The draft is now rapidly approaching and we here at the Diner have been beavering away, studying clips, games and stats to compile the list of draft profiles (amongst other things) for the 2008 NFL draft. Looking at all these guys tends to leave you with a lop-sided perspective towards the draft. It’s all about those guys taken at the top isn’t it?
Well, actually, as we all know, it’s not. The draft day isn’t about 32 (ish) picks on the Saturday. It’s about the full Saturday and Sunday as well as the week or so after when teams acquire those undrafted rookies eager to make a mark.
So when the guys at the Diner asked if I could come up with a few names of players, who aren’t top tier draft picks in the making, I had to think long and hard. The temptation is usually to go straight to Texas, and pick out the draft class of 2008. But that’s just a little to predictable and whilst I’ve profiled them (Jamaal Charles, Limas Sweed, Jermichael Finley, Marcus Griffin) the only two I’m really excited about are Sweed and Charles and everyone already knows what they’re all about.
So I thought back to the 2007 season, and decided on two players who I enjoyed watching more than pretty much any other this year. I then decided that, actually there is a guy at Texas who deserves highlighting, as he could actually become something if he can be motivated.
Finally, after championing the cause of Justin Durant from little Hampton last year, I recognised that I needed another small school guy to advocate all the way.
So here goes
HB Jacob Hester Louisiana State University
Everyone loves this guy. He is one of those players who loves playing the game and that is why everyone admires and respects them. In many ways, Hester was the heart and soul of the LSU National Championship side, on a par at least with guys like Glenn Dorsey and Craig Steltz. But he’s not seen as being a guy who will transfer to the NFL the way they will.
So what do I like about Hester? Pretty much that he’s tough and he is willing and able do everything. The only downside is that he doesn’t do one major thing exceptionally well. But there is a position for someone who can do everything well. He’ll hold his place on the roster through his ability to play special teams, and contribute immediately, but I firmly believe that as coaches work with him, and fall for his infectious attitude, work ethic and willingness to learn, they’ll find ways to get him involved.
Did you notice how, when LSU needed a play or needed something to happen, the ball usually found its way into Hester’s hands? That’s no coincidence.
All in all, I may well be wrong. He quite possibly will go undrafted, although I doubt it. He may well fade away and never be heard of again. But I can’t see it. And I hope he doesn’t. Players like him deserve to flourish.
QB Dennis Dixon Oregon
If Jacob Hester was the heart and soul of the 2007 season, then Dennis Dixon was the finesse. The player who most has shades to that most famous of college QB (and particular favourite of mine), Vince Young.
His season ended so sadly through injury, that you almost forgot what he served up until then. He was, in this writer’s opinion, the best QB in college football. Forget Matt Ryan, Dixon would have taken the Ducks to the National Championship. Of that I have no doubt.
Even taking out the injury, it’s hard to know where he’ll go and what Dixon will do in the NFL assuming he even goes there. He could potentially explore a career in baseball. But to me that would be a waste of stunning talent. But if he ends up at your franchise, hope that they find a way to work him into the system.
Trust me, he can make the throws. He can read defences. Is he at a pro QB level yet? Not at all, but how many QB’s come into the NFL at that level? Not many. My gut reaction says he maybe makes a roster for a season or two then fades away but as with Hester, I sincerely hope not.
And I make no apologies for linking you to two videos of Dixon’s ability. Both from the early part of 2007, and it was hard to limit it to just them. So if you have the time, check out some other video’s on that site.
DT Frank Okam Texas
Frank Okam is an incredibly smart guy, and physically is as gifted as any defensive tackle going into this year’s draft. So, why is he so far down draft boards? On his day, he can disrupt any offensive line and cause headaches for quarterbacks and running backs alike.
The problem for him seems to be motivation, and this is why he is virtually the same as Shaun Rodgers (another Longhorn). A liability half the time, unplayable the other half. It’s somewhat perplexing for someone whose academic ability is clear to see, that he is hard to work out. A smart guy would recognise the need to be on the ball 100%, but maybe he thinks he’ll get by through his physical ability. Which is exceptional. He’s big, he’s strong and he is hard to move when he is heading towards the ball or the ball carrier. But if his head isn’t there, then he’s a non-factor. So it’s hard to work out which one will show up.
Maybe its bias, maybe its homerism, maybe its blind optimism but I think some team’s going to get a bargain lower down in this draft.
WR Jerome Simpson Coastal Carolina
No game image. That’s how ‘unknown’ this guy is. But he isn’t that unknown to NFL scouts who will have watched him slip under the radar and I bet a good few of them are prepared to pull the trigger come round 3 or 4. It was during the combine that Simpson began to really move up people’s draft boards, with some eye-opening statistics.
I first heard of him when I was searching the internet for live feeds of games (legal ones of course) and caught about ten minutes of a CC game. He was superb. A great vertical leap and good hands make him a great target for his QB. He didn’t look amazingly quick but seems to be able to separate himself from defenders to make the grab. And of course, that helps when you consider he has huge arms and enormous hands. Unfortunately, I was never able to find the link again.
Therefore, I believe he will offer immediate starting potential come September. Course, it all depends where he ends up going, but it’ll still come sooner rather than later. Yeah sure, he didn’t play against top-level opposition but many people don’t. Many people were undrafted, and it didn’t hold them back. And this small school, relatively unknown background won’t hold Simpson back.
Everyone loves this guy. He is one of those players who loves playing the game and that is why everyone admires and respects them. In many ways, Hester was the heart and soul of the LSU National Championship side, on a par at least with guys like Glenn Dorsey and Craig Steltz. But he’s not seen as being a guy who will transfer to the NFL the way they will.
If Jacob Hester was the heart and soul of the 2007 season, then Dennis Dixon was the finesse. The player who most has shades to that most famous of college QB (and particular favourite of mine), Vince Young.
Frank Okam is an incredibly smart guy, and physically is as gifted as any defensive tackle going into this year’s draft. So, why is he so far down draft boards? On his day, he can disrupt any offensive line and cause headaches for quarterbacks and running backs alike.
No game image. That’s how ‘unknown’ this guy is. But he isn’t that unknown to NFL scouts who will have watched him slip under the radar and I bet a good few of them are prepared to pull the trigger come round 3 or 4. It was during the combine that Simpson began to really move up people’s draft boards, with some eye-opening statistics.
