How Will the NFL Lockout Affect the NFL Draft

With the NFL lockout in place, NFL teams are currently unable to sign free agents and address their needs before the draft.

Therefore NFL teams will take the best player available approach with the hope of signing a few free agents later when and if the NFL owners and players reach an agreement.

The NFL Draft will take place, even if their is a boycott on the draft, the teams will still make their selections, they will "own" the rights to the player, they just won't be able to sign them to a contract. The teams won't be able to hold their rookie mini-camps and subsequently their rookie development will likely be hindered.

So if the lockout bleeds into late July and August it might be next to impossible for one of these rookie quarterbacks to come in and start their rookie year. There just won't be enough time for them to be able to come in and adjust to the speed of the pro game and learn the complicated offenses and defenses before the first game.

So will an NFL team draft a QB in the first round now knowing that they might not see the field for two years? Smart teams will just follow their draft boards and not worry about the what-ifs, but then again, a lot of NFL owners aren't very smart when it comes to the NFL Draft....Al Davis and Jerry Jones immediately come to mind.

2011 NFL Scouting Combine: Linebackers

We all knew that Von Miller was a good line backer, but he proved it beyond a shadow of a doubt at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine. He ran a very impressive 40-yard dash and vertical jump.

There were a few pleasant surprises though, like Dontay Moch from Nevada and Bruce Miller from little Central Florida, both with impressive performances in their own right.

Here are your top performers and floppers at the combine. I did not include defensive ends who experts think will switch to a 3-4 linebacker. Ex: Aldon Smith, Ryan Kerrigan.

Von Miller, Texas A&M OLB: Miller ran a 4.60 40-yard dash and a 37” vertical leap. He has the speed and explosiveness, however his strength could be a concern. He was only able to bench 225 21 times. So there is a risk that a bigger stronger lineman could neutralize Von Miller's affect of the field. Other than that, he is the top linebacker in the draft.

Before Combine: top 20 pick

After Combine: top 5 pick.

Martez Williams, Illinois ILB: If Von Miller had not been at the combine, Martez would have stole all the limelight. He proved to be an explosive athlete in complete control of his body. He ran a blazing 4.44 40-yard dash. He had a so-so bench press showing, completing 225 pounds on the bench press 23 times. He also had a 36” vertical jump to cap of his impressive combine showing. He has impressive size. He is 6' 3” and weighs 250 lbs. He will be a starter somewhere guaranteed.

Before combine: 3-4th round.

After Combine: early 2nd round.

Akeem Ayers, UCLA OLB: He has been viewed as a 4-3 outside linebacker to most. Ayers ran a mediocre 4.80 40-yard dash and had a vertical of 31”. He has on the field speed and some explosiveness. Strength? Not so much, Akeem racked the bar after only 18 reps on the bench press. He could have problems with bigger backs.

Before Combine: 1st round

After combine: Late 1st, early 2nd round

Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina, MLB: He did not run the 40, but had a 34” vertical and benched 225 lbs 21 times. Mediocre. He is still a prospect worth considering for strong side linebacker in a 4-3 defense.

Before Combine: 2nd-3rd round

After Combine: 2nd-3rd round

Brooks Reed, Arizona State OLB/DE. Reed is a big time riser after an impressive Senior Bowl and a solid combine. Brooks ran a 4.66 40-yard dash and had a 30.5” vertical. So right in the middle of the road of vertical leaps and one of the faster linebackers. Now strength is not an issue with this guy either, he lifted that bar 30 times. This man can start right away and he has the physical prowess to be very good.

Before Combine: 3-4 round

After Combine: 2nd round

Bruce Carter, North Carolina, OLB: Came in fairly strong, he completed 25 reps at 225 lbs. Carter has shown that he can be a valuable leader on defense and had to step up last year with several of the UNC defense suspended. I think he could be the next James Laurinaitis, Jerod Mayo. He's that talented.

Before Combine: 2nd round

After Combine: 2nd round

Dontay Moch, Nevada, OLB: This guy was by far the fastest linebacker at he combine, a venerable workout warrior. He blazed a 4.40 40-yard dash and a 42” vertical leap, the highest of any linebacker. So he has blistering speed and tons of explosion. He is raw, very raw. He could be a starter with the right coaching, or he could be a bust like Vernon Gholston, of whom he is remarkably similar.

Before combine: 4th-5th round

After Combine: 2nd round

Mason Foster, Washington, OLB: He ran a decent 4.65 40-yard dash. He is 6' 1” and weighs 245 lbs. He completed 22 reps on the benchand had a sub par vertical, only 21 inches. I might be able to get 21 inches. None the less he, is a solid tackler who might be able to play for a few teams.

Before Combine: 3rd-4th round

After Combine: 4th-5th round.

Greg Jones, Michigan State, OLB: He was viewed as a top prospect and still is in my book. The kid just knows how to play football with elite instincts, he is a tackling machine. Jones was a four year starter at Michigan State and he accumulated a total of 238 solo tackles during his career. At the Combine however, he failed to open any eyes. He ran a lackluster 4.75 40-yard dash. That is decent, but not what scouts were looking for in a smaller linebacker. He benched 225 lbs 21 times, which is same max as several other OLB prospects. He had a 31.5 inch vertical. He seems best suited for the weak side in a 4-3 defense.

Before Combine: 2nd-3rd

After combine: 3rd-4th

K.J. Wright, Mississippi state, OLB: He is a bigger prospect at 6 '3” 246 lbs. He ran a so-so 40 time of 4.70 seconds. He lifted 225 pounds 20 times in the bench. Which is not that good for a 246 pounder. He also had a 32” vertical leap. He has long arms and may be big enough to play an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He might not bring much as a rusher though. His rise is due mostly in part to others failing to live up to expectations.

Before combine: 4th-5th round

After combine: 3rd-4th round.

Ross Homan, Ohio State, OLB: He ran a 4.65 40-yard dash, so he’s got decent speed. He proved to be very strong benching 225 lbs 32 times. That is better than any other linebacker besides Brooks Reed. His 215 career tackles for Ohio State are impressive. also has a 35 inch vertical leap. As a small linebacker (6’ 0” 226 lbs) he should find a home with a team like the St.Louis Rams. After all, 4 out of their 6 linebackers are Ohio State grads. Why not add another alumni. Homan really improved his stock.

Before Combine: 5th round

After Combine: 4th round

Mark Herzlich, Boston College, LB: He is one of my favorite players, coming back after cancer to play in 2010 was impressive all by itself. He had the highest bench reps of any ILB at the combine. He lifted that bad boy 29 times. He had a 32.5” vertical. The cancer in his leg slowed him down a bit. He ran a paltry 4.9 40. However, I still think he can add something to a team that will take a chance on him.

Before combine: 4-6th round

After combine: 4-5th round.

Bruce Miller, Central Florida DE/OLB: I am not sure if I should put Bruce here. He was listed as a 3-4 OLB. But upon watching him play he is obviously a 4-3 end. He is not fast enough to cover tight ends. He ran a mediocre 4.80 40-yard dash at the combine. He has shown quickness on the field though. He benched 225 pounds 35 times at the combine. Stronger than any other candidate on this list. At 6’ 2” 248 pounds he doesn’t have the size to be a 4-3 end, so he’ll have to earn a living as a slow 3-4 linebacker.

Before Combine: 4-6th round

After Combine: 6-7th round

Chris Carter, Fresno State DE/OLB: Carter is a very quick pass rusher, but he may be a little small for a DE. He is only 6' 1” 240 lbs. I can see him being a very good third down pass rusher standing up. He has remarkable quickness and demonstrated his explosiveness with a 36 inch vertical leap and a 4.66 40-yard dash. I think he could be a contributor to a team on defense and special teams.

Before Combine: 6-FA

After Combine: 4-5 round

These are the people I noticed at the combine. We will see how accurate these predictions are when the Draft rolls around. Thank you for reading.

By Quinn Fulton

2011 NFL Scouting Combine: Defensive Linemen

I've been an avid Draftnik since 2004 and have been running NFL Draft Dog since 2007 and I have never seen a defensive line class this talented. There could be as many as 9 defensive tackles taken in the 1st round, and that's not including some of the smaller ends that will probably get moved to outside linebacker.

Auburn's Nick Fairley and Alabama's Marcell Dareus will fight out out to be drafted 1st, Fairley had by far the more productive year, last year Fairley ranked #3 in the NCAA with 24 tackles for loss (TFL) and 13 sacks, while Dareus recorded only 11 TFLs and 5 sacks, but Fairley was just a one year wonder and Darius has much better measurables. Fairly measured smaller than listed, at the NFL Scouting Combine he measured only 6' 4" 291 pounds and Dareus measured in at 6' 3" 319 pounds. Fairley ran his 40-yard dash in 4.87 seconds and Dareus ran his in 4.92 seconds, but looking at their 10 yard split time, Dareus was more explosive with a time of only 1.69 compared to Fairley's 1.76 seconds. At 319 pounds, Dareus could even play nose tackle. But hey, we're splitting hairs here, both players should be NFL Stars.

All the top defensive tackles could play a number of positions along the defensive lines except Hampton's Kenrick Ellis (6' 5" 340 lbs) and Baylor's Phil Taylor (6' 3" 355 lbs). Because of their massive size, those two prospects are pretty much limited to nose tackle.

The other defensive tackle that should be a first round draft pick is Temple's Muhammad Wilkerson (JR). If he would have waited until the 2012 NFL Draft, he could have been a top ten selection. At 6' 4" 315 pounds he has the size and power to play any position on the defensive line. Wilkerson ran his 40-yard dash in 4.99 seconds and recorded 13 tackles for loss (TFLs) last year.

North Carolina's Marvin Austin, Illinois Corey Liuget, California's Cameron Jordan, Iowa's Christian Ballard, Oregon State's Stephen Paea and last but not least, Wisconsin's JJ Watt should also be first round draft picks. Watt is very strong, fast and extremely productive. Watt at 6' 5" 290 pounds ran an amazing 40-yard dash time of 4.84 seconds, he had a 37" vertical jump, a 10' broad jump, ran a 6.88 second 3-cone, 4.21 seconds in the 20 yard shuttle and completed 34 reps in the bench press. Did I also mention that last year Watt ranked 7th in the nation with 21 TFLs and 7 sacks. I could see Watt going as early as 9th to the Dallas Cowboys.

North Carolina's Marvin Austin is another player that's moving up the draft board, he was suspended for the entire 2010 season, but at the NFL Scouting Combine he put on quite a show. Weighing in at 6' 3" 305 pounds, he ran his 40-yard dash in 4.90 seconds with a very explosive 1.63 second 10 yard split. Austin also completed an impressive 38 reps in the bench.

California's Cameron Jordan can't be overlooked here, another extremely productive player on the field. He recorded 12.5 TFLs, 6 sacks and routinely gets penetration in the backfield. Jordan at 6' 4" 281 pounds ran his 40-yard dash in 4.78 seconds, has 35" arms and completed 25 reps in the bench. Jordan is ideally suited to play End in a 3-4 defense.

DT Stephen Paea set a Combine record by completing 225 pounds 49 times. Paea at 6' 1" 311 pounds is an immovable object on the inside and is also athletic enough to play end in a 3-4 defense.

Of all the defensive tackles mentioned in this article, all but Kendrick Ellis carries a first round grade and Ellis could go in the 3rd or 4th round. Talent and versatility is evident in this years class of defensive linemen and if your favorite NFL team needs defensive line help you are in luck.

Robert Bryant