Combine rumors dogging big names

The conclusion of pro day workouts in early April always seems to bring with it a calm-before-the-storm feeling as most scouts migrate back to team facilities and front offices start to firm up their draft boards. Countless hours of evaluating game film, all-star games, combine workouts and pro day numbers have begun wrapping up and the hay is in the barn.

Teams must now target prospects who they feel best fit their draft strategies and devise a game plan for any and all scenarios that could unfold on draft weekend. This is not a true "dead period", though, and some interesting story lines are unfolding as we head for the homestretch.

To find out which players are dealing with damaging rumors, which have used solid workouts to move up the board and which defensive tackle might be headed for a position change, become an ESPN Insider.

Character concerns?

Various media outlets have reported in recent days that several players tested positive for banned substances at the combine in February. The NFL has neither confirmed nor denied these reports but several players -- including Boston College DT B.J. Raji, USC OLBs Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews, Illinois CB Vontae Davis and Florida WR Percy Harvin -- have been forced to answer questions about the reports. Whether true or not, rumors like this do affect prospects by raising red flags for teams and subjecting the players to closer scrutiny during these final weeks of the pre-draft process.

We are not passing judgment on any prospects, but all should take into account the case of San Diego Chargers DT Luis Castillo, who tested positive for steroids prior to the 2005 draft. Castillo was up-front with teams and admitted he made a mistake in using steroids as he rehabbed an elbow injury, and as a result his draft stock did not take a significant hit. If any of the players implicated publicly deny failed tests that are subsequently confirmed, those denials will be viewed by NFL teams as a betrayal of trust and will only make matters worse.

Byrd not grounded yet
A groin injury prevented Oregon CB Jairus Byrd from working out for scouts at both the combine and the Ducks' on-campus pro day, so Byrd held a private workout for scouts on April 2. The 5-foot-10, 201-pounder looked fluid during position drills and showed great quickness during the short-shuttle and three-cone drills.

The problem is, scouts had concerns about his top-end speed going in and they clocked his 40-yard dash time in the 4.64- to 4.69-second range. That time leads us to believe Byrd is a far better fit for a base Cover 2 scheme than for a team that asks its corners to regularly match up in man coverage. His size, instincts and ball skills could make him a great value for the right team early on Day 2, so the slow 40 time is worrisome but not catastrophic.

Moala likely changing positions
USC DT Fili Moala has above-average athleticism and quickness for a 6-5, 305-pound defensive tackle, but Moala's high center of gravity makes it tough for him to sink his hips and hold his ground against double-team blocks. As a result, we feel his best fit in the NFL is at defensive end in a 3-4 front. Pittsburgh would be a good fit and the Steelers, who should be looking to inject some youth at defensive end, brought Moala in for a visit earlier this week.

Utes cornerbacks impressive
Utah CBs Sean Smith and Brice McCain generated some buzz with their March 9 pro day workouts, and that buzz has continued to build. Smith has rare size (6-3, 214) for a cornerback and the junior followed a strong combine with an impressive pro day workout. He turned in 40 times of 4.48 and 4.49, besting his combine time by a tenth of a second. Scouts simply can't ignore the potential that comes with Smith's unique combination of size, speed and ball skills.

However, tall corners generally have a hard time sinking their hips and exploding effectively out of cuts, which hampers their ability to match up in man coverage. And while Smith is certainly big enough to move to safety, he's an inconsistent tackler at this point and that is a red flag for players on the last line of a defense. Smith is a risk-versus-reward pick, but based on what we've seen thus far he might be worth the gamble early in the second round.

Smith will come off the board far earlier than McCain, but McCain did steal the show at Utah's pro day. The 5-9, 181-pounder posted two sub-4.4 times in the 40, and recorded a 36.5-inch vertical jump and 10-3 broad jump. McCain looked fluid transitioning out of his backpedal and out of breaks as well, but it's his ability to contribute as a kickoff return man that could be the difference between getting drafted in the late rounds or signing with a team as a rookie free agent.

Steve Muench played four years of college football and has been evaluating college and NFL players for Scouts Inc. since 2002. Kevin Weidl is a former college quarterback and has been evaluating NFL prospects for Scouts Inc. since 2008.