The hot daughter is in there somewhere.
The Herald spoke with a bunch of NFL scouts to see where some of this year’s seniors would shake out in next April’s NFL Draft:
- (Jimmy) Graham “is looking at the third or fourth round assuming he runs well and catches well at his pro day.” One team has him ranked 60th among all seniors.
- Two scouts disagreed about whether (Jason) Fox has the body to play left tackle in the NFL. “He’s not a big, thick guy. He might need to move inside,” one said. Said (NFL Draft expert Mike) Mayock: “Limited power, needs to get stronger. Most guys I talk to have him in the fourth, fifth round.”
- Mayock said “a lot of people like Javarris James because he can block” — though one scout said he wouldn’t draft him “because he can’t stay healthy. He doesn’t have the speed to consistently get outside.” . . . Cornerback Sam Shields “will run fast at Pro Day and could be a late draftable kid,” Mayock said. . . . One scout rated tight end Dedrick Epps as a mid-to-late-round prospect because of his receiving skills.
- Scout feedback on the top juniors: Allen Bailey “will be better in the NFL than college; second-rounder if he comes out now, could be top-10 pick if he stays” and improves; Orlando Franklin “could rise to a first- or second-rounder” if he plays well at left tackle for UM in 2010; Graig Cooper is a potential “third-rounder because of speed, versatility, return ability.”
Most fans are wondering if Bailey should leave this year, namely to restart the streak of 1st round picks for the Canes. Look, that streak was incredible, and always will be. To care about a semi-arbitrary record, when Bailey could be greatly needed on next year’s potential run for the national title, is something I will not agree with. Miami alums take care of themselves at the next level. In the NFL, every year is like a contract year if you are not a quarterback¹. I look at that scout’s breakdown of this year’s class and am ecstatic. Miami should have at least five players taken in this year’s draft, a fantastic showing in Randy Shannon’s third year. Bring back as many players as possible, get 11 or 12 wins next year, and then I’ll be happy to see Bailey and Brandon Harris taken in the 1st round, and we can all rejoice at the streak being broken a mere two years.
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¹With the NFL labor agreement expiring this year, it would be the stupidiest move in the history of contracted labor talks if the players association doesn’t get some form of guaranteed money. Personally, I don’t want what the NBA has. You get 90% of the league playing hard once every five seasons; pretty much whenever they have a contract year or are in trade talks for an extension. I’d like to see something in between. An example 5 year deal: First two years guaranteed, third year 75% guaranteed, and the last two seasons 25% guaranteed, with a salary cap penalty to a team that cuts a player who is not injured.
