Iowa‘s Adrian Clayborn is more than just a top #5-#15 NFL Draft prospect. He’s an interesting interview, and a candid young man with stand-up character. He was the highlight of Big Ten Media Day 2; partially because he was so candid about the transitional process from college to professional football.
“The coaches sit down, and we have a talk with a guy from a program called Pathway to the Pros, they talk to us about agents, and the key thing is- don’t accept anything. You can talk to them on the phone, you can talk to them face to face. Just don’t accept anything and if you do that, you’re golden,” Clayborn told us at Media Day.
By Paul M. Banks
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Team needs were taken into account with this NFL mock draft. We all know those needs will change numerous times between now and next April, but I looked at where each team is at their weakest, and filled those needs in accordingly.
Order was determined by the overall ratings of every NFL team by Athlon’s NFL annual preview magazine.
By Paul M. Banks
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This past year, there’s been talk in the pro football world about some supposed “character concerns” over Iowa Defensive End Adrian Clayborn.
NFL teams are more careful than ever in this era of Roger Goodell’s attempts to legislate morality. However, there are no doubts about Clayborn’s ability on the field. The All-American Honorable Mention had 11.5 sacks last year, and took home the Orange Bowl MVP and National Defensive Performer of the Year Awards.
But a racially-charged incident with an Iowa City cab driver has put his character, and therefore his NFL Draft Stock, into question. After reading this interview/article, all concerns of this sort will be alleviated.
By Paul M. Banks
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In order to motivate his stud D Lineman Cameron Heyward, Ohio State Head Coach Jim Tressel gave him a list of all the defensive linemen that were leaving for the NFL.
“He broke it down that if you want to be great you have to aim high, just don’t be satisfied with being good enough, and I told coach Tressel, I want to be the best out there. I’m setting my goals high and expecting more,” Heyward told me at Big Ten Media Day.
Amongst Big Ten star players Heyward is very overlooked. People talk about his teammate, QB Terrelle Pryor first, last year’s offensive conference player of the year, Wisconsin‘s John Clay second. On defense, the conversation usually turns to Iowa‘s Adrian Clayborn, and perhaps Michigan State’s Greg Jones.
But Heyward could have been picked somewhere in the #15-#25 range in the NFL Draft had he come out last spring. His stock is rising for 2011; even though people don’t often talk about him. He’s the “sneaky hot” player in the Big Ten. I guess you could call him the Pam Beesly/Jenna Fischer of college football.
By Paul M. Banks
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Remember the Barry Alvarez era, when it seemed like the Wisconsin Badgers had a genuine phobia for the forward pass? Well that “emphasis” on the run certainly produced some great linemen and running backs.
For the last couple decades, the Wisconsin program and tailbacks have gone together like marijuana smoking and reggae music. Ron Dayne, Brent Moss, Terrell Fletcher, Michael Bennett, P.J. Hill, the names go on and on.
6-1, 250 lb junior John Clay is the latest in the line. Even though his yards per carry dipped .2, Clay made a big jump forward last year. He nearly doubled his rushing yardage, running for 1,517 yards and 18 TDs. This earned him the Big Ten offensive player of the year award. He later added the MVP trophy from the Champs Sports Bowl to his collection.
So if he takes another similar step forward this season, does that mean he’s going to forgo his senior season, and enter the NFL Draft?
By Paul M. Banks
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For the first time in 2011, team needs were taken into account with this NFL mock draft. We all know those needs will change numerous times between now and next April, but I looked at where each team is at their weakest, and filled those needs in accordingly. Yes, you may see your team drafting at the same position group they drafted at in recent years, but only where those draft picks are yet to develop into solid contributors.
Order was determined by the overall ratings of every NFL team by Athlon’s NFL annual preview magazine.
By Paul M. Banks
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Team needs were sometimes, but very rarely, taken into account with this NFL mock draft. Mostly because I know those needs will change numerous times between now and next April.
Order was determined by Peter King’s SI.com NFL power rankings, released on 5-16-10. I’m not exactly the biggest fan of PK, but to my knowledge, I believe he was the first to do a 2010 NFL Power ranking. So he has that going for him, which is nice.
In summation, don’t take these picks with a grain of salt; take them with an entire salt truck.
By Paul M. Banks
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By Paul M. Banks
When you hit the comments section, remember that team needs were sometimes, but very rarely, taken into account with this NFL mock draft. Mostly because I know those needs will change numerous times between now and next April. Order was determined by creating a hybrid of various NFL power rankings across the internet, and considering which teams became stronger or weaker during this past draft weekend. So in summation, don’t take these picks with a grain of salt; take them with an entire salt truck.
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By Mike Gallagher
The Minnesota Golden Gophers football team definitely did better for themselves in the NFL draft than they did for themselves on the football field.
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The Big Ten’s total of 34 draft picks ranked second among all conferences and was the most for the conference since 41 Big Ten players were chosen during the 2006 NFL Draft. The Big Ten and SEC were the only conferences in which every school featured at least one selection during the seven rounds.
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By Paul M. Banks
Is it absurd to try and forecast a 2011 NFL Mock Draft on the exact same day that the 2010 event concludes? Yes, but I’m going to try anyway. So please be gentle with me in the comments section, because team needs were NOT taken into account with this mock draft. Therefore, descriptions and rationale for each pick will be added later. Order was determined by creating a hybrid of various NFL power rankings across the internet, and considering which teams became stronger or weaker during this past draft weekend. So in summation, this is a very very rough draft (pun intended) of my 2011 mock draft.
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By Paul M. Banks
Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka, the man whose production accounted for an overwhelming proportion of the team’s offense in 2009, heard his name called on NFL Draft day.
As did Sherrick McMannis, who was perhaps the best overall athlete in the Wildcats secondary last season.
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By Paul M. Banks
Hopefully, for the sake of Corey Wootton, the Chicago Bears, and the Northwestern Wildcats, this pick turns out more like Alex Brown than Michael Haynes. The Bears have had a very mixed bag lately when it comes to drafting defensive ends.
But it became official Saturday morning during the NFL Draft, the “Coreysaurus” is staying in the Chi, trading in his purple and white for blue and orange.
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By Paul Schmidt
After a night that didn’t go exactly as planned, former University of Illinois offensive guard Jon Asamoah, believed by many to be the top guard prospect in the draft, was finally selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
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By Paul Schmidt
“I don’t really try to predict things like this. There was some interest and we had talked but I didn’t really know anything for sure.”
Those were the first words from now-former University of Illinois wide receiver Arrelious “Rejus” Benn in his teleconference with reporters after being selected 39th overall pick of the NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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By Paul M. Banks
If you were watching last night’s NFL Draft on ESPN, you undoubtedly saw the updates from premier sideline princesses Erin Andrews (at the home of ND quarterback Jimmy Clausen) and Jenn Brown (reporting from the house of Texas signal-caller Colt McCoy). Neither QB was drafted last night, so it means we’ll likely be treated to more eye candy tonight, as the reigning Queen and crown princess of sports media will undoubtedly see a lot more airtime.
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Tonight and tomorrow figure to be to the most intriguing portions of the NFL Draft for Northwestern fans. DE Corey Wootton has been projected as an early-mid second rounder in most NFL mock drafts, and QB Mike Kafka projects as a 3rd-5th rounder.
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Welcome to The Sports Bank’s LIVE NFL Draft Coverage of the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Mr. Banks (formerly known as Paul M. Banks) and Peter Christian headline your coverage of tonight’s first ever primetime draft proceedings.
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By Paul M. Banks
To see the Second Round of this Mock Draft go here. And here’s our second installment of Round 3 Lots of changes this week, and it all starts at the very top!
For our other mock draft click here
For our draft big board rankings go here
To read our updated team needs go here
As always, you can check out my College Football and NFL blogs on the Washington Times.com by clicking the hyperlinked text.
For our NBA Mock Draft click here
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By Paul M. Banks
For our draft big board rankings go here
To read our updated team needs go here
For round 1 click here
We finally added Round 3!! FOR ROUND 3 GO HERE
As always, you can check out my College Football and NFL blogs on the Washington Times.com by clicking the hyperlinked text.
For our NBA Mock Draft click here
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