2016 NFL Draft: Matt Miller's Scouting Notebook for Senior Bowl Week

[RS12]

The Scout's Report
— The biggest buzz to come out of Mobile, Alabama, during Senior Bowl week is that the Tennessee Titans are absolutely shopping the No. 1 pick in the draft. The teams most likely to be interested? According to general managers I've spoken with from competing teams, the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams (with two second-round picks).

— Whether the Cleveland Browns keep the No. 2 pick in the draft or trade up, the expectation from NFL sources is that they will target a quarterback. I've heard all week from team scouts that they prefer the big arm of Carson Wentz over the accuracy and poise of Jared Goff.

— Robert Nkemdiche's hotel incident made big news, but sources I spoke with this week at the area scout level still think he'll be in play as a top-five pick. I've heard from the San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys that both teams are doing extensive visits and background research on him.

— Talking to sources close to linebacker Myles Jack, he is reportedly one month ahead of schedule in his rehab from a torn meniscus that ended his 2015 season. Jack has rare ability to move in space and could very well be a top-five pick in April.
— The top-ranked linebacker in this class, Jaylon Smith, is still a lock to go top-15, according to team sources. Smith, who tore his ACL and LCL in the Fiesta Bowl, is already back rehabbing two times a day, according to sources close to the player. One team to keep an eye on is the New Orleans Saints. I'm told there is a lot of like for him at weak-side linebacker on their board.

— It's no secret the Dallas Cowboys need to get younger at quarterback behind Tony Romo, and sources I talked to this week from a competing team don't expect owner Jerry Jones to pull the trigger on a passer with the No. 4 pick in the draft. Instead, look for Robert Griffin III or Johnny Manziel to be in Dallas next year.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...illers-scouting-notebook-for-senior-bowl-week

 

[RS12]

I really hope some of what I am reading here isnt true. Nkemdiche in the top 5 and rolling the dice on JFB. Jerry you have learned nothing.

 

[Dhragon]

If we didn't have such an opportunity to get a great QB at #4, I'd be all for RGIII or JFF. At least there would be a slim chance one or the other might work out (not vey likely but better than no chance). But since one almost assuredly excludes the other, I'm crossing my fingers we don't get RGIII or JFF so it will make getting that QB in the draft much more likely to happen.

 

[Gaede]

Johnny Football to Dallas is inevitable. Resistance is futile.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Johnny Football to Dallas is inevitable. Resistance is futile.

 

[MikeT22]

Wouldn't surprise me. Jerry is still going to cling to hope that Romo has a few more years and if something happens then we'll have Johnny or RGIII to step in.

Meanwhile we'll pass on a potential young franchise QB and on top of it possibly draft an underachiever like Nkemdiche. You can't make this stuff up.

If we pass on QB, Bosa is the guy I'd want. But just watch us go with Nkemdiche or heaven-forbid one of the DB's. Leave it to Jerry to find some way to screw up our highest draft position in over a decade.

 

[tyke1doe]

The Scout's Report
— The biggest buzz to come out of Mobile, Alabama, during Senior Bowl week is that the Tennessee Titans are absolutely shopping the No. 1 pick in the draft. The teams most likely to be interested? According to general managers I've spoken with from competing teams, the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams (with two second-round picks).

— Whether the Cleveland Browns keep the No. 2 pick in the draft or trade up, the expectation from NFL sources is that they will target a quarterback. I've heard all week from team scouts that they prefer the big arm of Carson Wentz over the accuracy and poise of Jared Goff.

— Robert Nkemdiche's hotel incident made big news, but sources I spoke with this week at the area scout level still think he'll be in play as a top-five pick. I've heard from the San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys that both teams are doing extensive visits and background research on him.

— Talking to sources close to linebacker Myles Jack, he is reportedly one month ahead of schedule in his rehab from a torn meniscus that ended his 2015 season. Jack has rare ability to move in space and could very well be a top-five pick in April.
— The top-ranked linebacker in this class, Jaylon Smith, is still a lock to go top-15, according to team sources. Smith, who tore his ACL and LCL in the Fiesta Bowl, is already back rehabbing two times a day, according to sources close to the player. One team to keep an eye on is the New Orleans Saints. I'm told there is a lot of like for him at weak-side linebacker on their board.

— It's no secret the Dallas Cowboys need to get younger at quarterback behind Tony Romo, and sources I talked to this week from a competing team don't expect owner Jerry Jones to pull the trigger on a passer with the No. 4 pick in the draft. Instead, look for Robert Griffin III or Johnny Manziel to be in Dallas next year.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...illers-scouting-notebook-for-senior-bowl-week

I wish some of these "draftniks" would get more original material and not just repeat what has been said a thousand times or regurgitate the obvious. Sigh.

 

[reddyuta]

I really hope they are feeding the media false info because no other player at 4 will make a more profound impact on this franchise then a QB,i doubt we get a top 5 pick again for 10 more years.

 

[Bigdog]

I really hope some of what I am reading here isnt true. Nkemdiche in the top 5 and rolling the dice on JFB. Jerry you have learned nothing.

Exactly. Hopefully it is just rumors

 

[JohnsKey19]

Wouldn't surprise me. Jerry is still going to cling to hope that Romo has a few more years and if something happens then we'll have Johnny or RGIII to step in.

Meanwhile we'll pass on a potential young franchise QB and on top of it possibly draft an underachiever like Nkemdiche. You can't make this stuff up.

If we pass on QB, Bosa is the guy I'd want. But just watch us go with Nkemdiche or heaven-forbid one of the DB's. Leave it to Jerry to find some way to screw up our highest draft position in over a decade.

If they are truly completely committed to Romo starting for another 3 seasons, there's no chance they go QB at 4. That's just my read on it. I'd probably be more willing to take a QB and sitting him but I don't think that's what will happen.

 

[tyke1doe]

If they are truly completely committed to Romo starting for another 3 seasons, there's no chance they go QB at 4. That's just my read on it. I'd probably be more willing to take a QB and sitting him but I don't think that's what will happen.

I agree with you, and I don't know either. If they're all in on Romo and legitimately believe he has four more years, then they're going to get him help - whether on offense or defense.

If they're looking more toward the future and have concerns about Romo's healthy, then they go quarterback.

This is a very baffling pre-draft period.

 

[Hardline]

Johnny Football to Dallas is inevitable. Resistance is futile.

I would rather use the 4th pick on Jared Football, Paxton Football or Carson Football over Johnny Football and I don't even want a QB in the first round.

 

[conner01]

I would be more inclined to think jerry won't take a QB at 4 if he hadn't wanted to take a QB in the first last year

 

[Gaede]

I really hope they are feeding the media false info because no other player at 4 will make a more profound impact on this franchise then a QB,i doubt we get a top 5 pick again for 10 more years.

Honestly, it's just like last year and they told us runningback wasn't necessarily a priority. We all disbelieved, researched all the runningbacks, only to have our hopes dashed round after round as they addressed everything but

 

[waving monkey]

It is with deep regret that I have noticed JJones does speak honestly even when he shouldn't.
You may not like his ramblings but there after drafts looking back he was telling us his intentions.
I am praying this isn't one of those times but I have a growing feeling QB @ 4 is out ,ugh.

 

[reddyuta]

Honestly, it's just like last year and they told us runningback wasn't necessarily a priority. We all disbelieved, researched all the runningbacks, only to have our hopes dashed round after round as they addressed everything but

we missed out on some good Rbs last year,If they dont like the Qbs at 4 then its fine but it will be heartbreaking if they passed on a franchise Qb and the niners pounce on him,Jerry will never be forgiven .

 

[RS12]

It is with deep regret that I have noticed JJones does speak honestly even when he shouldn't.
You may not like his ramblings but there after drafts looking back he was telling us his intentions.
I am praying this isn't one of those times but I have a growing feeling QB @ 4 is out ,ugh.

I dunno, in the Charles Robinson article on I think Tuesday, Stephen sounded like drafting a QB at 4 was a very strong possibility. We'll see.

 

[Silver Surfer]

The Scout's Report

— Robert Nkemdiche's hotel incident made big news, but sources I spoke with this week at the area scout level still think he'll be in play as a top-five pick. I've heard from the San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys that both teams are doing extensive visits and background research on him.

— It's no secret the Dallas Cowboys need to get younger at quarterback behind Tony Romo, and sources I talked to this week from a competing team don't expect owner Jerry Jones to pull the trigger on a passer with the No. 4 pick in the draft. Instead, look for Robert Griffin III or Johnny Manziel to be in Dallas next year.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...illers-scouting-notebook-for-senior-bowl-week

I was thinking about starting a thread to discuss how many ways Jones could screw up this opportunity in the draft, "i.e. give me your worse case scenario", and never even considered this combination. No need to start that thread now, we have our winner.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

I dunno, in the Charles Robinson article on I think Tuesday, Stephen sounded like drafting a QB at 4 was a very strong possibility. We'll see.

I'm still hoping Stephen is the voice of reason and gives Jerry the wrong date for the draft. Stephen pretty much said the opposite of Jerry.

Many people say that picking a QB with the 4th pick is a bad idea because he would be a back up. What if they take Bosa, does he sit behind Lawrence or Gregory or do one of the 2 nd rounder the past two years become a back up? Seems like a waste of draft picks to me. Same with drafting a DT.... does he sit behind your high priced DT, Crawford? Or does your high priced DT sit for your first rounder? Same with LB, if you take Jack, does Lee sit, McClain? How about the LBs who were drafted in the past couple of years? Safety makes sense, but they never take safeties in any draft, much less in the first round. If they did that would be a major reach. CB has not been a good position for the Cowboys. Their best one was taken in the 5th round. They have spent in FA and high and low first rounders, with no success. I wouldn't take a CB in the first round, mid round picks can do the same job.

 

[MikeT22]

If they are truly completely committed to Romo starting for another 3 seasons, there's no chance they go QB at 4. That's just my read on it. I'd probably be more willing to take a QB and sitting him but I don't think that's what will happen.

I agree. But I really don't think they can possibly believe Romo has 3-4 more seasons in him. At least probably not 3-4 full healthy seasons. The one fly in the ointment is if the front office, Jerry, signs Johnny Manziel or RGIII. If they hope one of them can come here and reach their potential It could give us pause in drafting a QB in the 1st this year. The big problem is we may not be drafting this high again anytime soon. Even a 6-10 to 8-8 season could have you drafting in the teens and outside the top 10.