Being considered one of the best tight ends available in April’s NFL draft, Joe Newton doesn’t want to get caught up in the speculation about what round he’ll go in or to which team.

The Roseburg native just tries to stay focused on his goal of becoming a professional.

Newton has been in Southern California since the Oregon State football team won the Sun Bowl, training with Athletes First. The group is affiliated with his agent, David Dunn, and works with OSU coach Mike Riley and former Beavers such as Derek Anderson.

“I’ve heard so many different things,” Newton said. “I don’t want to guess what people think of me.”

Newton is considered one of the top three tight ends in the draft. The general consensus from draft tracking Web sites has Arizona State’s Zach Miller and Miami’s Greg Olsen rated higher.

That could change after today when Newton plays in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. It’s a showcase all-star game for seniors who are considered the top prospects.

“I’m excited to get out there, take in the experience and play in the game,” Newton said.

He left for the game last weekend, and had several practices and meetings throughout the week with NFL coaches and scouts to show what he can do. The teams are coached by NFL staffs. Newton has been working with the San Francisco 49ers on the South team.

“Presenting myself in a professional manner will be important,” Newton said before leaving for Alabama. “Those meetings are important. This whole week is important.”

After the game Newton will return to California and continue training for the NFL combine in late February. It’s an event where scouts gauge athletic ability. He’ll be joined there by teammates Sabby Piscitelli and Adam Koets.

Piscitelli is considered one of the top 10 safeties in the nation, and Koets one of the top 25 offensive tackles, according to draft Web sites. Both played in last weekend’s Shrine Game.

Newton has a solid frame at 6-foot-7 and 260 pounds, but he is trying to improve. The combine can make-or-break players in the eyes of the scouts. It’s a cut-and-dry cookie cutter players must fit into.

“It’s an opportunity,” Newton said. “It might not be fun, but necessary to follow my dream. It’s a lot of hard work, but I feel that I’m making progress. My weight is good, but I’m trying to change my body to get leaner, faster and stronger.”

His height and speed help make him a good receiver, but his blocking has always been questioned. The Beavers liked to run the ball last season, so Newton developed in that area and improved his draft status.

Scott Wright’s NFL Draft Countdown points out all Newton’s positive and negative qualities. The negatives are size as a blocker, not athletic enough to run after the catch and concern over injuries.

Newton missed his junior season with a leg injury, and there were minor setbacks his first two seasons. No problems showed up his senior season, but the question of durability remains.

Weighing the pluses and minuses, he’s still considered a first-day draft pick.

“I just have to wait and see,” Newton said. “I’m doing the best I can until then.”