re: OT... Floyd seems to be blowing up on NFL Draft Boards...

And there are some differing views on abilities.

Gridiron Now





WOULD YOU TAKE GEORGIA OLB LEONARD FLOYD IN THE FIRST ROUND?
Brady Ackerman: Floyd likely goes in the first round because in the NFL, pass rushers are a highly valued commodity. But I would not take him in the first round because he has “flop” written all over him. In recent years, lanky, light pass rushers have failed, and if we are to follow the trends, Floyd (6 feet 6, 244 pounds) has the makings of another one. His 17 career sacks is a good number, but he was more productive as a freshman (6.5 sacks) than as a junior (4.5 in his final season with the Bulldogs). He’s trending in the wrong direction, but his measurables are attractive. I think he’s a risk and would draft him in the second round, where at least I know he would be highly motivated.

RELATED: Pros, cons of Leonard Floyd as NFL draft prospect

Heath Cline: Floyd isn’t a fit for everybody, but his athleticism is good enough someone’s going to take him in round one. Not sure where he’s the best fit (maybe the Jets?) but he’ll go somewhere near that middle third of the first round.

Floyd has good measurables, but his relative lack of production does create some doubt. ANDY HARRISON/UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA ATHLETICS
Floyd has good measurables, but his relative lack of production does create some doubt. ANDY HARRISON/UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA ATHLETICS

Dan Hancock: The knock on Floyd for the next level is his frame. He’s long and lanky; that’s not an ideal body frame for an NFL linebacker. I see Floyd, like Jacksonville Jaguars LB Telvin Smith, as a guy with tremendous technique and ability. With his long arms, Floyd also has the ability to defend and disrupt plays from a greater distance. The question, though, is if he’s a first-round talent. I say yes. I can see him going in the bottom half of the first round.

Mike Huguenin: No. I understand the allure; he has intriguing measurables (assuming he can add weight), is extremely athletic and could become a primo pass rusher. “Could” is the operative word. He was not a dominant college pass rusher, and that’s worrisome. And while some “projection” guys pan out – the kind of prospect where teams say, “Hey, how hard is it to gain weight? He can do it and not lose any quickness” – when taken in the first round (Ziggy Ansah comes to mind), a heck of a lot don’t (Dion Jordan, Marcus Smith, Barkevious Mingo, Bjoern Werner and Shea McClellin in just the past four drafts).

Leslie Koerdt: Yes. The biggest knock on Floyd is his gangly frame, but he is an elite athlete with rare pass-rushing ability who can compensate for his size until NFL nutrition kicks in.