The NFL draft in recent years has become
an integral part of building a franchise.
Evaluators and scouts from across the league
have ventured to Indianapolis this week for
the 2006 NFL combine, and an even more
extensive look at the new wave of college
prospects. Each year talent evaluators tend
to overlook key players who become building
blocks of a franchise. With hindsight we
look back five years later and state that we
always knew Tom Brady would become a
premiere quarterback. Or that Terrell Davis
would one day rush for 2,000 yards. Even
better yet, that Wayne Chrebet an undrafted
free agent would become a starting receiver
for nearly a decade.
To 2006 where at least a few players who
were underestimated will prove the naysayers
wrong. For the 2006 NFL Draft look for an
abundance of overachievers. The draft is
full of talent and important team players
will likely be found in the later rounds of
the draft. Beyond that, history has also
shown the NFL that free agents also later
become key players. More recently these
successful free agents include players such
as Brian Waters of the Kansas City
Chiefs. Bet you can't even name the college
Brian Waters attended. Some of you might not
even know who he is. For those that don't he
is a Pro Bowl guard and a immaculate pickup
by the Kansas City Chiefs. Oh, and that
college, its North Texas.
Sleepers
1. James Anderson OLB Virginia Tech
6-3 232 SR
A very fast and athletic linebacker who has
made significant strides towards the latter
part of his career. Anderson recorded a 4.48
40 yard dash prior to his senior season,
along with a 41 1/2 inch vertical leap.
Anderson has the raw athletic ability that
will make scouts will quickly take notice.
He has began to steadily translate his
athletic ability to his play on the field,
as evidenced by a interception return for a
touchdown against Louisville. Look for
Anderson to put up some remarkable numbers
at the NFL combine and pro day at Virginia
Tech. According to my sources, Anderson has
shown the lateral speed comparable to former
Hokie Deangelo Hall, with a pro agility time
under 4 seconds.
Chris Harrell FS Penn State 6-2 209
SR
Harrell has had problematic injuries which
will warrant some reservations from pro
personnel. That being said, Harrell has
great technique, reacts well to the ball,
and plays like a demon on special teams. He
doesn't do anything exceptionally well for
scouts to value Harrell as a high round
pick, but he has the penchant for making the
big play. He also plays very physical and is
accustomed to the jarring tackles needed at
the NFL level having played in the Big
Ten. Barring injury, look for Harrell to
become a solid role player in the secondary
for a long time.
Jason Allen CB Tennessee 6-2 202 SR
Another player with injury concerns. Allen
suffered a serious hip injury that sidelined
him for most of his senior year. He was
however a pre-season All-American and has
been a steady performer for the last 3 years
at Tennessee. A physical corner with good
speed he could be a great value for a team
towards the end of the first day. In a draft
that has a depleted source of cornerbacks,
Allen will be the hidden gem.
Matt Bernstein FB Wisconsin 6-2 266
SR
Fullback is a position that rarely gets
noticed anymore. Fullbacks are generally
seldom used in most pro formations and most
teams will not even draft fullbacks. This
makes it easy to overlook Bernstein. He is a
punishing run blocker with good burst and
great technique. Look for Bernstein's play
to translate very well to an NFL team that
emphasizes the run. He will prove to be a
valuable commodity to a team that needs to
extend the health of a tailback playing
physical defenses.
Unknowns
Matt Meinrod Florida State OG 6-4
317 SR
Meinrod has been off the radar of pro
evaluators based on recent injuries. He
missed over half of his senior year after
dislocating his ankle and fracturing his
fibula. Meinrod, however has steadily
recovered from a leg injury and has resumed
strength training. A recent video I
witnessed showed Meinrod deadlifting 700
pounds for 3 repetitions. Quite a feat for a
man only 4 months removed from shattering
his leg. He also has consistently benched
over 500 pounds and been a consistent
lineman in starting 17 games for the
Seminoles. Meinrod played technically sound
against both Miami and Boston
College grading out well before being
injured. Such brute strength is hard to find
in interior lineman. Look for Meinrod to
become a solid free agent pickup if he is
not drafted in the later rounds.
Jason Hatcher Grambling 6-6 280 DE
Great build and plenty of height to pack on
more size. Hatcher, very well might end up
as a defensive tackle in the NFL. He shows
the ability to penetrate and stuff most
interior blockers. Potentially could become
a very disruptive force in the middle if he
can get in the 300 pound range. Hatcher will
need some work on technique and staying low
in his stance, but he possesses the physical
ability and work ethic to become a viable
NFL defensive tackle.
