2014 NFL Draft News: Greg Robinson, Cody Latimer
Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Cody Latimer (3) runs with the ball after a catch in the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Sports
If Auburn Tigers star offensive tackle Greg Robinson declares, then he could be ranked as highly as the second-best tackle in the class behind Texas A&M Aggies star Jake Matthews. Fellow A&M tackle Cedric Ogbuehi and Michigan Wolverines standout Taylor Lewan are both excellent tackle prospects, but Robinson’s frame, upside, and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect that has some scouts salivating at his potential.
According to ESPN’s Joe Schad, Robinson stated that he received a first-round grade from the NFL Draft Advisory Board, and this committee does not give first round grades lightly. If a prospect gets rated a first-round pick by them, then that means they are a sure-fire first-round pick; Robinson definitely fits that bill and would be a sure-fire mid-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft if he chooses to declare.
But Robinson’s official decision is still up-in-the-air, and it seems like he is just downright torn. He said that while he wants to stay with Auburn and be with his teammates for another year (that can’t be underrated), he also wants to get his NFL payday to help his mom out. Ultimately, I can’t help but feel that Robinson will choose the draft in order to help out his family, especially since there’s always the threat of injury or falling draft stock next year. While those two aren’t likely, they have happened in the past and are a threat. Robinson has accomplished a lot in college (his team is playing for the National Championship, after all), and he shouldn’t have anything to prove to scouts; he’s a beastly left tackle.
Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Cody Latimer has decided to make his NFL Draft call, and draft insider Tony Pauline reports that Latimer, who is the second-best draft prospect at the position in the B1G behind Penn State’s Allen Robinson (the projected early second-rounder also declared this week), has signed with an agent and will declare for the draft.
This is confirmation of Pauline’s report just hours before that Latimer would “very likely” declare, and it’s a bit of a surprise to hear him declare despite his success. His quarterback play will improve next year now that Nate Sudfeld is more experienced, and the draft class at wide receiver is just way too stacked. Latimer is a great possession receiver and had 70 catches this season to prove it despite uneven QB play, but he’s set to get lost in the shuffle.