NFL Draft

With the NFL Draft set to start Tomorrow night, rather than come up with an inaccurate Mock Draft or analyze the over talked about Quarterback debate, Sportacular Sports will look at the most intriguing NFL Draft storylines.

Tyrann Mathieu-Cornerback-LSU

Mathieu, the 2011 Heisman runner-up, was required to take a year off from football because of his Marijuana arrest. Although Mathieu has had a drug problem, no one is going to ignore his play making skills matched with his Heisman appearance. What people may not know, is that Mathieu is actually an undersized corner, standing at 5 foot 11 inches, and doesn't have blazing speed. But how are we going to ignore his play making abilities. Mathieu caused numerous turnovers, many for touchdowns, in the 2011 season and in an entertainment based league, Mathieu's punt return abilities, specifically his change of speed and vision, add to his draft stock. The major red flag I give to Mathieu is obviously the drug problem but more specifically my impression of him in an NFL Network Draft interview. The hours Mathieu has been coached seemed to have gone to waste. His never put the drug rumors away, he kept making excuses for himself, and admitted to chewing tobacco. If I was a team like the 49ers who have 13 draft picks and a very strong locker room, I would take a shot, otherwise no deal.

Manti Te'o-Linebacker- Notre Dame
Manti Te'o's draft stock was high and rising entering the National Championship game. As you all know, it took a tailspin from there. After an egregious appearance, the girlfriend scandal came about and nothing has been great for Te'o since. Add in an awful combine and you somehow still have a surprisingly highly rated prospect. Te'o is still projected to go in the first round and his endeavors may have improved the team in which he'll be playing for. Te'o should be an immediate starter and now may go to a team like the Ravens or Patriots late in the first round where he'd be playing on a championship team right out of College. While the money might not be there, the chance to play for titles will. Te'o is a guy I would want my team to take a chance at.

Star Lotulelei-Defensive Tackle-Utah

Lotulelei at one point in the draft process was projected to be the Number 1 overall pick in this very draft. This happened in last year's draft where Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers at one point was projected to go first overall but slipped into the second round. Lotulelei fell for a different reason though. Doctor's discovered a potential heart problem. Later though, the doctors confirmed that the heart condition was perfectly fine for playing. With that being said, I don't think Lotulelei should drop past his projected 14th selection to the Carolina Panthers. I think the NY Jets should take him though. They can go out and get their favorite player at Number 9 and then potentially steal the draft at 13. Lotulelei has drawn comparisons to Haloti Ngata and Ndamukong Suh and his name and playing style will both fit their production at the next level. Decent sized risk but amazing sized reward.