Kentucky Wildcats are a underdog in Brandon Ingram decision tonight

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Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps no player has seen their NFL Draft stock increase more than the Kentucky Wildcats Bud Dupree. Dupree is pretty much locked in as a mid round first round pick and recent reports have him cracking the top ten. It is Dupree’s combination of bulk and speed that sets him apart.

"Dupree is considered a riser in the draft process, and his 6-foot-4, 269-pound frame is a good chunk of the reason. The rest is what he does with that imposing body. He made the short trip from the University of Kentucky to the scouting combine in Indianapolis and went a long way toward cementing himself as a top-15 pick, if not higher. He exploded out of the blocks and ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash, one of the best times at the position. Dupree was nearly a second faster than Nebraska’s Randy Gregory, who weighs 34 pounds less. He was only .03 slower than Clemson’s Vic Beasley, who weighs 23 pounds less. “He may be the best athlete I’ve ever been around,” Kentucky defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot, who has coached at Miami and Florida State, told The Chronicle-Telegram. “You don’t have many guys 6-4, 269 that can change directions, can drop into zone coverage, can play man coverage, can play on their feet and be a linebacker. And he’s still big enough to play down and dirty, hold off blocks and is a physical tackler. “The combination, I don’t know if I’ve ever been around that. I don’t think the combine’s ever seen it. He’s 30 pounds heavier — and taller and faster and jumps better.” The jumping can’t be ignored."

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

While Bud Dupree is solidified as a first round pick, the jury is out on Za’Darius Smith. There are some reports that he could go in the third or fourth round, but he most certainly will hear his name called this weekend. It appears that the Atlanta Falcons are targeting him in the later rounds on Saturday.

"How he would fit into the Falcons’ plans Smith will likely be a mid-late round pick in the draft Atlanta could likely acquire in the fifth round on draft day. He’d be a good rotational fit for the team as a strong-side defensive end with Malliciah Goodman, Tyson Jackson and Adrian Clayborn in the rotation with him. As a cheaper and quicker option than Jackson, he could wind up taking his spot on the team if he’s the selection. Smith wouldn’t be an ideal fit for the Falcons current needs and might have to spend a year on the practice squad just to find a spot on the roster in 2016."

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