Draft Insiders' Digest Premier NFL Draft and Free Agency Publication
www.draftinsiders.com

Small College Prospects for the NFL Draft ‘07
Every NFL club scouts the nation in hopes of landing the next great sleeper prospect for the NFL Draft. The small college ranks has supplied many NFL Hall of Fame prospects over the past fifty years with a litany of stars like runner Walter Payton and QB Doug Williams from the Grambling and Jackson St.'s programs throughout the nation. This year's class may produce only a few players in the top 100 picks but as many as 15-20 draft selections over seven rounds. It is an interesting group with several blue chip prospects mainly along the offensive line and in the secondary.
This year’s group of small college pro prospects is the best class of the past decade and is especially deep at wide receiver and in the secondary and at the linebacker unit. The highest rated small college prospect is LB Justin Durant who completed an excellent stay at Hampton and has the upside potential to start early in his NFL career. Defenders like LB Zak DeOssie and cornerback Michael Coe carry an NFL starting grade after strong college careers. Each could rank with any defenders from the lower level in recent drafts. The secondary should provide the most draft selections overall in this April’s NFL Draft once again and the small college ranks should be well represented over the two days. Wideouts like Jacoby Jones, Laurent Robinson, Maurice Rice and Onrea Jones make this the strongest class at this position in memory. Offensive linemen usually take longer to develop but blockers like Allen Barbre and Jermon Bushrod have the talent to surprise in time and head the quality line class.

Note: Last year the highest rated small college offense lineman was guard Jahri Evans who started fulltime for the Saints as a rookie. The highest rated defensive back from the small college level last spring were safeties Danieal Manning and Antoine Bethea and both were fine starters for Super Bowl contestants. Three years ago wideout/return specialist Jerome Mathis earned a Pro Bowl invite off his special teams skills as a rookie. Cornerback Rashean Mathis who was selected in the 2nd round by Jacksonville in the ’03 draft. He started for the Jaguars at cornerback the past four years and did a fine job as one of the most productive young players in the league with Pro Bowl talent. Several years ago, Draft Insiders Update Online Book rated runner Dominic Rhodes as the top small college player and the 10th best back in the entire NFL Draft ‘01. He went on to become the first rookie free agent ever to rush for 1000 yards in his inaugural season with the Colts.

The Dirty Dozen - Top 12 Small College Players

1. Justin Durant - LB - 6’1" 230 lbs. - Hampton - Sp. 4.5
Athletic small college linebacker has been an outstanding defender throughout his college career at the D1AA level. He is a fast linebacker who played the Mike position in college but also projects to the Wil position in the 4-3 base defense. His forte is chasing sideline to sideline making tackles. He has safety type speed with top instincts that allow him to stay clean and run to the ball and finish plays. He put up incredible numbers especially over his final two seasons when he ranked with any small college defender in the nation. He is best suited for the Wil linebacker role in the 4-3 defensive scheme and will have to go through an adjustment period for that position, though he showed the AA and natural instincts for the position. At the NFL Combine, he tested out very well and that strong effort will probably warrant a 1st day selection.

2. Ben Patrick - TE - 6’3� 255 lbs. - Delaware - Sp. 4.75
After graduating from Duke, he entered Delaware and earned invitations to both the Senior Bowl and East-West All-Star games after transferring to play final season. He shows natural pass-catching ability that has allowed him to be a playmaker at the lower level. He has very good athleticism for the position with good movement skills to get into his routes easily and make sharp cuts. As a blocker, he shows agility and quickness with a big frame for further development of his natural talent. As an inline blocker, he needs better hand use and more consistent leverage to take advantage of his big, athletic frame. He needs work on his technique and strength to grade out higher in that role. He is a very good small college prospect with fine tools who could become an NFL starter fairly soon. He has intriguing upside if he settles into the right situation and learns the system. Best offensive small college prospect in this draft class. Likely to be drafted in the 3rd-4th rounds.

3. Jacoby Jones - WR - 6’3� 210 lbs. - Lane College - Sp. 4.45
At the East-West Shrine game, he had a good week and has risen up the charts. He displayed the ability to go over the middle and use his great size to make the tough catch. He has fine leaping ability, which combined with his great height and reach allows him to make receptions receivers that few players can get their hands on the ball. He needs development in most areas including his route running, defense recognition and ability to adjust to the deep pass. He needs to create a bigger receiving radius to improve as a pass catcher. His strong performance in the postseason suggests that his learning curve could be fast. His fine athletic ability with versatility to help in the return game will warrant an early second-day draft pick with the ability to give an offense a unique weapon. Jones has the potential to challenge for a starting job within a few seasons with development. His upside potential is huge with the star ability if he progresses in the finer points of the position.

4. Laurent Robinson - WR - 6’1� 200 lbs. - Illinois St. - Sp. 4.45
He combines fine athletic talent with good size, plus the level of development to contribute early as a solid No. 3. He has the ability to step up eventually and win a starting job as a good #2 receiver. His level of development should allow him to compete for a role immediately. He is not a legitimate speedster, though he can surprise and stretch a defense. His speed is deceptive and he can make plays, but he lacks the sudden burst to blow by NFL caliber cover men. He is an average blocker who needs development in that area to be a better downfield performer. He needs some work on his game but has the experience to warrant an early 2nd-day pick. Robinson is a marginal top-125 selection with the upside to be a major surprise in the NFL. One of the top five small-college prospects this year with starting potential.

5. Zak DeOssie - LB - 6’4" 255 lbs. - Brown - Sp. 4.6
Athletic small college defender has been an outstanding playmaker throughout his college career at the D1AA level. He is a huge mobile linebacker who can play either inside or outside and probably in either defensive scheme at the NFL level. His forte is filling the hole and making tackles after putting up incredible tackle numbers especially over his final two seasons in the Ivy League. He is best suited for the SAM linebacker role in the pro 4-3 defensive scheme or inside in the 3-4 set. He will have to go through an adjustment period for the pro position, though he showed the AA at the NFL Combine where he tested out very well. His combine performance was a strong effort that warrants an early 2nd day selection. His ability to longsnap will enhance his value plus his ability to run a 4.6 time that allows him to cover kicks and make tackles after the snap. Fine addition for a few key roles early before earning a starting job.

6. Michael Coe - CB - 6’1� 200 lbs. - Alabama St. - Sp. 4.55
Athletic senior defensive back has played both corner and safety over his fine career that started at Arkansas. He completed a fine career that included a strong performance at the Senior Bowl game and NFL Combine that has him flying up the charts. He has fine size, speed and agility and will most likely get his first look on the corner as a pro. He has quick reactions and good hands to develop into a fine cover man and playmaker with further technique development. He has developed nicely over his late career that will enhance his value and allow him to compete for the nickel corner role initially. He is capable of playing early in that package and in time of earning a starting job. Probable early 2nd day selection.

7. Allen Barbre - OG - 6’4� 300 lbs. - Missouri Southern - Sp. 4.9
Strong mobile lineman completed a strong postseason that moved him into the early 2nd day of the NFL Draft ’07. He is a sound technician who gets a quick pop on the snap and uses his powerful base to drive defenders out of the hole. He moves well and shows the ability to pull and get to the second level, though his game is power and the ability to finish the block. He also shows the ability to handle big defensive tackles in single assignments, critical when facing pro interior defenders. After a small college career at tackle, he will compete for playing time first at guard where he has the physical talent and development to start in time.

8. * Maurice Price - WR - 6’ 195 lbs. - Charleston Southern - Sp. 4.5
Fine small-college talent with big-play ability and the size, speed and ability scouts seek in a pro prospect. He is quick in his routes and shows the speed to get open and go deep consistently. He will make the tough catch in a crowd, displaying fine hands and body control. In this deep receiving class, he will fall to the 2nd day where he can be a huge bargain. He has all the tools to develop into a pro starter, though needs all the basics of the position plus the intangibles and learning process to absorb a pro offense and understand defensive coverage. He did not attend the NFL Combine. Athlete with huge upside if his club gives him time to learn the system and the position. He is an excellent later selection with the talent to help in multiple sets at some point of his early career. Clubs like the Panthers, Falcons and Dolphins are interested. Type that can be a fine playmaker with development and the burst of speed to hit the big play.

9. Jermon Bushrod - OG - 6’4� 315 lbs. - Towson St. - Sp. 5.2
Big mobile lineman completed a strong college career in the Patriot League starting fours seasons at the left tackle position. He is strong athlete who moves well within a short area and shows the ability to pull and get to the second level. He also shows the ability to handle speed pass rushers in single assignments. He slides easily laterally and shows the ability to adjust to secondary moves and displays strong hands to steer an opponent. He gets good consistent movement at the point of attack as a drive blocker. Fine late addition with definite starting grade in time.

10. Michael Allan - TE - 6’6� 255 lbs. - Whitworth College - Sp. 4.7
He was a dominant performer at the Division III level, which earned him an invite to the NFL Combine. At the Combine, he continued his impressive postseason when he ran a sub-4.7 40-yard dash twice and caught everything in the passing drills. He displays well-developed receiving skills and the ability to make things happen after the catch. He has a huge frame with long arms and legs, but is still developing his muscle tone. As a blocker, he is very raw against NFL-caliber defenders and needs extensive technique and strength development. He is in need of a more hand strength for a better punch and overall power when blocking in-line. He fails to get a consistent push and attempts to finesse defenders. He has the look of a developmental 2nd day pick who may need a season or two as the #3 tight end or a season on the PS. His early value will come as an H-back. Has the upside as a blocker to become a good #2 if he fills out further and improves his strength and technique. Good late pick with interesting upside potential.

11. Alonzo Coleman - RB - 5’10� 205 lbs. - Hampton - Sp. 4.45
Fast quick senior scatback has demonstrated big play ability as a runner, receiver and return specialist. He has the rare initial explosiveness that allows him to find openings and strike from anywhere on the field as a runner, receiver or return specialist. He has the sudden acceleration that allows him to get to top speed quickly and break any play. Over his career, he displayed big play ability consistently that has drawn attention by NFL scouts. His versatility and big play ability probably warrants a late selection where he can be a major surprise in a few roles especially a 3rd down back. He is an ideal change of pace runner and a prospect wit the talent to surprise. Fine late addition with development to help in key situations.

12. Gijon Robinson - FB - 6’1� 255 lbs. - Missouri Western St. - Sp. 4.7
A powerful athlete who shows good movement skills. He can block and catch out of both the fullback and tight end spots. After the catch he is a strong runner with fine hands. He ran a 4.71 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and is one of the better athletes at the fullback position. He competed against Division II talent in college and needs further work as a lead and move blocker after blocking mainly inline over his college career. In college, he mainly lined up at tight end and will go through an adjustment period moving to fullback. He is strictly a developmental prospect as a starting fullback, though he can fill the H-back role immediately. He will probably be converted to fullback/H back as a pro, and gives his club a versatile performer at several positions. Good late pick or FA signee with potential to make it with work. Camp guy who must win a roster spot and show he can fill a few roles at the next level.

Frank Coyle
Draft Insiders' Digest - 16th Season
Subscribers - 1- 800 - 776- 1949
www.draftinsiders.com