NFL Draft 2010 Player Profile: Tim Tebow, Florida Quarterback

After lots and lots of speculation, Tim Tebow has decided not to attend the NFL draft in New York City.

Because of the new draft schedule, the NFL is inviting both first and second round prospects to the draft.

A popular pick in NFL mock drafts recently has been Tim Tebow to the Minnesota Vikings with the 30th pick. More and more analysts are coming out and saying Tebow will be a first round pick and the Vikings have Brett Favre for what will likely be one more season so the marriage makes sense on some levels.

However, according to the Pioneer Press, there’s “virtually no chance” the Vikings select Tebow in the first round.

Breaking: Tim Tebow is an impressive young man.

That’s what we’re hearing from most of the teams that have met with him so far and that includes the Buffalo Bills.

A few months ago a Florida politician came out and said it would be a good idea for the Jaguars to draft Tim Tebow. Shortly after that, Jags owner Wayne Weaver said the team would give it some thought.

The thought process was that Tebow was such a major draw in the Florida area that he would help the Jacksonville stadium actually sell out a few games. They’re among the NFL’s worst when it comes to selling out their stadium.

Last week ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that the NFL had extended an invitation to Tim Tebow to attend the NFL Draft in New York City. And according to Mortensen, Tebow accepted.

Not so fast, says SI’s Peter King, who talked to Tebow over the weekend.

There are reportedly at least five teams interested in working out Florida QB Tim Tebow. The Redskins, who hold the fourth and 36th pick in the draft, are one of those teams.

The Redskins brass including GM Bruce Allen, head coach Mike Shanahan and director of player personnel Scott Campbell flew down to Gainesville to visit with the Florida quarterback.

The Patriots are one of five teams that will reportedly host a private workout with QB Tim Tebow. SB Nation’s Pats community, Pats Pulpit, wonders if this is a smokescreen ala Pat White in 2009.

At this time of year, nearly every team is throwing out some sort of smokescreen whether it’s intentional or not.

A handful of teams held a private interview with Tim Tebow as the Senior Bowl and at least a handful more will kick the tires in a private workout with the Florida quarterback, according to Matt Hayes of The Sporting News.

Four of those teams could be targeting a quarterback in the draft and four of them pick in the top 10.

Generally the NFL invites less than a dozen prospects to the actual NFL Draft held in New York City. And generally those prospects are among the elite expected to be picked in the top half of the draft.

With the change in the draft schedule this year -- first round on Thursday and rounds two and three on Friday -- the NFL has doubled its usual invitation list.

Size and Statistics: 6-foot-3, 245 pounds. 2947 rushing yards, 57 rushing touchdowns. 661-995 passing (66%), 9285 yards, 88 touchdowns, 16 interceptions. Three-time Heisman finalist, 2007 winner. 2008 Manning Award (best passer), Maxwell Award (best player), Sullivan Award (best amateur athlete). 2007 AP All-American, Davey O’Brien Award (best QB), Maxwell Award.

In 140 characters or less: The Greatest College Football Player of His Generation. But he may never be a successful pro.