Month: February 2024

Toledo Rockets cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (27) breaks up a pass intended for Miami (OH) Redhawks wide receiver Gage Larvadain (10) in the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Cue CB1: Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell ‘can hang with big dawgs’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

INDIANAPOLIS — Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell might run out of boxes to check before the 2024 NFL Draft arrives.

Mitchell dominated in the MAC with six interceptions and 45 pass breakups the past two seasons with the Rockets. He caught the attention of Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy, who had other top-ranked draft prospects at the position turn down invitations to the annual pre-draft showcase in Mobile.

Mitchell said he went to the Senior Bowl to compete and with a point to prove.

“That I can hang with the big dawgs,” Mitchell said.

He’s rocketing up draft boards based on his dominance in practices and drills at the Senior Bowl, where Mitchell wanted to show his level of competition in college wasn’t a cap on his ability or potential as a prospect.

Mitchell, who said he watches Chiefs corner Trent McDuffie and the Eagles’ Darius Slay, brought the same mindset to Indianapolis.

“The ball will get you paid,” Mitchell said of what he learned in Mobile. “At the Senior Bowl, I learned every ball that’s thrown in the air is worth $2.5 million. I’m just trying to get that money.”

Speed testing won’t be a problem. Mitchell was GPS chip-timed at the same top speed as Miami Dolphins All-Pro Tyreek Hill, 23 miles per hour. NFL Next Gen Stats uses the same technology and tracked only three scoring plays over 22 mph in the 2023 regular season: Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (22.23, Week 13), Bengals running back Chase Brown (22.05 mph, Week 14) and Hill (22.01 mph, Week 5).

The cornerback draft board is stacked with big names, headlined by Alabama’s starting tandem of Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold. But recruiting rankings are meaningless at the moment.

Toledo played primarily off-man coverage, freeing Mitchell to let his ball-hawk ability fly.

By the middle of the 2023 season, prominent media draft analysts began surfacing Mitchell’s name as a potential second-round cornerback. As of the start of the Scouting Combine this week, The Athletic and NFL Network rated Mitchell as a top-15 pick.

At 193 pounds he ran the 40 in 4.39 seconds at a school timing day last spring. Mitchell said he has been timed even faster since and has a track background.

“I didn’t come here to be mediocre. I came here to break records,” he said Thursday.

–Field Level Media

Nov 20, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; General view of the field before the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Longtime Steelers broadcaster Bill Hillgrove retires

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The Steelers change play-by-play announcers less often than they change head coaches — three times since 1968 — but there’s a rare opening in Pittsburgh in the broadcast booth.

Bill Hillgrove, 83, announced Thursday that he is retiring from the job he accepted in 1994 after being hand-picked by late owner Dan Rooney. He spent 30 years in the role, replacing Jack Fleming, who had held the job for 39.

“Bill Hillgrove’s contributions to both the Steelers Radio Network and the Steelers organization have spanned nearly three decades that included him serving as our play-by-play announcer for four Super Bowl appearances and countless other memorable games during his tenure,” team president Art Rooney II said in a team statement Thursday. “He has played a major role in broadcasting to our amazing fans on our radio network, but he also found time to be part of so many special events since he began working alongside the great Myron Cope on the airwaves in 1994. Bill will truly be missed by Steelers Nation, but we are excited for him and his family to enjoy his retirement.”

Hillgrove has lived in Pittsburgh throughout his life, bring raised in the Garfield section, graduating from high school and then studying sports broadcasting at Duquesne. He said he intends to continue calling Pitt basketball games, which he has been doing full-time since 1970, and Pitt football, which he started in 1974.

“As to the next chapter of my life, I’ll do Pitt football, and I’ll do Pitt basketball because my brother is the engineer, and we room together on the road,” Hillgrove said.

“Like we did as kids growing up in Garfield, we’re sharing the same bedroom, only this one’s bigger. I have all of July almost all of August to myself now. Every once in a while if the Steelers aren’t playing on Sunday, I can get on a boat and enjoy the fall foliage at Conneaut Lake, which I was never able to do before. So it’s all very positive in that way.”

–Field Level Media

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (19) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of a NCAA college football game against UAB in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

Georgia TE Brock Bowers could delay 40, workout to pro day

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INDIANAPOLIS — Georgia tight end Brock Bowers unquestionably is expected to run into the NFL as a first-round pick, but he’s leaning toward staying on the sideline during the NFL Scouting Combine.

The All-American projected as a top-10 draft pick, Bowers plans to make a decision on participating in on-field workouts and athletic testing with his position group before they take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday.

“We’ll see. If not tomorrow, definitely on Pro Day,” Bowers said Thursday morning. “We’ll see how I’m feeling tomorrow. Just a personal fit.”

The first back-to-back Mackey Award Winner (2022, 2023) given to the top tight end in college football, Bowers had 31 touchdowns (five rushing) in three seasons at Georgia. In 40 career games, he hauled in 175 receptions for 2,538 yards.

Former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski is the player Bowers said he grew up watching most. He also studied film of dozens of NFL tight ends during his time at Georgia, where he lined up in the slot, as a traditional tight end and even in the backfield as a running back.

“I loved watching Gronk. He’s kind of like a huge role model for me looking at him growing up. And watching (George) Kittle and (Travis) Kelce,” he said.

If Bowers keeps scouts and general managers waiting for his 40 time and position workout that most expect to be stellar, he’s aware the league might return the favor on draft night. Not out of spite, but Bowers can expect to be monitoring his phone as the pecking order is sorted out at quarterback and wide receiver before he’s selected.

Even so, when he goes on draft night isn’t as vital to Bowers as where he winds up.

“I just want to go to a place I’m wanted and be used and hopefully have a good rookie season,” Bowers said.

During what is a return trip to Indianapolis and the stadium where Georgia won the national title by beating Alabama in 2022, Bowers underwent multiple X-rays and MRI exams that team medical staffs will read to sign off on recovery from previous injuries. Bowers missed a month of the 2023 season recovering from ankle surgery but said he’s fully healthy.

With uncertainty around when he could be drafted, Bowers said he already met with at least 15 teams, recalling formal interviews took place with the Bears, Bengals, Broncos, Colts and met with the Titans, a team that piqued his interest.

“That’s a cool place to live, Nashville, Tennessee,” Bowers said with a smile.

If Bowers opts not to work out at the combine, Georgia’s pro day is an annual must-stop for all 32 teams and is scheduled for March 13.

–Field Level Media

Feb 28, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson (LB30) talks to the media at the 2024 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

NFL-bound LB Payton Wilson out to erase injury concerns

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INDIANAPOLIS — Labels are nothing new to North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson, a projected first-round pick determined to shed one particular tag before the 2024 NFL Draft.

Injury prone.

“Throughout my career, early in my career, I did have a lot of injuries,” Wilson said at the NFL Scouting Combine. “But these last two years, I’ve stayed really healthy — put on some extra weight. I’ve really honed in on nutrition and maintenance programs to keep me healthy. I think what I have going on is gonna keep me playing a long time in the NFL and I’m not scared of injuries. At the end of the day, they’re inevitable and I’m going to play every single play like it’s my last. Whatever happens, happens.”

Wilson works out with the linebacker group Thursday and has a little extra bounce in his step after a shorter hospital physical with NFL doctors than expected.

Wilson spent his first season at NC State in 2018 recovering from a high school knee injury and played only two games in 2021 because of a shoulder injury.

“What I have going right now for myself, whether it’s like I said with nutrition and my maintenance programs, I feel like I have sustained a good formula to play for a long time in this league,” he said.

At 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, Wilson’s size and range in coverage are coveted traits in the NFL. Wilson studies San Francisco 49ers All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner closely, and there are elements of their skill sets that match.

“As a linebacker in today’s league, you’re asked to do a lot in the pass game and just being able to be athletic and understanding route concepts and football IQ is so important,” Wilson said.

He allowed a passer rating of 47.2 as the next closest defender last season and has 10.5 sacks and four interceptions since he made changes to stay fully healthy before the start of the 2022 season.

“I’m just excited to get to continue to prove to everyone that I’m one of the most athletic linebackers to ever come through this combine and I’m looking to impress a lot of people,” Wilson said.

A stellar workout, coupled with expected strong interviews from the football junkie, could help remove the durability doubts for some NFL teams this week.

But there’s another label Wilson knows is going to stick, especially in his hometown of Hillsborough, N.C.

“I tell people all the time, in Raleigh, I’m Payton Wilson, but when we go back to Hillsborough, I’m Bryse Wilson’s little brother,” Payton Wilson said.

Bryse Wilson is a pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers who went 6-0 out of the bullpen last season. For two years at Orange High School, Bryse and Payton Wilson were starting linebackers on defense and had games where they combined for 30-plus tackles. Bryse said Payton is the more “violent” and “fast” of the brothers, but Payton says big brother is still stronger.

“I mean he’s one of those country strong dudes who could walk into a weight room right now and probably out-lift all of us,” Payton Wilson said. “Just getting whooped by him growing up and trying to chase his greatness — honestly just try to be better than him — it was just something I always chased. It might not ever happen because of how great of an athlete he is and what he’s done for our hometown. But just continuing to learn from him and the beatings I
took from him when we were little instilled a lot of toughness into me.”

–Field Level Media

Apr 2, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; General view during the Michigan Spring game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Ex-Michigan, CFL linebacker Craig Roh dies at 33

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Craig Roh, a four-year starter on the defensive line at Michigan from 2009-12, has died at age 33 from colon cancer.

His wife, Chelsea Roh, announced his death on Wednesday on social media. The Rohs have a 2-year-old son, Max.

“Craig was the most driven/disciplined person I have ever met,” Chelsea Roh wrote on Instagram. “He gave 10000% into everything he did, including being a wonderful husband/father. Driving away from our first date, I knew in that moment that my life was changed forever. … Even though he left the world at only 33, Craig lived an amazingly full life. I’m not sure how I’m going to live the rest of my days without him, but I will put one foot in front of the other for our beautiful little boy.”

According to a GoFundMe page set up to pay for medical expenses and Max’s education, Roh was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in August 2022.

“Craig did not want to go public with his diagnosis and battle because, in true Craig fashion, he did not want the attention to be on him,” the fundraiser page reads. “From chemo, to targeted therapy, to clinical trials at MD Anderson (in Houston) and in Honduras, Craig was resilient till the very end.”

Roh started a program-record 51 straight games at Michigan after twice being named Gatorade Player of the Year in his native Arizona. He later spent one season with the Carolina Panthers and five in the Canadian Football League, where he won the Grey Cup with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2019.

The Rohs moved to Austin, Texas, where Craig Roh worked at tech startups and also started an online business teaching the techniques of coaching defensive lines.

“I am saddened to hear about the passing of former defensive end Craig Roh, our program’s all-time leader in career starts,” new Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore posted to social media. “My heart goes out to his family during this difficult time. The entire Roh family is in my thoughts and prayers and we hope for peace and comfort for all who knew this great Wolverine.”

–Field Level Media

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) reacts during the second quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa DB Cooper DeJean running, not ready to test for scouts

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INDIANAPOLIS — Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean resumed running full speed last week and his recovery from a broken fibula in November is on schedule.

But DeJean said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday that he’s not ready for athletic testing or on-field position drills and plans to hold a workout for scouts “sometime before the draft.” He’s unlikely to be ready to participate in Iowa’s pro day scheduled for March 18.

DeJean played cornerback at Iowa but NFL teams are discussing a hybrid role with him that could intertwine responsibilities of a safety, cornerback and slot cornerback.

“I feel like I have the ability to play multiple different positions on the back end,” DeJean said.

Speed and suddenness are trademarks that made him one of the top playmakers for the Hawkeyes, and scouts expect him to test very well eventually in events such as the 40-yard dash, vertical, short shuttle and broad jump.

Where he goes in the 2024 NFL Draft might be dependent upon how the top of the draft shakes out. DeJean said he has met with the Arizona Cardinals, who have multiple first-round picks and another unique secondary weapon in Budda Baker, and the Pittsburgh Steelers among several others.

DeJean peppered Green Bay Packers 2023 first-round pick Lukas Van Ness and another former Iowa teammate, Broncos cornerback Riley Moss, about what to expect this week.

But Big Ten seasoning as a leader of a dominant defense at Iowa might have DeJean ready to step into a starring role immediately. He said the conference delivered big tests every Saturday, but one stands out as the most difficult.

“Marvin Harrison Jr.,” DeJean said of the Ohio State receiver and likely top-5 pick. “The name speaks for itself.”

–Field Level Media

Feb 7, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan speaks during a press conference before Super Bowl LVIII at Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Report: 49ers interview Chiefs DBs coach for DC opening

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The San Francisco 49ers are interviewing Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach David Merritt for their defensive coordinator opening, NFL Network reported Wednesday, the last coordinator job yet to be filled in the NFL.

The 49ers fired DC Steve Wilks three days after losing to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

Merritt, 52, has been with the Chiefs since 2019 and has been with DC Steve Spagnuolo longer than that, dating to their days together with the New York Giants.

The 49ers interviewed former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley earlier this week along with internal candidate, defensive passing game specialist Nick Sorensen. Niners DBs coach Daniel Bullocks is also expected to interview later this week.

Merritt has five Super Bowl rings, three with the Chiefs and two more from his time with the Giants (2008, 2011), where he was safeties coach. He helped the Chiefs to the fourth-best pass defense in 2023.

Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan told NBC Sports Bay Area that he expects to have a decision this week.

Wilks was hired last year to replace DeMeco Ryans, who left to become the head coach of the Houston Texans.

Wilks’ defense held the Chiefs to one touchdown in regulation in the 25-22 Super Bowl loss but gave up 455 yards. San Francisco allowed an NFC-low 17.5 points per game during the regular season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) prepares to pass to wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) (not pictured) who scored a touchdown in the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Russell Wilson’s next team? Strong favorite emerges

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The divorce between Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos certainly appears to be a matter of when, not if.

Broncos coach Sean Payton said at the NFL Scouting Combine that “I would anticipate it being within the next two weeks,” when asked about a decision on Wilson’s future.

What’s next for the 35-year-old former Super Bowl champion is one of the biggest storylines of the NFL offseason.

With a trio of quarterback prospects atop most draft boards, that leaves a handful of quarterback-needy teams as likely potential suitors for Wilson’s services.

That list is topped by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are the -225 favorite at DraftKings to be the team that Wilson takes his first snap for next season. That’s well ahead of the next shortest odds, which belong to the Las Vegas Raiders at +550.

The short list of sensible landing spots is why remaining with the Broncos still shares the third lowest odds at +600 along with joining the Atlanta Falcons.

The sportsbook is offering odds on all 32 NFL franchises, although the list essentially stops with an extremely unlikely reunion in Seattle at +6000.

RUSSELL WILSON NEXT SNAP ODDS*
Pittsburgh Steelers (-225)
Las Vegas Raiders (+550)
Denver Broncos (+600)
Atlanta Falcons (+600)
New England Patriots (+850)
Minnesota Vikings (+1000)
Washington Commanders (+2000)
Tennessee Titans (+3000)
New York Giants (+3500)
Chicago Bears (+4000
Carolina Panthers (+4000)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+4000)
*DraftKings

The Steelers spent a 2022 first-round pick on Kenny Pickett, but it was veteran backup Mason Rudolph who led Pittsburgh to the playoffs when Pickett was injured and then got the postseason start even when Pickett was healthy.

That has led many to speculate that the Steelers will be in the market for a veteran who can immediately boost Pittsburgh’s contender status.

The Steelers are also among the favorites to land Chicago’s Justin Fields (+380) and Minnesota’s Kirk Cousins (+1000).

The Raiders are also likely in the market for a veteran quarterback, having finished last season with rookie Aidan O’Connell under center after Jimmy Garoppolo was benched. Las Vegas is +800 to acquire Fields and +1000 to sign Cousins.

Atlanta toggled between second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder and journeyman Taylor Heineke last season. New coach Raheem Morris has made it clear that he sees an upgrade at the position as an offseason priority.

Wilson easily has the most postseason success among the potential options, although the Falcons are currently the -300 favorite to acquire Fields. They’re also +300 to sign Cousins compared to +600 to land Wilson.

If Wilson isn’t traded or released by March 17, then $37 million in salary guarantees for the 2025 season will be locked in.

Making a trade by then doesn’t seem likely based on Tuesday’s comments from Broncos general manager George Paton.

“I haven’t heard anything from any teams so we’ll see,” Paton said.

On Sunday on the “I Am Athlete” podcast with former Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall, Wilson indicated he would prefer to remain with the Broncos.

“I’ve got more fire than ever, honestly, especially over the past two years and what I’ve gone through,” Wilson said. “Whether it’s in Denver or somewhere else. I hope it’s Denver. I hope I get to finish there. I committed there. I wanted to be there. I want to be there.”

Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowl pick, was acquired from the Seahawks prior to the 2022 season for three players and five draft choices. The Broncos then gave him a five-year, $242.5 million contract extension before he even played for the club.

There hasn’t been much bang for the buck with Wilson compiling an 11-19 record in 30 starts. Wilson had 16 touchdown passes against 11 interceptions in 2022 and improved the marks to 26 and eight, respectively, last season.

The issue of bad blood can’t be overlooked after the Broncos approached Wilson’s representation in October and asked for the quarterback to push back the injury guarantee date on his contract and included a threat to bench him if he didn’t comply.

“We moved forward, we addressed that,” Paton said. “Everything we did was above board. I appreciate Russ but we moved forward. We have a lot of work to do. We’re here at the combine. We have free agency around the corner. We’re working on bettering our team and winning football games.”

Paton and Payton are both dissecting the available quarterbacks in the 2024 draft class. Denver owns the No. 12 pick and Paton said the club is open to all possibilities, while admitting there’s not enough draft capital to move up to No. 1 where Southern California’s Caleb Williams is expected to be selected.

“It’s the most important position in sports,” Paton said. “So it’s important — whether it’s from within. That’s why this is taking a long time, this decision is very important. If you’re going to draft one, that’s obviously very difficult. … There’s more mistakes it seems at quarterback, especially in the first round.”

Payton is looking forward to evaluating the draft-hopeful quarterbacks.

“I think we’ll be really good at this and to some degree we’re glad that a lot of people aren’t,” Payton said.

The Broncos (8-9) missed the playoffs for the eighth straight season in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Feb 28, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard talks to the media at the 2024 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Colts GM closes door on WR Michael Pittman’s departure

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INDIANAPOLIS — Colts general manager Chris Ballard closed the door on the potential departure of wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in free agency.

Ballard, asked Wednesday if Indianapolis’ leading receiver could hit free agency if no long-term contract agreement is reached before Tuesday’s franchise tag deadline, was adamant the exit is already closed.

“No,” Ballard said.

“We’ve had talks with his agents. We’ll work hard to get the deal done. (The franchise tag) is a tool we can use. I’m not going to say we’re not going to use it, I’m not going to say we are.”

Pittman had a team-best 109 receptions, 1,152 yards and four TD catches in 2023. Using the franchise tag would guarantee a one-year salary of $21.8 million for the 2024 season.

Ballard remains in daily contact with owner Jim Irsay after his medical emergency, and said head coach Shane Steichen also maintains close contact with Irsay.

“He is progressing well,” Ballard said. “We won’t do anything without talking to him.”

Because of the lessons the franchise has learned with quarterbacks recovering from injuries, Ballard is tapping the brakes on 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson’s rehab from shoulder surgery.

“I learned a lot of lessons living through the last one. Forgive me for being cautious, and I know Anthony has made some statements. It’s important to be ahead of schedule,” Ballard said. “We’re here to pull the reins and make sure we don’t get too far ahead of schedule. He’s in good shape. He’s throwing. I’m encouraged by where he’s at, really happy about where he’s at.”

–Field Level Media

Feb 28, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State defensive lineman Chop Robinson (DL45) speaks at a press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Combine Notebook: Penn State’s Chop Robinson ready to flex

Posted on | by Field Level Media

INDIANAPOLIS — Circle DL 45 in your program before the start of defensive line workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday morning if you want to be ahead of the “riser” talk around Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson.

Robinson’s blue-chip trait happens to be a lightning-fast first step, the golden gift for pass rushers, and he is widely projected to be selected in the top 20 of the 2024 NFL Draft in April.

Robinson had only four sacks as a junior in 2023 and played 10 games. He’s undeniably raw but began working on consistency with his hand usage when the season ended and he declared for the draft.

“At my best, my bend, hands and ability to dip around the corner to the quarterback,” Robinson said of his best traits. “I’m trying to jump 11 feet in the broad (jump).”

Brace for buzz around Robinson to be amplified by Thursday night if he delivers on what he said Wednesday were his best workout numbers in preparation for the event. He said he’s targeting a 4.4-second 40 and a vertical of 38 to 40 inches based on benchmarks he already has hit.

Mind you, Demeioun Robinson — nicknamed Porkchop as a 14-pound baby, shortened to Chop when he slimmed down — is 6-foot-3, 254 pounds.

Media mentioned former Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons, a two-time All-Pro with the Dallas Cowboys and the 12th overall pick in 2021, as a comparison to Robinson on Wednesday. For reference, Parsons measured 6-3, 245 before the 2021 draft but has no official combine workout numbers because the event was canceled in 2021 due to COVID-19.

–Bears head coach Matt Eberflus begins every formal meeting with draft prospects at the combine the same way: offering them the choice of playing putt-putt or darts in the team’s hotel suite before the interview questions begin.

“I like putting. I’m pretty good at both,” Eberflus said. “Then we’ll just teach them something about the offense, an offensive play, and then we’ll show their tape and have them talk about their tape. Kind of checking their FBI (football intelligence) out there and then recall at the end to give us back what they learned in the beginning. And it’s the same process for all the players.”

LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith met with Chicago on Tuesday night and said he grabbed the putter.

“I like golf more than darts,” Smith said.

–Three prospects continuing their meteoric rise this week are Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson and Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.

Expect to hear much more about McCarthy, who has three total losses between two high schools and three seasons at Michigan, acing interviews with NFL teams.

Robinson changed positions in his fifth season at Missouri last season and is being praised for that versatility in the trenches. He can line up at any spot on the defensive line.

Mitchell had 46 combined passes defensed the past two seasons and has all the skills to be the first defensive back drafted. If he runs the 40 time he expects — 4.3 seconds — at 200 pounds, that could be a reality.

–Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. huddled with his dad’s former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, and had a session with Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Trotter Jr. said his dad prepped him with practice interview questions and has been an integral part of his preparation for two decades.

“Being in the league growing up, being around the game basically my whole life, he’s taught me a lot about playing the linebacker position,” Trotter Jr. said. “He’s definitely helped me get to this position here and I give a lot of credit to him.”

–As the Tennessee Titans dig into draft prospect evaluations of offensive linemen, new head coach Brian Callahan is getting additional face time with his dad. That would be offensive line coach Bill Callahan.

“There’s not many people that are going to tell him how to do his job,” Brian Callahan said. “He’s about as good at it as anybody. It’s been really fun for me. It’s been a dream come true to be able to sit and to have a cup of coffee with my dad in the morning and talk about what we got coming up that day and talk about pass protection and technique and watch him do his job, too. It’s been awesome.”

–Field Level Media