NFL Draft Rumors & Smoke Screens

The calm before the NFL Draft is usually filled with rumors and decoys that should be all taken with a grain of salt. Teams hint they’re interested in prospects only to create a panic for those beneath them on the draft board. The gain in picks to simply move back 2 or 3 spots is really unbelievable, and for those worried about not getting their guy can be a nightmare in the press and NFL Draft warroom.

Never the less, here are a few rumors making their rounds.

Greg Bedard of the Boston Globe would be “shocked” if the New England Patriots used a 1st-round pick on North Alabama CB Janoris Jenkins. Sources from multiple NFL teams tell NFL Network’s Albert Breer that Janoris Jenkins will fall out of the first round due to events following the former Florida star’s exit from Gainesville.

Philly.com’s Sheil Kapadia believes Eagles DL coach Jim Washburn will be “drooling” over Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox with the No. 15 pick.

Oklahoma WR Ryan Broyles (ACL surgery) ran forty times of 4.57 and 4.59 at his personal Pro Day Thursday. Broyles comes with mixed reviews, if healthy the former Sooner could be a solid sleeper in the NFL, but injury concerns are an obvious worry from NFL clubs.

Sources tell ESPN Florida that the Jaguars “aren’t completely sold” on Quinton Coples and Justin Blackmon as being worthy of the No. 7 overall pick. This could be a smokescreen tactic, the Jags are desperate at the receiver and defensive end position
Pro Football Weekly’s Nolan Nawrocki expects Stanford OT Jonathan Martin to be “considerably overdrafted” in two weeks. The is a lack of offensive tackle talent after a few years of being spoiled at the position will cause teams to reach this year.

Adam Schefter wrote in an ESPN Insider Q & A that he believes the Vikings will pass on USC LT Matt Kalil with the No. 3 pick. According to Pro Football Weekly’s Nolan Nawrocki, some NFL general managers have second-round grades on Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon.

Despite the rumors CBS Sports’ Rob Rang confirms that the Cowboys have not scheduled pre-draft visits with Stanford OG David DeCastro or Memphis NT Dontari Poe.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher insists he has not devalued running backs despite a league wide perception that one can gain full time starters in the later rounds. Steven Jackson is no spring chicken and if Trent Richardson falls the St.Louis at 6, it would be hard to pass on such a elite talent.