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Draft Dish: Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick moving up draft boards
Russ Lande
SN Icon Sporting News Sporting News draft expert Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts identify the prospects rising and falling on draft boards around the league:
On the rise
Colin Kaepernick has displayed the consistent ability to be accurate from the pocket and on the move (AP photo).
1. Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada
After evaluating film of his junior year, most scouts viewed Kaepernick as a super athletic, developmental prospect who was a long way from being ready to play in the NFL and projected him to go in the fifth or sixth round.
This season, Kaepernick (6-4 3/4, 219) impressed with his athleticism and speed as a runner but, more important, showed good arm strength and accuracy as a passer.
Throughout his senior season, he has displayed the consistent ability to be accurate from the pocket and on the move. He also has carried the Nevada offense on his back, making big plays with his arm and legs.
Kaepernick will not be a high pick but with a good week at the Senior Bowl in January he could we set himself up to be a second- or third-round pick.
2. Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
Miller led the nation in sacks in 2009 as an end in a 4-3 scheme, but NFL personnel men were excited to have him return for his senior season mostly because A&M was switching to a 3-4 system and he would get a year of experience at outside linebacker.
He has flashed the explosiveness that excites NFL scouts but battled an ankle/foot injury much of '10 and didn't have the same impact for much of the season. Over the last month, however, Miller regained his health and again is playing at a high level.
Miller (6-3, 240) has impressive pass-rush skills from the stand-up position but also has looked surprisingly comfortable in coverage and playing off the ball vs. the run.
His play the last month -- and with 3-4 outside linebackers in such demand in the NFL -- has vaulted him back into the top 15 of the first round and it wouldn't be surprising for him to sneak into the top five.
3. Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
It always is tough to find tall cornerbacks with elite speed and athleticism, and Smith (6-2, 202) definitely has those traits. Smith always shined in man-to-man coverage but has become more consistent in '10 at playing "off" coverage and in zones.
He still doesn't attack runs and passes in front of him as aggressively as he should, but he has eased concerns about his instincts and reaction time. He never will be great in run support, but as a senior he was solid on runs to his side of the field.
With questions popping up about other top cornerbacks, Smith's stock is on the rise. If he has a great week of practices at the Senior Bowl, he could become the first cornerback drafted.
Mock draft
Projecting first-round picks in the 2011 NFL draft (* -- underclassman)
1. Carolina Panthers—Andrew Luck*, QB, Stanford
2. Detroit Lions—Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
3. Cincinnati Bengals—Da'Quan Bowers*, DE, Clemson
4. Buffalo Bills—Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
5. Arizona Cardinals—Jake Locker, QB, Washington
6. Denver Broncos—A.J. Green*, WR, Georgia
7. San Francisco 49ers—Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
8. Dallas Cowboys—Nick Fairley*, DT, Auburn
9. Tennessee Titans—Jonathan Baldwin*, WR, Pitt
10. Washington Commanders—Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
11. Houston Texans—Patrick Peterson*, CB, LSU
Read more: http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/fee...epernick-moving-up-draft-boards#ixzz17ioMf1TN
Read more: http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/fee...epernick-moving-up-draft-boards#ixzz17io4wjyF
Russ Lande
SN Icon Sporting News Sporting News draft expert Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts identify the prospects rising and falling on draft boards around the league:
On the rise
Colin Kaepernick has displayed the consistent ability to be accurate from the pocket and on the move (AP photo).
1. Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada
After evaluating film of his junior year, most scouts viewed Kaepernick as a super athletic, developmental prospect who was a long way from being ready to play in the NFL and projected him to go in the fifth or sixth round.
This season, Kaepernick (6-4 3/4, 219) impressed with his athleticism and speed as a runner but, more important, showed good arm strength and accuracy as a passer.
Throughout his senior season, he has displayed the consistent ability to be accurate from the pocket and on the move. He also has carried the Nevada offense on his back, making big plays with his arm and legs.
Kaepernick will not be a high pick but with a good week at the Senior Bowl in January he could we set himself up to be a second- or third-round pick.
2. Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
Miller led the nation in sacks in 2009 as an end in a 4-3 scheme, but NFL personnel men were excited to have him return for his senior season mostly because A&M was switching to a 3-4 system and he would get a year of experience at outside linebacker.
He has flashed the explosiveness that excites NFL scouts but battled an ankle/foot injury much of '10 and didn't have the same impact for much of the season. Over the last month, however, Miller regained his health and again is playing at a high level.
Miller (6-3, 240) has impressive pass-rush skills from the stand-up position but also has looked surprisingly comfortable in coverage and playing off the ball vs. the run.
His play the last month -- and with 3-4 outside linebackers in such demand in the NFL -- has vaulted him back into the top 15 of the first round and it wouldn't be surprising for him to sneak into the top five.
3. Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
It always is tough to find tall cornerbacks with elite speed and athleticism, and Smith (6-2, 202) definitely has those traits. Smith always shined in man-to-man coverage but has become more consistent in '10 at playing "off" coverage and in zones.
He still doesn't attack runs and passes in front of him as aggressively as he should, but he has eased concerns about his instincts and reaction time. He never will be great in run support, but as a senior he was solid on runs to his side of the field.
With questions popping up about other top cornerbacks, Smith's stock is on the rise. If he has a great week of practices at the Senior Bowl, he could become the first cornerback drafted.
Mock draft
Projecting first-round picks in the 2011 NFL draft (* -- underclassman)
1. Carolina Panthers—Andrew Luck*, QB, Stanford
2. Detroit Lions—Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
3. Cincinnati Bengals—Da'Quan Bowers*, DE, Clemson
4. Buffalo Bills—Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
5. Arizona Cardinals—Jake Locker, QB, Washington
6. Denver Broncos—A.J. Green*, WR, Georgia
7. San Francisco 49ers—Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
8. Dallas Cowboys—Nick Fairley*, DT, Auburn
9. Tennessee Titans—Jonathan Baldwin*, WR, Pitt
10. Washington Commanders—Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
11. Houston Texans—Patrick Peterson*, CB, LSU
Read more: http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/fee...epernick-moving-up-draft-boards#ixzz17ioMf1TN
Read more: http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/fee...epernick-moving-up-draft-boards#ixzz17io4wjyF