Everyone knows that successful teams are built through the draft. A front office that doesn't screw up the draft is the best asset a team can have and while the first round certainly contains star power, the key to a successful draft is what happens after the first round. Whether its grabbing the quarterback of the future or grabbing some missing pieces on the cheap, finding value after the first round is vital to success in the NFL. Here is a guy at each position that may not go in the first round but you should be happy to see donning your team's uniform.
Kirk Cousins QB Michigan State
Projecting quarterbacks could be the most difficult job that an NFL scout has. For every Peyton Manning or Drew Brees there are a half a dozen Ryan Leaf's, Akili Smith's, Tim Couch's or JaMarcus Russels. Basically, when it comes to quarterbacks it truly is an inexact science. Every year GM's and scouts fall in love with athleticism and arm strength. Both happen to be Cousins weakness. A starter in 39 games in a pro-style offense as a Spartan, Cousins does have smarts and accuracy. In Cousins, a team is getting a guy that can come in and be a dependable backup right away. While quarterbacks like Nick Foles and Brock Osweiler have the impressive size and arm strength, Cousins is a proven leader who could develop nicely after a few years as a back up.
Bernard Pierce RB Temple
There is only one runningback in this class guaranteed to go in the first and that is Trent Richardson from Alabama so going with Lamar Miller, Doug Martin or David Wilson here really isn't all that outlandish. A player being overlooked is Bernard Pierce from Temple. In today's NFL, runningback-by-committee is the way to go, if Pierce goes to the right team he could contribute to a committee right away. Pierce is a tough runner with good size at 6-foot and 218 pounds, Pierce rushed for 53 touchdowns in his career at Temple. He has shown that he is able to carry a heavy workload even though he probably won't be asked to at the NFL level. The downside to Pierce is that he has little to no ball skills catching the ball out of the backfield. He has 19 career receptions in three years at Temple but in the right backfield he won't be asked to do be a receiver. Pierce would make a good short-yardage back and around the goalline, possibly as a handcuff to an established back like Darren McFadden in Oakland.
Bradie Ewing FB Wisconsin
The fullback is a dying position in the NFL so it would be surprising to see any full back taken before the fourth round but for teams looking for a solid lead blocker Ewing is their man. Fullbacks are a runningback's best friend and still are able to make a great impact on the running game as the Texans and Ravens have shown commonly utilizing the fullback to lead the way for Arian Foster and Ray Rice respectively. Wisconsin consistently has had one of the best rushing attacks in college football and Ewing has been a big part of that.
Tommy Streeter WR Miami
This wide receiver class is pretty deep with a few first round prospects and a few second round prospects so it is easy to see why Streeter has flown under the radar. Streeter's production at Miami was not all that great (46 rec 811 yards 8 touchdowns) and he probably could have used another year at Miami but the potential is there. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds Streeter has the long build that can have success in the NFL and with a 4.40 forty time, he has the straight line speed. Streeter's biggest issue is his ability to create separation with his routes. Streeter would make a great late round addition because route running can be taught and with his large frame and speed the raw talent is there for him to develop into a decent red zone threat a la Plaxico Burress.
Ladarius Green TE Louisiana Lafayette
Unlike the fullback position, the tight end position has evolved and every team will be looking for the next Rob Gronkowski or Jimmy Graham. This may result in Ladarius Green being a bit overrated, but for now he continues to be rated well below the top prospects at the position. Green has decent size but will definitely need to add on some bulk if he wants to stay on the field in running situations (6-foot-5 238 pounds). However, what is intriguing about Green is his pass catching ability and athleticism. Green ran a 4.53 forty and is a rangy pass catcher that could split out occasionally to create matchup problems. He was an integral part of Lafayette's offense and one of the reasons for their successful campaign last year.
Zebrie Sanders OT Florida State
The biggest concern with Sanders is that he isn't physically dominant. What Sanders does bring to the table is versatility. Sanders was a mainstay on Florida State's offensive line for three years and was able to switch from the right to left side seamlessly throughout his time there. While there are certainly more physically imposing tackles ahead of Sanders, an NFL weight room should help and some of them don't have the footwork that Sanders possesses to at least be a stop-gap as a left tackle. Sanders may not be a franchise blindside protector like a Matt Kalil or Joe Thomas but the ability to play both tackle positions and be a consistent starter is extremely valuable and that is what Sanders brings to the table.
Ryan Miller OG Colorado
In the later rounds, it is rare to find a guy that is going to start right away along the offensive line. In Miller, you are getting a guy that can be formed into a good "utility" lineman. At 6-foot-7 and 321 pounds he's a guy that plays guard in a tackles body. Miller doesn't excel at any one area of the game and is an average blocker both in the run and passing game. However, Miller's coaches rave about his strength and conditioning and his work ethic. Miller isn't going to be a starter right off the bat and it is uncertain if he will ever develop into a starter but a high-character guy with that kind of versatility is the kind of player you find on rosters that win. Definitely a nice late round addition.
Michael Brewster C Ohio State
After Peter Konz from Wisconsin, this class isn't high on centers. Brewster may just be the best of the rest despite being ranked just inside the top 5 by most publications. Brewster possesses good size and is one of the bigger prospects at the position at 6-foot-4 and 312 pounds. A three year starter at Ohio State, Brewster is experienced with making calls at the line which is important for centers to be able to at the NFL level. Brewster is by no means a star but in a shallow class he has more promise than most at the position due to his experience at Ohio State and size.
Chandler Jones DE Syracuse
Ok, as a huge fan of Jon Jones, I'm a bit biased here. Chandler is the younger brother of Jon Jones, the current light heavyweight champion of the UFC and the best athlete the sport of MMA has ever seen. Their older brother Art Jones, currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens so its clear that Jones' DNA is an advantage for him. Bloodlines aside, Jones is a tremendous athlete who should be able to rush the passer for years to come. Doesn't have the bulk to play as a full-time DE yet, but could make the transition to OLB on a 3-4 team or just put on the bulk needed to play well against the run. An impressive 6-foot-5 247 pound frame is enhanced by the fact that he has long arms that will help him ward off opposing tackles in space. Jones is one of those players whose stock would be higher if he hadn't suffered an injury at Syracuse but despite missing five games due to an injury in the first game of the season Jones' was able to have a productive campaign. He has the potential to produce like his first round counterparts but will be available in round 2.
Mike Martin DT Michigan
Martin is the perfect example of how measurable and combine results often overshadow game film and intangibles come draft time. While scouts drool over the potential of behemoths with great workout numbers, a team is going to get a solid contributor who brings it every play when they draft Martin. Martin lacks the prototypical size of an NFL DT but his motor is undeniable and his experience as a four year starter in different defensive fronts offers a pretty impressive library of game tape. Martin was the kind of defensive tackle that coaches had to gameplan around and while he won't be that disruptive force in the NFL he's the kind of guy that you want on your team because you know he's going to go hard, every play. That kind of motor is precious at a position that is know to have its fair share of loafers.
Demario Davis OLB Arkansas State
While most of the outside linebacker love is focused on the 3-4 variety who consistently wreak havoc on the quarterback and are the lynchpins of their defense, the 4-3 outside linebacker is becoming a more important position as tight ends continue to grow as a position to create mismatches with. An outside linebacker like Davis will be able to be drafted late and his potential in pass coverage is what makes him an interesting prospect. At 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, Davis' frame isn't anything to write home about but he possesses great range sideline to sideline and has produced good numbers over a three year career at Arkansas State. Davis' athleticism makes him a good candidate to contribute on special teams while he develops as a linebacker giving him good value in the later rounds.
Bobby Wagner ILB Utah State
While Luke Kuechly and Dont'a Hightower are clearly one and two at inside linebacker, there's a whole lot to like about Bobby Wagner as a valuable pick well after those two are off the board. Wagner was a four year starter at Utah State and was the anchor for the Aggie defense as he racked up over 100 tackles in three of those four seasons. Wagner racked up 147 tackles his final season and has shown that he can be a threat on blitzes and in pass coverage with 4.5 sacks and 2 interceptions. Wagner is a solid tackler that would make a solid contributor on most defenses down the road.
Brandon Boykin CB Georgia
Boykin is one of those players that has so many tools and positives that are seemingly outweighed by one con: his size. At 5-foot-9 and 182 pounds, his size certainly is a concern but it may be hurting his stock too much in the long run. The fact is Boykin has great cover skills and having played in the SEC, he has shown that he can cover larger recievers such as Alshon Jeffrey and Rueben Randle. Boykin offers a corner with solid ball skills and the ability to cover and would make a great nickel back where he can cover the slot receivers. Boykin also offers returning skills and had a part in Georgia's offense. Versatility always boosts value.
George Iloka S Boise State
Taylor Mays aside, it isn't too often that a safety comes around that has the size of a linebacker and the speed of a cornerback. At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds with a 4.6 forty, Iloka is that kind of player. Unlike Mays, Iloka has the ball skills to make a good safety in the NFL. Despite not having too many interceptions at Boise, Iloka is solid in coverage and has the size and athleticism to cover tight ends. Iloka needs to become more physical to match his tools but he is a great strong safety prospect who can come up and play in the box against the run. Iloka is definitely worth a look and could start early in his career.
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