Path to the Draft: April 4, 2011

Path to the Draft: April 4, 2011



Below, you can find various tidbits of NFL Draft rumors and information offered by Mike Mayock, Michael Lombardi and the rest of the Path to the Draft crew on the NFL Network. I posted these in my forum, but I thought it would be better to keep all the draft rumors together in this section. I’ll be tweeting these during Path to the Draft at @walterfootball.


  • Mike Mayock has just moved Cam Newton up to No. 2 ahead of Jake Locker on his QB rankings.

  • Mike Mayock: Mechanically, Cam Newton is so much better than Vince Young and Tim Tebow. Newton is starting to dot the i’s and cross the t’s.

  • Brian Baldinger: I want to see Cam Newton in a pistol formation, the triple option, some of that Auburn offense in his pro game.

  • Brian Baldinger: I don’t think you can do what Cam Newton did in the SEC unless you’re completely dedicated to football.

  • Brian Baldinger: Ryan Mallett is one of the worst athletes I’ve seen in college football. I think he’s going to struggle at the NFL level.

  • Mike Mayock: Ryan Mallett will probably end up in the second round. He made his own bed and is going to slide because of that.

  • Larry Weisman (Redskins.com) does not expect Donovan McNabb or Albert Haynesworth back.

  • Larry Weisman: I’m not sure the 10th pick is going to be a QB or WR. I’m not a fan of taking receivers high in the draft.

  • Larry Weisman: Jim Haslett would be more than happy to have a counterweight to Brian Orakpo, like Robert Quinn.

  • Mike Mayock: The Redskins are in an awkward spot at 10. If Julio Jones or A.J. Green is there, they have to look at those guys.




  • Mike Mayock: There’s some great tape this year from Da’Quan Bowers. There’s also some average tape on Bowers…

  • Mike Mayock: The medical is a red flag. He didn’t look explosive or quick in his workout. Got fatigued too quickly.

  • Mike Mayock: Da’Quan Bowers could slide a long way.

  • Mike Mayock: I know all the 3-4 teams like Cameron Jordan. Some of the 4-3 teams are showing interest. His stock is on the rise.

  • Mike Mayock now ranks Marvin Austin No. 24 on his big board. “The kid’s been phenomenal. I don’t see him getting out of the 1st round”

  • Mike Mayock: I think Derek Sherrod could be the fifth tackle in the first round. Marcus Gilbert could be late 2.

  • Mike Mayock: There’s no bad tapes for Corey Liuget. Even some of the 3-4 teams like him enough as a 5-technique.

  • Mike Mayock now has Mike Pouncey at No. 21 on his big board (was 28). “Just like his brother. Plug and play.”

  • Brian Baldinger: You need to put Cam Newton in the top five (big board). He’s just too talented.

  • Brian Baldinger: I don’t think any of these offensive tackles are worth a top 10 pick.

  • Brian Baldinger: I worry about Anthony Castonzo being overextended, being a leaner. It’s difficult to break some of his habits.

  • Brian Baldinger: I have a man crush on Cameron Heyward. He’s coachable. Team leader. Team captain. He can play inside. Can play at 315.

  • Brian Baldinger: I know for a fact if Cameron Heyward’s there at 26, the Ravens are not passing him up.

  • Mike Mayock: I’d rather have Corey Liuget at 20 than Nick Fairley at 8. I know what I’m getting with Corey.

  • Charles Davis just said that 3 scouts were concerned about Nick Fairley opted out of drills at the Combine.

  • Mike Mayock: All the measurables checked out with Ras-I Dowling. People think he’s every bit as gifted as Chris Cook.



    2011 NFL Path to the Draft Rumors Menu:

    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 27, 2011 - Top Five Buzz
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 26, 2011 - Rick Gosselin Thoughts
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 25, 2011 - Blaine Gabbert slipping?
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 22, 2011 - Eagles to draft Greg Little?
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 21, 2011 - Casserly's 2nd-round mock
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 20, 2011 - Houston's pick plugged in
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 19, 2011 - Offensive tackle rankings
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 19, 2011 - Titus Young - first round?
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 18, 2011 - Ryan Mallett to go No. 10?
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 16, 2011 - Browns to go WR; no QB for Miami
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 15, 2011 - Quarterback Comparisons
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 14, 2011 - A.J. Green Historical Ranking
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 13, 2011 - Bowers, Fairley, Ingram Falling
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 12, 2011 - Da'Quan Bowers: Round 2?
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 11, 2011 - Defensive End Talk
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 9, 2011 - Jon Baldwin, Hankerson Slipping?
    Path to the Draft: April 8, 2011 - NFL Network 2011 NFL Mock Draft
    Path to the Draft: April 7, 2011 - Gabbert better than Flacco/Sanchez/Freeman?
    Path to the Draft: April 6, 2011 - Mike Mayock's Running Back Sleepers
    Path to the Draft: April 5, 2011 - Charles Davis' Mock Draft; Overrated Players
    Path to the Draft: April 4, 2011 - Mike Mayock defends his new Big Board
    Path to the Draft: April 1, 2011 - Da'Quan Bowers Pro Day buzz
    Path to the Draft: March 31, 2011 - North Carolina Pro Day buzz
    Path to the Draft: March 30, 2011 - Jake Locker Pro Day buzz
    Path to the Draft: March 29, 2011 - "I'm taking Ryan Mallett over Jake Locker."
    Path to the Draft: March 28, 2011 - Julio Jones before A.J. Green?
    Path to the Draft: March 25, 2011 - "Hankerson scares the heck out of me."

    2011 NFL Draft - Path to the Draft Rumors - Home









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