The DA Draft Buzz: February 3rd
While media and fans focus on Sunday’s Super Bowl, war rooms around the league are preparing for the combine and getting draft boards in order. Several highly rated players are dropping down boards while sleepers few notice are slotting into the draft’s second day. Here’s the latest
DA Draft Buzz.
The ankle injury to Corey Davis of Western Michigan could not have come at a worse time. Sources tell me several teams have Davis neck-and–neck at the top of their receiver board with Mike Williams of Clemson.
Chad Hansen of Cal and Carlos Henderson of Louisiana Tech are two sleeper wide outs receiving second day consideration (2nd/3rd round) from a number of teams.Hansen, the Idaho State transfer, had a breakout season totaling 92 receptions, 1249 yards and 11 TD’s last year. The numbers on Henderson included 82 catches, 1535 yards and 19 TD’s. Combine measurables and testing will be critical for both juniors.
The more people I speak with the more it seems Desmond King has locked himself out of the first round and now projects as a day two/round two player. Leaving Mobile many felt King was badly exposed during Senior Bowl practice and has more limitations than first thought.
Meanwhile Chidobe Awuzie of Colorado and Justin Evans of Texas A&M are two defensive backs quickly moving up draft boards. I’m told Evans, who had two solid practices at the
Senior Bowl before sitting out Thursday with injury, is expected to blow up the combine and put up Byron Jones type numbers. The belief is Evans could land in the late part of round one and I've heard his name linked with the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys presently have four defensive backs up for free agency including two safety’s, starter Barry Church and JJ Wilcox. Awuzie was unable to participate in the Senior Bowl due to a toe injury but teams like his versatility and ability to play a variety of defensive back positions. As mentioned during our
January 3rd Draft Buzz, a few teams believe Awuzie could make the seamless transition to safety and develop into a starter.
Earlier this week I noted the New York Giants were high on South Alabama tight end
Gerald Everett. During the same conversation I was alerted the team is also very high on David Njoku of Miami.
The buzz continues to build around offensive tackle Garett Bolles. As posted earlier this week Bolles has been stamped the superior athlete from this year’s offensive tackle class and several people have told me for a month now he’s the best left tackle in the draft. Bolles is likely to measure a shade under 6-feet/5-inches at the combine, which may turn a few teams off, but from what I’m hearing don’t be surprised if he lands in the top half of round one.