2007 NFL Draft Hidden Gems

Enough already. If we haven't talked enough about the first round possibilites. Let's dig into the late rounds since this is where we'll find a guy or two to make an impact on special teams and/or rotation.

Addressing our need for WR depth, Saunders formations, the departure of David Patten, and to compete with Espy, who the coaches haven't shown a lot of confidence in. First up is New Hampshire WR David Ball. Yeah, yeah yeah. He has a slow 40 time but, with this type of production and intangibles, he's sure to make an impact as a third or fouth WR and return guy. Mind you, Thrash won't play forever.

David Ball Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/wr/davidball.html)

With two picks in the sixth round and a Redskins history of throwing away late round picks, second up is Notre Dame WR Jeff Samardzija. Need I say more. We have almost no chance having this guy suit up in burgandy and gold with his success in baseball pending but, what the heck. Haven't we longed for a 6'5" WR for way too long?

Jeff Samardzija Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/wr/jeffsamardzija.html)

Does this team love TEs or what? This is a guy I really would be happy to have on the roster. It was more necessary to have an additional OL lined up eligible in goal line situations. Nevada TE Anthony Pudewell puts a stop to that and adds the unexpected pass cathing threat.

Anthony Pudewell Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/te/anthonypudewell.html)

DB you say? For those who think we're settled at the S and CB position, think again. A couple guys who scouts have them projected to go earlier than I hope they will eventually be, are Kent State CB Usoma Young, Cal Poly CB Courtney Brown, and TCU S Marvin White. Small school and JUCO transfers are always intriguing. Doesn't seem like teams are sleeping on the likes of Hampton (Miami (Fla) transfer) CB Tavarious Bain though.

Marvin White Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/s/marvinwhite.html)

Courtney Brown Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/courtneybrown.html)

Usama Young Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/usamayoung.html)

This wouldn't be complete without a OL prospect. I, for one, am not at ease with 6'8" converted OT Todd Wade starting at G. And if the team wants to get away from FA journeymen they should take a good hard look at Clemson G/C Dustin Fry especially if they stay put at #6 overall and select a DL.

Dustin Fry Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/c/dustinfry.html)

And there you have it. Give me your opinions on late round prospects. Keep it realistic as possible (no Justin Harrell falling to the 5th round stuff). Any other info on these and other prospects are welcome.

Man I would love to see us get Samardzija! What about getting a kicker or at least a punter who can also kickoff into the endzone on a consistent basis. I like Suisham, but we haven't got to see much of him

Here are a few guys that should be available with our later round picks that I really like for positions we need some help or at least depth.

OL
Kasey Studdard OG/C Texas- plays with a mean streak, can play Guard or Center, good leader
Kasey Studdard Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/og/kaseystuddard.html)

Tim Duckworth OG Auburn- raw player that needs developed, very athletic, former DT, also plays angry
Tim Duckworth Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/og/timduckworth.html)

Nathan Bennet OG Clemson- 4 year starter, big, tough, and smart
Nathan Bennett Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/og/nathanbennett.html)

Ken Shackleford OT UGA- could play guard or tackle, still very raw
Ken Shackleford Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ot/kenshackleford.html)

*also a fan of Dustin Fry C Clemson who was already mentioned

DL
Dan Bazuin DE Central Michigan- might fall because he is kind of a tweener and from a small school, high motor guy who was very productive in college
a little undersized for DE but could make up size with quickness, could end up going day 1
Dan Bazuin Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/de/danbazuin.html)

Jay Alford DT PSU- very productive vs. tough competition, not alot of pub., lead a very young d-line at PSU last year in sacks (8) while taking alot of double teams...I have watched alot of this kid and call me a homer if you will but he will be a very solid DT in the NFL, definatly a steal for someone
Jay Alford Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/dt/jayalford.html)

Paul Soliai DT Utah- monster who could help in rotation stuffing the run
Paul Soliai Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/dt/paulsoliai.html)

Keith Jackson DT Arkansas- son of former Eagle TE Keith Jackson, very productive, quick and strong
Keith Jackson Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/dt/keithjackson.html)

Walter Thomas DT NW Mississippi CC- just a monster, a project but could be a major sleeper with some work
Walter Thomas Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/dt/walterthomas.html)

LB...not a major need but wouldn't hurt
Antwan Barnes OLB Florida International- tested very well at the combine, very productive
Antwan Barnes Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/olb/antwanbarnes.html)

Desmond Bishop ILB Cal- always around the ball, doesn't have great timed speed which is going to drop him this far but a hell of a player, great steal
Desmond Bishop Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ilb/desmondbishop.html)

TE
Daniel Coats TE BYU- very good blocker, wouldn't hurt to bing him in to compete for a blocking TE, smart player, seems like a Gibbs character guy
Daniel Coats Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/te/danielcoats.html)

WR...not a major need but could use a big guy especially in the red zone

Jacoby Jones WR Lane- big guy, decent speed, might be slept on because he was a D2 guy
Jacoby Jones Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/wr/jacobyjones.html)

Legedu Naanee WR Boise St- huge WR, looks like a TE, tested well at the combine, very strong
Legedu Naanee Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/wr/legedunaanee.html)

Matt Trannon WR MSU- tall, red zone target, former b-ball player
Matt Trannon Scouting Report - 2007 NFL Draft Prospect (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/wr/matttrannon.html)

almost forgot my favorite sleeper of all....

Jeremy Kapinos P PSU.....should have been the MVP of the team last year, hell of a punter, from northern VA, being very slept on for some reason, was invited to Redskins Park for the "pro day" they have with the local players
Jeremy Kapinos, P, Penn State - 2007 NFL Draft Scout Profile, Powered by The SportsXchange (http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=12482)

I thought that Smardzija has chosen baseball over football.

Smardzija has chosen baseball over football and is playing for the cubs. He said on Sirius NFL that he will alomst certainly never play in the NFL.

I thought that Smardzija has chosen baseball over football...

Smardzija has chosen baseball over football and is playing for the cubs. He said on Sirius NFL that he will alomst certainly never play in the NFL.
But if any team drafts him they would have first dibs if he was a complete MLB bust. There's almost no risk selecting him at some point in the draft. Unfortunately, we are a team that treats second day draftees like like UDFAs.

Smardzija has chosen baseball over football and is playing for the cubs. He said on Sirius NFL that he will alomst certainly never play in the NFL.
I would said the same thing. Imagine if he doesn't play well. He'd do a 360 and say something like, "Football is my first love. It is what I do best".

But if any team drafts him they would have first dibs if he was a complete MLB bust. There's almost no risk selecting him at some point in the draft. Unfortunately, we are a team that treats second day draftees like like UDFAs.

Samardzija already has a 10 million dollar contract in place from the Cubs and he's still in the minors. Big league pitchers are among the highest paid athletes in all of sports, and the good ones perform at a high level late into their 30's, some into their 40's. He is considered a big-time pitching prospect, and could be called up to start games for them as early as this season if a starter gets hurt. And he just turned 22. He's 6-5 with a fastball in the 97 mph range. Plus his first love is baseball. I'd bet any amount of money he will never wear an NFL uniform. The risk for injury in football coupled with the potential to make millions every year for the next 15 years in baseball is too much to deny. Here's a few links to good articles about his choice of MLB over the NFL:

Samardzija Walks Away From Football, Signs with Cubs - UHND.com (http://www.uhnd.com/articles/2007/football/samardzija-throws-a-curve-picks-baseball/)

Samardzija selects Cubs over NFL, signs five-year deal - USATODAY.com (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/cubs/2007-01-19-samardzija-signing_x.htm)

You make it seem like he's the first. Remember Drew Henson?