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Draft Sleepers Part.1
by Jody Jamieson
13/4/2008
The Diner has evaluated four guys that could be late round steals in 2008. The first player is a little underrated, the second could do well if utilised in a different position, the third could be a project, and the fourth is the ultimate sleeper prospect for this year, and could end up a star if it goes his way.
Mike Hart, Michigan RB
 Hart will likely go in the last couple of rounds, and there is a slight possibility he won’t get drafted at all. Two of the bigger reasons to doubt him are that he hasn’t timed well in the 40-yard dash (4.67) and in college he had monster run blocker Jake Long paving the way for him. He has also had his injury problems at college, which has held him back a little.
Hart’s upside isn’t particularly obvious when you read a scouting report, but I like what I see. He won’t juke out a tackler or run over the top of him, but he isn’t the easiest to bring down. He is definitely quicker than his timed speed, and he can see the hole quicker than most to exploit it. Most don’t see him as anything more than an average back up. I don’t see him being LaDanian Tomlinson, but I reckon he can make his mark in the Pros.
Mike Peterson, NW Missouri State TE
Peterson may come into the league and convert to full-back. As a blocker he is a little suspect on the line of scrimmage, but he’s much better blocker in motion. Coupled with good size to be a fullback he could do a job. He will be a good receiver coming out of the backfield with good speed and excellent hands.
Peterson did put up excellent numbers in college, against poorer opposition. He would likely be a great tight-end if he was just a little bit taller. He stands 6’2″ and isn’t the greatest athlete going. He did score 17 touchdowns in his 4 year college career and catch for 1,987 yards, which isn’t a bad return. May be worth a shot in the 7th round as a tight end/full back hybrid.
Breno Giacomini, Louisville OT
Giacomini has great size, but doesn’t quite have the bulk. That could be easily sorted on JJ’s famous steak and milk diet to pile on the pounds to make him a real force. 6’7″ with a humongous frame, but only 303 lbs. His abilities are there to see. Will be an excellent pass blocker with great stamina. He needs to work on his run blocking game, but he’s still fairly inexperienced and hasn’t maxed out his potential. Breno could play either tackle or guard in the Pros, and probably projects as a 4th or 5th round pick.
Zack Bowman, Nebraska CB
The guy has injury worries, but if he stays healthy then someone may be picking up a very capable cornerback in the late rounds. I can’t see him going before the 6th, and he may not even get drafted at all due to the injuries he’s had. If he can get back to what he was before the injuries then he’ll be a stud. This is the late round prospect I am most excited about, but the recurring theme is it all depends on his ability to get back to 100% and stay healthy.
Bowman redshirted in 2006 after tearing his ACL in practice, and then almost missed the start of his Senior year when he tore his right patellar tendon. We know with similar injuries it has taken guys quite a while to get back to their best. Bowman is a low risk pick, with a possible high reward at the end of it. Averaged a pass break-up a game in college and was good for a few picks. A healthy Bowman probably slots into any team in the league as a dimeback in Week 1 and works his way up from there.
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