2009 NFL Draft Sleepers

Jon Herrmann

Contributor Written on April 23, 2009

Previous Next

Slide 1 of 7

NEW ORLEANS - DECEMBER 28: Marques Colston #12 of the New Orleans Saints points to the sky during the game against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2008 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Marques Colston was selected in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft at 252nd overall.

Tom Brady was taken in the sixth round 199th

Cortland Finnegan in the seventh round 215th overall.

Who is the sleeper in this years draft. Who are the players that aren't getting talked about, who will go day two, but who will make a difference.

This is my short list of five players to watch in this years draft and for the next few seasons.

James Davis-RB-Clemson

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: James Davis #1 of the Clemson Tigers runs the ball against the Boston College Eagles during their Atlantic Coast Conference game at Alumni Stadium on September 9, 2006 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim McIsa

Davis was part of what many considered the best backfield in football at the start of the season. Injuries and internal issues with the coaching staff could have hurt his season totals.

He played four years at Clemson rushing for nearly 4,000 and going 5.3 yards per carry.

He doesn't have explosive speed and his route running is questionable, but you could get a late steal here that could have similar success to Dallas' Tashard Choice who rushed for 472 yards, averaging 5.1 yards per carry in limited time last season.

Graham Harrell-QB-Texas Tech

LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 08: Quarterback Graham Harrell #6 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during play against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 8, 2008 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

This kid should be talked about much more than he is. He doesn't have an awe-inspiring arm, but he did nothing but win in college.

In three full seasons Harrell threw for 15,371 yards and 131 touchdowns.

Harrell may be the most accurate quarterback in the draft this season, so someone could find a quarterback here in a late round who can become a starter.

Glen Coffee-RB-Alabama

ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 27: Running back Glen Coffee #38 of the Alabama Crimson Tide scores a touchdown in the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on September 27, 2008 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Coffee didn't come onto the scene really until last season. He could use some time to develop, but the potential he showed at Alabama can't be ignored. Coffee could turn into a second day steal.

Mike Rivera-LB-Kansas

BOULDER, CO - OCTOBER 20: Linebacker Mike Rivera #40 of the Kansas Jayhawks lines up against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on October 20, 2007 in Boulder, Colorado. Kansas defeated Colorado 19-14. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Rivera needs a little time on the bench, but he has potential. He is 6'2"-245 lbs and runs a very respectable forty time for a linebacker.

Rivera needs a little more strength and could do for adding a few pounds of muscle. His biggest problem is that he doesn't always play as fast as he is capable, but as a three year starter pile up 90 tackles in 2006, 96 in 2007, and 93 in 2008.

With a little work Rivera could turn into a starter.

Jason McCourty-CB-Rutgers

PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 6: Wide receiver Dominick Goodman #16 of the Cincinnati Bearcats makes a touchdown catch against cornerback Jason McCourty #25 during a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Stadium October 6, 2007 in Piscataway, Ne

McCourty may not be drafted. His stock is up a bit, but not nearly enough to make him relevant in the draft.

McCourty stands at 5'11" and is close to 200 lbs. The impressive thing is his forty time which is right at 4.3.

McCourty can be over aggressive and doesn't get a good jam at the line. He struggles getting off blocks at times and doesn't have great hands.

The place he fits is in a nickel situation. With the athletic skill set he has, he could be a relevant part of whatever team he ends up on.

Begin Slideshow

That's the end of this slideshow, here are a few more you might like...

NFL Teams Rising Above or Falling Below Expectations

This year many teams have put together seasons that pundits (and fans) did not necessarily expect. Some have put together far better results than expected while others have fallen flat in the midst of high anticipation...
The NFL's All-Decade Team-2000s

A list of the best in the NFL over the last decade. From quarterback to punt returner and some backups, the players who have performed above and beyond their peers...
The C.U.T.L.E.R. System

For those of you who don't watch the show "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" on FX, the "D.E.N.N.I.S System" is a patented method of how to get a girl to love you and then completely break her heart...

(0)

4 Comments

There are no comments yet. Get the conversation started by leaving the first comment

Loading more comments...

posted just now

Loading...
Nobody has liked this comment yet

Cancel

This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete

<form action="/accounts/create_from_facebook_comment" class="new_facebook_user" id="new_facebook_user" method="post">	<input id="facebook_user_facebook_id" name="facebook_user[facebook_id]" type="hidden" />
	<input id="facebook_user_proxied_email" name="facebook_user[proxied_email]" type="hidden" />
	<input id="facebook_user_profile_pic" name="facebook_user[profile_pic]" type="hidden" />
	<input id="facebook_user_profile_url" name="facebook_user[profile_url]" type="hidden" />
	<ul>
		<div id="facebook_questions">
			<li class="fb-question" id="facebook_full_name_container">
				<p class="question">
					<label for="facebook_user_use_full_name">Use your full name <strong class="full_name"></strong> on Bleacher Report?</label>
					<br />
				</p>
				<p class="options">
					<input name="facebook_user[use_full_name]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_use_full_name" name="facebook_user[use_full_name]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_use_full_name">Yes</label>
				</p>
				<div class="input full-name-edit" style="display:none">
					<p>Edit your name for Bleacher Report:</p>
					<div class="fb-first-name">
						<label for="facebook_user_first_name">First Name <em>(required)</em></label>
						<input class="signup_text_input" id="facebook_user_first_name" name="facebook_user[first_name]" size="30" type="text" />
						
					</div>
	
					<div class="fb-last-name">
						<label for="facebook_user_last_name">Last Name <em>(required)</em></label>
						<input class="signup_text_input" id="facebook_user_last_name" name="facebook_user[last_name]" size="30" type="text" />
						
					</div>
				</div>
			</li>
			<li class="fb-question">
				<p class="question">
					<img src="/images/default-user-icon-medium.png" class="profile_pic" />
					<label for="facebook_user_use_profile_pic">Do you want to use your Facebook profile picture on Bleacher Report?</label>
				</p>
				<p class="options">
					<input name="facebook_user[use_profile_pic]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_use_profile_pic" name="facebook_user[use_profile_pic]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_use_profile_pic">Yes</label>
					
				</p>
			</li>
			<li>
				<a id="facebook_connect_submit"><img src="/images/shared/submit.png" /></a>
			</li>
		</div>
	</ul>
</form>

415
reads

4
comments

0
likes

written on April 23, 2009 Preview/Prediction

<form action="/accounts/create_from_facebook" class="new_facebook_user" id="new_facebook_user" method="post">	<input id="facebook_user_proxied_email" name="facebook_user[proxied_email]" type="hidden" />
	<input id="facebook_user_profile_pic" name="facebook_user[profile_pic]" type="hidden" />
	<input id="facebook_user_facebook_id" name="facebook_user[facebook_id]" type="hidden" />
	<input id="facebook_user_profile_url" name="facebook_user[profile_url]" type="hidden" />
	<ul>
					<li class="fb-question">
				<div class="input">
											<div id="facebook_placebo_submit">
							<img src="/images/shared/submit.png" />
						</div>
										<div class="fb-first-name" id="fb-email">
						<p><strong>Email Address</strong></p>
						<input class="signup_text_input" id="facebook_user_email" name="facebook_user[email]" size="30" type="text" />
						<img alt="Small" id="facebook_email_indicator" src="http://assets0.bleacherreport.com/images/shared/spinners/small.gif?1259645324" style="display:none" />
						
					</div>
				</div>
				<div class="input" id="facebook_password_container" style="display:none">
					<div class="fb-first-name notice">
						<p>This email address matches an existing user profile. Please enter your password to connect your accounts.</p>
						<p><strong>Password</strong></p>
						<input class="signup_text_input" id="facebook_user_password" name="facebook_user[password]" size="30" type="password" />
						
					</div>
				</div>
			</li>
				<div id="facebook_questions" style="display:none">
			<li class="fb-question" id="facebook_full_name_container">
				<p class="question">
					<label for="facebook_user_use_full_name">Use your full name <strong class="full_name"></strong> on Bleacher Report?</label>
					<br />
				</p>
				<p class="options">
					<input name="facebook_user[use_full_name]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_use_full_name" name="facebook_user[use_full_name]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_use_full_name">Yes</label>
				</p>
				<div class="input full-name-edit" style="display:none">
					<p>Edit your name for Bleacher Report:</p>
					<div class="fb-first-name">
						<label for="facebook_user_first_name">First Name <em>(required)</em></label>
						<input class="signup_text_input" id="facebook_user_first_name" name="facebook_user[first_name]" size="30" type="text" />
						
					</div>
	
					<div class="fb-last-name">
						<label for="facebook_user_last_name">Last Name <em>(required)</em></label>
						<input class="signup_text_input" id="facebook_user_last_name" name="facebook_user[last_name]" size="30" type="text" />
						
					</div>
				</div>
			</li>
			<li class="fb-question">
				<p class="question">
					<img src="/images/default-user-icon-medium.png" class="profile_pic" />
					<label for="facebook_user_use_profile_pic">Do you want to use your Facebook profile picture on Bleacher Report?</label>
				</p>
				<p class="options">
					<input name="facebook_user[use_profile_pic]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_use_profile_pic" name="facebook_user[use_profile_pic]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_use_profile_pic">Yes</label>
					
				</p>
			</li>
			<li class="fb-question" id="facebook_interested_in_writing_container">
				<p class="question"><label for="facebook_user_interested_in_writing">Are you interested in covering your favorite teams and sports?</label></p>
				<p class="options">
					<input name="facebook_user[interested_in_writing]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input id="facebook_user_interested_in_writing" name="facebook_user[interested_in_writing]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_interested_in_writing">Yes</label>
					
				</p>
			</li>
			<li class="fb-question">
				<p class="question"><label for="facebook_user_share_activity">Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity in your Facebook activity feed?</label></p>
				<p class="options">
					<input name="facebook_user[share_activity]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_share_activity" name="facebook_user[share_activity]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_share_activity">Yes</label>
					
					<br />
					<a href="#" id="share_facebook_activity_advanced_link">Advanced Sharing Options</a>
				</p>
				<p id="share_facebook_activity_advanced" style="display:none">
					<input name="facebook_user[share_activity_article_writing]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_share_activity_article_writing" name="facebook_user[share_activity_article_writing]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_share_activity_article_writing">When I write a new article</label>
					<br /><input name="facebook_user[share_activity_comment]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_share_activity_comment" name="facebook_user[share_activity_comment]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_share_activity_comment">When I post a comment</label>
					<br /><input name="facebook_user[share_activity_like]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_share_activity_like" name="facebook_user[share_activity_like]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_share_activity_like">When I like an article</label>
					<br /><input name="facebook_user[share_activity_poll_vote]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_share_activity_poll_vote" name="facebook_user[share_activity_poll_vote]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_share_activity_poll_vote">When I vote on a poll</label>
					<br /><input name="facebook_user[share_activity_fan]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_share_activity_fan" name="facebook_user[share_activity_fan]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_share_activity_fan">When I become a fan of another member</label>
				</p>
			</li>
			<li class="fb-question">
				<p class="question"><label for="facebook_user_fan_friends">Become fans of your Facebook friends connected to Bleacher Report?</label></p>
				<p class="options">			
					<input name="facebook_user[fan_friends]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_fan_friends" name="facebook_user[fan_friends]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_fan_friends">Yes</label>
					
				</p>
			</li>
			<li>
				<a id="facebook_connect_submit"><img src="/images/shared/submit.png" /></a>
			</li>
		</div>
	</ul>
</form>

Sign up for Bleacher Report

Already have an account? Log in now » As a member you can get the latest on your favorite teams, post comments, write your own articles, and much more.

Join Bleacher Report

You must register in order for that functionality to work!

Sign up through Facebook

Follow your Facebook friends on Bleacher Report
Share your articles, comments, and more with friends

Great, , you're signed up!

i.e. San Francisco Giants, SEC Football, NFL, Golf

Selected Tags:

Yes, I'd like to receive an email newsletter for the topics I selected.