Each year, NFL draft geeks dial in to hang on every word in the Mike Mayock draft gospel. That conference call happened Tuesday and if you are interested in some of what he had to say, here are some of the highlights that may be of interest to you.
First off is his opinion of the overall draft class.
NFLN's Mike Mayock calls this draft class the deepest and best in 10 years. Top 20 pick in '14 is like top 10 pick in '13.
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) February 18, 2014
Mike Mayock thinks this is the best WR draft he's seen in years. #49ers picking at 30, same spot they took AJ Jenkins in 2012
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) February 18, 2014
Then again, you may want to take that with a grain of salt.
A quick Google search shows that this is the fourth consecutive year we've seen a draft this deep in 30 years
— Arrowhead Pride (@ArrowheadPride) February 18, 2014
Then we move to his opinion on the quarterbacks
Mayock: Manziel looks like combination of Doug Flutie and Fran Tarkenton.
— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) February 18, 2014
Mayock on Manziel: I feel like doesn’t like being confined in pocket. Do believe has arm strength, athletic ability, passion for game.
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) February 18, 2014
Mike Mayock: Johnny Manziel "is different than any quarterback I've ever [evaluated]. But I believe in the kid."
— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) February 18, 2014
Vibe I got from Mayock on Manziel is that he thinks he's a top-10 pick, perhaps top five. Has him as his No. 2 QB behind Teddy. #Jaguars
— Hays Carlyon (@HaysCarlyon) February 18, 2014
Mike Mayock thinks Blake Bortles is the least developed of big three quarterbacks. Wants to see him live to get a feel for arm strength.
— Matthew Fairburn (@MatthewFairburn) February 18, 2014
Mayock: "I think all 3 top-rated QBs could play for the #Browns. Bortles is least developed, Bridgewater most ready, Manziel "it'' factor''
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) February 18, 2014
Mike Mayock said Teddy Bridgewater is the most ready because of the offense he played in. Reads whole field, throws to all levels of field.
— Matthew Fairburn (@MatthewFairburn) February 18, 2014
Mayock: The more tape I watch of Bridgewater, Manziel and Bortles, the more questions I have. I could pick apart all 3 of them.
— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) February 18, 2014
Mayock: If I'm GM of #Texans, I'm trying to get comfortable with one of these QBs. I'm intrigued by Manziel.
— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) February 18, 2014
Mayock: Derek Carr not a Pro Bowl-type starter in @NFL, but he'll be a competent starter.
— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) February 18, 2014
Mayock: Jimmy Garappolo helped himself at @Shrine_Game + @seniorbowl. Went from mid-to-late round question mark to 2nd or 3rd rounder.
— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) February 18, 2014
Mayock: Without injury, still don't think Zach Mettenberger is 1st- or 2nd-rounder. Not a guy who can start from Day One.
— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) February 18, 2014
Ok, enough with the quarterbacks. Let's move onto the other offensive skill position players.
Mike Mayock says 'Sammy Watkins has the toughness. He blocks people. He's got an attitude like he wants to be the best player there is.'
— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) February 18, 2014
Mayock: @ClemsonTigers' Sammy Watkins is special player. Usually don't get excited about drafting a WR in top 10. He's different.
— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) February 18, 2014
NFL analyst Mike Mayock says one of the guys he's most intrigued to see at the combine later this week is former UO tight end Colt Lyerla.
— Rob Moseley (@DuckFootball) February 18, 2014
Mayock said wants to see how Lyerla handles himself at the combine. "He’s a gifted, gifted kid, but he’s got a bunch of off-field issues."
— Rob Moseley (@DuckFootball) February 18, 2014
Mayock: Mike Evans and Marqise Lee should be picked in 10-20 range.
— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) February 18, 2014
The internet draft community hates Bishop Sankey. Mike Mayock loves him. I'm sensing a change in the former's opinion.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyedNESN) February 18, 2014
Mike Mayock says he'd be surprised if Eric Ebron is still there for Ravens' first-round pick
— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) February 18, 2014
Mayock: One of my favorite players in draft is LSU's Jarvis Landry. Reminds me a little bit of Hines Ward.
— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) February 18, 2014
Mayock: @WinTheDay's De'Anthony Thomas a wild card. Probably goes somewhere in 4th-round area.
— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) February 18, 2014
Let's move to the defensive side of the ball. And we start with the pass rushers (of course).
Mike Mayock thinks Jadeveon Clowney is a better football player with more upside than Mario Williams coming out.
— Matthew Fairburn (@MatthewFairburn) February 18, 2014
Mike Mayock on Jadaveon Clowney: 'I know he has the physical makeup to be the best player in the draft. What's his mental makeup?'
— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) February 18, 2014
#NFLdraft conference call today. NFL Network's Mike Mayock thinks Buffalo LB Khalil Mack is Top 5 pick & here's why http://t.co/aL0fDnH0db
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) February 18, 2014
Mayock: "I put in the tape against Ohio State and [Khalil Mack] blew them up. On the edge ... and he was dropping into coverage. Then, he had a one-handed interception against Kent State. He runs like a safety. ... "An elite edge guy is like gold. And he hustles. I have yet to find a hole in his game."
Mike Mayock really liked Kony Ealy's Texas A&M tape. Says he's a natural edge guys with bend and toughness. Plays all across the front.
— Matthew Fairburn (@MatthewFairburn) February 18, 2014
Mayock said if a QB the Jaguars love isn't there, both Clowney and Mack make sense at No. 3. Also mentioned WR as an area of concern.
— Matthew Fairburn (@MatthewFairburn) February 18, 2014
Mike Mayock on Michael Sam: 'Natural edge rush guy, better forward than going backwards, LB size, but skill set of DE. Tough fit.'
— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) February 18, 2014
And a few takes on cornerbacks.
Mayock: @MSU_Football's Darqueze Dennard a top-15 pick. My favorite CB in draft.
— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) February 18, 2014
#49ers are thin on cornerbacks. NFL Network's Mike Mayock says this draft has "pretty good corners three to four rounds deep"
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) February 18, 2014
Mayock likes Verrett as his ideal slot corner. Size puts him inside.
— SI_DougFarrar (@SI_DougFarrar) February 18, 2014
#NFLDraft RT @NFL_CFB: Mayock: Lamarcus Joyner compares to Tyrann Mathieu. Similar explosiveness, fit in NFL.
— Pro Football Writers (@PFWAwriters) February 18, 2014
Mayock thinks Darqueze Dennard and Justin Gilbert will be gone when the Bengals are on the clock.
— Matthew Fairburn (@MatthewFairburn) February 18, 2014
Mike Mayock said he thinks South Carolina CB Victor Hampton has second round talent but may not go that early.
— Matthew Fairburn (@MatthewFairburn) February 18, 2014
Mike Mayock said Utah CB Keith McGill has the ability to be a second or third round pick but needs to be more consistent.
— Matthew Fairburn (@MatthewFairburn) February 18, 2014
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