Getty ImagesTwo of the 15 best players in this year’s NFL draft may have come from South Carolina, where outside linebacker Melvin Ingram and cornerback Stephon Gilmore both impressed at today’s Pro Day.
NFL Network’s Mike Mayock watched the Gamecocks’ workout and said afterward that Ingram looked impressive, with the only question being what position he’ll play in the NFL.
“Melvin Ingram, for me, is a really fun puzzle to try to figure out,” Mayock said. “At 272 pounds, short arms, where do you play him? At South Carolina they did a great job moving him around. He played defensive end, outside linebacker, he played defensive tackle in their sub package. and I think that’s what you need to do in the NFL.”
Mayock compared the role Ingram can play in an NFL defense to what James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley have done for the Steelers.
“For me, he’s a first-round pick, he’s a Top 15 player, and I think the 3-4 teams are really going to like him,” Mayock said of Ingram. “Very similar to Harrison and Woodley.”
Gilmore, who started 40 games at South Carolina, looks like the second-best cornerback in the draft, behind LSU’s Morris Claiborne.
“Trust me, six-foot corners with long arms are rare, especially when they run 4.4 with his movement skills,” Mayock said of Gilmore. “I’ve got him as the No. 2 corner for a reason. I think he’s a Top 10 to Top 15 pick. Not a lot of people have him that high, but I saw it again today.”
Steve Spurrier’s offense has never translated to the NFL, but two players from Spurrier’s defense may make South Carolina the first college football program to hear its name called twice during the NFL draft’s first round.
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Dang it i was hoping Gilmore would fall to my Lions! Always Hope dt=raft him and trade for Assante!
Ingram sounds a lot like Mayock’s “best defensive player in the draft” from 2010. Robert Ayers.
As a packer fan, I hope the lions get Asante samuel too.
Ingram’s arms may be short, but his head is exceptional fat, even for a 6-1 265 pounder.
Where ever Ingram goes he will be a beast!! I was hoping for my Cowboys:-)
“Steve Spurrier’s offense has never translated to the NFL, but two players from Spurrier’s defense may make South Carolina the first college football program to hear its name called twice during the NFL draft’s first round.”
….thats not true? Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews, USC, 2009. and probably way more
unless he means this year….in which case who cares
Didn’t penn state have two defensive players go one two back in like 2000? Plus the USC example plus Miami did and that’s just off the top of my head.
mayock has about 35 guys who are “top 15″ picks.
lol @osage44… the math don’t add up does it?…lmao!
Man I was hoping the Bills would have been able to trade down our of 10 and get Gilmore. But the more I read about him and the hype he is getting I think they may have to take him at 10 if they want a CB early.
And to think at one point was projected to be a second rounder.
Gilmore to Miami at 8….bank on it!
gilmore could very possibly go to my bills at #10. watch for the pick to be him or floyd an 10!
Gilmore sucks… watch his game tape. Someone will fall into a trap with this chump.
gilmore better than jenoris jenkins and kirkpatrick?
Eagles should take Ingram, he’d be nice to have outside next to Demeco, the less Casey Mathews and the other rejects at LB get to play the better. And Reid loves guys who can move around the D line
is it just me or does Gilmore look like Larry Fitzgerald but smaller.
2005 draft, Auburn RB Ronnie Brown #2 by the
Fins, RB Cadillac Williams #5 to the Bucs. Bet that will never happen again, 2 from the same school, same position in Top 5. Do I get a prize?