2013 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper predicts Bjoern Werner, Keenan Allen could fall to second round

Two highly touted prospects could fall on draft day.

Apr 10, 2013, 11:18 PM UTC

USA TODAY Sports

Back in the fall, Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner and California wide receiver Keenan Allen were considered among the best prospects at their respective positions and solid bets to be drafted in the first round.

However, some analysts have changed their tune, including ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., who said in a conference call on Wednesday that both players could slip to the second round of the draft.

Allen, who held his pro day on Tuesday, missed the end of Cal’s season with a knee injury. He reportedly timed in the 4.7-second range during his 40-yard dash, which is slower than most hoped for a first round prospect.

“I had Keenan Allen going 40 before his pro day,” Kiper said. “When you re-do it now, you’re still thinking maybe 44.”

Allen is the No. 2 wide receiver on SB Nation’s big board, but the injury knocked him off the top spot. The depth at wide receiver is evident, though, and a few talented prospects should still be on the board in second round. He has a chance at being a late first round pick, but his stock is in flux due to his 40 time and injury.

Meanwhile, Werner has lost some steam as a prospect, too. He didn’t blow people away at the combine, while other defensive ends stole the show. Kiper thinks he could fall all the way to the Detroit Lions at pick No. 36.

“I think Werner’s stock has dropped a little bit,” Kiper said. “He didn’t test out as well as people thought. He’s still a little inexperienced as a football player, a litte raw, but great motor, potential is there as a pass rusher. I think he could be a possibility at 36 (Lions).”

Werner checks in as SB Nation's No. 11 overall player, but a few defensive ends in this class present a bit more upside than he does. Dion Jordan of Oregon and LSU's Barkevious Mingo present more versatility and explosion off the snap, while the upside of BYU's Ziggy Ansah has been well-documented.

Despite the high praise throughout the season, the draft process hasn’t been kind to either Allen or Werner. That being said, both will provide nice value on draft weekend if they start to tumble down the board.