of the mock draft at NFLDraftsite.com.