NFL Draft Rumors: 10 Prospects Whose Stock Is Plummeting
The draft is less than a week away and things are starting to come into focus. The combine is over, the workouts are ending and teams are deciding who deserves a shot at the next level. Last year we saw guys like Jimmy Clausen and Sergio Kindle slip down boards and out of the first round.
This year's class features a new bunch of guys turning teams off at the worst time possible.Whether it be incriminating Twitter posts, peculiar shoulder injuries or obnoxious arrogance, these ten are free-falling.
10. Penn State C Stefen Wisniewski
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Wisniewski’s stock has greatly benefited as a result of his bloodline. His father Leo played three seasons with the Colts. His uncle Steve was selected to eight Pro Bowls as a member of the Raiders and now contributes as their Asst. O-line coach.
Stefen started all four seasons at Penn State and remains one of the top interior offensive lineman in the draft. However, there are concerns about his size and initial burst off the line. He was once considered the equivalent to Mike Pouncey, but now projects a full round later. His potential is high, but teams are asking why.
9. Baylor DT Phil Taylor
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CBSSports.com reported that the Baylor defensive tackle has potential issues with his feet. Taylor’s medical results at the NFL combine have him falling down draft boards across the league. According to the report, the bones in both of Taylor’s feet are growing together.
This could be a long-term issue. At 340 lbs he has the size to be a force up the middle for 4-3 and 3-4 defenses. He’s generally projected to go toward the end of the first round, but these new developments could have him falling late into the second.
8. Washington QB Jake Locker
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It’s hard to say that Locker’s stock is truly falling, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him slip and slide down the board on April 28th. He’s part of a strong class and there are glaring concerns about his accuracy. If he had declared for last year’s draft, he would have likely been a top five pick. He’s no longer a guarantee to go in the first round.
Guys like Chris Ponder, Ryan Mallet and Andy Dalton could all go before the Washington alum as teams will take the guy they feel best fits their system. If teams are more impressed by the other prospects, Locker could slip late into the second round.
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7. Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn
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Clayborn’s health concerns are turning away several suitors. The former Hawkeyes captain suffers from Erb’s palsy, which can result in the random paralysis of the arm. His recent shoulder injury has teams questioning the severity of his condition. Imagine your team is set to make a big goal line stand and Clayborn has to come off the field. The results could be devastating.
Whichever team takes a flier on the talented DE will need to carefully balance the risk and reward. When Clayborn was younger, he was told he’d never play contact sports again. He has the athleticism and the skill-set to make it at the next level, but it remains to be seen whether or not he can stay healthy. Once projected as a top-15 pick, he could easily slip into the second round.
6. Will Hill S Florida
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Will Hill’s twitter posts reference more sex and drugs than a Wiz Khalifa album. The Florida safety forewent his senior year of college and initially projected as a second or third round pick. He has since seen his stock fall dramatically due to the reassurance of his immaturity on his twitter page. Hill frequently discusses drug-use through his tweets and isn’t shy about his sex-life either.
If NFL front offices are keeping up with their social media, then it will be extremely difficult for any team to take a risk on the 21 year-old.
5. Alabama RB Mark Ingram
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Mark Ingram’s stock has fallen far. Once considered the prize of this year’s class, the Alabama running back is no longer the unanimous choice for best RB on the board. Guys like Mikel LeShoure (Illinois) and Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech) are getting high marks and concerns about Ingram’s size and health are diminishing his value.
If Ingram doesn’t go to the Dolphins at 15, he could easily slip to the very end of the first round (Patriots’ second pick at 28). There has been word that the Patriots might pass on Ingram, even at 28, as there will be better value at RB in the second and third rounds.
4. Clemson DE Da’Quan Bowers
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Bowers’ knee (torn meniscus) has him falling from first overall, to the latter half of the first round. Drafting a player with an injury can pay off in the later rounds, but when you’re talking about the first few picks of the draft, you want either immediate impact or the future face of a franchise. Bowers had 16 sacks in 2010, he only had four in the two years prior.
If he slips, Bowers will provide great value and talent. However, teams will always fear any knee related injury. He should go somewhere between the 20th and 30th pick overall.
3. Colorado CB Jimmy Smith
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Smith is still considered by some teams, the third best CB in this draft. Others have completely taken him off of their boards. Smith struggled in interviews at the combine, and his history of failed drug tests has teams saying no. Smith, who once projected as a mid-first rounder, will likely fall in to the second round. Rather than addressing his past mistakes, Smith has only made excuses.
A lot of players have found success in the NFL despite character issues going in, but Smith’s head is growing too big for an NFL helmet.
2. Auburn DT Nick Fairley
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Following Auburn’s impressive title run, Fairley was considered a lock at number one overall. Perhaps overzealous due to success, Fairley’s character has become a major concern. It was recently reported that Fairley blew off a meeting with the Miami Dolphin’s front office and he has been far from impressive in interviews. At Auburn, Fairley was known as a dirty player. The NFL will have no part of this and teams are being turned off by this suspicion.
Even if he can get in shape and show teams that he’s got an NFL head on his shoulders, he’ll still slip to the middle of the first.
1. Ryan Mallet QB Arkansas
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Mallet has a strong arm and experience in a pro-style offense. He also has refused to deny drug allegations and has turned teams off completely with his smug interview style. The ego of the Arkansas QB has him drawing comparisons to guys like Ryan Leaf and JP Losman. Leaf is now regarded as the worst bust in NFL history. Losman, who once challenged the media for ranking him behind Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, and Phillip Rivers, is now a third-stringer for Seattle.
There is no question that the guy can throw the ball, but intangibles at the QB position can make or break an NFL career.
Follow me on twitter: @Nick_Marro
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