Brandon Graham predicts he will run a 4.5 second 40-yard dash
 

A quickie chat with Brandon Graham

Maybe the Dolphins draft Rolando McClain because everyone loves the guy and everyone says he's going to be a star. Maybe they take Eric Berry (if he's there) because they need a playmaking free safety. Maybe they reach for a nose tackle or a wide receiver.

I still love Michigan's Brandon Graham.

Have I made that point to you guys enough this week? Even as the adoption papers are being drawn up, I wanted to share with you yet more reasons I think this star DE-OLB from Michigan is the real deal and should be considered at No. 12 overall -- contrary opinions from Mel Kiper and Todd McShay and all the other draft pundits notwithstanding.

I direct you to this interview Graham did with Scout.com during Senior Bowl week -- before he went off and won the game MVP award with five tackles and two sacks.

In the interview Graham says a couple of things that caught my attention:

He expects to run in the 4.5s at the Indianapolis Combine next week. And he loves the idea of playing 3-4 outside linebacker.

"Oh yeah, I feel real good," Graham says about dropping in coverage. "I've been working on my hips, working on my drops every day in practice for Michigan ... With a little coaching from the NFL guys, I believe I can get it done."

Graham has no shortage of confidence. And he couples that with something of a chip that dares naysayers to disbelieve he can do whatever he sets out to do. That's why he says he wants to run in the 4.5s at the Combine.

"I'm excited because I like it when people doubt me," he says. "That's just a challenge and I like challenges and I'm going to try to fulfill it. And if I don't, then I gave it my all and that's all I can say."

One thing Graham has shown in all his games and all the practices at the Senior Bowl was a seemingly infinite desire. He wants to be good. He wants to improve. He wants to get to the quarterback. He wants to be an NFL star.

"[I'm] just trying to show that my motor's always going," he says, "I love football and I want to make plays and sack the quarterback."

You combine want-to and talent and you know what you have?

A very good NFL player.

So much for drafting him in the 2nd round........damnt.

I would be all for seeing Graham in red and gold next year. Unfortunately him sliding into the early second round seems very unlikely after his senior bowl performance. If the equally unlikely trade down scenario happened I would be all for grabbing him.

4.5 forty for a pass rusher = who cares.

I was working on my new three round mock and have Graham going to the Dolphins at #12.

Big fan, but don't see it. Not a 4.5. I hope he runs like a 5.1 and drops all the way to our 2a.

I don't know what your on, but a 4.5 for an LB or DE is fast. Urlacher ran a 4.56, and Simeon Rice ran a 4.58

except for in a 3-4 situation that pass rusher will also be in coverage which could definitely benefit from speed.

Im more interested in his shuttle times and how many reps he puts up.

Graham has become one of my favorites in this class. If he can run a 4.5 40, plus great 10-20 yard burst times he will be a top 20 selection. I know it won't happen, but I would honestly be happy if KC used their 1st on him. The guy has "it". Who wouldn't want Lamaar Woodley?

You think there is a correlation between 40 speed and how a OLB/DE tweener will do in the NFL?

Cushing ran a 4.79, Matthews a 4.67 and Everette Brown a 4.73 last year. Suggs ran a disappointing 40 from what I recall as well. Ware ran a 4.65 at the combine.

A 4.5 would be impressive though. I don't think he will do it, but you can't argue that it wouldn't be impressive.

Where did I say that? I said running a 4.5 for DE or OLB is fast.

If somehow it could be proven to you that he was the next DeMarcus Ware, would anybody have trouble drafting him at #5?

If he runs combine drills like Ware did, I would have NO PROBLEM taking him at 5.

He wont though. Ware is/was a freak.