Draft Countdown: Allen Bailey
April 13, 2011
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.
Today we will take a look at where Allen Bailey is being projected to go next week. Like Harris, most expect Bailey to be off the board by the end of the second round.
Bailey was a four-time letterwinner and two-time All-ACC performer as a Hurricane. The Sapelo, Ga. native closed out his career with 103 total tackles, 31 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks in 50 career games. He also earned the team’s Strength Training Athlete of the Year his final two seasons at Miami.
ESPN NFL Draft expert Todd McShay has Bailey coming off the board in the second round to the San Diego Chargers with the 50th overall pick.
Former UM beat writer Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel believes Bailey could go in the first round, as he is projected him to go to Baltimore with the 26th overall pick in his latest mock draft released on April 5.
Andrew Perloff of SI.com is another who thinks Bailey is a first-rounder. He believes Bailey would be a good fit for the New York Giants with the 19th pick.
Here are some other thoughts on Bailey from experts and writers across the country…
ESPN (Insider) – A feature player at the collegiate level that has an impact on the outcome of the game. He generally cannot be shut down by a single player and plays on a consistent level week in and week out. Most importantly, he shows the potential to create mismatches versus many opponents in the NFL. He rates in the top 5-to-10 at his position and is considered a second round draft prospect.
NFLDraftScout.com (Rob Rang) – “Having made a luxury pick in the first round, the Saints gamble on the athletic upside of Bailey in the second. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams loves versatility and might be able to coach up Bailey’s poor instincts.” – Second round to the New Orleans Saints
Walter Football (Rob Rang) – “The Buccaneers double dipped at defensive tackle and wide receiver last April. They could do the same at defensive end in the 2011 NFL Draft considering how much they need help at the position. Tampa likes Allen Bailey enough to have him in the discussion at No. 20. I have to believe he’ll be the pick in the second round if he’s available.” – 2nd round projection to the Tampa Bay Bucaneers
Sun-Sentinel (Omar Kelly) – “The Ravens are big on finding players with raw talent who have position flexibility. Bailey could be groomed to play three spots on the front seven.” – 1st round selection to the Baltimore Ravens
Draft Coundown (Scott Wright) – “Can compete for starting job opposite Dumervil and push quasi – bust Robert Ayers.” – 2nd round projection to the Broncos
FF Toolbox (Ricky Dimon) – “The Jets have no major holes, but the exterior of the defense could be upgraded to compliment Darrelle Revis and the secondary. Bailey can line up either at end or outside linebacker.”- 1st round projection to the Jets
The New NFL Draft – “The Browns get a top tier defensive player with this pick in the 2011 NFL Mock Draft. Bailey had a rough Senior bowl so he fell out of the first round of my 2011 NFL Mock Draft. I have Bailey still as a good prospect and have him filling in with the Browns and helping out their defensive line.”- 2nd round projection to the Browns
A few other links to draft projections…
NFL Draft 101 – 1st round to Atlanta
Nepatriotsdraft.net – 2nd round to New England
KFFL (Cory J. Bonini) – 2nd round to Cincinnati
NFL Draft Geek – 2nd round to Green Bay
Check back in tomorrow for what people are saying about offensive lineman Orlando Franklin, who continues to move up on most peoples’ boards.
