BYU’s Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah may be the hottest prospect in the NFL Draft. He is fast, tall, and athletic, yet he is a risk that teams are going to have to decide if its worth it.

Ansah is freak of an athlete. He is 6’5″, and 274 pounds with an arm length of 34 and five-eighths, and a hand length of 10 inches. Ansah even runs like a track athlete, as in 2010, he walked-on to the BYU track team and ran 21.9 seconds in the 200-meter dash. He was also cut twice from the BYU basketball team.

Ansah is a projected first-round draft pick.

NFL scout and executive Phil Savage says, “I’m thinking that maybe even the top five with the way teams are so desperate to adjust to what they’re doing for all these read-option quarterbacks. You are going to need guys on the defensive line who can chase those guys down.”

CBS Sports NFL Draft expert Rob Rang says, “Ansah compares to Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants. Ansah is not the same terror-off-the-edge pass-rusher that Pierre-Paul was coming out of South Florida, but he’s similarly gifted and plays with greater commitment to the run. Like there was with Pierre-Paul, there is some risk factor with Ansah, but his upside is through the roof.”

Ansah finished 2012 with 62 total tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, one interception, and nine pass defenses.

In the Senior Bowl, Ansah shined, recording seven tackles, including three and a half for loss (one and a half for sacks), and a forced fumble off Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib.

Ansah has played several positions while at BYU, a stand-up rush linebacker, a defensive end, and nose guard. Ansah is a type of player that can create mismatches and has flexibility.

Perhaps, the biggest questions surrounding Ansah, is his experience. Coming into 2012, he had just zero career starts and 10 total tackles.

This game doesn’t feature any premiere 2012 NFL Draft prospects, but there are a couple of guys you will want to look out for. BYU offensive tackle Matt Reynolds probably should have declared last year, but I can’t fault him for finishing school. In terms of his NFL options, they are getting slimmer by the day and I remember a year ago at this time he was being put in the first round of some people’s mock drafts, and now today, he’d be lucky if he goes in the fourth. I think you’ll see him move to right tackle or guard in the NFL and likely will have to work his way into a starting role. I’m interested to see how he does today, because BYU might have to throw a lot.

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Is The Mormon Mission The Best Kept Secret In College Football?

Watching explosive skill players and large-bodied linemen suiting up each Saturday during the college football season, we as fans and media often forget that the majority of these players are merely teenage boys or young men not yet old enough to legally drink.

That is not necessarily the case in the state of Utah, or on the campus of Brigham Young University in particular. Many people outside the BYU program and outside the Mormon faith feel that the Cougars have for many years benefitted tremendously from a staggering age difference in their football players versus the age of their opponents each season. The University of Utah has historically featured far fewer players of the Mormon faith than their counterparts at BYU, and are more open to discussing the age and background of their student-athletes.

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The Senior Bowl week has resulted in several prospects seeing a big jump in their draft stock.  This week features a few of those prospects making their debut in our mock draft.  One surprise is Ryan Mallett falling out of the 1st round mainly because I was unable to find a good fit from him.  I could see the Titans making a move for him if they go in that direction.  Check back tomorrow as we mock the 2nd round of the draft! Please be sure to check out DCsports report for a great mock draft database.

Nick Fairley- DT- Auburn

I am firmly on-board the Nick Fairley hype train.  Fairley will be a great complement to a defensive line that features an emerging Charles Johnson.  Ron Rivera will love the way that Fairley can penetrate the pocket and wreak havoc.

Da’Quan Bowers- DE- Clemson

John Fox and new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen are likely to make the switch to a 4-3 defensive scheme.  Bowers is worthy of this pick due to his ability to rush the passer but also hold strong against the run.  The duo of Bowers and Dumervil will give offensive coordinators nightmares.

Patrick Peterson- CB- LSU

There is going to be a ton of buzz following the combine after Peterson runs a stellar 40 yard dash.  Peterson is not just an athlete, he can be a true shutdown corner which is becoming increasing more valuable in the NFL.  The Bills have a lot of needs but Peterson represents the best value at this pick.  A name that will get a lot of attention at this spot will be Von Miller but the recent struggles of Aaron Maybin may stop the Bills from pulling the trigger on Miller.

AJ Green- WR- Georgia

It appears more and more likely that both Chad Ochocinco and T.O. will not be returning which leaves a major void at the wide receiver position.  Adding Green will allow the Bengals fans to quickly forget the controversial Ochocinco.  Green has the skill level and talent to be considered for the top 0verall pick!

Blaine Gabbert- QB- Missouri

The Cardinals are desperate for a quarterback and need to go in that direction with this selection.  While I don’t feel comfortable selection any of the quarterbacks this early the Cardinals don’t have a choice.  Gabbert is the top quarterback on my board and has a ton of upside, however, he needs time to develop.  Arizona would be wise to use this selection to get their quarterback of the future and then use free agency to get a short term fix.

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1. Carolina – 2-14
2. Denver – 4-12
3. Buffalo – 4-12
4. Cincinnati – 4-12
5. Arizona – 5-11
6. Cleveland – 5-11
7. San Francisco – 6-10
8. Tennessee – 6-10
9. Dallas – 6-10
10. Washington – 6-10
11. Houston – 6-10

Every week we get closer to the Draft season.  This week the East/ West Shire bowl kicked off and next week we will see the start of the Senior Bowl practices.  Also with the NFL playoffs winding down we are getting a more complete look at the final draft order.  Below you will notice that Cam Newton is not in my 1st round and while I feel someone will select him I think it will involve a trade.  I fully expect a Tim Tebow like trade of a team back into the first round to select Newton.  With that being said I still have major questions about his ability to develop into an effective starter in the NFL.  Please be sure to check out DCsports report for a great mock draft database.

Nick Fairley- DT- Auburn

New coach Ron Rivera stated that the Panthers will stick with their 4-3 alignment and that makes Fairley and Da’Quan Bowers  prime candidates for the #1 pick.  I feel that a penetrating defensive tackle like Fairley is what this defense is missing.  There are some whispers about Fairley being a character concern but I like my defensive tackles w/ a nasty streak.  A lot has to play out before April but as it sits now it appears to be a battle of defensive linemen.

Da’Quan Bowers- DE- Clemson

John Fox was the coach when the Panthers drafted Julius Peppers and he will be looking to bring in a similar prospect this year.  It appears likely that the Broncos make the switch from a 3-4 scheme to a 4-3 so it would be wise for them to get a versatile defensive en that can play opposite of Elvis Dumervil.  Bowers fits that bill because he can rush the passer and also hold strong against the run.

Patrick Peterson- CB- LSU

Talent, talent is what this Buffalo Bills team needs and that is exactly how you would describe Peterson.  The Bills have some serviceable corners on the roster but none with the skills of Peterson.  His ability in coverage as well as the return game will allow him to make an immediate impact.

AJ Green- WR- Georgia

It appears that the Ochocinco and TO era is finished in Cincinnati which means that there is a hole at the receiver position.  Green could come in and fill the shoes of both of those players with his big play ability and not to mention some baggage of his own.  While Green has had some issues in the past I dont consider him a character concern.

Blaine Gabbert- QB- Missouri

My gut tells me that the Cardinals have to go with a quarterback at this position.  There are zero options on the roster right now and the free agent market only offers a temporary solution.  While I feel that Gabbert’s talents are best suited for the middle of the first round.  We all know that this is a quarterback driven league so they need to make this position a priority.

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1. Carolina – 2-14
2. Denver – 4-12
3. Buffalo – 4-12
4. Cincinnati – 4-12
5. Arizona – 5-11
6. Cleveland – 5-11
7. San Francisco – 6-10
8. Tennessee – 6-10
9. Dallas – 6-10
10. Washington – 6-10

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