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So, consider this a Random Ramsdom of draft news. Let's get it.
Jameis Winston turning pro per report
Sounds like the Heisman winner has come to the obvious a decision to turn pro and declare for the 2015 NFL Draft. He's been my #1 overall prospect since before the season started, and that hasn't changed...silly season is approaching, but he'd still be my guess to go #1 overall. In due time.
NFL scouts come up with some really, really dumb stuff
Saw more Winston/Mariota talk yesterday. Speaking to scouts, expect to see Mariota's 4 games in Nov. '13 to be a focus in the spring (cont)
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 7, 2015
... Mariota hurt his knee on 10/26/13. And with his wheels, and the option game, limited over the next month, he struggled as a passer.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 7, 2015
So a quarterback struggled after hurting his knee? Shocking! Remember, the draft process sometimes keys in on the dumbest factual minutiae, even for prospects as heralded as Marcus Mariota:
When asked, five high-level NFL executives agreed that Mariota’s laid-back demeanor will be examined closely, though one of them admitted he didn’t think it was a fair question.
Fair or not, it has been asked about Mariota before. A New York Times story reported that when challenged by his coach at Saint Louis School in Honolulu either to be more vocal with his teammates or to run sprints, Mariota chose sprints. When he arrived in Eugene, some of the Ducks’ coaches doubted the quiet kid who took his cues from the upperclassmen could lead the team to great heights.
Blech.
McShay has Winston ahead of Mariota
It's just one man's opinion, but it's one man with access to a lot of air time on ESPN...
"[Florida State quarterback] Jameis Winston, to me, is the better prospect,’’ McShay said in a conference call with the national media. "Marcus Mariota is still a very good prospect but needs developing. They both have a chance to be great. But they both come with red flags. Winston’s red flags are off the field.’’
Expect more on this in the weeks/months ahead...
Kadar's mock adds second round
We wrote up Dan's mock on Monday in which he had the Rams selecting La'el Collins (OT, LSU) at their inherited 10th spot, meaning no change to his prior mock. He went back and added a second round on top of it, and with the ninth pick in the second round (41st overall), the Rams take:
Brett Hundley (QB, UCLA)
A bit of a dream scenario, this. It's early, but I'd be stupefied if the Rams come away with Hundley in the second. I guess I have to tape my fingers crossed for the next four months.
Daniel Jeremiah has WVU wideout as top WR
I love Parker, Cooper & DGB on tape but West Virginia's Kevin White is my top WR. He has the same traits as Julio Jones.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 7, 2015
Kevin White's no slouch. And unlike his NFL-bound predecessors from Morgantown in Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey, White's got the size NFL scouts will covet at 6'3" and 200+ lbs. Just a tweet for the pocket here.
Two LSU underclassmen reportedly staying in Baton Rouge
Members of #LSU OL Jerald Hawkins' inner-circle have begun to inform others that the talented underclassmen will stay in school.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) January 7, 2015
#LSU safety Jalen Mills has begun to inform people close to him that he will return to school next year.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) January 7, 2015
LSU always bleeds out young talent to the NFL (hi, Michael Brockers), but it sounds like this year might be at least slightly different. Jalen Mills is one of the top FS prospects in the country with versatility having played cornerback as a true freshman in 2012. Jerald Hawkins filled in the right tackle spot as a redshirt freshman in 2013 and hasn't moved since as part of one of the country's best O-lines.