Top Ten NFL Draft Day Sleepers

: Carlson killed his draft stock at the combine by running a 40 time that is comparable to mine. However, the game film says he is a better player than he is a work out guy. Carlson is the type of TE that can contribute from day one in the passing game with sharp routes and a good eye for getting open. There are plenty of NFL teams that could profit by taking a receiving TE who doesn't disappear in the running game. No one is going to mistake Carlson for Kellen Winslow but they might confuse him for Heath Miller and that ain't bad.

 4) Owen Schmitt  FB  West Virginia:  Fullbacks are not making a lot of noise in the league these days, and that isn't going to change when Schmitt gets into the league. Mack Strong and Lorenzo Neal are fine examples of what a FB like Schmitt will bring to the table. He is going to get on the field and make contributions in the running game and on special teams and is the kind of guy who could spend 15 years opening holes and leveling LBs for a reasonable price. 

 3) Sam Keller  QB  Nebraska: QBs from Nebraska generally don't get a lot of attention coming into the NFL, but come round 5 Sam Keller probably should. He did a pretty fair job running a pro-style offense and showed good accuracy and the occasional flash of real playmaking talent. Do I think Keller will be the next Tom Brady to waltz out of the late rounds and into a Superbowl? No. But he will be a reliable back-up who can manage an offense and play well enough to win with a little help from the running game. I rate Keller as my #3 value because every team NEEDS a reliable bench guy who can come in and not lose games. Sam can do that.

 2) Ahtyba Rubin DT Iowa State: Massive DT who is very solid against the run. Rubin will be able to add value to any team from day one just by putting presence in the middle of the line. Think Booger McFarlane here.  Any team that needs to shore up interior run defense can take a big step in that direction with Rubin, and do so at a discount. He's never going to be Albert Haynsworth - but he will be a definite help as a rotation guy on the D line.

 1) Trevor Laws  DT  Notre Dame:  This guy has "all-pro" written all over him. How he  hasn't gathered any first round buzz is beyond me, especially given the number of teams with holes on their D Line. Laws is strong, relentless, and talented. He fits nearly any scheme, playing with enough strength and leverage to handle assignments at NT in a 3-4 front or playing as a 3-technique UT in a conventional 4-3. Even at the NFL level he is going to be a force to be reckoned with on the interior line. What makes Laws truly scary is that he is a SMART defender, it won't take him long to learn his assignments and be a play maker for whatever team takes him. 

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