NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock is the best “draftnik” in the business, at least by our estimation. Mayock played the game at its highest level, generally has the best understanding of what teams look for in certain players at certain positions, and was even reported to be pursued by an NFL organization a few years back for a personnel executive job.
We’ll forgive Mayock that the organization was the Raiders.
Mayock has endured his share of “misses,” but seemingly more hits than most of his competition.
Mayock’s top-five players by position run along the NFL Network’s bottom line. And we couldn’t help but notice that he has Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy ahead of Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh.
It will be interesting to see Mayock’s explanation, which he’ll probably give during NFLN’s Scouting Combine coverage. Suh was more decorated and had much more collegiate production than McCoy. Suh also had two knee surgeries in college.
It’s worth noting that Mayock broke the news on Oklahoma receiver Malcolm Kelly’s knee problems roughly three years ago. Kelly, at the time, was considered the draft’s consensus top wideout. He wound up lasting until pick No. 51 and has battled knee injuries throughout his short career.
Mayock has acknowledged that Suh and McCoy are easily the best two draft-eligibles, so perhaps we’re picking nits. But there is now reason to believe Suh may not be the draft’s No. 1 defensive tackle, let alone the favorite to be taken first overall.