2012 NFL Draft: Latest News, Buzz and Rumors from Around the League

With the 2012 NFL draft a little over a week ago, here is some of the latest news, buzz and rumors, including the off-the-field issues of Janoris Jenkins, the Indianapolis Colts' decision at No. 1 overall, what the Minnesota Vikings plan to do with Matt Kalil and the third overall pick and the Chicago Bears' potential interest in South Carolina receiver Alshon Jeffery. 

Jenkins Disputes Claims

Few players in the 2012 draft have been as thoroughly dissected from a character standpoint as North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins. Recent reports have indicated that Jenkins never quit his partying ways once he transferred from Florida, but Jenkins' side of the story hasn't yet to be heard.

Aaron Wilson of Scout.com sought out to change that in a recent telephone interview:  

"

I wasn't smoking marijuana at North Alabama. If anybody wants to know, they can give my coaches a call. I wasn't partying. They've been saying a lot of things about me that aren't true without getting my side of the story. It's been a humbling experience. 

"

Jenkins' position coach at North Alabama said that the talented cornerback took the transfer in stride and there wasn't any kind of trouble during his one year there. 

NFL teams have surely done their due diligence on Jenkins' time at North Alabama, so I'm sure most of them have the story straight. However, most draft analysts think Jenkins will fall out of the first round. 

Colts Have Decided?

While it hasn't been a secret for most of the draft process, the Indianapolis Colts have reportedly made a decision on the quarterback they will select No. 1 overall. GM Ryan Grigson did not reveal the player, but it is widely expected to be Stanford's Andrew Luck.

"We've exhausted the process," Grigson said through Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star. "Pretty much made up our mind."

Unless the Colts throw the football world a curveball, Luck will be the No. 1 overall pick. Grigson said that Indy will not reveal who the selection will be until next Thursday. 

Vikings Undecided at No. 3 overall?

The Minnesota Vikings have been considered a lock to take USC tackle Matt Kalil for the better part of four months. However, ESPN's Adam Schefter doesn't think the Vikings are set on taking the left tackle. 

"First two picks are locks. No. 3 is not," Schefter tweeted. "Minnesota strongly debating Morris Claiborne, Justin Blackmon, Ryan Kalil, even Michael Floyd."

Schefter is probably the most plugged-in national reporter in the NFL media, so what he's saying here carries some weight. Still, you have to wonder why the Vikings would think about taking Blackmon or Floyd, and cornerbacks rarely go as high as No. 3 overall. 

It's possible that the Vikings could be leaking this info in an effort to get a team biting on a trade for the third overall pick. 

Bears and Vikings in on Jeffery?

The Chicago Bears already pulled the trigger on a trade for receiver Brandon Marshall, but their pursuit for pass-catchers likely isn't over. 

Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago reported Tuesday that the Bears will host South Carolina receiver Alshon Jeffery for an official visit. 

"The Chicago Bears will host former South Carolina wideout Alshon Jeffery on an official visit to Halas Hall this week, according to a league source," Dickerson wrote.

Jeffery has been a tough prospect to gauge through the draft season, but it appears as if his stock has leveled in the late-first to early second-round range.

The Minnesota Vikings are another NFC North team with interest, according to Dickerson. The Vikings hold the No. 35 overall selection. 

"One of the teams to express a high-level of interest in Jeffery has been division rival Minnesota Vikings, according to the league source," Dickerson wrote.  

We don't expect Jeffery to last very long into the second round, if he even gets that far.