NFL Draft Rumors: What Executives Are Saying About Potential Jets Targets

Bob McGinn, a Packers writer, had an interesting article earlier this week. He spoke with personnel executives from five NFL teams on some of the top NFL Draft prospects. His article is worth a read.

What you cannot do is draw definitive conclusions on players based on the views of a handful of people. I do think it is worth examining because it shows you the way executives approach player evaluation.

Here are a few things people are saying about players getting Jets buzz.

Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama: 6-1, 247. Started two of four years. "Ragland is a great kid, great leader, great person, great worker," said one scout with intimate knowledge of the Crimson Tide program. "His speed is good enough." Dropped 12 pounds in the last month, presumably in hopes of running a competitive 40 Sunday. Several scouts said he wasn't as good as D.J. Mosley, the Alabama ILB who went in the first round to Baltimore in 2014. Scored 10 in first attempt at the Wonderlic. "Alabama runs probably the toughest defense in college football to understand, and he ran the show," another scout said. "He had to bide his time to run the show. He did it only his senior year. He's a pretty serious football player. Very tough, very athletic, could cover really well. Mosley is a little more versatile than Ragland but Ragland can take the pounding a little bit more."

Ezekiel Elliott*, RB, Ohio State: 6-0, 225. Two-year starter with 592 carries for 3,961 yards (6.7) and 43 TDs. "He's a complete three-down back," one scout said. "He's really good." Stunned some scouts by telling reporters after loss to Michigan State that he didn't get the ball enough and was done as a Buckeye. "Declaring for the draft and making those statements right after a loss were very disappointing," another scout said. "Is he a selfish player? Is it all about him? He's going to have to answer a lot of questions." Ran a 4.47 40.

Leonard Floyd*, OLB, Georgia: 6-6, 244. Fourth-year junior. "He has a DeMarcus Ware kind of body," one scout said. "Could play D-end, could play outside backer. Has first-round traits and some third-round, fourth-round inconsistency." Started 32 of 38 games, finishing with 17 sacks. "His lack of bulk and strength is going to be a concern for some teams," another scout said. "He's got good pass-rush skills and instincts. People will be concerned about him because of Barkevious Mingo and Dion Jordan in recent years."