Rise ‘n Grind: Appreciating NFL Draft rankings

RANK SPECULATION: I don’t get draft rankings that change dramatically in April. Nobody’s even playing any games, and the Combine has been over for more than a month. Mike Mayock moved Marcus Mariota above Jameis Winston in his latest rankings. Mayock is now concerned with Winston’s 18 interceptions last season.

MORE RANKINGS: Speaking of rankings, Mocking the Draft released its latest rankings, updated for the first time since the college football season and the Combine ended. Here’s the list of quarterbacks, and here’s the list for a super deep class of running backs.

SEMI-PRO FOOTBALL TALK: There’s no Mike Florio run-on sentences, but this week’s Onside Kick Family Hour podcast features retired NFL defensive end Stephen White and Danny Kelly talking about the pass rushers in this year’s draft and lots more, from gaining weight the right way and USC’s Leonard Williams.

POWER PUNCH: The Jets added another former Patriot to their collection, running back Stevan Ridley. He’s a power runner, which begs the question if Chris Ivory is in the plans for 2015.

WHO’S YOUR QUARTERBACK: We did a little matchmaking on Wednesday, trying to marry the right QB with the desperate franchise. Even better, there’s a handy flow chart to help you decide who should be your team’s franchise cornerstone.

STICKER SHOCK: I think we’re mandated to talk about a possible Eagles trade every day until the draft. Trading up from the 20th spot into the top five for Marcus Mariota might not cost the Eagles as much as you think, maybe even less than what Washington gave St. Louis in 2012 to move up to the second spot.

WHILE WE WAIT: The 49ers are still waiting for defensive end Justin Smith to render his final decision on retirement. His teammates are doing everything they can to convince him to stick around for at least one more season.

EXCLUSIVE INSIDER ACCESS: NFL team PR efforts have gone beyond just hiring their own web site writers. They’re doing everything an independent media outlet does, with all the resources of the a billion dollar entertainment business behind them ... and slightly more access. Naturally the St. Louis Rams had their assistant payroll manager sit down for a hard hitting interview with Janoris Jenkins.

NSFQB: That means “not safe for quarterbacks.” It’s a reference to DeMarcus Ware’s abs which are, um, well toned.

THEY’VE GOT VD: Vernon Davis is participating in offseason workouts with the 49ers. Why does that matter? It matters because there’s some concern about whether or not he’s hitting the downward side of his career; Niners Nation explains.

HE’S READY: I miss AJ McCarron’s nutty draft predictions this year, but he’s working hard trying to show the Bengals he can be a worthy backup to Andy Dalton (aim high, AJ!). And he’s totally serious about it, excited even.