Bad news surrounds everything NFL these days. It appears a deal will not be reached by that artificial arbitrary deadline. But there’s always a bull market somewhere. And good news for all you home-gamers is…the NFL Draft is right around the corner, and the combine just concluded.
We updated out second round mock a couple days ago. And a new update for both rounds will be here by Monday.
In the meantime, this is the first of two lightning rounds of winners and two more of losers from Indy.
By Paul M. Banks
Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
The Michigan Wolverines transfer came off as the biggest malcontent train wreck of the entire combine. Already a character risk, Mallett did not deny doing drugs in an interview and later went into a screaming tirade on reporters. It’s safe to say he “didn’t interview well.”
Journalists started referring to him as being in the same breadth as another Ryan- Leaf. If that doesn’t make your draft stock into junk bonds then I don’t know what does. He’s become a real life football version of Nuke LaLoosh from Bull Durham: “million dollar arm, ten cent head.” This once potential first round, then potential second round pick is now 6th round at best. He’ll be lucky if even gets that.
Jeremy Beal, DE, Oklahoma
Once thought to be a first or second pick, Beal struggled mightily during Senior Bowl week, and ran a terrible 5.13 in the 40. He’s now in the “late-round flier” pile now.
Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
His draft stock survived all the scandal and suspension that rocked the Tar Heel defense at the start of the season, but it took a major hit early this week when he posted a 4.7 in the 40.
Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
Scouts were not impressed that he only did 21 reps of 225 on the bench press, and his arms ended up measuring a couple inches shorter than would be ideal. It’s probably clear now that he won’t be the #1 offensive tackle taken in the draft.
Written by Paul M. Banks, President and CEO of The Sports Bank.net, a Midwest webzine. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, the Tribune’s blog network, Walter Football, Yardbarker Network, and Fox Sports
He does a weekly radio segment on Chicagoland Sports Radio.com and Cleveland.com
You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank