Where will Scooby go?

In addition to conducting a first-round mock draft, Star sports staffers Ryan Finley, Michael Lev and Zack Rosenblatt project where Arizona’s top prospect, linebacker Scooby Wright, will come off the board:

Finley: Third round, 75th pick, Oakland

Comment: Scooby was born to wear the silver and black, and not just because he grew up in nearby Windsor, California. He fits well culturally with the rough-and-tumble Raiders and could play either middle linebacker or weak-side linebacker in Oakland’s 4-3 defense. Wright would look good backing up projected starter Ben Heeney in the middle, surrounded by former Seahawks Bruce Irvin and Malcolm Smith. Irvin’s athleticism and nose for the ball — skills learned under former UA coaches Jeff Casteel and Bill Kirelawich at West Virginia — could cover for some of Wright’s perceived flaws in space.

Lev: 3/80, Buffalo

Comment: We’ve heard all the talk about Wright’s limitations. Can’t cover, can’t play in space, can’t do this, can’t do that. Well, Rex Ryan is the type of coach who will look at what a player can do. Wright is excellent against the run. He is a superior blitzer. Ryan will see through all the negativity surrounding Wright and devise a way to take advantage of his skill set. Additionally, the Bills need depth at linebacker.

Rosenblatt: 4/104, Baltimore

Comment: After his subpar performance at the NFL scouting combine, and mixed reviews off his pro day, coupled with the lack of early-round inside linebacker picks in recent years, I just don’t see any teams feeling the need to use a Day 2 pick on him. The Ravens are a team that tends to pounce on guys who 1) can play right away; and 2) fall a round or two past their projected value. Plus, linebacker is a need.