Path to the Draft, 3/29

I'm going to try to catch up on as many of these as I can this weekend, then jump over what I miss to get to the most recent shows. Just falling too far behind.

Appearing: Paul Burmeister, Mike Mayock, Charlie Casserly, Michael Lombardi, Brian Billick, Bucky Brooks, Lindsay Rhodes

* Player news:
Brock Osweiler intrigues a lot of scouts, though there has never been an effective starting QB in the league at his 6'7" height. We're just a couple of days from Gil Brandt calling him a first-rounder, but for now, Mayock calls him a middle-round developmental project. Good arm, and better athletically than people think. Which means he's Caucasian.

Osweiler's the #5 or #6-rated QB by most. Brandon Weeden's typically #4, but though he's the better QB right now, realistically he's nowhere close to Ryan Tannehill. There's the concern that he was mainly a spread QB, and of course, the age issue. Weeden will be declining physically and getting slower while Tannehill is approaching his peak.

Vontaze Burfict doesn't even look like a draftable player to Mayock, after starting the season as a possible late first-early second-rounder. No instincts, no consistency on tape, terrible at the Combine, one of the worst linebackers there at almost everything.

Michael Floyd, on the other hand, is climbing draft boards, and Mayock claims he doesn't even see that much on tape to separate him from Justin Blackmon any more. Bigger and faster than Blackmon. Natural hands catcher, competes for the ball in the air, tough and can catch in a crowd. Also the best blocking wide receiver in the draft. The overwhelming question affecting his draft stock is his off-field alcohol problems.

Teams either really like Harrison Smith or have him in the 3rd-4th round. Will probably be helped by the weakness of this year's safety class. Should be drafted in the Mayock Zone. Smart and more athletic than people think. Which means he's Caucasian.

Lombardi likes Michael Brockers' raw potential, but he is raw. Needs refinement, needs to be coached to use his hands better to shed blocks so he can become a valuable pass rusher on third downs. Has excellent "length" and athleticism.

* Pro days:
Texas A&M: This, of course, was all about Ryan Tannehill, who impressed with his throwing and ran a 4.63 40. Mayock called it a "high-level" workout and said Tannehill looked like a franchise QB. Made all the throws using all the drops, stationary and on the move. Outside throws were beautiful, and he was really ripping his inside throws, which he looked less confident with on tape, aiming them more than throwing them. In an interview, Tannehill said he has no pain in the injured foot that kept him out of the Combine. Mayock doesn't think he'll be ready to play day one, but he has the tools of a franchise QB, and now thinks he should be drafted 4th or even 3rd overall. Would improve Cleveland's athletic ability and arm strength at QB. Cleveland and Miami had large groups at the workout; so, curiously, did Seattle. Kansas City and Philadelphia are also curiously interested.   

The rest of NFL Network isn't as high on Tannehill as Mayock. Casserly says he's too big a risk for Cleveland to take at #4. Lombardi says he's at least a year away. He stares down receivers, telegraphs his throws and doesn't make decisions quickly. Brian Billick is "astounded" people are considering Tannehill in the top 10, talk that is "scaring [him] to death". He thinks a top 10 QB needs to have a lot more starts than Tannehill does, and is scared off by all the talk of "potential" and "has to develop". Need is a terrible negotiator and a terrible evaluator; Tannehill should be getting drafted in the 20s, not the top 5.

Alabama II: A couple of previously-injured top prospects finally got workouts in front of pro personnel.

Trent Richardson had an outstanding drill, of course; this is Bucky Brooks talking. But eight weeks after knee surgery, a 40 time in the 4.46-4.49 range is definitely impressive. He showed outstanding balance, body control, change of direction and explosiveness. He also caught the ball well and will be a three-down back in the pros. He also bowled over a Cleveland coach during a blocking drill, hilariously saying afterward, "Well, he was in my way." Brooks repeats the best-RB-since-Adrian-Peterson talk that usually follows Richardson. In fact, he's Casserly's #2 player overall, though he does not say who that puts him ahead of between Luck and Griffin. Lombardi praises Richardson's ability to gain yards after contact, says he was the best Bama RB even when he shared the backfield with Mark Ingram. Clear top-ten pick. Lombardi and Casserly both prefer Richardson over Blackmon.  

Mark Barron also had a good workout, showing good balance, body control and sideline-to-sideline range. Somehow Brooks knows he's at 80%. His movement skills look good enough that he can drop down and cover tight ends and slot receivers, though Casserly is not so sure of the latter. Lombardi says Barron's workout confirmed him a top-15 pick. He should be able to play in any scheme and should be a successful run defender.

The take on Courtney Upshaw has really gotten mixed. He came in heavy, at 279. Good football player but not an elite athlete, not as versatile as Melvin Ingram. His best role will be as a straight-up pass rusher. Lombardi thinks he's limited to DE in a 4-3 because he doesn't drop into coverage well. Casserly thinks he's not tall enough for that position and will get engulfed. Sees him as a 3-4 OLB or even ILB. But playing in a 3-4, he can't be asked to do a lot in coverage. A lot of teams will bypass him because they're looking for more athletic outside players and won't have a place for him. He does many things well - makes plays, is instinctive, can find the football, shows speed, strength and leverage as a pass rusher, excellent use of hands - but isn't great at anything. (Personally I'm starting to wonder if he stays in the first round.)

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