This post is part of a continuing series in which we break down 13 2011 NFL Draft prospects - our Baker's Dozen - that should interest the Buffalo Bills. Keep up to date on our Baker's Dozen series here.
In the weeks leading up to the draft, I, personally, have made no secret about the fact that I'd be uncomfortable if a team I liked drafted Robert Quinn simply because of his brain tumor. Dan Kadar of Mocking the Draft, let the record be shown, has similar concerns.
"It's troubling, for sure," Kadar said. "We all probably know someone who has had cancer. Who sees it coming? It's an awful way to downgrade a player, but there's no mistake that it has probably pushed him down on some team's draft boards. When I'm ranking players, I tend to do it based on best case scenario off of what I know right now. That's why Quinn is so high. But I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be worried if my team took Quinn. You just never know if or when something might resurface."
Before we jump, please note that Quinn does not have cancer. His tumor, when diagnosed, was benign, and it still is.
Kadar does, however, still have Quinn rated as a Top 10 prospect (and I've got him just outside it). There's no doubt that he's an excellent prospect, but I was also curious to know whether or not Dan thought Quinn has the type of athleticism and versatility to eventually be a 3-4 outside linebacker.
"It's a little hard to say if Quinn can move to 3-4 linebacker," Kadar said. "North Carolina had so many linebackers they didn't have to drop Quinn back or stand him up (unlike Clemson with Da'Quan Bowers on occasion). Quinn has looked pretty fluid in workouts, but doing it in game is a totally different thing. I prefer him as an end. He's just so good dipping down around the corner. I don't know how fast he would attack forward from a standing position."