While Manti Te'o grabs headlines, a pair of lesser-discussed linebackers reportedly are shooting up draft boards.
Schein: Safest picks in the draft
Teams are overlooking two top-10 prospects because of the position they play. Adam Schein believes that's a big mistake. **More ...**
DraftInsider's Tony Pauline has been told by several sources that Kansas State's Arthur Brown and UConn's Sio Moore have teams intrigued. Brown has been described as a "definite first-round pick," according to Pauline, while Moore is gaining traction for his measurables and scheme versatility. The New York Jets reportedly are "very high" on Moore.
Pauline notes that Brown's ascent could drop Notre Dame's Te'o or LSU's Kevin Minter out of the first round. But Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported Wednesday that, "At least half the teams in this league have solid first-round grades on Te'o."
Brandt: Revisiting The Hot 100
Gil Brandt takes another shot at ranking the 100 best prospects in this tricky draft class -- and makes plenty of changes. **More**
More draft buzz from around league circles:
» NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah is set to drop his top 50 prospects list Thursday, but the former Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles scout gave a sneak peek on Twitter. Jeremiah has Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel at No. 1, followed by Central Michigan tackle Eric Fisher, Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei. Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan rounds out DJ's top five.
» Pauline has been told that Round 2 will be dominated by running backs, cornerbacks, receivers and safeties. Round 1 might come and go without a back being taken, Pauline is hearing, but up to six could go in the second round, led by Alabama's Eddie Lacy and UCLA's Johnathan Franklin. One name gaining steam: Florida's Mike Gillislee, drawing interest from teams for his versatility.
»Jeremiah chimed in Wednesday morning, saying, "I've heard a lot of buzz about teams targeting Margus Hunt at the top of the (second round)." The massive 6-foot-8 defensive end out of SMU hails from Estonia and has the potential to anchor a front from both the 3-tech and 5-tech spots.
» More from Pauline: He's hearing that it's assumed Louisiana Tech receiver Quinton Patton will be a goner by the middle of Round 2. He's been talked about as a "hard-working, high-character prospect by NFL scouts." Meanwhile, Texas A&M pass-catcher Ryan Swope has drawn positive marks for his "dependability and the way he does the little things correctly," and sits out there as another likely mid-second round pick, per Pauline.
Friends: Do with this what you will.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
