2014 NFL Draft News: Jadeveon Clowney, Brandin Cooks
South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) runs off the field after the second quarter of the Capital One Bowl against the Wisconsin Badgers held at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
South Carolina Gamecocks star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was measured at the Combine today, and the NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah tweeted out that Clowney measured in at 6’5″-and-a-quarter, 266 pounds and has 34 1/2-inch arms. He’s simply a beast, and he’s my top-ranked draft prospect overall. I’m sure Clowney will put up some eye-popping numbers at the Combine, so we should just sit back and enjoy the show (specifically the 40 time and agility drills).
The speculation that the Houston Texans could avoid picking a quarterback and instead pull Clowney off of the board doesn’t seem to be unfounded, as reliable draft insider Tony Pauline reports that the “feeling amongst people at the combine” is that Clowney “is most definitely” in play for the Texans with the first overall pick and believe he would be a great fit in Romeo Crennel’s defense. While I could see the Texans taking Clowney, I doubt they pass up on the chance to take the QB of their choice, especially since they are under a first-year head coach.
Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Brandin Cooks has been compared to wide receivers like Victor Cruz and Steve Smith, whom he molds his game after, and he is a very talented wideout who is a likely first-round pick. After an incredibly productive college season, Cooks is determined to do even more during pre-draft workouts to boost his draft stock further.
He said, via the Florida Times-Union’s Ryan O’Halloran, “I’m confident. And that’s that. What I say is what I’m going to do. And that’s my plan — step out there and put my word where my mouth is.”
Cooks may be small, but he has big hands and is more than just some slot playmaker; he can make plays downfield and can excel on the outside.