2016 NFL Draft Scouting Notebook for Week 10

The people of Lincoln, Nebraska, are very proud of two things: their football team and their chicken-fried steak. Both were amazing when I was in town to scout the Michigan State vs. Nebraska game last weekend. Coming off that trip, this week's Notebook will lean heavily toward the Big Ten matchup, but also the news and notes I collected throughout the week.

But back to Lincoln for a bit. I've lived my whole life in the Midwest and probably take for granted that "charm" we in the middle of the country are known for. And with this job I get to travel a lot. I've never encountered nicer people than those in Lincoln.

With two scouting assistants along for the ride, we were consistently blown away at the overall courtesy and niceness the people showed. You can't walk into a diner in Lincoln for breakfast without being chatted up by the old couples in line, and even on the crowded streets surrounding Memorial Stadium before kickoff, pedestrians were giving vehicles the right of way. Maybe that's normal where you live, but it was one of the most remarkable things about this trip.

If you get a chance to visit Lincoln, do it. And go to Cook's Cafe for chicken-fried steak. Oh my goodness.

OK, now on to some football.

The Scout's Report

— I wrote last week about my frustration with media outlets using the number of scouts in attendance at a game as a click-bait headline. I also wrote that there are times when it's interesting to note a high or low number of scouts for a game, or if a certain team has multiple scouts at the game. So, having covered my bases there, it was interesting to me that only five teams (Seattle, Denver, St. Louis, Miami and Carolina) were in attendance in Lincoln, and of those the Seahawks had two scouts watching the Michigan State vs. Nebraska game.

— One nugget I did pick up from a team source in Lincoln is that defensive tackle Vincent Valentine is likely to join linemate Maliek Collins in testing the NFL draft waters this winter. Valentine may not declare, but he's at least doing his due diligence and finding out where his stock would be.

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

— "We can officially stop talking about Trevone Boykin." That's what one scout texted me in the fourth quarter of TCU's loss to Oklahoma State. I was never on the Boykin bandwagon as a quarterback prospect, though, and see his NFL position at wide receiver given that's where he started his college career.

— File this name away for two more months: Roger Lewis, wide receiver, Bowling Green. There have been a lot of quiet talks and emails surrounding Lewis this past week, and I'm told by several scouts and team sources that he's leaning toward entering the draft. Lewis, who originally committed to Ohio State out of high school, has off-field issues to thoroughly investigate, but the 21-year-old has been dominant on the field at BG this fall.

Bruce Crummy/Associated Press

— North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz is one of my favorite prospects in this class, and in talking to team sources this week, they believe he will be ready for the 2016 Senior Bowl in late January coming off a broken wrist.

— Denver Kirkland is my top-rated guard, and I realized this week that not many people have heard of him. The junior left tackle at Arkansas has handled speed and power well this year, but ultimately he looks like a great candidate to kick inside to left guard.

— I've been asked a lot about Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich on Twitter, and looking back at my summer notes, I gave him an undrafted free agent grade. Before starting on his senior film, I asked around to area scouts to see if he should be a priority watch, and all three responded he was in the sixth- or seventh-round range. Great college production, but he's seen as not agile enough and more of an overachiever.

— Thursday afternoon, SiriusXM radio host Chris Childers tweeted that TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson was out for the year with a wrist injury, according to their interview with Gary Patterson. But wait a minute—after listening to the audio again after the show and contacting Patterson for clarity, it was found that Doctson isn't out and will play this weekend. Doctson, a senior, has a stable first-round grade heading into the last three weeks of the season.

Five Names to Know

5. DL No. 17 Jihad Ward, Illinois

The Illinois football team has a hidden star on the defensive line. Jihad Ward has been great so far this year, and his 6'5", 290-pound frame is ideal for a 3-4 defensive end. He's earning a priority watch this weekend.

4. T No. 78 Jason Spriggs, Indiana

Jason Spriggs won't impress with power at the left tackle position, but he has good agility and length to use. I'll be watching him against a very stout and very disciplined Michigan defense to see if Spriggs is worth the top-50 talk I've heard from scouts.

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

3 QB No. 8 Kevin Hogan, Stanford

Hogan wasn't looked at as a draftable quarterback prospect heading into the season, but he's cleaned up his mechanics and his decision-making to a point where he could become a mid-round guy in this class.

2. QB No. 15 Dak Prescott, Mississippi State

Dak Prescott has seen his play as a pure passer, and a pocket player, really improve this season, but I'm still skeptical that his accuracy and decision-making are good enough for the pros. A marquee matchup against the talented Alabama defense will be a great test for Prescott.

1. T No. 62 Le'Raven Clark, Texas Tech

Clark hasn't been mentioned alongside top tackles Ronnie Stanley and Laremy Tunsil, but he's making his way into that next tier. A big game against Kansas State will help clear up my questions about his ability to handle power and not be a finesse blocker.

Scouting Report: Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State

Throughout the 2016 draft season, I'll highlight one draft prospect each week with a first-look scouting report.

No. 89 Edge Defender Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State (6'4", 256 lbs)

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Strengths: Flips around and plays strong-side DE. Has the body to gain muscle. Lean, lanky guy with long arms and narrow hips. Closes ground well in space and eats up yards with his stride. Gets his hands up to bat at the ball. Will get in 9-tech and can create pressure there. Uses his his length well and knows how to get his arms and hands involved to distract the passer.

Weaknesses: Don’t see him dominating. Uses length well but doesn't follow up with explosiveness. Lot of outside loops and long turns to the passer. Locks out blockers but doesn't battle much with hands/feet to break free when setting the edge to contain the run. Plays off the ground a lot.

Pro Comparison: Calvin Pace, New York Jets

The Big Board

You guys can't get enough mock drafts, and being the people-pleaser that I am, it's time for a new one. This week's mock draft is notable because Will Fuller (Notre Dame) has announced he's staying in school, and the picture at other positions is starting to come into focus.

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Detroit	DT Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
2	San Diego	EDGE Joey Bosa, Ohio State
3	Cleveland	QB Jared Goff, Cal
4	Jacksonville	FS Jalen Ramsey, FSU
5	Tennessee	CB Vernon Hargreaves, Florida
6	Baltimore	WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss
7	Dallas	LB Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
8	San Francisco	T Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
9	Miami	T Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
10	Chicago	LB Myles Jack, UCLA
11	Kansas City	QB Paxton Lynch, Memphis
12	Tampa Bay	DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson
13	Houston	NT Kenny Clark, UCLA
14	Washington	CB Mackensie Alexander, Clemson
15	New Orleans	WR Josh Doctson, TCU
16	Indianapolis	T Jack Conklin, Michigan State
17	Oakland	LB Su'a Cravens, USC
18	St. Louis	CB Tre'Davious White, LSU
19	Philadelphia	QB Connor Cook, Michigan State
20	Seattle	WR Corey Coleman, Baylor
21	Buffalo	EDGE Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky
22	Pittsburgh	FS Jayron Kearse, Clemson
23	New York Giants	RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
24	New York Jets	QB Christian Hackenberg, Penn State
25	Atlanta	LB Reggie Ragland, Alabama
26	Arizona	EDGE Jordan Jenkins, Georgia
27	Green Bay	NT Andrew Billings, Baylor
28	Minnesota	WR Michael Thomas, Ohio State
29	Denver	T Jerald Hawkins, LSU
30	Cincinnati	DE Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State
31	Carolina	T Taylor Decker, Ohio State
32	New England	forfeited—suspension

Parting Shots  

5. The Houston Texans made Jadeveon Clowney the No. 1 pick of the 2014 draft, and so far he's repaid them with one career sack. What's most concerning is that Clowney seems to be consistently injured. Using Rotoworld.com's player search, here are the times Clowney has been on the injury report in 1.5 seasons:

• 2014, Preseason: Groin
• 2014, Preseason: Concussion
• 2014, Weeks 1-8: Knee
• 2014, Week 9: Illness
• 2014, Week 11: Knee (injured reserve)
• 2015, Week 6: Ankle
• 2015, Week 10: Lower Back

4. With Colin Kaepernick benched, Christian Ponder cut and the combination of Andy Dalton and Cam Newton undefeated so far this year, this seemed like a good time to revisit my predraft quarterback rankings for the 2011 class:

• QB1: No. 9 overall, Andy Dalton
• QB2: No. 10 overall, Cam Newton
• QB3: No. 17 overall, Blaine Gabbert
• QB4: No. 28 overall, Christian Ponder
• QB5: No. 35 overall, Ryan Mallett
• QB6: No. 38 overall, Colin Kaepernick
• QB7: No. 43 overall, Jake Locker

Obviously there are a few here I'd like to have back, but what's most notable is how differently we'd judge these rankings one year ago. Or two years ago. After the 2013 season, I'd imagine a lot of people would argue Kaepernick was the best of them all, but now he's third by default with a huge gap between himself, Dalton and Newton.

And speaking of Dalton, fans booed the guy this summer, and now he's an MVP candidate on an undefeated team.

The moral of the story: We are way too quick to judge players, and way too quick to judge predraft rankings.

3. Fans tend to rejoice when their team gets the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, but looking at recent history, getting the first pick is no guarantee of landing a stud player. In fact, over the last 10 drafts, 50 percent of the players drafted No. 1 overall could be considered outright busts or bad picks in general.

2015: QB Jameis Winston

— Too early to judge, but he looks like the real deal.

2014: DE Jadeveon Clowney

— As mentioned above, he's rarely been on the field. With the Texans' need at quarterback, this looks like a bad pick.

2013: T Eric Fisher

— Fisher is playing better, and the 2013 class was ugly, but this was still a bad pick by Kansas City.

2012: QB Andrew Luck

— Say what you want about his recent struggles; Luck is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

2011: QB Cam Newton

— The Panthers made a tough decision here, and it definitely worked out. Cam is an MVP candidate.

2010: QB Sam Bradford

— Chalk it up to injuries if you want. This was a bad pick by the St. Louis Rams when viewed with hindsight.

2009: QB Matthew Stafford

— This one can go either way. He's still young and has been a seven-year starter for the Lions, but his struggles have some fans wanting a new quarterback.

2008: T Jake Long

— Long was great when healthy, but his body simply broke down on him.

2007: QB JaMarcus Russell

— Maybe the worst pick in NFL draft history.

2006: DE Mario Williams

— Williams was a great pick in a really talented draft class.

2. Notre Dame wide receiver Will Fuller made news this week when he announced he would return for his senior season in 2016 and not declare for the upcoming NFL draft. I've sheltered myself from opinions on Twitter regarding this but can't imagine anyone faulting Fuller.

He has the opportunity to get his degree from one of the best universities in the country, and by returning for 2016 he gives the Fighting Irish a key piece on what should once again be a very, very good football team. And honestly, it's not like Fuller is a can't-miss, complete player. He has holes to his game (he's averaging a drop per game when I chart him) and can use work as a route-runner on breaking routes.

Sure, there's a risk of injury, but there's a risk of injury every day at practice too. Fuller is a football player, and staying one more year at Notre Dame shouldn't be criticized.

1. Please, can we never do this #ColorRush thing again? Us colorblind folks are begging you.

Matt Miller covers the NFL and NFL draft for Bleacher Report.