Arguably no NFL writer is plugged more into front offices than Peter King of Sports Illustrated. So when he starts putting little draft nuggets in his weekly Monday Morning Quarterback, take notice.
In today's, he has this quick hit on Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner:
I am hearing doubts on Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner (could drop out of the top five)
Dropping out of the top five wouldn't be much of a drop. We've had him go to the Detroit Lions with the fifth pick a time or two, but not consistently. It's just as likely, if not more so, that the Lions will go after a defensive end or offensive tackle. They have greater needs at both spots and the talent is just as good.
If Milliner drops out of the top five, it's unlikely he falls out of the top 10. The Browns will consider him with the sixth pick. If the New York Jets trade Darrelle Revis, they may give him a look with the ninth pick. The Tennessee Titans, who never really replaced Cortland Finnegan, could pick him 10th.
Then there are the Miami Dolphins with the 12th pick and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 13th who could both be after a cornerback.
But what could the doubts be about Milliner? Like other top Alabama cornerbacks of late, Milliner probably wasn't taught a back pedal. That really stunted Kareem Jackson's development with the Houston Texans. No one has ever rated Milliner in the same category as Morris Claiborne and Patrick Peterson, the top corners from the last two drafts. He also had shoulder surgery after the NFL Combine. That could keep him out of action into training camp.
Read our full scouting report on Milliner here. Read the full Morning Morning Quarterback here.
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