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Draft Sleepers Part.2
by James Izzard
14/4/2008
The idea of this short report is to put a couple of names out there that impressed me in the little I saw of them play, at the scouting combine or at their pro days. I can also use this article to gloat next February when I select the next Marques Colston or Trumaine McBride, or you can all laugh at me when they all go undrafted!
Antuwan Molden CB, Eastern Kentucky
The cornerback started his college career at Toledo before transferring to Eastern Kentucky. I am really high on Molden due to a number of factors. He has a good combination of speed and size, in fact at 6’1 and with 4.56 speed he has prototype speed and size for his position. He played both man and zone coverage and his excellent hand use enables him to jam the receiver and knock him off his route early. He has the build and attitude to play in a physical man coverage system and turns well to allow him to keep pace with the receiver, always making it tough for them to separate. Despite many pass deflections, he did not record many interceptions, though this should be coachable. Another concern is the level of opposition he played against.
Franklin Dunbar OT, Middle Tennessee
Franklin Dunbar had a stellar Junior season playing for Middle Tennessee and was rewarded by being voted to the All Sun Belt conference first team. Dunbar had to declare for the draft after his Junior season due to financial reasons, and to support his sick mother. He would have undoubtedly benefited from another season playing college football but you can’t fault his decision to try and help his family. He first came to my attention in the game between Dunbar’s Middle Tennessee and ACC powerhouse Virginia. I tuned in expecting to watch Chris Long run riot on the smaller school but came away more impressed with the way he was held in check by the left tackle.
What I like about him is his technique: he has probably the best technique I have seen in this year’s prospects, combined with decent height and athleticism. I believe Dunbar should be grading out higher than he currently is. He looks like he needs to lose some body fat and improve foot quickness, and may project better to RT rather than LT. The other concern is that his ceiling may not be as high as other projects, as he already has shown great technique and we might have seen the best of him already.
 John Greco Offensive Lineman, Toledo
The third of my ‘Pimpees’ is also an offensive lineman – Although his position coming out of college is tackle I am touting him to be a solid guard in the pro game. Greco really came to the fore after impressing at the East-West Shrine game where he showed strength beyond his physical appearance.
An intelligent player, Greco has the strength and technique to make it in the NFL, and he keeps his knees low and hits opposing defenders hard. He is also a ‘high character’ guy who was a leader in the Toledo dressing room. He is a drive blocker and moving him inside will suit him due to his relatively short arms. A point of interest: he was the successor to New England’s Patriots RT Nick Kacsur at Toledo. And for those soap fans who are wondering no, I’m afraid he is not related to former Eastender Michael Greco who famously played ‘Bepe DiMarco’ in the London based soap.
Arman Shields WR, Richmond
 My fourth spotlight falls on a player who outside of Richmond is a complete unknown. The first Richmond Spider to be invited to the scouting combine since current Houston Texan linebacker Shawn Barber in 1998. Shields first came to my attention in last year’s season opener against Vanderbilt where he caught numerous catches for 107 yards against tough SEC opposition, unfortunately he also picked up a knee injury which ended his season and appeared to end any chance of him being drafted.
However a surprise combine visit gave Shields the opportunity to prove he still has something to offer to the NFL, and he didn’t disappoint. He was amongst the top performers in each of the seven categories including a running a 4.37 40 time and being the only WR to go under 4 seconds in the 20 Yard shuttles Shields has serious speed.
Despite his electric speed and ability to stretch the field Shields has also shown toughness across the middle and can make yards after the catch. He runs routes effectively and adjusts well to the snap. He’s the kind of receiver who gives his all on every play, which also means he will block competitively. He also projects to be a decent KR at the next level. The injury is the only real concern I can see on Arman Shields’ CV, and judging by his combine performance he seems to be completely healed.
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