October 08, 2011; Houston, TX, USA; Memphis Tigers defensive lineman Dontari Poe (74) plays defense in the second half against the Rice Owls at Rice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

On Monday, noted NFL draft expert Mike Mayock updated his positional rankings for next month’s draft. Previously, following his amazing combine performance, Mayock shot Memphis DT Dontari Poe right up to the top spot on his list of DTs for this year’s draft. At the time I was surprised. Mayock has never struck me as the type to get caught up in the “hype machine” around players. I’ll admit, his excitement over Poe has been one of the lingering doubts in the back of my mind as I have crusaded against the Chiefs taking Poe. Well tonight I’m going to rest easy because Mike Mayock has seen the light, or rather the game tape.

In his latest rankings Mayock has dropped Poe from the #1 rated DT down to the #4 DT. You can check out an interview of Mayock talking about his updated rankings HERE. The section where he talks about the DTs is at about 2:45 of the video. It’s worth watching, but if you don’t check it out I’ll paraphrase for you.

Mayock says Poe’s a “physical freak”, but his tape is very average. He says he still thinks that his raw abilities make him a valuable prospect but that he moved him down the board because he thinks the top prospects are expected to be able to come in and play from day one. Mayock thinks Poe will need to go to an established team where he won’t be pressured to play right away and can be mentored on how to play the position by strong veteran players.

So who’s Mayock’s new top rated DT for this year’s draft? Well I’m glad you asked! It just so happens that it’s Mississippi State’s Fletcher Cox. Mayock points out that Cox is also a “freaky athlete” who’s 6’4″ and 300 pounds and ran a 4.8 forty and won’t even turn 21 until September. He says the difference is that Cox’s production and upside match up. He calls Cox a top 15 pick and even says it won’t surprise him if he goes in the top ten.

Anybody else ready to get on the Fletcher Cox bandwagon with me yet?

Last week I previewed the Center position for the 2011 NFL Draft.  This week we move outside to the bookend positions of the offensive line, the offensive tackles.  Usually there is at least one OT who is a for sure top 10 pick.  This draft is unique in that it does not.  Current projection has the first OT going after the top ten.  Also, considering the quality that exists on the defensive side of the ball in this draft, it is possible that the OTs could slide.  Even if they don’t slide and they go where they are projected, the sweet spot seems to be in the bottom half of the draft to pick them.

What this means is that for the Kansas City Chiefs (who pick at 21) is that they may have an opportunity to take the best OT in this draft.  One might question why they might pick an OT with so many seemingly more important holes to fill.  I would argue that the Chiefs’ OTs aren’t good enough that an upgrade would be out of the question.  Especially at right tackle where both 2009 and 2010 starting RTs for the Chiefs will be free agents this offseason.  Left tackle Branden Albert hasn’t played well enough either to say that bringing in competition for his position would hurt.  It is true, though, that this is not quite a primary need for the Chiefs.  However, there could be good value at this position for the Chiefs at 21.

So what are some names of offensive tackles for Chiefs fans to know going into the draft?  Here are three.
(more…)

Perhaps the most important single event leading up to the NFL Draft is the NFL Scouting Combine.  In Indianapolis, where it is held, the top draft prospects are given a stage to demonstrate their individual athleticism and skill.  Some people may only think that the Scouting Combine is just a workout, but it is much more than that.  Each potential draft pick is run through medical exams, psych tests, the Wonderlic test, and interviews.  It is the results of these events which can help or hurt a player come Draft day.

I record and watch the coverage of the Combine on NFL Network.  I’m not going to lie by saying that it is never boring.  There are certainly parts that I enjoy more than others.  So here are my thoughts on this year’s Combine.
(more…)

For those Kansas City Chiefs fans who are able to watch the NFL Network, last week offered you an opportunity to watch the first important milestone leading up to the NFL Draft.  The event I’m referring to is the Senior Bowl.  Representatives from every NFL team and press from all over come to watch senior college players practice for the game.  Earlier, Arrowhead Addict’s Draft Guru Merlin gave some information on some players for the North team.  I’m here to discuss some of the players from the South team that stood out to me.

Von Miller     Texas A & M     Outside Linebacker     6’2”     237 lbs.

Miller was a sack machine when he played for the Aggies.  He was recovering from an ankle injury early in his 2010 season and so was held to only 10.5 sacks (which was down from 2009’s 17 sacks).  His play has been compared to a player some of you may have heard of before, former Kansas City Chief Derrick Thomas.  While Miller is a tremendous pass rusher, he is very raw in pass coverage.  Also, there are questions about his ability to play against the run.  His Senior Bowl performance was a showcase for his pass rushing ability and athleticism, which is how he earned Defensive MVP.

(more…)