NFL Draft Quick Hits

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NFL Draft Quick Hits


DT B.J. Raji (AP Photo/Stephen Savoia) By Ed Thompson
Scout.com Senior NFL Analyst
Posted Apr 20, 2009


Boston College DT B.J. Raji can sit back and wait for his name to be called after finishing a busy schedule of official team visits. And find out who's been talking with Iowa's Bradley Fletcher, Wake Forest LB Stanley Arnoux, Missouri Western's Roger Allen and Northwestern's John Gill.


•Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji wrapped-up his visits and workouts for NFL teams with an official visit with the Browns last Thursday and Friday. As previously reported by Scout.com earlier this month, the high-energy lineman previously made stops in Detroit, Washington, Tampa Bay, and in New York to meet with the Jets. The Denver Broncos put him through some paces during a private workout back in March. Despite being the top-rated player at his position heading into the NFL Draft, Raji told Scout.com that he doesn't let that status put additional pressure on him as he looks to make the leap to the pro ranks. "I try not to put too much pressure on myself," he said. "I just try to relax, play to the best of my ability and do what's gotten me to this point. I'm a competitor, and I want to do well, and I work hard. So with all of that combined, I think I'm going to do pretty well."


•The Indianapolis Colts already have Bob Sanders playing the safety position, but a source told Scout.com that the team hosted another Iowa Hawkeye defensive back, Bradley Fletcher, for a visit back on April 10. The 6-foot-1, 196-pound cornerback has also visited the New York Jets and had a private workout with the New England Patriots. At the NFL Scouting Combine, the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, and the Green Bay Packers held formal interviews with the scrappy defender who helped his draft stock significantly during East-West Shrine Game week. With just one season under his belt as a starter, Fletcher could have a big upside with the right coaching at the next level.



Wake Forest LB Stanley Arnoux
Photo:Wake Forest Athletics



•While Aaron Curry has drawn the lion's share of the media's attention among the Wake Forest linebacker corps, teammate Stanley Arnoux has turned some heads as well. According to a source, the four-year starter had workouts with the Miami Dolphins and the Patriots. A Dean's List student, Arnoux has displayed both consistency and intelligence on the field. At the NFL Combine, Arnoux's 40-time was second to only Curry's time out of all of the linebackers in Indianapolis.


•Missouri Western's Roger Allen is going to be a high-value pick on Day Two of the NFL Draft. Less than six weeks after he had sports hernia surgery, the 6-foot-3, 326-pound guard benched 38 reps at the University of Missouri's Pro Day. That's just one short of the best 225-pound bench press results of any offensive lineman who lifted at the Combine. He then ran through a full workout and some position drills at his Pro Day on April 2, less than eight months after his surgery. Allen had a scheduled workout with the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this month and a visit with the New Orleans Saints. The Bears, Colts and Dolphins are among some of the other teams that have been showing interest.


•Northwestern defensive tackle John Gill had a private workout with Chicago Bears defensive line coach and assistant head coach Rod Marinelli earlier this month. He also worked out for the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints. The 6-foot-3, 302-pound lineman grabbed the attention of scouts and coaches at his school's Pro Day when he showed a nice blend of strength and speed. After hoisting 29 reps of 225 pounds, he reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds. Gill also fit in a visit with the Indianapolis Colts during April, who need to bulk up their interior line.

A member of the Pro Football Writers of America, Ed Thompson's player interviews and NFL features are published across the Scout.com network and at FOXSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter or Facebook. Or contact him by email through this link.
 
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