Small School Studs for the 2008 NFL Draft

Image: Bruce Hocker, WR, Duquesne

Every year a few small school prospects emerge into the national spotlight leading up to the Draft and this year is no different, in fact there will be some great small school prospects in the 2008 NFL Draft. By now everyone has heard the story about Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo coming from the small school ranks of Eastern Illinois.

With so many NFL teams in desperate need of a quarterback there will be three small school quarterbacks that garner a lot of attention from NFL Scouts: Joe Flacco from Delaware, Ricky Santos from New Hampshire, and last but not least, Josh Johnson from San Diego. Those three prospects are legitimate NFL prospects and with patience and good coaching, could emerge into quality NFL starters.

Of course everyone wants to focus on quarterbacks and with those three talented quarterbacks, there is a lot to talk about, but for this post I want to write about three other small school prospects that look to have bright future in the NFL.

Wide Receiver Bruce Hocker from Duquesne has a lot of NFL Scouts' attention. He is the complete package with butter soft hands, nice size at 6' 3" 206 pounds and decent speed, he has been clocked as fast as 4.44 in the forty. After breaking his collar bone as a sophomore he came back strong last season as a junior (2006) and accumulated 1,070 receiving yards with 16 touchdowns. This year as a senior (2007) he has seen almost constant double teams, but after playing nine games, with one left to play, he has made 48 receptions for 625 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Defensive End Rudolph (Rudie) Hardie from Howard University is a little known defender with a vast amount of talent. He often gets over looked by NFL scouts because he is a little short at 6' 1" tall, but at close to 280 pounds he is rock solid and strong as an ox. Hardie is also very quick off the ball and has been hugely productive on the football field. Hardie is currently ranked 2nd in the FCS (1AA) with 22.5 tackles for a loss and ranked 5th in sacks with 10. Hardie might be a late round steal in the 2008 NFL Draft. He has been clocked as fast as 4.67 seconds in he forty. That's pretty quick for a man of his size.

Cornerback Dominique Rogers-Cromartie from Tennessee State has already received a lot of national press and it looks like it has been for good reason. Quite often these uber talented defensive backs get over looked because they don't put up very lofty statistics. Defensive coordinators find out about these guys and they formulate their game plans to avoid them. To make a long story short, they just don't get many balls thrown their way because they have their man covered so well. Cromartie has been able to make the most out of his touches however, especially recently. He has two interceptions in his last three games and amazingly he returned both back for touchdowns, one for 69 yards and one for 71 yards. He has also returned 28 kick-offs for 635 yards, blocked four kicks and defended 11 passes. Cromartie has the potential to even be drafted on the first day of the 2008 NFL Draft, and that is saying a lot with the new changes to the draft, as the first day will only include the first two rounds.

Mid-season 2007 NFL Draft Rookie Report

The Season is half over and it’s time to take a look at how the rookies are doing. Some of these players were training camp holdouts and some have been fighting injuries, but it’s still interesting to see the progress of these guys. However, I will tell you, the second half of their rookie season is more important than the first half, so don’t count any of these young prospects as “busts” just yet. I think it takes about three years to label a prospect with that tag.

1. Oakland Raiders: QB JaMarcus Russell, LSU
Russell was a huge disappointment for a team still trying to find its identity with a young new coach. His lengthy holdout caused him missed all of training camp and he got way behind on learning the offense and subsequently hasn’t stepped onto the field yet. The Raiders quarterback situation got so bad they were forced to sign Dante Culpepper. Russell still might be a great quarterback in the future, but he definitely didn’t get off to a good start.

2. Detroit Lions: WR Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech
Johnson started out hot catching 2 touchdowns in his first two games, but since then hasn’t been back in the end zone. He has been a little bit of a disappointment. He missed the Chicago game with an injury and over all he has only caught 15 passes for 273 yards and two TDs.

3. Cleveland Browns: OT Joe Thomas, Wisconsin
Thomas has been fantastic, starting every game at left tackle. With Derek Anderson’s excellent play at quarterback it’s hard to fault Cleveland for selecting Thomas. Young, franchise left tackles are hard to find and the Browns have one in Thomas.

4. Tampa Bay Bucs: DE Gaines Adams, Clemson
Adams definitely hasn’t played up to his potential yet. He has played some in every game in the defensive line rotation, but hasn’t been able to beat out Greg Spires or Kevin Carter in the starting lineup. He has only recorded 16 tackles and 1.5 sacks to date.

5. Arizona Cardinals: OT Levi Brown, Penn State
Brown was drafted a little earlier than anticipated and unfortunately was one of the last five rookies signed. This is what Arizona general manager Rod Graves said about his holdout, "We were a bit frustrated by the amount of time it took and didn't think it had to take this long." Brown then missed a few games with an ankle injury, but he has started the last four games at right tackle and looked solid in those games.

6. Washington Redskins: SS LaRon Landry, LSU
Landry has been very solid; Sean Taylor was moved to free safety to allow Landry to play strong safety. He has started every game and recorded 50 total tackles so far. He had his best game last week against New England where he recorded 11 solo tackles.

7. Minnesota Vikings: RB Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma
All I can say is wow! Every time he gets the ball everybody holds their breath, he has the speed to take every carry to the end zone. His combination of power and speed hasn’t been seen since Bo Jackson. If he stays healthy, which is a big “if”, with his aggressive running style, he should easily win offensive rookie of the year honors this year. In week 6 against Chicago he ran for an amazing 224 yards and 3 TDs, (breaking a rookie record) and on the season he has 128 carries for 740 yards and 5 TDs.

8. Atlanta Falcons: DE Jamaal Anderson, Arkansas
Right after the college season in which Anderson came to the NFL as only a junior, Anderson tore his hamstring, but he was a quick healer, went to the Falcons camp and has played in every game this season. Anderson had the unenviable task of trying to replace Patrick Kerney, who left as a free agent for Seattle in March. Through seven games the rookie has 19 tackles and one forced fumble, but has yet to record a sack. So far he has been only average, he should have stayed in school for his senior year.

9. Miami Dolphins: WR Ted Ginn Jr. Ohio State
Ginn was drafted way early and has battled numerous nagging injuries. Thought of as a project at receiver because he was mostly a returner in college. Ginn hasn’t done much for the Dolphins this year catching only 7 passes for 141 yards and 1 TD, but he seems to be coming on as of late, he caught his first TD pass last week against the Giants and the week before against New England he had his best game of the season catching 3 passes for 37 yards.

10. Houston Texans: DT Omobi Okoye, Louisville
This kid is special, and I mean kid, at 20 years old he is the youngest player in the NFL. He has played every game on the inside and has recorded four sacks already, that’s impressive for a defensive tackle, especially for a 20 year old rookie.

11. San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Willis, Mississippi
Willis has been spectacular. In the preseason I predicted he would win the defensive rookie of the year honors and it looks like I will be correct. He is all over the field and has already recorded 73 total tackles, that puts him on pace to accumulate 173 tackles by the end of the year! He might even make the Pro Bowl.

12. Buffalo Bills: Marshawn Lynch, California
Drafted to be the franchise back for the Bills, he has started every game and been solid, but nothing special. He has carried the load with 138 carries for 547 yards and 4 TDs. However his 3.6 yards per carry average is mediocre.

13. St. Louis Rams: DE Adam Carriker, Nebraska
The Rams moved Adam to defensive tackle, which I think is a huge mistake. Yes he has the size for it at 296 pounds, but his 6’ 6” tall frame and outstanding quickness enables him to play defensive end more effectively, which by the way, was his natural position in college. He hasn’t done much statistics wise on the inside with only 14 tackles and 1 sack, but stats don’t tell the entire story for defensive tackles that often times occupy dual blockers to enable linebackers to make the tackle.

14. Jets (from Panthers): CB Darrelle Revis, Pittsburgh
Beat out Andre Dyson and has started every game at corner. Revis has struggled at times, as most rookie corners do, but overall he shows good promise for the future. He has recorded 54 tackles and one interception.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers: LB Lawrence Timmons, Florida State
Not good, hasn’t seen the field much and has only recorded 6 total tackles all year. He missed most of training camp with a groin injury. The Steelers second round pick LaMarr Woodley has been much more impressive.

16. Green Bay Packers: DT Justin Harrell, Tennessee
What a huge disappointment, Harrell has been inactive 5 out of 7 games. His rookie year is looking like a lost cause, but remember, he missed all of his senior year at Tennessee with a serious leg injury, so it might take him a couple years to get his act together.

17. Broncos (from Jags): DE Jarvis Moss, Florida
Not what the Broncos had hoped for. Moss suffered an ankle injury in camp which slowed his development, and then he came back and was working his way back in the lineup recording 12 tackles and 1 sack. But then, bam, on November 1st Moss suffered a season-ending injury in practice. He broke his right fibula and suffered torn ligaments in his right ankle and was subsequently placed on season ending IR.

18. Cincinnati Bengals: CB Leon Hall, Michigan
Hall has been one of the better rookies of this draft class so far. He has been fighting for playing time behind Jonathan Joseph and Deltha O’Neil, but he has played in every game recording 19 tackles and 2 interceptions.

19. Tennessee Titans: S Michael Griffin, Texas
Griffin was moved to cornerback, which I don’t think is his best position. He was behind Cortland Finnegan on the depth chart until recently. He seems to be coming on as of late, in his last two games he recorded nine tackle, but in his first six games he only recorded two tackles combined. The Titans should draft a cornerback in the 2008 NFL Draft and move Griffin back to his more natural safety spot.

20. New York Giants: CB Aaron Ross, Texas
Ross has been phenomenal; he and Patrick Willis will battle it out for defensive rookie of the year honors. Ross has had impressive production for a rookie corner with 23 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 3 interceptions. He looks like the steal of this draft so far.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars: FS Reggie Nelson, Florida
Nelson is a very impressive rookie. He has started every game at free safety and has played very well recording 28 tackles, 1 sack and 2 interceptions. In my opinion, If Nelson wouldn’t have been selected here, Dallas would have taken him and not traded their pick to the Browns.

22. Browns (from Cowboys): QB Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
Looked good in the pre-season, but that doesn’t mean a darn thing. The people clamoring to insert Quinn over Derek Anderson are crazy. Anderson is playing very well, leave him in, there is no guarantee Quinn will even be a good quarterback in the NFL. There is no sense in rushing Quinn into the starting lineup.

23. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Dwayne Bowe, LSU
Started off very slow due to a lengthy holdout, but has had solid rookie numbers with 29 receptions for 499 yards and 3 TDs. Against San Diego in week 4 he had a break out performance with an impressive 8 catches for 164 yards and 1 TD. He looks like the real deal.

24. New England: S Brandon Meriweather, Miami (Fl)
Moved to cornerback and stuck behind Ellis Hobbs, Meriweather was obviously drafted for the future. He hasn’t played much except in the nickel, recording 15 total tackles to date.

25. Carolina Panthers: LB Jon Beason, Miami (Fl)
I missed on this one, at 6’ 0” 237 pounds and running poor at the combine, he looked to small and slow to me, but he is obviously a football player. Beason is having a decent rookie season at middle linebacker. I am not trying to put him in the hall of fame or anything, but he has recorded 50 solo tackles this year.

26. Dallas (from the Eagles): DE Anthony Spencer, Purdue
Spencer was thrust into the starting lineup due to Greg Ellis’s slow recovery from his Achilles injury. He has flashed some big time skills rushing the passer. He has had to learn a new position going from defensive end to outside linebacker, but he is the real deal. His stats aren’t very impressive with only 20 tackles and 1 sack, but he has pressured the quarterback numerous times and played solid run defense. The Dallas Cowboys have really invested in their linebackers, Greg Ellis, Bobby Carpenter, DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer are all first round NFL Draft picks.

27. New Orleans Saints: WR Robert Meachem, Tennessee
Meachem was one of my favorite offensive prospects in this draft and he has really disappointed me so far. He showed up over weight and out of shape and missed time in the off season program and mini camps with a sprained ankle. Then in late June he had an arthroscopic procedure to clean out loose cartilage and repair his medial meniscus on his right knee. Remember, Meachem had surgery on the same knee in 2003, when he sat out a season as a medical redshirt for Tennessee. He has yet to play this season.

28. 49ers (from Pats): OT Joe Staley, Central Michigan
Staley has started every game at right tackle and has struggled at times. He looks a little stiff and has had trouble with speed rushers; however I think he has played better than left tackle Jonas Jennings, but that’s not saying much.

29. Baltimore Ravens: OG Ben Grubbs, Auburn
Grubbs has been solid, he beat out Chris Chester at right guard. Grubbs is a promising young talent and a good selection for the Ravens.

30. San Diego Chargers: WR Craig Davis, LSU
This was a horrible pick in my opinion. Davis has been battling a sprained ankle and has only caught 9 passes for 84 yards and 1 TD for the entire season.

31. Chicago Bears: TE Greg Olsen, Miami
Olsen missed the first two games of the season with a sprained knee and since his return has been sharing time with Desmond Clark, but recently he has flashed some excellent skills, in his last four games he has caught 15 passes for 4 TDs. For the season he has 21 receptions for 255 yards and 2 TDs. Greg Olsen is one of the fastest tight ends in the NFL, he ran his 40 yard dash at the 2007 NFL Scouting Combine at 4.45 seconds.

32. Indianapolis Colts: WR Anthony Gonzalez, Ohio State
Gonzo is in the perfect position, he can learn behind Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison. I look for Gonzo to be a future star for the Colts. He might get his first start this weekend in the huge undefeated showdown with the Patriots as Marvin Harrison is injured and might not play. Gonzo has 14 catches for 194 yards and zero TDs to date.

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