Heading into the Combine, here are my top sleepers at each position:
QB: Alex Brink, Washington State
RB: Chauncey Washington, USC
WR: Harry Douglas, Louisville (Could be the next Wes Welker) Marcus Monk, Arkansas
TE: J.J. Finley, Oklahoma
T: Pedro Sosa, Rutgers
G: Kerry Brown, Appalachian State
C: No one yet
DE: Johnny Dingle, West Virginia
DT: Dre Moore, Maryland
ILB: Ben Moffitt, South Florida
OLB: Shawn Crable, Michigan
CB: Chevis Jackson, LSU
FS: Corey Lynch, Appalachian State
SS: Caleb Campbell, Army
That’s my early list of some players I’m keeping an eye on who may be sliding under the radar. Now I want to hear from all of you. Add to the list and give us some of your sleepers and we’ll be sure to watch out for them as the draft nears.
February 20, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I don’t know if i would consider him a sleeper but I was wondering what you thought about Justin Forsett out of Cal?
February 20, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Yes Craig, that’s a good one. Forsett is a smaller back but plays much bigger than his size. Kind of like Kevin Faulk.
February 20, 2008 at 6:23 pm
yay, the blog is back!!!!!
February 20, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I go to the U of Hawaii and im the football team manager. Over the year ive watched Davone Bess, Jason Rivers, Ryan Grice-Mullins become the focal points of our Offense. How do you think they will pan out in the next level? I can see Bess and Grice-Mullins at Wes Welker types (Bess would be the better of the 2) and Rivers is a big physical WR’s with great hands and has a really really really hot wife!!!!! (I sat next to them on the plane back from the Sugar Bowl). Any other thoughts on Hawaii players?
February 20, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Nick,
Matt from Quincy e-mailed me about these guys a couple of months ago and I told him that in my opinion, run’n’ shoot receivers or Texas Tech receivers not named Michael Crabtree are the toughest players to evaluate. I think so much of their production is due to the system they play in and I think because of that, they need to get drafted by the right team. In my opinion, and I’ve seen Hawaii play quite a bit, Bess is by far the best pro prospect out of the group. Remember when it comes to Grice-Mullen, very few people can do what Welker does at that size. I’ve stood next to Welker and I can probably break him in half he’s so small. Not too many receivers at that size are going to be successful in the NFL. I would put my money on Bess being the best pro.
February 20, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Tom do you have an opinion on Jamie Silva and DeJuan Tribble?
Also any thoughts on Marcus Griffin? His brother was one guy i hoped would fall to the pats last year.
February 20, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I love Tribble. He got hurt but when healthy I think he’s one of the best corners in the draft after the top three. I’m so-so on Silva. He’ll probably end up being a much better college player than a pro and from what I’ve seen of Griffin, I’m not a big fan.
February 20, 2008 at 7:25 pm
I know it is a stupid category to mention but what about punter? The one name that seems to appear is Durant Brooks. Bring him in mid-round as an upgrade at the position.
February 20, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Still too early in the process for me to know punters Craig but we will be looking at some late-round options for obvious reasons.
February 20, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Tom, what about Lavelle Hawkins? I think he’s a sleeper.
February 20, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Tom,
what do you think about Taj Smith from syracuse. living in syracuse I have got to see a good amount of him, but can never figure him out. He seems to be able to make plays one week then become completely non existent the next. any chance he makes it on the next level?
February 21, 2008 at 1:00 pm
My guy who is still under the radar is Athyba Rubin, DT from Iowa State. He was dominant in both the East/West Shrine game and in the senior bowl. He did not get mentioned at all during senior bowl week, but everytime they showed him he was dominating his guy. He was also the guy who beat a double team to stop the north on 4th and 1 to set up the souths winning drive. I see him as an awesome option for Wilforks backup.
February 21, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I think I will go Chris Long, now in all seriousness, I would have to say a sleeper would be Bruce Davis, I really think he can make the transition to OLB.