An Intriguing List Of Rising Draft Prospects From Sporting News

by Dave Choate on Apr 4, 2011 8:00 AM EDT in NFL News

The court date that could determine the fate of the NFL lockout is approaching Wednesday, but I don't want to poke that bear until it's ready to wake up. Let's stick with the draft for this Monday morning, eh?

I thought we'd kick it off with discussion around this Sporting News article by Russ Lande, which lists four players who have been rocketing up draft boards in recent weeks. The list starts with Kentucky wide receiver Randall Cobb,

Our own Ball Hawk has raved about Cobb for a long time now, so he's likely a sleeper to no one at this point. The Falcons could seriously consider him in the second round, but it doesn't sound like he's going to make it quite that far. His blend of speed and soft hands makes him a good fit for almost any team, and he's a damn fine kick returner to boot.

For the remaining three, hit the jump.

RB Alex Green, Hawaii: A bruiser at 6' and 220 pounds, Green wasn't extremely productive at Hawaii, which Lande admits is going to damage his stock. But his size and speed makes him a lock to be drafted, and the Falcons could take a hard look at him if they lose Jason Snelling.

WR Aldrick Robinson, SMU: A guy I barely knew before the combine, Robinson is on his way up. More and more teams are looking for elusive slot receiver types with a wide set of skills, especially after seeing what Percy Harvin's done in his first two seasons in the league. Robinson could go as early as the third round, in my opinion, but Lande seems to think he might go a little higher than that. He could be an option for the Falcons.

RB DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma: No running back has seen their stock rise and plummet as much as Murray, who had a nice Combine and a nice career at Oklahoma but a wince-inducing Senior Bowl. In the fickle world of NFL scouting, that was enough to knock him down for a while, but he's on his way back up. Murray is probably one of the best three runners in the draft, a guy with legitimate featured back potential. He's likely to be off the board well before the Falcons start thinking about a back.

Lande also lists QB Jake Locker and DT Marvin Austin as fallers, but the Falcons aren't likely to even glance in their direction come draft day, so we can safely ignore them. What are your opinions on these risers, and will the Falcons make a run at any of them?

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Yeah we have not worked Cobb out yet so....

I’m kinda bummed.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Apr 4, 2011 8:05 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

I wouldn't read too much into that

Teams don’t work out everyone they are interested in. Perhaps there is nothing else they need to see from Cobb. Or perhaps they have worked him out and it’s just not public knowledge

by Mosugo on Apr 4, 2011 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I can honestly say that

this is the first draft in a long time where I have no clue on what could happen. I credit this to the lockout. At this point we could end up with just about anybody at the DE, OLB, OT, OG, or Corner positions in the 1st and 2nd rounds.

by Fear Me on Apr 4, 2011 9:56 AM EDT reply actions

I think the Falcons interviewed Sam Acho during the combine

I was pretty pumped about that. Any Falcons connections to Derrick Locke?

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Apr 4, 2011 10:57 AM EDT reply actions

Yep

Private Workout

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on Apr 4, 2011 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

bah

I was excited about Green and Robinson as guys to take after the 5th round (where both were projected) but obviously less excited if they’re going in the 3rd.

Green is hard to project because he had gigantic holes in the Hawaii spread, but he seems to have the quickness of the tiny guys, great hands, and the potential to be an everydown guy. Seems like a good replacement for Snelling, with a BIG explosiveness upgrade in that department. I was thinking if we took a COP back in the 3rd and anticipated losing Snelling, we could take Green in the 6th or so, as a more well rounded guy. Obviously can’t double up if he’s going to go before the 6th.

Robinson seemed like a great risk as just a field stretcher late, but again, would be wary of the quick riser.

It happens every year…you find the guys you think seem intriguing in the 6th and 7th round in March, and they’re 3rd or 2nd rounders by draft. Probably shouldn’t even look into the ratings until mid April.

by takeitdown on Apr 4, 2011 6:06 PM EDT reply actions