Prospect News and Rumors

Mitch Trubisky - QB - Tar Heels
The MMQB's Peter King writes it "looks like (UNC QB Mitch) Trubisky or (Notre Dame QB Deshone) Kizer to me" for the Chicago Bears at pick No. 3.
King, however, offers another possibility in Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the second round or a possible trade back into the first round. It is interesting that no veteran was attached to the Bears by King, saying the team needs to "start over" at the position.

T.J. Watt - LB - Badgers
One NFL area scout believes Wisconsin edge player T.J. Watt can play in any base defense.
In the binary world we live in, the question is typically 4-3 or 3-4 for NFL prospects. This is mostly incorrect and other questions should be asked, as in 1 gap or 2 gap or if the edge player in a five man front is a designated rush player does he drop on occasion. In this scenario, it is suggested Watt can play on the edge in a traditional four man front.

Cardinals GM Steve Keim said there is "no doubt we have to identify a franchise quarterback."
"There isn’t a day that I don’t think about it," Keim said. Carson Palmer is 37 years old and has flirted with retirement, along with franchise staple Larry Fitzgerald. The Cardinals have tried to add passers in the past, namely Logan Thomas in the fourth round, but they have yet to spend a high pick on a Palmer successor. It is a real possibility that changes this year, and we know Bruce Arians values a big, downfield arm for his offense.

Smokey Robinson said:

Cardinals GM Steve Keim said there is "no doubt we have to identify a franchise quarterback."

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It must be nice to have a direct, proactive GM who understands that having a real franchise QB is priority #1.

A former USC assistant coach explained to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein that WR JuJu Smith-Schuster "absolutely loves football."
"He came in as a safety and probably could have gone pro as a safety," the assistant added. Smith-Schuster's 2015 season is one of the most productive from a receiver in this class, with 89 catches for 1,454 yards and 10 touchdowns. The following year was a disappointment. One difference is JuJu averaged 1.2 yards more after the catch as a sophomore.

Joe Mixon - RB - Sooners
On the Move the Sticks podcast, NFL Media draft analysts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks compared Oklahoma RB Joe Mixon to Arizona Cardinals RB David Johnson.
We are on board with DJ and Bucky on this one, as Mixon offers the same kind of versatility as a runner and receiver as the dynamic Johnson. This past season, Mixon racked up 1,812 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns. He posted 65 combined catches in just two campaigns with the Sooners. The vast bulk of the talk surrounding Mixon over the next two-plus months leading up to the draft will -- understandably -- be in regards to his punching a woman in a restaurant during the summer of 2014. He won't be attending the Combine later this month due to that assault.

Darreus Rogers - WR - Trojans
Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline hears that while training with Clemson WR Mike Williams and Western Michigan WR Corey Davis, USC WR Darreus Rogers has "looked the equal" of those two first-rounders to-be.
This has particularly been the case during pass-catching drills, where Pauline reports that Rogers was "oftentimes the best receiver of the three when the trio worked together." The analyst adds that the true concern with the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Rogers is in his top-end speed. "My suggestion: don’t automatically dismiss Rogers if he’s not swift during the [C]ombine and pay attention to his pass-catching workout," Pauline concludes. Rogers could find interest in the later rounds on Day 3 of the draft.

Deshaun Watson - QB - Tigers
NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah compared Clemson QB Deshaun Watson to Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill.
Jeremiah tossed his comp forward on the Move the Sticks podcast. Co-host Bucky Brooks responded to that comparison in the affirmative, saying, "Both had a quick release, and you have to think of the way you build the system around them. You have to think in the same terms, a movement-based system. You want to take advantage of the athleticism." NFL Films producer Greg Cosell has comped the Clemson star to Alex Smith in terms of his abilities as a distributor.

DeShone Kizer - QB - Fighting Irish
NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah compared Notre Dame QB DeShone Kizer to Arizona Cardinals QB Carson Palmer.
Bucky Brooks, Jeremiah's partner in crime on the Move the Sticks podcast, doesn't think his co-host is far off here. Said Brooks, "I like that comparison. I believe he is that guy. I believe he is a flamethrower from the pocket. I believe, in a classic system, he could push it down the field. If you put him in Bruce Arians' system, he could do all of those things." Earlier this week, NFL Media's Mike Mayock anointed the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Kizer as his No. 1 quarterback prospect in the current draft class.


Mitch Trubisky - QB - Tar Heels
On the Move the Sticks podcast, NFL Media analysts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks comped North Carolina QB Mitch Trubisky to Trent Green and Alex Smith, respectively.
"I can see some of [Trent Green in Trubisky]," Brooks said, "but I'm willing to give Mitch a little more credit for his athleticism. How about Alex Smith, who is right there in Kansas City? He kind of reminds me of Alex in terms of his ability to run. He just doesn't showcase it." This week, an AFC national scout forwarded the belief that Trubisky "has the same talent as Carson Wentz." Wentz was ultimately drafted by the Eagles at No. 2 a year ago. If you're into symmetry, it certainly isn't out of the realm of possibility that the 49ers could take Trubisky at No. 2 this coming April.

Kevin King - DB - Huskies
Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline hears that Washington CB Kevin King has been running the 40-yard dash in the 4.4's during training.
Pauline notes that there have been red flags regarding King's speed -- he wrote in November that "long speed is a concern" -- red flags that might just be swept away if the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder can turn it up in testing. Per Pauline, he has been clocked under 4.40 seconds in the 40-yard dash on a hand timer during his draft prep. On an electronic timer, that might bump to 4.45 seconds or thereabouts. "If he’s able to break into the mid-4.4s on the final day of [C]ombine workouts," the analyst writes, "King will cement himself as a top-45 selection."

Mitch Trubisky - QB - Tar Heels
An AFC national scout says UNC QB Mitch Trubisky "has the same talent as Carson Wentz."
"I think (Mitch) Trubisky has the same talent as Carson Wentz, but Wentz is way bigger and he was just special from a football intelligence and interviewing standpoint," he said. "Trubisky is barely going to (measure) 6-foot-2, so he better kill it in combine meetings." Indeed. Wentz measured into the NFL Combine at 6-foot-5, 237 pounds with 10-inch hands. Some believe that Trubisky, meanwhile, will check in around 6-foot-1.

Mitch Trubisky - QB - Tar Heels
NFL Media's Bucky Brooks compares North Carolina QB Mitch Trubisky to Alex Smith.
Before you roll your eyes, as Brooks expects you to, hear him out. "Trubisky's athleticism and efficient game reminds me of the 12th-year pro," Brooks wrote. "Although the North Carolina standout has a little more pop in his passes, he strikes me as a quick-rhythm thrower adept at working the ball between the numbers on a variety of timing and anticipation throws." The analyst also sees similarities in working the seams of a West Coast offense and having the athleticism needed for quarterback-designed runs and option plays. An AFC college scouting director quoted in the piece hit a few of the same themes: "I like Trubisky's skills. He can make all of the throws and move around. I'm a little worried about his lack of experience, though. He hasn't played in enough games to really know what he will become as a pro."

Chad Kelly - QB - Rebels
Appearing on ESPN Radio, Bill Polian said Ole Miss' Chad Kelly is likely "the most talented QB in the draft."
"But he has a ton of baggage, so that is another issue," Polian said. The former Colts GM was the person to report Kelly's initial invitation to the NFL Combine being pulled due to a new rule implemented by the event. We aren't sure how Chad Kelly is the most talented passer. Sure, he displays great moments, even against Alabama, but he is the definition of a high variance player. Kelly will be a third day pick, at best.

Myles Garrett - DL - Aggies
NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said that he expects Texas A&M edge rusher Myles Garrett to "torch the [C]ombine."
Speaking on the NFL Network's Up to the Minute Live, Jeremiah was over the moon for Garrett's potential at the NFL Scouting Combine. "When you talk to the folks at Texas A&M, they tell you he is going to test like a freak," the analyst said. "Now we're going to get a chance to see him get out there, go through all these drills, put the watch on him, see how high he jumps, all those things." Garrett could potentially post insane testing numbers such as a 40-yard dash time around 4.50 seconds and a vertical leap in the vicinity of 40 inches. He is the front-runner to be drafted first overall by the Browns at this juncture of the process.

Mike Williams - WR - Tigers
Pro Football Focus compared Clemson WR Mike Williams to Chicago Bears WR Alshon Jeffrey.
"Like Jeffery, Williams is physical at the catch point and capable of turning off-target throws into completions. Both receivers can win in the short game while providing a downfield threat in contested situations," writes the PFF analysis team. The outlet goes on to note that the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder "projects as a receiver capable of using his body to move the chains while adding a downfield component to the passing game due to his ability to win at the catch point with strong ball skills." As far as general consensus goes, Williams and Western Michigan wideout Corey Davis are being viewed as the top two receivers in the 2017 draft pool. Both should land as first-round picks unless craziness ensues.

Adoree' Jackson - DB - Trojans
Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline relays that sources saw USC CB Adoree' Jackson receiving care for his lower leg and ankle from a trainer or physical therapist at a recent workout.
Our trusted analyst has gone full Game of Thrones here, getting valuable intel from the little birdies he's spread across the land. Since Jackson was carted off the field with a serious ankle injury at the Rose Bowl against Penn State, this situation demands the draft community's full attention. Jackson is seen as a late-Rd. 1 or early-Rd. 2 prospect.

Pat Mahomes - QB - Red Raiders
According to NFL Films producer Greg Cosell, Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes lacks "any refinement and polish at the position right now."
Just by following Cosell's work for the last handful of years, we feel Mahomes is the opposite of a Cosell-type quarterback. The evaluator prefers big, strong armed passers who are confined to the pocket. Mahomes can work inside of a structure, but he thrives outside of it and on broken plays. There is some buzz of Mahomes being the first quarterback off the board. He is a completely unique talent, and the NFL has a difficult job processing that. As they should.

itch Trubisky - QB - Tar Heels
NFL Films producer Greg Cosell does not view UNC QB Mitch Trubisky as "necessarily a high level talent."
Trubisky "needs infrastructure, the right offensive system for him to develop into a quality starter," Cosell said. Function of the offense and system fit are two labels that stand out in this discussion of Trubisky. The same label can be dished out to a number of passers in the NFL and in each class. We care most about how quarterbacks handle confined space and a closing pocket, and that part of Trubisky's evaluation was not mentioned in this conversation.

Deshaun Watson - QB - Tigers
NFL Films producer Greg Cosell believes Clemson QB Deshaun Watson "is an orchestrator, a distributor... along lines of Alex Smith."
Cosell doesn't use the "game manager" tag that is frequently bestowed on many passers, but the verbage is similar. The evaluator adds Watson does have some playmaking skills, but "he is not big." At some level every quarterback is a distributor, working within the structure of an offense, but the real skill is shown when the play does not go according to plan, either due to pressure or some other factor, and the quarterback must create outside of structure. We think Watson absolutely creates outside of structure, however, he is not always composed or consistent in that area.

Smokey Robinson said:

Myles Garrett - DL - Aggies
NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said that he expects Texas A&M edge rusher Myles Garrett to "torch the [C]ombine."
Speaking on the NFL Network's Up to the Minute Live, Jeremiah was over the moon for Garrett's potential at the NFL Scouting Combine. "When you talk to the folks at Texas A&M, they tell you he is going to test like a freak," the analyst said. "Now we're going to get a chance to see him get out there, go through all these drills, put the watch on him, see how high he jumps, all those things." Garrett could potentially post insane testing numbers such as a 40-yard dash time around 4.50 seconds and a vertical leap in the vicinity of 40 inches. He is the front-runner to be drafted first overall by the Browns at this juncture of the process.

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It's too bad they didn't give an NFL comp for him.

bearmick said:

It's too bad they didn't give an NFL comp for him.

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Myles Garrett - DL - Aggies
NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah mentioned nine-time Pro Bowler Julius Peppers when describing Texas A&M edge rusher Myles Garrett's playing style.
"You look at Von Miller, he bends different than anybody else in the NFL, so you can't really compare him there. Khalil Mack is a little bit shorter, a little bit more compact, and more of a power-based rusher. (Garrett) kind of combines the two worlds," Jeremiah said. "He can win with speed on the outside, but he also has that power to run right through a tackle. He's got a very unique skill set (that) reminds me a little bit of Julius Peppers. ... Peppers is a little bit heavier, but (has) a similar way of playing the game." Jeremiah expects Garrett to dominate the upcoming NFL Combine. The 6-foot-5, 262-pounder has reportedly run the 40 in under 4.5 seconds.

Give me Watson and then still go out and get Kelly on day 3. That to me is winning the draft.