PROVO — Momentum for John Beck's fortunes in the NFL Draft could be peaking at just the right time as word of his private workouts, interviews and combine tests have filtered down from NFL team offices to media outlets that cover the league.

Beck, the Mountain West Conference offensive player of the year, will almost assuredly be the first Cougar drafted this weekend. Others who may be picked include tight ends Jonny Harline and Daniel Coats and offensive lineman Eddie Keele, who sat out most of last season after a knee injury at Boston College.

Others on the 2006 MWC championship team that could be drafted include middle linebacker Cameron Jensen, offensive tackle Jake Kuresa and running back Curtis Brown.

Beck, whose overall performance in tests at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis back in February elevated his stock, continues to reap rewards both private and public since then, especially after quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell (LSU) and Brady Quinn (Notre Dame) decided not to throw.

"I feel very good about my combine tests, my performance and what I've done in meetings with teams around the league," said Beck. "I've done about all I can to prepare for the draft. Now it's out of my hands."

Part of the pre-draft work has been contact with 30 of the 32 NFL franchises. In addition to BYU's pro day back in March, Beck has met and worked out with Baltimore, Detroit and Atlanta. He has also had private workouts that he has been requested not to disclose, although Internet reports out of Florida indicate one of those teams was the Miami Dolphins.

As more NFL teams have reviewed his game films, conducted interviews, tested him and run him through both physical and mental tests, his stock has risen. Where once he'd been mentioned among the top 10 quarterbacks drafted, he is now considered one of the top candidates to go behind Russell and Quinn, as early as the second round.

On Tuesday, Beck was the topic of ESPN's draft day discussion, led by NFL analyst Chris Mortensen, who has Beck as one of this weekend draft's "hidden gems." Mortensen said one of his NFL sources predicted Beck could have a Drew Brees type career and play in the Pro Bowl someday.

"He has a great feel for the game. He's accurate," said Mortensen.

"And so whereas we know Russell and Quinn will be the first two quarterbacks off the board, I now believe it's possible he (Beck) could be the third guy ahead of Trent Edwards of Stanford or Drew Stanton of Michigan State, depending on who's picking. I do believe that he could go off the top of the second round."

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