I think my initial thought was 3rd round, but now I am thinking 2nd for sure.

Late 1st-Mid 2nd Round....
Packers need him back there since Woodson's departure

My guess is he falls to the 3rd round (Bears?) I think teams will be nervous about taking MAC players too soon especially after Fischer to the Chiefs last year. He was not impressive the time he was healthy. They look at the competition you play against and obviously ours was not great.

(01-30-2014 01:04 PM)RitzHuskie Wrote:  My guess is he falls to the 3rd round (Bears?) I think teams will be nervous about taking MAC players too soon especially after Fischer to the Chiefs last year. He was not impressive the time he was healthy. They look at the competition you play against and obviously ours was not great.

Khalil Mack is projected to go in the top 10 this year. There won't be any nervousness because of the competition in the MAC.

After how Ward performed in the senior bowl, and if he follows it up with good showings at the combine and at NIU pro day, he'll be a 2nd day pick.

The MAC argument is bogus. Plenty of NFL talent from the MAC. Both Khalil Mack and Ward proved they could play against the top competition in the country. Jimmie was one of the best players on the field at the senior bowl and the orange bowl.

I really don't think Ward falls past the 3rd round unless he's super slow and weak at the combine/pro day. I think he's a lock for the 3rd round, and wouldn't be surprised if he goes higher based on team needs.

I think the Packers, Bears, Cowboys, and Chiefs are the primary possible landing spots.

This guy has him as the 46th best player overall. He's been nothing but positive about Ward all offseason.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/46...ris-top-50

(01-30-2014 01:04 PM)RitzHuskie Wrote:  I think teams will be nervous about taking MAC players too soon especially after Fischer to the Chiefs last year. He was not impressive the time he was healthy. They look at the competition you play against and obviously ours was not great.

Adding on to what has already been said, Rotoworld has Mack has the third best NFL prospect in the draft

The NFL combine will be a huge make or break for Ward. If he can run a 4.5 and should good hops and strength, it will definitely help him.

According to this, Mel Kiper thinks Jimmie is 2-3 round pick and could be a fast riser.

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/blogs/...963f4.html

Another prediction of Jimmy going in the 1st round, this time to Houston:

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2...ke-bortles

(01-30-2014 01:01 PM)Huskie BBQr Wrote:  Late 1st-Mid 2nd Round....
Packers need him back there since Woodson's departure

Agreed...Packers let Woodson go and lost Nick Collins (All-Pro Safety) to a career ending neck injury. Secondary hasn't been the same since. Jimmie would be a great fit in Dom Capers system. Also, I'm a huge Jimmie and Packers fan so it'd be win-win

1st round to Green Bay!

(02-10-2014 11:42 AM)NIUspeed84 Wrote:  

(01-30-2014 01:01 PM)Huskie BBQr Wrote:  Late 1st-Mid 2nd Round....
Packers need him back there since Woodson's departure

Agreed...Packers let Woodson go and lost Nick Collins (All-Pro Safety) to a career ending neck injury. Secondary hasn't been the same since. Jimmie would be a great fit in Dom Capers system. Also, I'm a huge Jimmie and Packers fan so it'd be win-win

1st round to Green Bay!

I certainly wouldn't mind seeing that! Maybe Jimmy could add to Cutler's interceptions total.

Mel Kiper on Jimmie: (if anyone cares)

“Jimmie Ward is an outstanding playmaker, not a big safety, but he fits today’s NFL with his coverage abilities, and how he’s around the ball so much and he makes so many impact plays,” Kiper said.

“You could actually argue he’s the 3rd or 4th best safety. The safety position is not tremendously deep, he could be a second or third round possibility.”

http://www.thesportsbank.net/college-fba...h-nfl-329/

(02-10-2014 11:42 AM)NIUspeed84 Wrote:  

(01-30-2014 01:01 PM)Huskie BBQr Wrote:  Late 1st-Mid 2nd Round....
Packers need him back there since Woodson's departure

Agreed...Packers let Woodson go and lost Nick Collins (All-Pro Safety) to a career ending neck injury. Secondary hasn't been the same since. Jimmie would be a great fit in Dom Capers system. Also, I'm a huge Jimmie and Packers fan so it'd be win-win

1st round to Green Bay!

+1!!!!
Ward would look great in the Green & Gold, and even better when taking Pick-6's to the house courtesy of St. Pick himself...
Cutler
Go Pack Go!

http://www.ninersnation.com/2014/2/9/539...hmad-dixon

They have Ward rated as the 4th best safety.

Northern Illinois' safety Jimmie Ward isn't too shabby either, and his tape reminds me a bit of Donte Whitner. Ward isn't all that big of a safety at 5'11" 192 lbs, but what he lacks in stature he makes up with smarts and thunderous hits. Ward's film doesn't stand out as much compared to that of Bucannon's, but his film is solid and steady. Ward knows his assignment and doesn't make many mental errors in coverage, which has lead to him being in the right place at the right time a lot of the time. Ward should also be considered by the 49ers.

(02-12-2014 08:01 PM)Huskie BBQr Wrote:  

(02-10-2014 11:42 AM)NIUspeed84 Wrote:  

(01-30-2014 01:01 PM)Huskie BBQr Wrote:  Late 1st-Mid 2nd Round....
Packers need him back there since Woodson's departure

Agreed...Packers let Woodson go and lost Nick Collins (All-Pro Safety) to a career ending neck injury. Secondary hasn't been the same since. Jimmie would be a great fit in Dom Capers system. Also, I'm a huge Jimmie and Packers fan so it'd be win-win

1st round to Green Bay!

+1!!!!
Ward would look great in the Green & Gold, and even better when taking Pick-6's to the house courtesy of St. Pick himself...
Cutler
Go Pack Go!

GO PACK GO
Absolutely that'd be great to see! Dog Fan said the same thing...though I think most people on this board could add to Cutler's pick total, but we wouldn't look as cool as Jimmie doing it

as a huge chiefs fan, i would LOVE this...

23. Kansas City Chiefs: Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois

Ward has been moving up draft boards with more people seeing tape of him. Ward has speed and at 5'11, 190 pounds, can lay the wood a bit. Ward would be a very nice compliment to Eric Berry and give Bob Sutton some more options on which scheme to play.

Some might say this is a bit early for Ward, but without a second round pick the Chiefs might have to gamble a bit. When you are aiming for the Super Bowl, as I believe Kansas City is, sometimes you take your shot. Ward could prove to be a very nice pick.

some comments posted below are great as well:

wow

I am torn on this . Now love , I repeat LOVE me some Jimmy Ward. He is my favorite player in the entire draft. I saw him on the MAC games of the week and was blown away. I laughed my ass off when CBS sports had him as a 6th round pick. This kid can cover , tackle, make plays. He is the best tackling db I ever saw at the college level. But I want a pass rusher or shutdown corner . But I love Jimmie Ward

Feels good to be back .Keep Scwartaz,Abdullah,Gafford,ditch the rest in 14
by saints_chiefsfan1979 on Feb 16, 2014 | 1:48 AM reply

There are some condensed tapes on YouTube.

I’ve also seen him play a couple times live. My best friends brother plays soccer at NIU so we’ve been to a few games. Pryor is definitely a SS IMO and I just don’t think Haha is any good to start with. Ward has the range, speed (I think he surprises with his 40), and instincts to play sideline to sideline, he was all over the field making plays at NIU. Plus he has the versatility to switch off with Berry to change up looks. I may be slightly biased given that he’s somebody I;ve watched in person, however. All that said I still prefer the option of snagging Dowling later on.
by Everest on Feb 15, 2014 | 5:39 PM up reply

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2014/2/15/...ity-chiefs

Another mock draft with him being selected in the first round,

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2...my-watkins

31. Denver Broncos - Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois

There is some uncertainty in Denver's secondary. The team has a few restricted free agents in Chris Harris and Duke Ihenacho and several older veterans in Mike Adams and Champ Bailey. Ward is a do-it-all secondary player who could work as a cornerback or safety in the pros.

If I am ward, I am working my but off on the 40. If he can run low mid 4.4s, his selection will be certain last of 1st early second.

(02-17-2014 11:01 AM)klake87 Wrote:  If I am ward, I am working my but off on the 40. If he can run low mid 4.4s, his selection will be certain last of 1st early second.

I doubt he can do that without having to lose some weight which is definitely not what he needs when he is already on the smaller side of most safeties in the NFL. I think he'll be fine in the 4.5-4.6 range as long as he is playing up on the line and not deep.