Fans' Overlooked Draft Prospects

SI Staff | Apr 15, 2008

Fans' Overlooked Draft Prospects

Antoine Cason

AP

In a recent Monday Morning Quarterback mailbag, SI.com's Peter King invited readers to send in their favorite college players who were being overlooked in the draft. Here are the results:<br><br>Antoine Cason wins the Thorpe award, has the second-best overall combine of all the corners in the draft and the media seems to think a bunch of small school corners who ran a good track meet (the combine) will be better pros? Antoine also raised $7,000 for cancer research on campus this year after his grandfather passed away from the disease. You won't find a better corner in this draft or person. I wish the media would pick up on this.<br><br>Michael Ginzl<br>Phoenix

Yvenson Bernard

Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images

I feel that Yvenson Bernard's statistics in non-injured years bear out that he could have similar numbers to Rams running back Steven Jackson (another Beaver). In general, I think Mike Riley has done an outstanding job producing reliable pro players and Bernard will be no different. This draft is deep in RBs, and Bernard is rarely talked about, but I think that he'll have a great chance to outperform his peers.<br><br>Craig Taylor<br>Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Tashard Choice

John Biever/SI

Remember the name Tashard Choice. Before the juniors declared, he was projected as a possible first-round pick. Now he's projected as a third. He has recorded at least 100 yards in every game that he wasn't injured in the last two years and was the classic "gets stronger as the game goes on" back. No problem for him to get 30 carries in a game. Considering how fragile running backs are and how good backs are always available past the first two rounds, someone is going to get a massive steal.<br><br>Richard <br>Atlanta

Kenneth Moore

Simon Bruty/SI

Kenneth Moore helped save Wake Forest's amazing 11-3 season in 2006 by moving from wide receiver to running back the last five games and gained more than 500 yards rushing including 165 yards at Maryland and 80 yards rushing and five catches in a 30-0 win at Florida State. This season, Moore caught 98 balls. Not as explosive as many players, but if he is taken in the fourth round or later, his unselfish versatility as a third-down back/slot WR/return man will reward the team that drafts him.<br><br>John Seago<br> Virginia Beach, Va.

Dantrell Savage

AP

I've always been impressed by Dantrell Savage, yet I've seen next to no draft buzz about him. I know it's a deep class at RB, but I think Savage is going to be a great addition to a team looking for a great, late-round pick. If he does in fact go undrafted, I could certainly see him making an impact as an undrafted free agent a la Ryan Grant.<br><br>Tyler Staley<br> Los Angeles

Jordy Nelson

Darren Carroll/SI

Nobody gave my team, the Texas Longhorns, fits like Jordy Nelson this year. We couldn't cover him on offense and he had a 90-yard return as well. I mentioned during the game who Nelson most reminded me of. You may have heard of him: Wes Welker.<br><br>Tommy Thompson<br>Dallas

Jacob Hester

Bob Rosato/SI

I'll give everyone who does not follow the SEC a quick heads-up for a bruising fullback/halfback: Jacob Hester from LSU. He fits the classic mold of running backs -- great work ethic, team player, punishing on the other teams' tacklers. <br><br>Aaron <br>Seoul, Republic of Korea

Matt Forte

Bob Rosato/SI

Forte had one of the best rushing performances (16 carries, 73 yards) against LSU's vaunted defense last season, all while playing behind the Tulane O-Line. He's not quite the Steph Curry of collegiate running backs, but he'll turn heads and immediately improve the team for which he plays.<br><br>Chris <br>Davidson, N.C.

Kevin Smith

Gary Bogdon/SI

Why isn't Kevin Smith of UCF even in the discussion when it comes to top college RBs entering the draft? He was only 61 yards from breaking Barry Sanders' single-season rushing record last year. And he is a high-character kid. If I were a GM, he'd be square on my radar as the draft approached.<br><br>Rex <br>Aviano, Italy

Omar Cuff

AP

All the draft hype is focused on Joe Flacco, but no one mentions his stud backfield teammate, Omar Cuff. Anyone who watched the Hens last year knows that they would have been .500 or worse without a running threat. Omar reminds me of a UD opponent from a couple years ago who's now the best back in football. I think some team is going to steal him in the sixth- or seventh-round and make him their Brian Westbrook. He's undersized, but runs tough inside and has tremendous hands out of the backfield. <br><br>Dan Murray<br>Wilmington, Del.

Owen Schmitt

Damian Strohmeyer/SI

I know fullbacks rarely get drafted high, if at all, but Owen Schmitt has to get some consideration. Whichever team grabs this kid is going to get 125 percent effort on every play whether it be running, blocking, catching or special teams. Mark my words, in seven years we will look back and applaud the team that drafts this true football player.<br><br>Ryan <br>Fairfax, Va.

Arman Shields

AP

I know to be wary of the workout wonders, but Arman Shields killed every receiver and most of the other performers in the drills. He was injured most of last year, but the rumor is the local scout for the Eagles was pissed that everyone now knows about him. He had almost the entire NFL at his pro day which the school rarely ever has. <br><br>Corey Goff<br> Atlanta