MVN - Most Valuable Network

2008 NFL Draft: Sleepers

NOTE: There is a Giants update at the bottom of this post, including more Shockey-Saints Rumors.   

We are coming up on one of the biggest days of the NFL year, the 2008 NFL Draft.  Other than when the Giants are on the field, this is my favorite day of the NFL calendar, so here is a look at some sleepers in the 2008 NFL Draft class:

• Zach Bowman - CB, Nebraska - Bowman has good size (6′ 197lbs) and has all of the talent necessary to be a first round pick.  He missed two college seasons after twice tearing knee ligaments, and we have to ask ourselves if he is injury prone or if it is just bad luck.  Bowman will be picked somewhere on the second day, and he has the talent to contribute right away if he can stay healthy. 
• Maurice Purify - WR, Nebraska -Purify is another player with the talent to be a major contributor in the NFL.  Purify is 6′3 230lbs and has great leaping ability and speed.  He has long arms and is a powerful blocker for a receiver.  His major issue is character concerns, raised because of numerous arrests while he was in Lincoln.  Assault, resisting arrest, trespassing and drunken driving are the charges on his rap sheet.  Despite his character issues, I feel Purify has too much talent to pass up, and some NFL team will jump on him late in the draft. 
• Jack Ikegwunonu - CB, Wisconsin -  Ike (as I’ll call him from now on) is a corner with good size, speed and ball skills, who left Wisconsin after his junior season for the NFL Draft.  He is a big hitter who is great in run support and may be best fit for the cover 2 scheme.  The problems arose when he suffered a catastrophic knee injury while training for the combine in January.  He tore his MCL, ACL and dislocated his knee and won’t be ready to play until late in the 2008 season, and may be better off sitting out a full season.  Also was arrested for stealing and XBox with his twin brother while in college, raising some character concerns.  Once would have been a second round pick, but now will be a late rounder or undrafted free agent.  Developmental prospect due to the injury. 
• Tyrell Johnson - S, Arkansas State -Johnson is a small school prospect who is rising up draft boards quickly.  He had 94 tackles and 6 interceptions this season, forced two fumbles, and seemed to always be around the ball.  He is 6′ 202lbs and wowed scouts at the combine by leading all safeties in the bench press (27 reps) and the broad jump (10′7″).  He also was able to finish in the 40 yard dash (4.42) and the vertical jump (32″).  He might look really good in Giants blue next season, and looks like a 3rd rounder.
• Jordy Nelson - WR, Kansas State - Nelson is a player that I love going into this draft.  He has good size (6′3 217lbs) and he made a lot of big plays at Kansas State.  He does not have ideal speed, however, he gets open and makes every catch.  Great possession receiver at the next level.  Probably a 4th round pick. 
• Anthony Collins - OT, Kansas -Collins left Kansas after his junior year.  He is a huge tackle at 6′5 311lbs, and has a ton of potential.  Has very long arms and huge hands, and should be a great starter with pro bowl potential down the line in the NFL.  He can be dominant at times, but needs work on his technique and needs to be more consistent.  Mid round draft pick.     
• Nick Hayden - DT, Wisconsin - Hayden is one of those “blue collar” players, who does not have the natural talent, but gives 100% effort on every play.  He practices as hard as he plays and is a leader in the locker room, who was double teamed much of his senior year.  The kind of guy NFL coaches want on their team.  Probably a 5th rounder.  Reminds me a bit of Chris Hovan. 
• Josh Johnson - QB, San Diego -Johnson is a mid round quarterback prospect that can make plays with his arm as well as his feet.  He is 6′3 200lbs and ran a 4.59 40 yard dash at the combine.  At San Diego, Johnson completed 67% of his passes for 6,711 yards and 70 TDs with only 14 interceptions.  Also ran for 1,138 yards and 17 TDs.  Throws a good deep ball and excels at play action fakes.  It is know that the Patriots have expressed interest in Johnson. 
• Jerome Simpson - WR, Costal Carolina -Simpson is a good sized receiver (6-2 198lbs) who set records in the high jump and long jump while at Costal Carolina.  He does not have elite top end speed, but he will go up and catch almost any pass thrown his direction.  Measured in with the biggest hands and longest arms of any player at the Senior Bowl, regardless of position.  Simpson will come off of the board in the 3rd or 4th round and will be a nice #2 or #3 wideout some day, as well as a great weapon in the red zone. 
• Heath Benedict - OG, Newberry College -Benedict is a transfer from Tennessee who played tackle at tiny Newberry College in South Carolina.  He is 6′5 333lbs and is best suited for guard in the NFL.  Should come off of the board in rounds 3-4. 
• Kendall Langford - DE, Hampton -Langford is a bigger defensive end (6′5 295lbs) who is best suited for a 3-4 defense.  Notched 56 tackles for a loss and 24.5 sacks at Hampton.  He is aggressive and has good strength, but like most small school prospects, he needs work on his technique.  Expect him to come off of the board in the 4th round to a 3-4 team like the Jets, 49ers, Cowboys, Browns or Ravens to name a few. 
• Jamar Adams - S, Michigan -Adams is a player that had a ton of hype coming out of high school, but never lived up to his potential at Michigan.  He has great size (6′2 210lbs) and good measurables.  He will probably be drafted in the 4th round due to a weak safety class, but could excel on special teams right away and start down the road in the NFL. 

Any other sleepers you guys like or would like to mention?

Giants Update:Really not a lot to report right now, other than Sports Illustrated’s Peter King reports that the New Orleans Saints are not done trying to get Jeremy Shockey from the Giants, and that Jerry Reese should expect some calls on draft day.  Some internet reports have circulated that the Saints and Giants have been in contact as recently as this week, and that the Saints offered the Giants a second round pick and a player for Shockey.  The report states that the player was Roman Harper, a 25 year old safety from Alabama.  One report states that the Giants turned down the Saints offer, while another claims that the Saints never offered Harper.  This is just an internet report and I am not sure how credible it is, so I am not putting much thought into it.  We have debated this topic hundreds of times on the site, and we’ll see what happens. 

UPDATE: When I woke up this I saw some terrible news.  Heath Benedict, the guard I mentioned above as a sleeper in the 2008 draft, was found dead last night.  Homicide detectives were called to his home in Jacksonville at 7pm yesterday where they found Benedict, 24, dead on his couch.  No foul play, drugs or alcohol is suspected in his death.  Benedict was listed as 6′6 335lbs, according to the AP.  My thoughts and prayers go out to Benedict’s family.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 at 12:52 pm and is filed under 2008 NFL Draft, Jeremy Shockey, Giants 101. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.