DT Jernigan, QB Mettenberger amongst Combine's failed drug tests
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| Could a failed drug test actually increase the odds of the Patriots landing Mettenberger? |
The names are out now and there's a few notable prospects on the list this year. Chief amongst them are Florida State's Timmy Jernigan and LSU's Zach Mettenberger.
Jernigan is a undersized defensive tackle who excels at using his explosive quickness to knife into the backfield and create disruption. He's been a particularly hard player to project in the draft, with some mocks placing him in the top 15 picks and some projecting him to slide entirely out of the first round. Failing a drug test that he knew was coming well in advance certainly won't help his stock, especially considering the depth available in this year's draft.
Mettenberger was a productive as the Tigers starting quarterback, and he possesses the ideal size (6'5", 225 pounds) the Patriots covet in their QBs. His agent contends that Mettenberger's sample was flagged not because of any traces of drugs but high levels of water, which he claims came from measures to counteract severe cramping during Mettenberger's rehab of his torn ACL. Jernigan's failed test has also been reported to be due to a diluted sample.
Both players have teammates joining them as some of the 10 players to reportedly fail drug tests at the combine. Jernigan is joined by Seminole linebackers Telvin Smith and Christian Jones, while Mettenberger has company in the form of LSU DT Anthony Johnson. Offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, a talented but underachieving player with a known history of failed drug tests at Miami, was the other name leaked to the press.
How could this affect the Patriots come Thursday? For starters, it increases the likelihood that Jernigan could be available with the 29th pick, where he could be a tempting addition as an interior pass rusher. It could also push Smith, who is undersized but athletic in coverage, into the middle rounds, where he'd be a nice addition as a nickel linebacker.
Finally, it could turn some of the QB-needy teams off on Mettenberger, increasing the likelihood that he falls into the third round. If the Pats like him, they could conceivably take him there as Tom Brady's next backup and a potential QB of the future. In that scenario, they'd be hoping that Mettenberger pans out better than their last two third round picks at QB: Ryan Mallett and Kevin O'Connell.
Related reading:
For more on Jernigan
Patriots Draft Needs: Positional review- Defensive Tackle
For more on Mettenberger
Patriots Draft Needs: Postional review- Quarterback
For more on Henderson
Patriots Draft Needs: Positional review- Offensive tackle
