Citing sources familiar with Texans general manager Rick Smith's thinking, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday night that Buffalo's Khalil Mack is a realistic alternative to South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney at No. 1 overall.
When NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock unveiled his Top 100 prospects on Monday, it was Mack -- not Clowney -- sitting atop the list.
On the same day, NFL Media's Gil Brandt moved Mack over Clowney on his own draft board.
The lead-up to this week's draft is uncannily beginning to mirror the plot of the recently released Kevin Costner vehicle, "Draft Day," with an edge-rushing linebacker surnamed "Mack" bypassing the consensus top pick.
Here's what else we learned from Mayock's Top 100:
- Mayock said last week he would be surprised if Teddy Bridgewater is drafted in the first round. He's now doubling down, ranking the Louisville quarterback No. 42 overall -- behind Jimmy Garoppolo of Eastern Illinois (No. 38) and Zach Mettenberger of LSU (No. 40).
- Johnny Manziel (No. 10) remains the top quarterback on Mayock's board. Stating that most of the signal-callers in this class need a "redshirt" year, Mayock had previously opined that Manziel and Georgia's Aaron Murray are the only two ready to start right away.
- Mayock has been "banging the table" for Notre Dame's Zack Martin, the only prospect capable of playing all five offensive line positions at a high level. Martin is ranked No. 9 overall, bolstering Mayock's contention that four offensive tackles will go off the board in the first 13 picks.
- LSU's Odell Beckham appears to be settling in as the consensus third wide receiver, behind Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans. Mayock ranks Beckham No. 17 overall, four spots ahead of Brandin Cooks (No. 21) and nine ahead of Kelvin Benjamin (No. 26).
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- Ohio State's Ryan Shazier, the fastest linebacker we've seen since a young Brian Urlacher, is ranked No. 18 -- seven spots below Alabama's C.J. Mosley (No. 11). Shazier appears to be entrenched as a first-round pick after beginning the process as a consensus second-rounder.
- For all of the talk of running backs falling out of the first round, Mayock has two in his top 32 picks: Washington's Bishop Sankey at No. 27 and Ohio State's Carlos Hyde at No. 31.
- Teams in need of a disruptive interior defender shouldn't count on Pitt's Aaron Donald falling to the middle of the first round. Mayock has Donald ranked No. 12 overall, two spots higher than Daniel Jeremiah has the defensive tackle in his Talented Top 50.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" breaks down draft news and rumors and plays the popular prediction game, "Go Get My Lunch!"
