Sudden Impact: 32 Second-Day NFL Draft Picks Who'll Play on Opening Weekend

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Let’s face it—unless you’re a draftnik, a member of the football media, or you have a personal stake in the event, there’s nothing overly compelling about the second day (rounds three to seven) of the NFL Draft.

While even the most casual fan can find excitement in hearing the commissioner announce the first overall pick or the first-round selection of his favorite team, the second day inherently lacks sizzle. Consequently, while the monetary value of future contracts drops precipitously as the day unfolds, so too does the size of the TV audience.

If you’re a general manager or a scout, however, the second day is when you make your money. It’s relatively easy for scouts to determine which players are worthy of being selected in the first two rounds; it’s in rounds three to seven where good scouting and talent evaluation can pay big dividends.

The foundation of a team is built in these latter rounds. Therefore, if a general manager can hit on just 40 to 50 percent of these selections, he can set up his team for long-term success—perhaps even change its fortunes in a single day.

The history of the NFL Draft is full of second-day selections that went from afterthought or obscurity to instant NFL success. A few examples from the past few years of players who outperformed their draft status as rookies (and beyond) include:

* Oakland Raiders middle linebacker Kirk Morrison, who started 15 games as the 14th pick in round three of the 2005 Draft, making 116 tackles and deflecting two passes;

* Baltimore Ravens strong safety Dawan Landry, who started 14 games as the 13th pick in round five of the 2006 Draft, posting five interceptions, three sacks, and 69 tackles;

* Dallas Cowboys kicker Nick Folk, who appeared in all 16 regular-season games as the fourth pick in round six of the 2007 Draft, making 26-of-31 field-goal attempts (83.9 percent);

* Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton, who started 15 games as the 26th pick in round three of the 2008 Draft, rushing for 1,282 yards and nine touchdowns on 268 carries and adding 377 yards and one touchdown on 50 receptions.

With less than two months remaining until the start of the 2009 regular season, let’s take a look at 32 players (one from each team) who, despite being bypassed on Day One of the 2009 NFL Draft, are ready to make impacts as rookies.

AFC NORTH

Lardarius Webb, CB/PR/KR, Baltimore Ravens (Round Three, Pick 24, Nicholls State)

After playing two seasons at Southern Miss, Webb transferred to Nicholls State, where he was a two-time FCS All-American. Although he has the ability to play both cornerback and safety (he ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at the Combine, tied for best among defensive backs), it’s Webb’s talents as a return specialist that will get him on the field on opening weekend.

Kevin Huber, P, Cincinnati Bengals (Round Five, Pick Six, Cincinnati)

The Bengals didn’t have to look far to find their punter of the future, selecting local product Kevin Huber early in the fifth round. A left-footed directional punter with good leg strength, Huber was the first punter selected in the 2009 Draft.

How much faith do the Bengals have in Huber? The team jettisoned punters Kyle Larson and Ryan Plackemeier two days after the draft, essentially handing the job to the rookie.

Kaluka Maiava, ILB, Cleveland Browns (Round Four, Pick Four, Southern Cal)

Cleveland ranked 28th in the NFL in rushing defense in 2008, a problem that can be attributed, in part, to poor linebacker play. To help shore up the team’s shoddy ground defense, the Browns selected the least heralded of the four USC linebackers selected in the 2009 Draft, Kaluka Maiava, who has the versatility to play inside or outside. However, USC’s two-time Co-Special Teams Player of the Year will make his biggest impact as a rookie while covering punts and kickoffs.

Mike Wallace, WR/KR, Pittsburgh Steelers (Round Three, Pick 20, Mississippi)

Only an injury or illness will keep the former Rebel from returning kickoffs versus the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 10. Wallace, who holds the records for single-game, season, and career kickoff return yards at Ole Miss, posted one of the fastest 40-yard dash times in Indy (4.33), verifying what fans of the Rebels already knew—the kid can fly!

Though he’s a raw route runner, look for Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians to split Wallace out wide in three and four-receiver sets to take advantage of his elite speed.

AFC SOUTH

Anthony Hill, TE, Houston Texans (Round Four, Pick 22, North Carolina State)

Hill’s main assignment as a rookie will be to clear rush lanes for second-year tailback Steve Slaton. Regarded by many scouts as the best blocking tight end in the 2009 Draft, Hill provides a perfect complement to the Texans’ starting tight end, Owen Daniels, who’s a prolific pass catcher.

Opponents should expect to see plenty of two-tight end sets from Houston’s offense in 2009. Hill’s size and bulk (6'5", 262) make him an ideal blocker in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

Austin Collie, WR, Indianapolis Colts (Round Four, Pick 27, BYU)

Collie will compete with Roy Hall and Pierre Garcon for the right to line up with Indy’s primary receivers, Anthony Gonzalez and Reggie Wayne. The BYU standout possesses good balance and body control, enabling him to run precise routes, but his lack of top-end speed (4.63 in the 40-yard dash) will relegate him to the slot, where he can be effective running underneath routes.

The former second-team All-Mountain West Conference kick returner also could make his presence felt on special teams.

Mike Thomas, WR/PR/KR, Jacksonville Jaguars (Round Four, Pick Seven, Arizona)

If Thomas was a few inches taller, he easily would’ve been selected on Day One of the 2009 Draft. The 5'8", 195-pound wide receiver plays bigger than his stature, however, as exemplified by the 259 passes that he caught during his Arizona career (a Pac-10 record).

Thomas should exit training camp as the Jags’ third or fourth option in the passing game, as Torry Holt and Troy Williamson are the only veteran receivers on the roster following the trade of Dennis Northcutt to the Detroit Lions. The former Wildcat receiver also will get every opportunity to contribute as a return specialist, an area in which he excelled at the collegiate level.

Ryan Mouton, CB/KR, Tennessee Titans (Round Three, Pick 30, Hawaii)

A gifted cover corner, Mouton (5'9", 187) provides much-needed depth to the Titans’ secondary and will step right in as the team’s nickel or dime back, where he’ll cover the opposition’s slot receiver.

The former Hawaiian Warrior returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in his collegiate career and will get an opportunity to utilize his 4.48 speed as one of Tennessee’s primary kickoff returners.

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