Draft Sleepers

[parlintm]

Every year there are players picked pretty high who seem to have come out of nowhere. Look no further than the second round pick of Osi Umenyiora. I was wondering if anyone had some of these guys in mind and that we could have a topic for discussing them. Ill get us started with one that I found recently:

 

Brandon Guillory, LA Monroe - DE/LB

6'4, 255

4.53 in the 40.

 

He played DE in college and was a very disruptive player but is being projected as a LB in the NFL. For some reason he wasnt invited to the NFL combine. Here's a scouting report from a site that had us taking him in the first round! I doubt he goes that high but if hes available he might be a good second rounder.

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile...Prospect_ID=967

[HOUND]

I'd consider the "sleeper" the guy with good talent and upside who can be unearthed later in the draft. That being the case, here are the guys who qualify on my board:

 

RB DeArrius Howard - Arkansas.

Had a great showing at the Senior Bowl. Carried the ball 413 times in college but fumbled just once. He's got big legs and a great burst. Think Michael Turner on San Diego. Wasn't invited to the combine.

 

Two other guys who I think are longshots but I've liked what I've seen out of them:

 

QB Brett Basanez - Northwestern. Doesn't have the numbers or measurables the scouts like but every time I saw the kid play he played well. I could see him having a long career as a second stringer in the NFL. Think Steve Beuerlein.

 

Lastly, from the scouting combine, WR Ed Hinkel - Iowa. He doesn't look like a WR. He doesn't have numbers that will blow you away. But he does appear to have that blue collar work ethic that coaches love. He also caught everything thrown his way at the combine.

[Not_Ldiggitty]

Ron Dayne was a draft sleeper, too...except by that, I mean he was sleeping at the draft after eating a family sized bucket of KFC and a hot fudge sundae...he had to be woken up and called up to the stage when the Giants picked him in the first round.

[Pizan]

I'd consider the "sleeper" the guy with good talent and upside who can be unearthed later in the draft. That being the case, here are the guys who qualify on my board:

 

RB DeArrius Howard - Arkansas.

Had a great showing at the Senior Bowl. Carried the ball 413 times in college but fumbled just once. He's got big legs and a great burst. Think Michael Turner on San Diego. Wasn't invited to the combine.

 

Two other guys who I think are longshots but I've liked what I've seen out of them:

 

QB Brett Basanez - Northwestern. Doesn't have the numbers or measurables the scouts like but every time I saw the kid play he played well. I could see him having a long career as a second stringer in the NFL. Think Steve Beuerlein.

 

Lastly, from the scouting combine, WR Ed Hinkel - Iowa. He doesn't look like a WR. He doesn't have numbers that will blow you away. But he does appear to have that blue collar work ethic that coaches love. He also caught everything thrown his way at the combine.

 

 

Yea I agree but in a way there is actually two types of sleepers. The type you discribed Hound, then the small school sleepers.

 

I definitely agree with Basanez, I watched him vs Penn State and was in shock with how good he actually was and nobody was giving this guy any credit.

 

I just make a list of guy I think are sleepers.

 

QB- Michael Robinson Penn State. Sure call me a homer but I honestly really think Robinson can make it as a NFL QB. Quiton Porter Boston College, I think he can be a good backup at the next level.

 

RB- Mike Imoh V-tech. I know he's only 5'6 but he does a really good job at finding the holes. Mario Merrills Maryland. This guy is really under rated but never took a full load in college, so he is deserving of that.

 

WR- Jovon Bouknight Wyoming. He was Wyomings Jerry Rice this guy has all the records there, not hard I know but he has very good hands and could be a real surprise.

 

TE- Cooper Wallace Auburn. He can block and catch, surprising decent route runner.

 

C- Marvin Phillip Cal. I think the fact that he is 24 is really holding him back.

 

OG/OT- Jahri Evans BLOOMSBURG. Some might know of him because Scott Wright has him rated as a top 10 gaurd but I know of him because bloom is 40 mins away from me and I visit this strip club in bloom quite often but thats besides the point... I have a former HS teamate and friend that plays there now he was really high on him so I took the time to catch a few games and go to one of the better party schools in the area. He is like the Orlando Pace of the D2 level, he played tackle at bloom. This guy was really good but I think I could have gave a better fight then some of the guys he played against. He just dominated. He has a shot to be in the NFL and might get drafted.

 

DT- Domata Peko Michigan St. If you ever watched a MSU game this is the first guy you notice because of his hair. He's actually a better prospect then most give him credit for because he does have the 3-4 nose tackle ability.

 

I got plenty of other defensive players I like but they arent really sleeper material.

 

 

Some unfamilar names:

Bruce Eugene Grambling St. QB

Jason Hatcher Grambling St. DE/DT

Paul Walkenhorst BYU OLB

Valentine Chude Western New Mexico MLB

[Guest Nutty Sack]

The Giants already have a draft sleeper........Ernie Accorsi !!

[HOUND]

Yea I agree but in a way there is actually two types of sleepers. The type you discribed Hound, then the small school sleepers.

 

I definitely agree with Basanez, I watched him vs Penn State and was in shock with how good he actually was and nobody was giving this guy any credit.

 

I just make a list of guy I think are sleepers.

 

QB- Michael Robinson Penn State. Sure call me a homer but I honestly really think Robinson can make it as a NFL QB. Quiton Porter Boston College, I think he can be a good backup at the next level.

 

RB- Mike Imoh V-tech. I know he's only 5'6 but he does a really good job at finding the holes. Mario Merrills Maryland. This guy is really under rated but never took a full load in college, so he is deserving of that.

 

WR- Jovon Bouknight Wyoming. He was Wyomings Jerry Rice this guy has all the records there, not hard I know but he has very good hands and could be a real surprise.

 

TE- Cooper Wallace Auburn. He can block and catch, surprising decent route runner.

 

C- Marvin Phillip Cal. I think the fact that he is 24 is really holding him back.

 

OG/OT- Jahri Evans BLOOMSBURG. Some might know of him because Scott Wright has him rated as a top 10 gaurd but I know of him because bloom is 40 mins away from me and I visit this strip club in bloom quite often but thats besides the point... I have a former HS teamate and friend that plays there now he was really high on him so I took the time to catch a few games and go to one of the better party schools in the area. He is like the Orlando Pace of the D2 level, he played tackle at bloom. This guy was really good but I think I could have gave a better fight then some of the guys he played against. He just dominated. He has a shot to be in the NFL and might get drafted.

 

DT- Domata Peko Michigan St. If you ever watched a MSU game this is the first guy you notice because of his hair. He's actually a better prospect then most give him credit for because he does have the 3-4 nose tackle ability.

 

I got plenty of other defensive players I like but they arent really sleeper material.

Some unfamilar names:

Bruce Eugene Grambling St. QB

Jason Hatcher Grambling St. DE/DT

Paul Walkenhorst BYU OLB

Valentine Chude Western New Mexico MLB

 

 

Michael Robinson of Penn State really hurt his stock by attending the combine but really not participating in it. I've read several teams were interested in seeing him run the receiver drills but he flat out refused to take part, instead he's saving his performance for Penn State's Pro Day.

 

I like his moxie. You couldn't help but come away impressed with him after the Bowl game versus the Seminoles. He got lit up all game but got up every time and led his team to victory. Really was an amazing performance that got lost in the Vince Young Love Affair that the Bowl Season turned into. However I'm not sold on the idea of Robinson as a Pro QB. And if he is slotted to play reciever in the pro's the time to show he can handle the task was the combine. Somebody's giving him bad advice.

[Pizan]

Michael Robinson of Penn State really hurt his stock by attending the combine but really not participating in it. I've read several teams were interested in seeing him run the receiver drills but he flat out refused to take part, instead he's saving his performance for Penn State's Pro Day.

 

I like his moxie. You couldn't help but come away impressed with him after the Bowl game versus the Seminoles. He got lit up all game but got up every time and led his team to victory. Really was an amazing performance that got lost in the Vince Young Love Affair that the Bowl Season turned into. However I'm not sold on the idea of Robinson as a Pro QB. And if he is slotted to play reciever in the pro's the time to show he can handle the task was the combine. Somebody's giving him bad advice.

 

 

Robinson tried reciever for teams at the senior bowl and he wasnt impressing anyone. Penn State had their pro day about 5 or 6 days ago. According to Robinson he did well and his agent said there was quite a few teams interested in him as a QB but the feelings around the NFL are mixed. He also heard Robinson could go as early as the second round, but take that for what its worth.

 

IMO, I do not think Robinson will succeed at WR, RB, or S in the NFL. I honestly think his best shot is QB. Remember Robinson only has one year of being a full time QB under his belt. This guy needs time to develop into an NFL calibur QB. Just look at his weaknesses. He has poor accuracy, he lacks pocket pressence, he struggles to read defenses, poor decision making... they are all results from very limited experince at QB. The team that drafts him as a QB and trys to develop Robinson is going to really be rewarded with a great player. Robinson has better intangables then most of the QBs in this draft, very few are better.

 

Ya know I hate to comment on any Penn State player because obviously Im a bit bias and I'll be the first to admit that. But I strongly feel Robinson with time coould develop into an extremly dangerous and well rounded QB. I would draft him as high as the 4th round as a QB. Call me crazy but if you look at other qbs that have been drafted in the 4th in recent years as well as the talent at the QB position this year you wouldnt think it was so crazy. While Robinson developed as a QB he could be a bit of a special weapon, much like a Randle el or a Senaca Wallace. I realize a lot of people will disagree on this subject but I do stand by every word I said.

[vermin79]

The Giants already have a draft sleeper........Ernie Accorsi !!

 

[Money]

Some names that I haven't seen mentioned: Clint Ingram, Antoine Bethea, David Pittman.

 

I would mention Brandon Johnson, but since everyone and their mother is throwing him in mock drafts these days, I don't think he qualifies any longer.

[Pizan]

Some names that I haven't seen mentioned: Clint Ingram, Antoine Bethea, David Pittman.

 

I would mention Brandon Johnson, but since everyone and their mother is throwing him in mock drafts these days, I don't think he qualifies any longer.

 

 

lol I think its because you had him included in your first mock. . . But then you had him in the 4th these guys have him in the 6th....

[parlintm]

Some names that I haven't seen mentioned: Clint Ingram, Antoine Bethea, David Pittman.

 

I would mention Brandon Johnson, but since everyone and their mother is throwing him in mock drafts these days, I don't think he qualifies any longer.

 

I would be happy to see the Giants grab Bethea somewhere in rounds 4-7. Its a very Ernie pick.

[HOUND]

Robinson tried reciever for teams at the senior bowl and he wasnt impressing anyone. Penn State had their pro day about 5 or 6 days ago. According to Robinson he did well and his agent said there was quite a few teams interested in him as a QB but the feelings around the NFL are mixed. He also heard Robinson could go as early as the second round, but take that for what its worth.

 

IMO, I do not think Robinson will succeed at WR, RB, or S in the NFL. I honestly think his best shot is QB. Remember Robinson only has one year of being a full time QB under his belt. This guy needs time to develop into an NFL calibur QB. Just look at his weaknesses. He has poor accuracy, he lacks pocket pressence, he struggles to read defenses, poor decision making... they are all results from very limited experince at QB. The team that drafts him as a QB and trys to develop Robinson is going to really be rewarded with a great player. Robinson has better intangables then most of the QBs in this draft, very few are better.

 

Ya know I hate to comment on any Penn State player because obviously Im a bit bias and I'll be the first to admit that. But I strongly feel Robinson with time coould develop into an extremly dangerous and well rounded QB. I would draft him as high as the 4th round as a QB. Call me crazy but if you look at other qbs that have been drafted in the 4th in recent years as well as the talent at the QB position this year you wouldnt think it was so crazy. While Robinson developed as a QB he could be a bit of a special weapon, much like a Randle el or a Senaca Wallace. I realize a lot of people will disagree on this subject but I do stand by every word I said.

 

Struggling to read defenses and poor decision making may be traits of inexperience, but the league is littered with examples of guys who never developed these skills even after they got extensive playing time. I'll be surprised if Robinson can make the grade. But who knows, he's a perfect example of the kind of guy the league would send to NFL Europe to gain experience. I think any team that drafts him in the 2nd to play QB needs their head examined but I won't predict it won't occur. Ever since Dallas traded up for Quincy Carter I try really hard not to use the word "Never" as it relates to draft day!

[Guest Lockhart]

Ernie Accorsi is a draft sleeper - how else can one explain his disasterous first rounds over the years. If the Giants had someone competent, right now they would have Shaun Alexander rushing the ball, with Super Bowl Champ Ben Roethliberger as QB, and Shawn Merriman on defense. The pro bowl would be full of Giants and the third Lombardi trophy in the Giant offices, but Ernie slept through the first rounds instead selecting decent players.

[Firstnten]

Ernie Accorsi is a draft sleeper - how else can one explain his disasterous first rounds over the years. If the Giants had someone competent, right now they would have Shaun Alexander rushing the ball, with Super Bowl Champ Ben Roethliberger as QB, and Shawn Merriman on defense. The pro bowl would be full of Giants and the third Lombardi trophy in the Giant offices, but Ernie slept through the first rounds instead selecting decent players.LOCKHART POST THEME#2

[parlintm]

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjourn...ts/14295676.htm

 

Productive WR out of the University of Akron. Was not invited to the Combine but just ran a couple of 40's in the 4.36-4.39 range for scouts.

 

Says that he's visiting with the Giants.

 

Given that we're most likely going to draft a WR, this could be a good pick in the middle rounds.

[KyleG490]

Ron Dayne was a draft sleeper, too...except by that, I mean he was sleeping at the draft after eating a family sized bucket of KFC and a hot fudge sundae...he had to be woken up and called up to the stage when the Giants picked him in the first round.

 

 

[HOUND]

I'd like to add WR Brandon Marshall to my sleeper list. This guy isn't getting nearly enough attention. I can understand that playing in Conference USA will work against him but his Senior Bowl performances were stellar. He's my 3rd rated WR and yes, I'd take him ahead of Sinorice Moss.

 

Another grossly underrated O-Lineman is Center Greg Eslinger from Minnesota. Nick Mangold is getting all the press at the position but Eslinger won the Outland and Rimington awards his senoior season. In case you live in a cave, those awards go to the Best LINEMAN, not Center, in the Nation. He's got excellent agility and pulls better than any interior prospect in the draft.