50% of The NFL Gives Teo First Round Grade

Feb 23, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame defensive lineman Manti Teo speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

In a draft that has more uncertainty at more positions than any draft i can ever remember, Perhaps no prospect has creates a bigger rift, among fans at least, than Notre Dame Linebacker Manti Teo.

Well, today, Chris Mortenson of ESPN said that over half of the league has given Teo a “solid” first round grade.  This shouldn’t really be a surprise. Fans have been extremely bitter towards Teo ever since the fake girlfriend incident, but the guy can play football and that is all NFL teams really care about when push comes to shove.

Mortenson said he had heard people refer to Teo as undersized a bit, but overall the impressions of him were positive. He also said Teo “aced” his combine team interviews.

Much of Teos “bad” combine was simply a result of Fans putting way to much stock into 40 yard dash times. most scouts could care less what time Teo can run 40 yards in a straight line in. The forty may not have a less relevant position than inside backers.

It still wouldn’t be a complete shock to see Teo fall to the end of the first(where, whether the fans like it or not the Ravens would pounce on him in a heartbeat), but I can’t see him missing the first round completely, and apparently neither can general managers and team scouts.

There is a lot of uncertainty in this years draft, but I think pretty much everyone agrees that there are not 32 players better than Manti Teo.