NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 9, 2011

NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 9, 2011

Below are some comments Adam Schefter made in his NFL Draft Mailbag found on ESPN’s Insider. If you don’t have Insider, here are some of the key points. Follow me @walterfootball for more.

If you watch the tape, take a look at how many tackles Jonathan Baldwin breaks … not many. He also has some character questions. He was arrested in May 2009 and charged with misdemeanor indecent assault, summary harassment and disorderly conduct.

As for Leonard Hankerson, some teams wonder about his ability to be a deep-play threat. He also has had some drops and like Baldwin, he is not a great runner after the catch.

Jonathan Baldwin and Leonard Hankerson will be second-round picks.

I had one person tell me Jimmy Smith the third-best cornerback in the draft and another tell me he’s not worthy of a first-round pick.

Some teams are worried about Jimmy Smith’s character and his sense of worth.

If Baltimore wanted Jimmy Smith at No. 26, my sense is it would be able to get him there.

This year, as much as the Colts still need a defensive tackle, they have to go offensive tackle somewhere high. They have to protect Peyton Manning, that’s more important than anything they can do right now.

It’s hard for me to imagine Mark Ingram falling to No. 32.

I know some people think that Mark Ingram’s value is dropping some — not because of him, but because of the value of running backs — but I’m not buying it.

The Panthers simply have to take the player they want — which I believe will come down to Blaine Gabbert, Cam Newton, Patrick Peterson or A.J. Green.

*** Unrelated to Adam Schefter ***

Jon Gruden: I think Cam Newton’s the best player in the country. I agree with the Heisman Trophy people that gave him the award. He’s got everything I’m looking for.

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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2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11

NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9

2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29

Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4