My old pal Andrew Howard of the Daily Bruin now works for NFL.com and passed along some quotes about Akeem Ayers and Rahim Moore from NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock:

On the prospects from the Southern California schools:
“Akeem Ayers, I’ve got him, I believe, as my No. 2 outside linebacker prospect. He’s played both with his hand in the dirt and up. He played linebacker at UCLA. I think he’s got first-round ability because of his natural ability to get to the quarterback. Most of the 3-4 teams are very interested in him, although I think he can play in a 4-3 scheme. So if you’re scheme diverse, that’s a good thing.
Secondly, Rahim Moore, the free safety at UCLA, in a bad, bad safety year, he’s the best safety out there. Whether or not that gets him in the first round, I don’t know. … He reminded me on tape a little bit of Earl Tomas. Not quite as good, but he’s got great range. I think he’ll fit somewhere late one to mid two.”

On if he were the Patriots at 17 and going at outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense:

“Akeem Ayers from UCLA is the most logical guy at 17, because Von Miller’s going to be gone. I’m not sure Justin Houston from Georgia makes sense there. I think he’s more of a second-round guy. So if you’re trying to lock in on a guy, and obviously they need somebody who can get to the quarterback without a lot of help, I think Ayers is the guy that makes the most sense.”