What Lincoln is Thinkin’ - NFL Draft Preview

What Lincoln is Thinkin' - Draft Preview

ROBERT AYERS (DE) - Marlboro County High School (University of Tennessee)

The former Bulldog has impressed some NFL scouts, but he's got plenty of red flags which put him anywhere from the high teens to out of the first round. Ayers came out of Clio as the second ranked prospect in the state, but he didn't do anything for Tennessee until his senior year. He also was suspended for two games for an alleged assault, and sulked when they moved him from linebacker to defensive line. His senior year, he behaved, and had a great season, leading the team in TFL's. He'll play defensive end, and has impressed scouts with a various amount of moves and speed. He lacks overwhelming agility or strength, and his attitude is still under question.

TAKEN: 18th overall by the Broncos.

MICHAEL HAMLIN (S) - Lamar (Clemson University)

Hamlin was one of the most productive safeties in his America his final two years in the Upstate. Hamlin has good size, at 6'2", 217, compared to other safeties in this draft. His intelligence and ability to force turnovers is what attracts many NFL teams to Hamlin, even though he's not known for being the biggest hitter. His only slightly above average speed (ran a 4.62 40 at the combine) and durability questions (broke both feet while at Clemson) keep him from being one of the first few safeties taken off the board.

TAKEN: Tough to gauge. I have Hamlin in the top 5 in safeties, but I worry that teams will think he might not be fast enough to play free safety in the NFL. I'm going middle of the third round.

JARED COOK (TE) - University of South Carolina

Cook had the fastest 40 time at the combine among tight ends, and with his size - 6'5" 246 lbs. - he's rocketed up most draft boards. One nagging question for many scouts must be - with his size and speed, why wasn't he more active in his Gamecocks career? While seeming to have all the talent and tools in the world, scouts say Cook lacked precision in his routes, and often seemed disinterested while blocking at USC. But this is the NFL, and sometimes talent and tools are everything. So Cook should go Day 1.

TAKEN: Second round. I have him as the second tight end off the board behind Brandon Pettigrew from Oklahoma State. Eagles, Falcons, Panthers all among teams who may look TE in second round.

CULLEN HARPER (QB) - Clemson University

With the pressure loaded on his shoulders, Harper cracked his senior season in the Upstate. They say you're only as good as how you play, and Harper showed he could be wildly inaccurate and make poor decisions, even with a load of talent around him. He has good size for a quarterback, but only adequate arm strength. He struggled during Senior Bowl week as well. You could argue, he hasn't looked good for a year.

TAKEN: 7th round. Only about 12 quarterbacks get taken in each draft. Harper is dangerously close to that cutoff.

JAMES DAVIS (RB) - Clemson University

Davis was earmarked for a late second/early third round selection last year but decided to come back to school for his senior season. He would be lucky to get drafted that high this year. He's a strong all-around running back - good size, strength, and speed. But he doesn't have great characteristics. Is he short-yardage back in the NFL? He's probably not strong enough, and at times struggled running up the gut. Is he a third down back in the NFL? He's not great at catching the ball. Is he an every down back? He wasn't that at Clemson. Tough to see a team using an early round pick when there are other running backs out there.

TAKEN: Late fourth round, early fifth round. I have him as the 10th best running back on the board.

JAMON MEREDITH (OL) - South Carolina

The man is huge - 6'5" 300, and has the right size and arm length to be a good left tackle in the NFL. He's a smart player, but needs to improve his footwork at the next level. Also has a history of ankle injuries, which will hurt him this weekend.

TAKEN: Meredith is definitely one of the top 10 offensive tackles in this draft. The question is, how quickly will the ones ahead of him go? I'm going to say Meredith hears his name early third round. He might even sneak into the second.

AARON KELLY (WR) - Clemson University

Great size and hands, but speed is not there to make him an elite receiver. He's more of a possession guy, but still did not use his size enough to his advantage at some times. Plus, when was the last time a Clemson receiver had success in the NFL?

TAKEN: 6th round. There is a great class of receivers in this draft. In fact, Kenny McKinley may get the call before Kelly does.

MARRIO NORMAN (S) - Coastal Carolina University

There will be no early draft pick for the Chanticleers this year, Norman is their best bet of being taken. Norman was the leader on defense in the time that he was able to stay on the field. A variety of injuries may be the thing that scares enough NFL scouts away. But Mike Tolbert and Quinton Teal weren't drafted and they're having NFL success now.

TAKEN: Nope. Gets a rookie free agent deal, though

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