2012 NFL Draft: Weekend News and Updates for Draft's Hottest Prospects

It wouldn't be the weekend before the NFL draft without news and updates about this year's prospects flooding the airwaves. Here's a look at the impact that some of that news could have on players' draft stocks, including the the always timely pre-draft player arrest.

The player in hot water with the law is Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, who was the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year a season ago. However, that honor apparently did not impress Lincoln, Nebraska police, who were not amused when the 5'10", 204-pound senior assaulted one of them, according to the Omaha World-Herald:

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Lincoln police said Dennard, 22, was fighting with another man outside a bar near 14th and O Streets about 2:15 a.m.

When officers attempted to intervene, police said, Dennard allegedly pushed and then punched one officer in the face.

It took four police officers to take Dennard into custody, according to police.

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Dennard was once potentially viewed as a first-round prospect, but a horrible week of practice at the Senior Bowl and so-so workouts at the combine and his pro day raised speed concerns that knocked Dennard from first-round consideration.

With Dennard's arrest now raising the possibility that Dennard is a hothead (especially when added to his Capital One Bowl ejection for fighting with South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery), it's possible that Dennard may have just fought his way not only into a jail cell, but into the fourth or fifth round of the 2012 draft as well.

Dennard isn't the only player whose draft stock dropping. Greg Cosell of NFL Films, one of the NFL's most respected film gurus, tweeted Saturday that All-American offensive tackle Matt Kalil of USC is surprisingly not among the top 10 selections in his latest mock draft:

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Asked about Kalil. Here's 1 more tease. Was not in my top 10 picks. Remember, read my explanations/analysis on Monday. More important.

— Greg Cosell (@gregcosell) April 21, 2012

 

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It will be very interesting to hear Cosell's justification for dropping the 306-pound Kalil so far. He is easily the top prospect at a premium position this season after not allowing a single sack last season for the Trojans.

The possibility of Kalil actually dropping from the top 10 of next week's draft is slim to none, however. It's much more likely that Kalil will be selected in the top five, a sentiment echoed by Dan Wiederer of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

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At this point, with the NFL Draft four days away, it's difficult to find even a small collection of Kalil detractors. Ask the folks who have studied the star left tackle - the NFL coaches, scouts, general managers and draft analysts - and they all will sing a similar refrain: Kalil is as close to a can't-miss offensive line prospect as you'll find.

He's strong and athletic. His feet are quick, and his reach packs power. Best of all, he has an undeniable ferocity that fires his ambition to get better.

Realistically, Kalil could be a perennial Pro Bowler for the next 10 to 12 years.

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Finally, if the elder statesman of this year's quarterback class is to be believed, he may keep right on wearing orange in the NFL. Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden, who threw for over 4,700 yards last year for the Cowboys, told Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that he has a feeling that the Cleveland Browns may draft him next week. And the 6'4", 221-pound signal-caller relishes the opportunity of competing with Colt McCoy for the starting job under center in Cleveland.

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"I know Colt had a good year last year, and he's a good football player," Weeden said during a phone interview this week. "But I'm a competitor, and I want to play as soon as possible. I'd be excited about the opportunity to come in and compete with him and see how things pan out."

Weeden, 28, might get the opportunity to do just that. He's one of the players the Browns are considering with their second first-round pick (No. 22 overall) or their second-round choice (No. 37) in next week's NFL Draft, and they've shown plenty of interest.

"Yeah, they have," said Weeden. "You never how it's going to go, but I feel really good about how everything's gone with the Browns throughout this whole process. It would be exciting if I ended up there."

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However, as good of a player as Weeden may be and could become, spending a late first- or early second-round pick on him simply makes no sense for the Browns. His talents aside, Weeden remains a 28-year-old rookie. Even if he acclimates quickly to the NFL, then Cleveland's myriad of needs on offense make it likely that, by the time the Browns could build a contender around him, Weeden would already be the wrong side of 30.

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