There is no need to find the easy button when it comes to making a decision to select Matthew Stafford or Knowshon Moreno. These guys will perform. You can think hard about Percy Harvin given concerns over drug use, or worry about just how good Andre Smith might be. Go ahead, but these players have shown they can get it done on a football field at the highest levels. It is a given that Robert Ayers and Derek Pegeus can play defense, and should be good in the NFL. These are not the kind of guys that general managers and coaches struggle with taking. They will, and should, be drafted by an NFL team. The real surprise will come if they last until day two.
What is hard? Trying to make a decision about a guy that may seem a step too slow or an inch short. It is more difficult to decide if the one year starter is really just a one year wonder or a late bloomer. There are players in every draft who make a significant impact coming from the later rounds of the draft or free agency. Despite all the evaluations, energy and discussion that goes into a prospect picking players from the available pool is not an exact science. Ever hear of a guy named Kurt Warner? Well, what names that you hear later, instead of earlier should you be listening for this weekend? Guys that might just be a little overlooked. Here are a few from the SEC.
Cornelius Ingram is a tight end from Florida who explodes off the line and get away from man-to-man coverage. His blocking skills cause some NFL teams concern, and so does the ACL injury he is coming off of.
Glenn Coffee ran the ball hard for Alabama last year from his running back position. He is a straight ahead runner and catches the ball pretty well. It is his breakaway speed that gives pause to teams in the pro ranks.
Alabama tight end Travis McCall is not tall enough for the NFL. That is the book, but he has excellent hands, can find the open spot and is a proven blocker. Maybe the biggest surprise in this group if given a chance.
Keith Fitzhugh stands in the shadows of his higher profile secondary mate, Derek Pegues, but he is a talent in his own right. He is physical enough to play in the box, but what is causing concern among the scouts is his ability to cover people in a man.
Kentucky’s Johnny Williams was surrounded by higher profile defensive players in his senior year, most of them juniors, but he was still the leader in sacks for the Cats. He is big enough to make plays, but his speed is the barrier between him and the NFL.
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