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NFL Draft: A.J. McCarron could go in the 1st round

By Jeff Adcox

Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron (10) walks off the field following a loss to the Oklahoma Sooners in a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Oklahoma defeated Alabama 45-31. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron (10) walks off the field following a loss to the Oklahoma Sooners in a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Oklahoma defeated Alabama 45-31. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron (10) walks off the field following a loss to the Oklahoma Sooners in a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Oklahoma defeated Alabama 45-31. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron (10) walks off the field following a loss to the Oklahoma Sooners in a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Oklahoma defeated Alabama 45-31. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

As the NFL Draft edges closer the airways are filled with talk of sleepers, late risers and players falling down in the rankings. Among the movement is a number of players that could break their way into the first round if the right scenarios play out.

NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks recently listed several players that could be surprise first rounders come May. Included on his list was former Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron.

"“McCarron is one of the most polarizing prospects in the draft, despite a college résumé that includes a .900 winning percentage and two BCS national titles as a starter,” wrote Brooks. “Some critics question whether he is capable of carrying an offense on the strength of his right arm, but the fact that he performed well in big games (see: the contests against Texas A&M, LSU and Auburn last season, plus the 2012 and 2013 BCS National Championship Games) suggests he’s underrated as a playmaker. McCarron is, quite simply, a superb game manager with a knack for guiding his team to the winner’s circle. Thus, he could interest any team with the supporting cast in place to make a run at a playoff berth.”"

The most likely scenario is a team trading back into the first round to grab McCarron after going with another position with their first pick.

Brooks list the Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings,Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns as possible suitors.

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