Mike Mayock's take on NFL draft's offensive crop

NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock will break down the players available at each position for the Daily News in advance of the April 26-27 NFL draft. A Haverford School product, Mayock played at Boston College and was a defensive back in the NFL before beginning his broadcast career. Mayock offered his analysis to Daily News pro football writer Paul Domowitch.

QUARTERBACK

 

Matt Ryan, Boston College

6-4 3/4, 228

40 time: 4.89

Projected round: 1

Mayock: "To me, he's as close to a sure bet as you're going to get because of his intangibles, toughness and leadership. He could go as high as one or as low as eight. He threw a lot of interceptions, but they were more a result of the fact that he didn't have one wide receiver that will get into an NFL camp. They beat Virginia Tech and Clemson last season when they had no right beating either solely because Ryan willed them to win."

The Riser

Joe Flacco, Delaware

6-6 1/2, 236

40 time: 4.84

Projected round: 1

Mayock: "He has the biggest arm in the draft. Some people think 5 years from now, he'll be the best quarterback out of this class. He's sneaky athletic. He runs well, moves well. He looks a little like [Ben] Roethlisberger in the pocket. But the biggest thing he's going to have to work on at the next level is his footwork in the pocket. He's basically never been under center before."

The Sleeper

Paul Smith, Tulsa

6-1, 208

40 time: 4.95

Projected round: 7-free agency

Mayock: "If there's anybody in this draft class who down the road could be a Jeff Garcia, this is the kid. He's the son of a high school coach. He's one of those smart, tough, instinctive kids that's going to hang around, and someday he could be something. He's got an average arm. He can make the throws, but struggles to make that big-arm throw like the deep comeback to the far sideline. But he's got great touch and accuracy."

RUNNING BACK

 

Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois

5-10, 225

40 time: 4.41

Projected round: 1

Mayock: "He's the prototype three-down back. He's a 225-pounder who ran in the 4.4s at the scouting combine. Huge production his senior year. He can stick his foot in the ground and make people miss. He catches the ball well. I think he's got everything it takes to play at an elite level in the NFL. He'll go somewhere between 10 and 15."

The Riser

Jamaal Charles, Texas

5-11, 200

40 time: 4.38

Projected round: 2