Quinton

Coples

The story comes one day after ESPN Florida reported Jacksonville was “not completely sold” on Coples. Lande also mentions the Bears as a team interested in Coples in the top 20. In Jacksonville, Coples would play left end opposite Jeremy Mincey. Mincey had his breakout season at right end last year.

One of the draft’s true boom-or-bust prospects, Coples will be paired with one of the league’s top defensive minds in Rex Ryan after mailing in his senior year at North Carolina. Accused of playing more not to get hurt than anything else, Coples saw his numbers fall across the board before turning in a dominant Senior Bowl performance. Despite being a mammoth 6-foot-6, 284 pounds, Coples ran a 4.72 40 at the Combine in addition to an eye-popping 1.63 ten-yard split. If Ryan’s motivating powers are successful, Coples could immediately emerge as one of the league’s top young pass rushers.

Jags GM Gene Smith is known for targeting players with “clean” resumes. Neither Coples nor Blackmon fits that description. ESPN Florida’s Charlie Bernstein suggests the Jaguars might target LSU CB Morris Claiborne in a small trade up, or try to trade out of the No. 7 slot if another team is trying to move ahead of the Dolphins (No. 8) for Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill.

“What’s interesting to me is that you heard so much talk about Quinton Coples and Melvin Ingram being in the top ten. I don’t know that I see either player in the top ten right now,” Schefter said. “For weeks, we heard that those guys were gonna be top-ten picks.” Schefter added that he “could see” Coples falling to the Jets at the No. 16 pick. “I’m not sure exactly where Ingram is.”

“You talk about lazy,” one scout said. “At the Senior Bowl nobody could (expletive) block him.” Added another scout, “There’s something missing. I see him very much one speed. The way he moved at the Combine. There were a lot of guys in his neighborhood in drills. He didn’t put forth the full effort.” Coples scored a 14 on the Wonderlic. He projects to be drafted in the teens.

“He’s good as hell, but he’s nuts,” the personnel man said. “I’m not sure what’s up with him. I’d put him at left end in a 4-3, but he could do everything if he wants it.” Coples was highly productive throughout his college career, but observers believe his motor runs hot and cold. At 6'6/284, Coples is thought of as more of an athletic power player than explosive edge rusher.

We don’t expect Coples to fall out of the first round, but he’s certainly shaping up as one of this year’s big sliders. One NFL executive recently told ESPN New York that Coples was “likely to fall into the teens,” while respected film guru Greg Cosell has said he doesn’t consider Coples a first-round talent. Coples should most likely go somewhere in the mid-to-late teens.

DeVito has already been paid a $500,000 roster bonus, however, while $950,000 of his $1.56 million pay-cut has been converted to a signing bonus. Also due a $350,000 workout bonus, DeVito’s true lost wages come out to “only” $600,000. DeVito should end up backing up No. 16 pick Quinton Coples at left end.

Perhaps most impressively, Coples posted a 1.63 ten-yard split, which would be a respectable time for a 215- to 220-pound player. Coples measured in at 6-foot-6 and 284 pounds earlier in the week. While Coples has been criticized for his inconsistent senior-year motor, he is undoubtedly the 2012 draft’s top defensive end prospect and won’t struggle to be a top-ten overall pick.

Mayock concedes that Coples oozes talent, but wouldn’t be on his draft board. “If I’m a GM, I’m not taking him in the first round,” said Mayock. “I might not take him in the second round. The bust potential is high.” Mayock went on to explain that he couldn’t find “any” strong senior-year tape from Coples. While we still expect Coples to be a top 10-12 pick, he certainly seems to present risk.