NFL Draft Sleepers

As we approach the mid way point of the NFL season, most colleges are already in the second half of their seasons. So we are deep enough in to start to see how prospects are shaping up for the draft. Here are a few players that may be sliding under the radar a bit in terms of their draft status.

Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada
Kaepernick signed with Nevada with a bigger reputation on the diamond, but the focus on the gridiron has paid off. He has become one of the best dual threat QB’s in the country, and is evolving into a legitimate draft prospect. Kaepernick has great size, and still has some room to bulk up. He is a good athlete with quick feet in the pocket, and the speed to get out and pick up yardage as a runner. He has a good arm, capable of making all the throws. On top of the physical tools, Kaepernick is a team leader with a great work ethic. The downside to him is that he runs a gimmick offense, and will have a lot to learn at the next level. Running out of the Pistol formation, he has accumulated over 4,900 yards and 42 touchdowns through the air, with 2,300 yards and 33 touchdowns coming on the ground the past two seasons. The talent is obvious, but he will be a major project at the next level. He is a kid you want to root for, and someone that could pay off huge a couple years down the road.

Allen Bradford, RB, USC
Bradford was a 5 star recruit out of high school that was slated to play on the defensive side of the ball. After a short time at safety, he was shifted to the offensive backfield and has remained there throughout his career. The depth at the RB spot and his own injury concerns have limited Bradford’s chances, but he is taking advantage of his time as a senior. He ran for 668 yards and eight scores last year, and through seven games this season, has ran for 560 yards and four scores. Bradford is a load. He has a powerful body, topping 230lbs and he runs very hard between the tackles. What separates him from other big backs is his breakaway speed. Give him the slightest opening, and he will hit the hole and out run the defense to the end zone. The USC offensive line has done a great job opening massive running lanes for him this season, but there have been times where he’s had to put his head down and pick up the tough yardage, and he has excelled there. There are durability concerns and he will need to improve his receiving ability, but Bradford’s physical tools and leadership qualities will impress people in the post season. He is the type of player that could have a much bigger impact at the NFL level than he has had in college.

Jerrel Jernigan, WR, Troy
Jernigan isn’t the biggest guy out there, barely tipping the scales at 190lbs on a 5'9 frame. But he is one of the biggest impact players in college football, and the 2011 NFL Draft. He runs the football, throws it, catches it, and returns it on special teams. He is electric with the ball in his hands, and is a threat to score any time he touches it. His size may limit him as a true receiver, but his speed and quickness will make him a threat out of the slot. He also has experience running the wildcat, which only enhances his value in today’s game. Not to be outdone, he is a playmaker on special teams as well. He is averaging 18 yards a punt return and over 34 yards a kick return, while scoring once on each. The NFL is all about matchups, and while Jernigan may not create a mismatch as a #1 receiver, his versatility within the offense and on special teams makes him a very attractive option to teams looking to add some playmaking ability to their team.

Benjamin Ijalana, OL, Villanova
There are always lineman at the lower levels that surprise and impress, jumping over much bigger names from bigger schools. Ijalana is this year’s top model. He has started every game during his career at tackle for Villanova, but his NFL career may be at guard. Tackle is the premium position, and with his experience outside, he may be given a shot to remain there. With his frame, he makes the ideal guard if he is not able to hack it as a tackle. He has quick feet in a short area, has the power to push defenders off the line, and will drive them to the ground. Whether he is given a shot to play tackle or is drafted as a guard, Ijalana is a kid that should hear his name called in the top 100 and could become a starter quickly in the NFL.

Kenrick Ellis, DT, Hampton
Ellis is a mountain of a man, and impossible to move off the line of scrimmage. With so many teams running variations of a 3-4 and needing a nose tackle to run it properly, Ellis is going to be a hot commodity in April. At 6'5 340lbs, he has a tremendous frame and is an immovable object in the middle of the defensive line. He originally began his career at South Carolina, but was dismissed for a violation of team rules but has been a standout at Hampton since arriving on campus. He already has 52 tackles, ten for loss this season in just five games. Ellis is going to have to answer questions about his dismissal from South Carolina, but if he can convince teams he has matured, he could be taken very highly. Players with his size, strength, and ability to control the line of scrimmage are rare.

Dontay Moch, LB, Nevada
Moch’s game is all about speed and wreaking havoc. There is a lot of talk about his 40 time, but that’s irrelevant. He plays fast, and is a playmaker on the field. He has tremendous closing speed, and flies off the edge, getting up the field. He’s not just a straight line guy, as he shows the ability to change direction and adjust to the action on the field. He has 37.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks over the past two seasons, and already has 14 for loss and five sacks this season through seven games. There is a pretty big question about what position Moch is best suited for at the next level. He has mostly played end in college, and is at his best rushing the passer. That would suggest a 4-3 end or 3-4 outside linebacker. 245lbs as a defensive end just won’t cut it. 6'1 as a 3-4 edge rusher, and having questions about taking on blocks also cause questions about him in that alignment as well. He may have the athletic tools to play OLB in a 4-3 scheme, but it will be quite an adjustment. Moch is a playmaker, plain and simple and you may have to get creative with him at the next level, but he could have a major impact as a pass rusher.

Shareece Wright, CB, USC
Wright is not only a college teammate of the previously mentioned Bradford, but he also played high school football wit him. He too has slipped under the radar and not panned out as the Trojan staff had hoped. Until this season. Wright was always praised for his play in practice and in the spring but for various reasons, didn’t get the chance to make his presence felt in games. A neck injury caused a lot of issues for Wright, causing him to miss the 2008 season. He was ready to go in 2009, then was declared academically ineligible for the season. He got back on track and was deemed eligible to play in their bowl game, and he had a big game, including a pick in that game. So big things were expected this season, and his experience was being relied upon for a very young Trojan secondary. A thumb injury has forced him to wear a cast early in the season, hindering him a bit as a playmaker but he has been everything the team expected. He has a natural feel for coverage, to go along with quick feet and hips to cover receivers. Wright is very physical and will come up and lay the wood when the opportunity presents itself. He isn’t the biggest for fastest cover man, although he has good size and speed. It’s his feel for coverage and his toughness that make him standout at the corner spot. He’s another guy that will have to answer questions about his maturity and dedication to the game based on his earlier issues, but he has the talent to start on Sundays, and could push his way into the top 50 of the draft when all is said and done.

Korey Lindsey, CB, Southern Illinois
Lindsey doesn’t jump out at you when you first take a look at him. He’s got decent height, but he is a bit lean, and he’s not a guy that jumps out on film as a blazer. He does standout as a football player though. He has the hips and quickness to turn and cover receivers out of their breaks. His best trait may be locating the ball and going up and getting it. Entering his senior season, Lindsey has picked off 13 passes, six each of the past two seasons, and one as a freshman. He’s also not afraid to come up in run support and make the tackle. The speed question is the biggest issue Lindsey will have to answer, and that won’t be addressed until the post season. All star games and his 40 times will do a lot to determine his draft stock, as teams already know he has the ball skills, toughness and quickness to play at the next level.