2008 NFL Draft
35 Best Undrafted Players
1.
Erin Henderson, OLB Maryland
While he's not huge and is a bit
lanky at 6-2 and 244 pounds, he plays bigger than he is with excellent
toughness and good tackling skills. He's a leader who isn't afraid to
tell players what to do, in a good way. Good in pass coverage and quick
enough to get into the backfield, he's an active player who came up 17.5
tackles for loss along with 247 tackles in two years. He's not a big
hitter and he's not an elite athlete, but he'll be able to handle
himself well at either outside spot.
CFN Projection: Second Round CFN Position
Ranking: 7
2.
Ali Highsmith, OLB LSU
A mega-disappointment in a few
off-season workouts, he timed at 4.76 in the 40 and was knocked down a
few pegs. He's a great athlete who plays faster than he is, and he's
been a good, tough producer at the highest level for the last three
years. The biggest problem is his size. At 6-0 and 220 pounds, with
little room to get bigger, but he should still flourish as a weakside
defender who can play in space. As long as he doesn't have to be too
physical, he'll be fine.
CFN Projection: Third Round CFN Position
Ranking: 12
3. Eric Young OG Tennessee
There are a world of problems. He never played up to his talent level,
hurt his leg last year and played in just eight games, and he isn't
nearly as physical as he should've been on a consistent basis. Even so,
he has too many tools not to be a starter at some point if only because
he has more skill and talent than roughly 80% of current starting NFL
guards. If he actually wants to be good, and if he plays for the right
coach who can turn the switch on, he'll be the second best guard in the
draft behind Branden Albert. That's a big if.
CFN Projection: Third Round CFN Position Ranking:
5
4. 16. Keilen Dykes, DT West Virginia
Dykes can stop the run and he has
the drive and the motor to work his way into the backfield. Not a
natural pass rusher and limited in his overall skills, there's a hard
ceiling on what he can do at the NFL level. Great at West Virginia with
the type of overachiever career that helped take the program to another
level, he'll be tough to boot off a team.
CFN Projection: Late Third Round to Early Fourth
5. Cornelius Brown, SS Missouri
"Pig" was on his way to a huge season for the Tigers before getting
knocked out for the year with a torn Achilles tendon. A physical hitter
with the fire and passion to grow into a team leader, he'd be a
sure-thing top 100 pick if he hadn't gotten hurt. There's still a major
concern about his leg and how quickly he can be the same player, if he
can be the same player. If allowed time to get to 100%, he could be the
best safety in this draft.
CFN Projection: Fifth Round CFN Position Ranking:
6
6. Mike Dragosavich, P North Dakota State
At 6-5 and 212 pounds, he's a big kicker with a leg to match. A
tremendous four-year producer, he has a monster leg able to blast a
50-yard bomb and do it consistently. While he has to work on speeding up
his delivery and could be better on putting the ball inside the 20, he
could be coached and fine-tuned into a 15-year starter.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN Position Ranking:
1
7. Dantrell Savage, RB Oklahoma State
A huge disappointment in workouts,
he was expected to be a 4.4 back who's really around a 4.6 runner. At
his size, 5-8 and 185 pounds, that's not good. However, he's a good
runner who produced as a high Big 12 level. Very quick, he could turn
himself into a fantastic third down back who becomes more dangerous as a
receiver than a runner. If he can show he can return kicks at an NFL
level, he'll stay on a team for a long time.
CFN Projection: Fifth Round CFN Position Ranking:
14
8.
Darrell Robertson, DE/LB Georgia Tech
A much of a linebacker prospect as
an end, the 255-pound Yellow Jacket is a good athlete who could bulk up
a bit and become a specialist. He plays faster than he actually is has
enough potential to be used in a variety of ways. He needs to be more
physical and he has to get bigger, but there's plenty of upside.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round CFN Position Ranking:
12
9.
J Leman, ILB Illinois
An overachiever with a true
linebacker's mentality, he knows exactly what he's doing at all times,
doesn't make mistakes, and never misses a tackle with 284 and 29.5
tackles for loss over the last two seasons. He's not exactly nimble and
he doesn't stuff plays as much as he happens to get in on them, and
while his name gets called all the time, he's not the playmaker you'd
think he is considering all the stops. Even so, he's a player.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN Position Ranking:
15
10. Robert Felton, OG/C Arkansas
One of the draft's most versatile
guard prospects, able to step in at any position, especially center,
he's a big, powerful blocker with the feet to grow into a pass protector
on the outside if someone wants to develop him into a tackle. The
problem is in the development. He needs coaching on his technique and
he'll need to find one position and stick with it; it's probably not
center at the pro level.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round CFN Position Ranking:
9
11. Jamar Adams, SS Michigan
The only real issue is his speed,
clocking a 4.63. Everything else is there to succeed with 6-2, 212-pound
size, good smarts, and good want-to; he'll try to make himself into a
player. While he makes a lot of mistakes and will miss tackles, most of
his errors come from being too aggressive. The lack of warp speed will
knock him down a few pegs, and he can't play free safety, but he should
be a nice cog in a system.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round to Fifth CFN
Position Ranking: 9
12. Jameel McClain, ILB Syracuse
A good college defensive end, he's
too small to play on the line at the next level and will have to work to
become a decent linebacker. He's a tough player who'll handle himself
well when the plays come to him, but can he become a
sideline-to-sideline performer? He's not the athlete to be special, but
he could be a decent piece to be moved around in someone's puzzle.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round CFN Position Ranking:
20
13.
Drew Radovich, OT/OG USC
The big question is his strength.
Not exactly the best physical specimen, he showed at the Combine that he
could move, but he doesn't have the weight room ability to make him a
mauler for an NFL running game. However, there's plenty of upside. He's
a good athlete who has the potential to be a nice backup, but he has the
potential to be a lot more.
CFN Projection: Fifth Round CFN Position Ranking:
15
14. Nehemiah Warrick, SS Michigan State
Peter Warrick's brother has a nice
set of skills. He's 6-0 and 211 pounds with 4.56 speed, which isn't bad
for a strong safety, and huge hitting ability. His athleticism doesn't
quite match up with his speed, he's not all over the place like he
should be, and his ball-skills are extremely questionable. He'll have to
make a team on special teams.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN Position Ranking:
15
15. Anthony Alridge, WR Houston (could’ve
been taken as a RB)
The former running back is smaller
than your kid, but he's the ultimate gamebreaker. A flashy running back
who averaged over ten yards per carry as a junior and 6.2 yards per pop
as a senior, he can be used in a variety of ways including return
specialist and as a part time running back. He'll be a novelty as a wide
receiver and will have to carve out a niche, but his speed will always
get him a long look from several teams.
CFN Projection: Fifth Round CFN Position Ranking:
18
16. David Faaeteete, DT Oregon
It'll be interesting to see if the light goes on. At 6-0 and 324
pounds, he's a good-based bowling ball of a tackle who should play on
the nose and be a rock against the run. Very strong and very tough, he
set Oregon weight-room records and showed it on the field. Durability is
a problem and he's not always going at top speed, but with his base set
of skills, he'll get a long look. He'll probably get cut once or twice
before he finds a good home.
CFN Projection: Late Sixth Round To Seventh Round
17. D.J. Hall, WR Alabama
An ultra-productive college player
who never got his national due, he should be a productive pro in a
rotation. Tall, thin, and not as fast as he played at Alabama, he
doesn't really fit. He's not fast enough to be a speed receiver on the
outside, and he's not physical enough to be a star on the inside.
However, he produced in the SEC on a regular basis. He's just a player,
even if he doesn't appear to be the prototype.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round to Fifth Round CFN
Position Ranking: 20
18. Wallace Gilberry, DE Alabama
While he has good size for en end, he's not quick enough to be a
consistent pass rusher and is way too small to work on the inside. He
wasn't nearly as productive as he should've been, even though he has
good work habits and tried hard from day one. Unable to get into the
backfield often enough, he'll have problems finding an NFL role.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round
19. Marcus Dixon, DE/DT Hampton
Very big and very tough, the 294-pounder could be a quick tackle or
a huge end in a 4-3. Off some draft boards because of time spent in jail
from a highly publicized rape case, character isn't the problem it's
being made out to be. He was stuck in an ugly, politicized court case
that tried to make him out to be a monster he most certainly isn't. On
the field, he originally signed with Vanderbilt before the problems, and
he turned out to be a great player at Hampton. He needs time in the
weight-room, but at his size he could become a tremendous all-around
lineman if given time.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round
20. Jolonn Dunbar, ILB Boston College
Not quite big enough to be a
full-season inside presence at the NFL level, the 6-0, 231-pound Dunbar
is a good player who attacks the ball and was the leader of the Eagle
defense over the last two seasons. He can get erased at times against
bigger blockers, but he's a hard-worker with great character. He'll have
to be a special teamer early on to stick, and he'll be willing to do it.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN Position Ranking:
19
21. Louis Holmes, DE Arizona
At 6-3 and 265 pounds, Holmes is a
good-sized end with nice speed and excellent toughness. He's not a
natural pass rusher and is way too inconsistent. While he's a willing
tackler, he's just not very good at it. He's a bit of a project who has
to work hard on doing the little things right and has to be willing to
work to make himself a player.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN Position Ranking:
14
22.
Chase Ortiz, DE TCU
A terrific college player who did a little bit of everything for the
Horned Frog front, he's going to have a hard time finding a spot in the
pros. He works hard and doesn't take a play off, but he's only 6-2 and
249 pounds and isn't athletic enough to grow into a reliable outside
linebacker. He'll have to grow into a dependable backup.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round
23. Chad Simpson, RB Morgan State
Yeah, Morgan State, but the
measurables are too good to ignore. While he's short, he's 216 pounds
with 4.4 speed. Great at the Combine, the MEAC Player of Year opened up
some eyes and performed like he belonged with the big boys. He's quick
through the hole, shifts gears immediately, and isn't afraid to take a
shot. The problem might be his role. Not built to be a third down back
and with questionable receiving skills, he'll have to work to find a
niche.
CFN Projection: Fifth Round CFN Position Ranking:
15
24. Art Carmody, PK Louisville
A consistent producer who was great
for four years, the left-footer is a money kicker who proved time and
again he can come through when needed. While he's not going to nail the
53-yarder, but he'll connect on the 45-yard shot time and again.
CFN Projection: Seventh Round CFN Position Ranking:
2
25. David Roach, FS TCU
Off the radar screen for a while,
Roach showed good enough athleticism at the Combine and timed a decent
4.57 in the 40 to get back into consideration. Does he actually want to
be an NFL player? There's a big question about his want-to and he didn't
always play up to his measurables in college. Even so, he has good
upside if someone wants to put in the time to keep on him.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN Position
Ranking: 16
26. Jerome Messam, RB Graceland
A freakish back at around 6-4 and
230 pounds with 4.55 speed, the Canadian is very big, very tough, and
very mature. Smarts are an issue having been declared academically
ineligible at Rutgers and he never got his grades up at North Dakota
State College of Science or Graceland in Iowa. He's a major project who
needs a lot of work, but there just aren't many backs with his tools.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN Position Ranking:
19
27. Davone Bess, WR Hawaii
One of the stars of the Hawaii
passing show, former head coach June Jones once called Bess the best
receiver he ever coached. With fantastic hands and tremendous quickness,
he'll fit in for anyone looking for a short to midrange possession
receiver. His problem will be the measurables. He's only 5-9 and 194
pounds and was timed at a painfully slow 4.76.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN Position Ranking:
21
28. Will Robinson, OT/OG San Diego State
While he works hard and has nice
quickness, he's just not that big. Pushing to hit 300 pounds, and still
not making it, he's undersized for a guard, which he could be from time
to time if he sticks on a team, and he's not quite talented enough to be
a regular NFL tackle. He's a project who will do what's needed to try to
hang around.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN Position
Ranking: 20
29. Adarius Bowman, WR Oklahoma State
Extremely physical at 6-3 and 223
pounds, he should be a fantastic H-Back or a smallish second tight end.
He's just too slow to be a regular wide receiver, but he's strong enough
and tough enough to make the tough catches as a good third option. While
he was productive over his last two years at OSU, after transferring
from North Carolina, reputation-wise he's living off one monster half
against Kansas in 2006.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round CFN Position Ranking:
23
30. Jabari Arthur, WR Akron
The former quarterback turned into
one of the MAC's best receivers. Huge at 6-3 and 227 pounds with decent
4.6 speed, he's an intriguing prospect who could be the deep sleeper of
the receiver class. While he's not a great blocker, he uses his size to
outmuscle defensive backs. For some reason he's not on the radar, but he
has the upside to potentially be a nice No. 3 receiver.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round to Free Agent CFN
Position Ranking: 29
31. Joey Haynos, TE Maryland
He has no speed, isn't a consistent
blocker, and isn't a natural receiver, but he works his tail off and at
close to 6-8 and 260 pounds he's a big, strong target who could fit in
well in two tight end sets. He might not set the world on fire right
away, but he should be able to carve out a long career if he can grow
into a more physical blocker.
CFN Projection: Seventh Round CFN Position
Ranking: 13
32. Andrew Crummey, OG Maryland
Very strong and very good for the running game, he's a limited plowhorse
who can move the pile, but won't do much to get on the outside. While
he's a good-sized 6-4 and 299 pounds, he's not the blot-out-the-sun type
of guard most teams might like. Considering his lack of athleticism, he
has to get bigger. Even with all his limits, he'll be a tough player to
cut because he can be so good in a short running game.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN Position Ranking:
10
33. Calvin Dawson, RB UL Monroe
Small, quick, and tremendously
productive, he didn't just rock the Sun Belt, he was great against
Clemson, Texas A&M, and Alabama, too. He'll be a kick returner and a
special teamer at the next level, but given the right chance in the
right system at the right time, he could be a spot starter who pulls off
a few huge games. He's just not big enough to handle a full-time NFL
workload.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN Position Ranking:
20
34. James McClinton, DT Kansas
A tremendous worker and a high-character guy who can be a team
leader, McClinton is the kind of tackle you want somewhere in your mix.
Unfortunately he doesn't have the talent to be more than a fringe
prospect. He's very slow, not that big, and he can get shoved around a
bit. That combined with an issue with seizures knocked him off some
draft lists.
CFN Projection: Seventh Round
35. Franklin Dunbar, OT Middle Tennessee
Unfortunate circumstances, needing
to care for his ailing mother, was the reason he came out before he was
ready. Fantastic at the Sun Belt level, and great, for the most part,
when he got a chance against the better ends in non-conference play,
he's a football player. However, he could use a year or three in a
weight-room and he needs to be much better in the running game.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round to Seventh Round CFN
Position Ranking: 24
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