|
The NFL Draft Bible's Josh Buchanan takes a look at Small School Risers, Fallers & Sleepers for the upcoming 2008 NFL Draft.
IMPRESSIVE PRO DAY WORKOUTS
Tennessee State CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie measured in at 6’1 3/8 182 pounds and while he did not display his 4.3 40 speed, he ran a blazing 6.63 3-cone and posted a 37 ½ inch vertical jump. DRC, as many now call him, has solidified himself as a top 25, and potential top 15 pick.
Clark Atlanta DE/OLB Curtis Johnson might have solidified his stock in the mid rounds by running a 4.60 40, improved from his 4.69 at the combine, at 6025 237 pounds while posting a 10’1 broad jump, 4.46 short shuttle, and 6.78 3-cone. 15 NFL teams were there and all of them were impressed. I expect him to come off the board in the 4th to early 6th round range.
Gardner-Webb DE Brian Johnston was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine but has made noise since his solid performance at the Hula Bowl in pro day workouts. He ran in the 4.66-4.72 range at 6’5 274 pounds without warming up. He had a 4.18 short shuttle and 6.96 3-cone, which are ridiculous for his size. He also posted 31 reps of 225 and a 33 to 35 inch vertical. Needless to say he had scouts quickly finding their phones to call their bosses about this workout. He has 7 visits as of today and about 15 more teams scrambling to set dates. He could go as high as the 4th round.
Stillman CB Brian Witherspoon probably had the best all-around workout of any skill player at his pro day with a 4.29 40 and 40 inch vertical jump at 5’10 3/8 175 pounds. He also posted a 10’10 broad jump and 4.36 short shuttle. His versatility and speed make him an intriguing prospect on day two but his lack of football experience and technique might keep him from getting drafted.
RISERS
Everyone knew his name because of the blocked field goal at Michigan but his postseason workouts have been what will clinch a late round selection. Appalachian State FS Corey Lynch is one of the biggest risers of the postseason due to his better than expected 40 time and standout performance in the Texas vs. the Nation game. He ran in the 4.58-4.60 range at his pro day and an outstanding 3.99 short shuttle. I expect him to go in the 6th or 7th round and be an impact special team’s player early on.
Western Washington LB Shane Simmons entered the season as a borderline draft grade from some scouts but never got the media attention he deserved. He has shot up draft boards after running in the high 4.5 to low 4.6 range at 6’1 ¼ 239 pounds at his pro day. He is a versatile player who can play inside or outside and star on special teams. Someone will draft him in the later rounds due to his speed and versatility.
Mississippi Valley State OT Thaddeus Coleman is shooting up draft boards after his dominant performance at the Texas vs. the Nation game and posted a much better than expect 40 in the 5.1 range. He is going to get looks in the mid rounds and should come off the board no later than the 6th round.
Catawba QB Brad Roach is probably the most under the radar draft prospect of any player. His 4.77 speed at 6’6, 248 pounds showed he has better than advertised mobility. His impressive postseason workouts and senior season have gone unnoticed by the media but not the NFL scouts. Don’t be surprised to hear his name called in the late rounds.
The last riser that should be mentioned is Richmond WR Arman Shields who flew under the radar all season after injuring his knee early in the year. The only way he falls to the late rounds or undrafted is if he failed his medical tests at the combine, which would be shocking considering the workouts numbers he produced. At the scouting combine he shot up boards with an impressive 4.44 40, 37 ½ inch vertical, 3.96 short shuttle, and 7.08 3-cone at 6006, 194 pounds. He has gone from a priority free on my board to a mid round selection.
FALLERS
Fallers are the topic I hate to talk about the most because you hate to see a player hurt his stock.
The biggest faller has to be Northern Iowa OT Brandon Keith and not for his play on the field. He had a good all-star game performance and ran an impressive 5.27 40 at 343 pounds. His stock has fallen due to facing rioting charges on March 16th and was arrested. Any off field altercation like this just before the draft kills your stock. Expect Keith to fall to the 7th round or go undrafted.
The last faller is West Texas A&M TE Kolo Kapanui after a very slow 5.06 40 at 6033, 271 pounds was the worst of any tight end at the combine. His 26 ½ inch vertical, 8’11 broad jump, 4.66 short shuttle, and 7.42 3-cone were also among the worst at his position. He did not run again at his pro day, leaving questions that he may have an injury or not be as athletic as expected.
SLEEPERS
Everyone knows about Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Joe Flacco, and Dexter Jackson but there are some players who have not gotten the media attention that are worth watching on draft day. There are some sleepers that could hear their names called or make an impact as an undrafted free agent.
The media and NFL attention that App State WR Dexter Jackson has attracted got 15-20 NFL teams to the ASU pro day and Kerry Brown took full advantage of it. His stock might have risen to the 5th round after he ran a 5.16 40 at 6053 305 pounds. His 29 ½ inch vertical and 32 reps of 225 would have been tops at the NFL combine.
Washburn CB Cary Williams, a D2 standout, had an impressive showing at the Cactus Bowl and followed that up with a 4.43 40 at 6’1 187 pounds during his pro day. He has a chance to now go in the late rounds and could be a pleasant surprise in training camp.
North Dakota State ILB Joe Mays lacks the ideal size at 5’11 245 pounds and straight line speed for the NFL and thus has scared some teams off, however, his instincts, physical play, and ability to shut down the run will give a lucky team who drafts him a solid special teams player and run stuffing inside backer.
And last but not least Grand Valley State CB Brandon Carr is another D2 player with a chance to now go in the later rounds. His 4.43 40 at 6’0 207 pounds at his pro day verified what few people, including myself thought in terms of his NFL tools. His production and ability to shut down receivers combined with his terrific size/speed combination make him a player to watch once the late rounds approach.
|
