Did you miss Wednesday's edition of "Path to the Draft" on NFL Network? Catch up with this recap:
Mayock's draft risers
Mike Mayock joined the show to give his thoughts about prospects on the rise, starting with N.C. State's Earl Wolfe. Mayock said Wolfe has gone from a late-round pick at the East-West Game to somewhere in the third or fourth round at next week's 2013 NFL Draft. Mayock concluded that South Carolina's D.J. Swearinger will not get out of the second round and that Colorado's David Bakhtiari is someone who could go in the second round due to his great feet. Mayock added that Bakhitiari could start at left tackle for a team someday.
Mayock shared his thoughts on prospects who could sneak into the first round. N.C. State's David Amerson could sneak into the bottom portion because he is a physical freak of nature. Tennessee's Justin Hunter is a very raw prospect who is not real physical but can contribute outside and in the red zone right away. The St. Louis Rams and Houston Texans are possible destinations for Hunter in the first round.
Jets interested in EJ Manuel?
The show brushed on Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel's comments made to "The Dan Patrick Show" about the Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets having the most interest in him. Daniel Jeremiah said he believes Manuel will be available for one of those teams at the top of the second round, even though he has Manuel as the No. 2 quarterback in this class.
Jeremiah and Brian Baldinger went into the Jets' draft war room and discussed young players who need to step up for the Jets in 2013. Baldinger said the Jets' two biggest needs are pass rushers and on the offensive line. Players the Jets will consider at with the No. 9 pick (and possibly No. 13 with the Darrelle Revis trade) are Alabama's Chance Warmack, LSU's Barkevious Mingo and Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert. Jeremiah concluded by saying the Jets might select a quarterback in the middle of the draft.
Billick on NFC North
Brian Billick joined the show to talk about the NFC North. Billick said the Chicago Bears had the best offseason of any team in the division and sees the NFC North as pick em' in 2013. The Green Bay Packers have needs across the offensive line and at safety with Florida's Matt Elam and Florida International's John Cyprien as possibilities with the No. 26 pick. Billick said the Detroit Lions would love to see Central Michigan's Eric Fisher drop to number No. 5 to help protect Matthew Stafford.
Vikings looking to trade up?
Paul Burmeister asked the panel if the Minnesota Vikings should try and package their two first-round picks and trade up to get a wide receiver. Baldinger said he would stand pat if he were the Vikings and instead take two solid football players. Charles Davis agreed, but said he would use one of the two picks to select a a wide receiver.
Draft war room: Raiders
Jeremiah and Baldinger went inside the Oakland Raiders' draft war room where Baldinger said the Raiders roster looks like that of an expansion team. Matt Flynn with just two career starts and Terrelle Pryor with only one career start, Baldinger said not to count the Raiders out of the quarterback derby come next week. Jeremiah and Baldinger said the Raiders' best move would be to trade back and acquire more picks to a team that is looking to move up and grab the second-best offensive tackle.
First Draft: Marcus Lattimore
The show aired Marcus Lattimore's "First Draft." That prompted Burmeister to ask Davis who is the safest running back in this class. Davis said Wisconsin's Montee Ball and UCLA's Johnathan Franklin are sturdy picks. Davis said UCLA coach Jim Mora compared Franklin to Warrick Dunn, who Mora coached with the Atlanta Falcons.
Lions high on Warmack
The show ended with Draft Buzz and Baldinger said the Detroit Lions are very high on Alabama's Chance Warmack, adding the Lions might take him with the fifth overall pick.
Be sure to tune into "Path to the Draft" every Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. ET on NFL Network.
