In an exercise of Mock Draft-ing and each of our own scouting, myself, Alex Brown of Optimum Scouting, Russ Lande of Sporting News, and Josh Liskiewitz of GM Jr combined to do a first round Mock Draft. Check out which draft evaluators picked when and who, and see just how crazy a first round can get when different NFL GMs play a role (just like the actual NFL Draft.)


Team Picking - (GM) - Prospect
1 . Indianapolis Colts - (Eric Galko) - Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2 . Washington Redkskins - (Russ Lande) - Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor
3 . Minnesota Vikings - (Josh Liskiewitz) - Matt Kalil, OT, USC
4 . Cleveland Browns - (Alex Brown) - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
5 . Tampa Bay Bucs - (Eric Galko) - Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
6 . St. Louis Rams - (Russ Lande) - Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia no comments

There’s no question that the league is changing. Gone are the days of seeing the majority of the league trying to win games playing smash-mouth, running game focused football. Still, without a solid running game nearly any offense becomes exponentially easier to defend.

There are teams across the league that need help at running back whether it be in the form of a primary running back, someone to join in a rotation, or a back to play on third downs as a pass blocker/catcher.

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Now that we’ve had several weeks of free agency, it can be easy to lose track of which teams have addressed areas of needs, and which teams are still looking for help. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered. Leading up to the draft, we’ll be taking a look at which teams will be looking to address needs at various positions both through the draft and free agency.

Naturally, the first position to address is the most important on the field at any given time: quarterback. There are plenty of teams that are looking for a quarterback, whether it be a franchise quarterback who can contribute immediately, quality depth at the positon, or a young player that has plenty of talent but needs time to develop. Who would do well to make a move during the remaining offseason? Let’s check it out. no comments

As with most draft classes, followers of the draft want to instantly compare it to previous years. In short, there is no AJ Green or Julio Jones or Calvin Johnson in this year's draft class. There are no clear-cut, feature receivers that can make an impact because they can consistently out-match double teams and are nearly impossible to cover one on one.

Despite not having any of these clear, Top 10 worthy receivers in this class, it does feature three (and maybe a few more) top first round targets that could have a significant impact on a team's offense. Here is the case for each one of the "big three" to be the top receiver in this class. no comments

Walker Rhodes of Optimum Scouting was LIVE at the Tennessee-Chattanooga Pro Day. Here are his notes from the workout of NFL Draft prospects BJ Coleman and Tim Benford. Follow him at @notsolegato on Twitter.
 
For many draft prospects, their school’s pro day is little more than a formality. They’ve shown what they can do at the combine, teams have plenty of film on them, and there really aren’t too many questions that are left unanswered. A pro day in most cases is just another chance to teams to get an in person look at a prospect.

For Chattanooga quarterback BJ Coleman and Tennessee Tech wide receiver Tim Benford, their work out Monday morning in Chattanooga was much more than a formality. After both dealt with injuries that kept them out of fully participating at the combine, their workouts Monday were the only chance they’d have to perform in front of multiple NFL teams before the Draft at the end of the month.

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From last May until December, there was little debate who the top quarterback prospect in the 2012 NFL Draft was. Andrew Luck was the apple of every team's eye, and chants/twitter hash-tags/street signs gladly displayed "Suck for Luck" in hopes of their team getting that first pick.

But now, since Griffin has become a mixture of a Cam Newton hyped athlete with a media darling, it has become a debate as to which path the Colts should take. To me, the answer is easy: pick Andrew Luck. Here's why. no comments

As a high school standout, Bryce Brown rushed for nearly 8,000 career yards. His prolific rushing stats led to his being regarded as the number one recruiting prospect of the 2009 class. That ranking put him above even players like Trent Richardson and Matt Barkley, who are locks to be first round picks in their respective drafts. Brown however, who only saw action in three games this season, is considered by most to be a late round pick at the very best. 

What’s happened to cause such a drop in his stock? Is it still possible for Brown to have a successful NFL career?

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With over 4,500 career receiving yards, 45 touchdowns, and a FBS record 329 career receptions, former Oklahoma wide receiver Ryan Broyles would be on paper one of the top wide receivers in this year’s class. Presently however, one of college football’s most consistently reliable receivers would likely be considered by many fortunate to be drafted in the third round. 

What’s caused Broyles’ rapid fall on draft boards across the league? It certainly wasn’t a lack of production. Broyles’ stock began it’s free fall in November when he tore his ACL late in the Sooners’ season. A torn ACL is one of the most difficult injuries to recover from in all of sports. Should it be enough to scare teams away from Broyles? no comments

Free agency is wrapping up and Pro Days are beginning to wind down, so now's the time where everyone is focused on rankings, scouting reports, and of course, the interest-driving Mock Drafts. While myself and the 100 or so other NFL draft focused websites will post far too many mock drafts that may become a blur after a while, Matthew Elder of BuffaloBillsDraft.com and I decided to take it for a new twist.

Not to be too self-promoting, but based on Matt and I's research, somewhat respectability on the subject, and experience in All-Star events, I'd consider Matt and I two evaluators very much in the know on small school, non-FBS prospects. So, in an effort to combine our "expertise" and everyone's favorite Mock Drafts, here is our take on the 1st round of the NFL Draft if we could ONLY draft small schoolers. Enjoy!

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It was a moment that for many became the lasting image of the 2011 college football season. In a heated game between Arizona State and Southern Cal, Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict menacingly stared down his longtime rival, Southern Cal’s Matt Barkley, from across the line of scrimmage. In those few seconds before the snap, it was clear why Burfict had once been regarded as a sure fire first round pick. There was no hiding his intense hatred for the opposition’s quarterback, something anyone would love to see in their linebacker.

While a picture may be worth a thousand words, unfortunately that photo doesn’t tell the whole Vontaze Burfict story. There are countless other moments that have drawn attention in his time at Arizona State: locker room fights, ejections from practices, benchings, and numerous poorly timed personal fouls. At one time Burfict was considered to be one of the best players in college football – now he may be lucky to just be drafted. no comments