NFL Network's Mike Mayock believes that Texas DE Brian Orakpo will be a 3-4 outside linebacker in the pros. Mayock sees Orakpo as a borderline top-ten pick. The Browns at No. 5, Packers at No. 9, 49ers at No. 10, and Broncos at No. 12 are all potential landing spots. Orakpo won the 2008 Nagurski Award as the best defensive player in Division I. We still think Orakpo could definitely stay at end in a 4-3. Source: Santa Rosa Press Democrat Related: Browns, Broncos, Packers, 49ers
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock believes that the biggest question marks surrounding Iowa RB Shonn Greene are off the field. "I have five running backs rated ahead of him," Mayock said. "He's got to win the interview (at the combine). There are a bunch of off-field issues. I think he'll be fortunate to slip into the second round." Greene was kicked off the Iowa football team due to academic issues in 2007, but we're not aware of any other problems. Perhaps something more will surface before the draft. Source: MLive.com
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock believes that Pat White can be "the best Wildcat quarterback in the league" as a rookie. "As long as he buys into the 'play slot and return punts and do whatever I have to do' (idea)...he's a second-round guy," Mayock said. "I don't care how big he is or how accurate he is...I want him on my team. He has the 'it' factor." Source: MLive.com
Bengals.com writer Geoff Hobson calls the team "doubtful" to use its first-round pick on a running back. Chris "Beanie" Wells is a popular mock draft choice to Cincinnati at No. 6, but they're far more needy on the offensive and defensive lines, and no back in this draft is worth taking that early. Wells isn't a three-down player and would have to be complemented with a third-down back. Any of the four premier left tackles, top two linebackers, or B.J. Raji would make more sense. Source: bengals.com
Speaking on a conference call with NFL beat writers Tuesday, NFL Network's Mike Mayock said he considers Jason Smith the best offensive tackle in the draft. Mayock has Smith (Baylor) first, followed by Eugene Monroe (Virginia), Andre Smith (Alabama), Michael Oher (Mississippi), and Eben Britton (Arizona). Mayock added that Alabama's Smith "has fought the weight his entire life...there's been some weight fluctuation and that worries me." Source: MLive.com
NFL Network's Mike Mayock calls Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry the "safest pick in the draft." Mayock expects Chiefs GM Scott Pioli to give Curry a long look. "When sitting at No. 3, you can't make a mistake - he has to be a good football player," Mayock observed. "And Curry is that kind of guy." Curry is similar to Julian Peterson in that he could probably excel in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense. Source: MLive.com
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock calls Jacksonville a "darkhorse" to draft USC QB Mark Sanchez with the No. 8 overall pick. It's a logical fit because Sanchez probably needs to sit for a few years after starting only 16 college games. He could do that behind David Garrard and Cleo Lemon, learning Dirk Koetter's offense while carrying a clipboard. Source: Santa Rosa Press Democrat
A team can sit a player at #24. But at #8 it's tough for the salary cap. So I would be surprised if this happened. As to Sanchez's development as a player, it would be the best thing in the world to sit for at least a year (if not two).
