Although the 2017 rookie quarterback pool has been heavily scrutinized this offseason, teams are warming up to select signal-callers as the draft nears. While this shouldn’t be unexpected, given the position’s scarcity at the sport’s highest level, Charlie Casserly of NFL.com and Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter link) hear two QBs could well be taken in the top 10. A GM told Casserly he expects two quarterbacks to be taken in the top nine picks, meaning the Bills — who have been linked to passers at 10 — could have to look elsewhere if they don’t trade up. Miller points to Mitch Trubisky and Patrick Mahomes as the players most likely to be those top-nine choices, while a 22-team survey from Casserly produced Trubisky or Deshaun Watson as the quarterbacks teams identify as this draft’s best.
Here’s more from this draft pool, with the three-day event less than six days away.
- Reuben Foster has been linked as high as No. 2 overall to the 49ers, but since, the former Alabama linebacker has run into off-field trouble on multiple fronts. And Miller hears a Myles Jack-like fall could be in store for the talented ‘backer. Viewed as a top-five talent in 2016, Jack plummeted to the Jaguars at No. 36 last year because of a severe injury he suffered while at UCLA. Foster falling out of the first round based strictly on character issues would stand as a surprise. A failed drug test and his forced exit from the Combine indeed raise red flags, but Foster has been viewed as the top off-the-ball linebacker in this draft throughout the process. It would take a lot of linebacker-needy teams to pass on him for this freefall to commence. PFR’s Zach Links asked whether Foster was going to fall out of the top 10 earlier today; slinking out of the top 32 would be something else entirely.
- Regarding other possible falling stocks, Miller hears John Ross and Dalvin Cook may fall out of the first round as well. The Florida State back has not seen much momentum since the Combine, with a low SPARQ score accompanying a past that includes some troublesome signs. Ross underwent surgery after the Combine to repair a torn labrum but did set the event’s modern record with a 4.22-second 40-yard dash time. This isn’t the first time Miller’s warned about concerns around Ross potentially causing a slippage for the Washington-developed speedster.
- Ross’ agent, Brad Cicala, attempted to address concerns that there’s more to Ross’ medical history. Ross underwent two surgeries to correct knee problems in early 2015, per Cicala, but did not undergo two ACL procedures. “Despite recent reports, John Ross III has never sustained 2 ACL injury’s (sic) nor has he had 2 ACL surgeries,” Cicala wrote (via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, Facebook link) “In January of 2015 he endured surgery on his right lateral meniscus and in April of 2015 he had surgery on his left ACL.” Cicala adds that Ross has been deemed “ahead of schedule” in his recovery from the labrum surgery, with the wideout expected to be ready by training camp.
- Miller is hearing Mixon’s name connected to the second round. One team to meet with the runner has a need at running back but is connected to a higher-profile name. The Raiders met with the Oklahoma product who grew up in the Bay Area, and Reggie McKenzie was satisfied with the embattled running back’s answers. “We thought he was a really good kid,” McKenzie said Friday, via Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “He came off really well. He explained each and every thing. The questions that we had, he had an explanation. He was upfront about everything.” Mark Davis is associated with having a “zero tolerance” policy on domestic violence, and the Raiders are currently negotiating with Marshawn Lynch. So, this would be an interesting fit, to say the least.
- Former USC wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster said the Rams and Cowboys have shown the most interest in him, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The Los Angeles-based wideout said he would like to play for the Chargers last month.
1) what happen to the article about mixon being “undraftable”?
2) for the millionth time, mixons incident wasn’t domestic freakin violence so it doesn’t matter if your team had a zero tolerance policy on it.
Yea… it was assault. Domestic violence implies they were a couple, cohabitants, or related. If he broke a guy’s jaw it’s the same thing… assault.
The only reason the civil suit was dropped when it happened was b/c he wasn’t about to cash in on a pay-day.
Why do you feel the need to defend a woman beater?
Don’t see it as defending a ‘woman beater’ just people not using the correct terminology. It’s annoying.
Given that RV is already taken for recreational vehicle, it won’t work for Restaurant Violence! If your team has a a zero tolerance policy on DV then you can assume it also applies to cracking the face of a woman in a restaurant. Idiot!
Leonard Little killed someone driving drunk – played 11 seasons after that. Donte Stallworth same thing, played 3 more seasons after that. Mike Vick – dog abuse, killing dogs, which happens to be one of the early warning signs of a serial killer, played 7 years after jail time.
Since you like to ASSUME… you’d assume that killing means you don’t get a 2nd crack at the NFL right? right? Last time I checked killing is worse than punching someone in the face.
Tyreek hill tried to kill his unborn child and in celebrated in KC. In no way am I defending his actions but this “holier than thou crap” some teams are pulling is laughable at best. He is gone in the second round.
This is the NFL as long as you’ve got a lot of talent and not in jail, you’re in the league.
“This is the NFL as long as you’ve got a lot of talent and not [currently] in jail, you’re in the league.”
…Fixed lol
Mixon is going to get drafted higher then people expected. His talent is way too good and from all the reports, he has been totally cooperative with all the interviewing teams. A lot of them coming back with rave reviews about him. I wouldn’t mind him in a lions uniform.
I think he goes before the end of the 1st TBH either a team already there or one that trades back in. Like a middle-of-nowhere team he can survive the lack of PR. Like… Minnesota or Green Bay or the Chiefs.
There’s still a bunch of backs out there, but all will cost more than Mixon on a rookie deal. Doug Martin will prob also hit the market if the Bucs take Cook.