Former North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn didn’t play in 2010 because of a suspension for receiving illegal benefits from an agent. And it may not matter.
Quinn still has a chance to be taken No. 1 overall in April’s draft, according to NFL Network’s Mike Mayock. Speaking on the Rich Eisen Podcast, Mayock said he expected Quinn to “blow up” the Combine.
“I’m probably going to walk in there on the first day of the defensive line drills and say he’s the No. 1 pick in the whole country,” Mayock said. “And he didn’t play last year.”
Mayock said he recently watched a lot of ’08 and ’09 film on Quinn and was highly impressed. He said Quinn could run a 4.55 forty at 6'4, 275 pounds at the combine. (That’s about the same speed as a possession receiver.)
It’s not like Quinn would just be a workout wonder; he produced plenty at North Carolina before his suspension. Taking Quinn would be a risk, but fellow athletic freak Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers really had one big year.
There may not be a “safe” no brainer No. 1 selection this season and Mayock has already moved Quinn ahead of Bowers in his defensive end rankings.
Mayock’s bold statement may take some draftniks by surprise. But we’ve learned over the years that Mayock’s bold statements in February often turn into conventional wisdom by April.