Draft Countdown: Orlando Franklin
April 14, 2011
Draft Countdown: Brandon Harris l Draft Countdown: Allen Bailey l TheUFootball.com
Leading up to next week’s NFL Draft, HurricaneSports.com will run daily draft outlook pieces on former Hurricanes likely to be selected in the three-day event at Radio City Music Hall in New York City beginning Thursday, April 28.
On Tuesday, we started the countdown with cornerback Brandon Harris, who most are expecting to go in the first or second round. Then on Wednesday, we featured Allen Bailey. Bailey has also been slated as a late-first, early-second round guy.
Today, we will discuss offensive linemen Orlando Franklin, who may be the fastest rising prospect among all of the Canes in the draft this year.
Franklin played in 51 games as a Hurricane, making 39 starts from 2007-10. As a senior in 2010, Franklin earned All-ACC Second Team honors after recording 61 pancake blocks and 16 lumberjacks in starting 12 games at left tackle for UM.
ESPN NFL Draft experts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay both pegged Franklin as a second round pick in their latest mock drafts. Kiper has him going 55th overall to Kansas City while McShay has him headed to Seattle with the 57th overall pick.
Here are some other thoughts on Franklin from experts and writers across the country…
ESPN (Insider) – Keeps head on a swivel and consistently picks up blitzes. Peels off inside help to pick up delayed blitzes or give extra help elsewhere. Knows when to stay with and when to come off combination blocks up to second level. Instincts are just average however. Has some problems locating second level assignments when defensive line shifts at the snap of the ball. Can be late recognizing and reacting to line stunts.
FF Toolbox – “At 6-7 and 312 pounds, Orlando Franklin has the size to be a superb guard in the NFL. Franklin has spent less time at either tackle position and has mostly stayed in the middle of the line. That lack of versatility and mobility certainly drops Franklin’s draft stock, but he is still a very good guard and should be gone by the second or third round..” – 2nd round selection to the Raiders
Football Fan Spot – “The Panthers will probably be looking offense here to build around Cam Newton. Franklin gives them a big upgrade inside at guard, but he can also play right tackle in a pinch, which is going to be important for the Panthers because they were absolutely lost on the right side of their line when Jeff Otah went down last year.” – 3rd round projection to the Panthers
NFLDraftScout.com (Rob Rang) – “He looks capable of developing into starter inside at guard or at right tackle.”- 2nd round projection to the Packers
Draft Countdown (Scott Wright) – “Could project to either right tackle or offensive guard at the next level — Impressive all- around blocker with talent to start in the NFL, whether it be outside or inside — Similar in many ways to Vernon Carey of the Miami Dolphins.” – 2nd round projection to the Eagles
A few other links to draft projections…
Mel Kiper (Insider) – 2nd round to Kansas City
McShay (Insider – 2nd round to Seattle
Consensus Draft Services – 3rd round to Chicago
Sports News Southwest – 2nd round to New England
Check back in tomorrow for what people are saying about linebacker Colin McCarthy, is expected to go in the early-to-middle rounds next week.
