Washington Redskins: Prospects Worth the Late-Round Gamble in the 2012 NFL Draft

Some will refer to them as "no-namers", kinder folk may call them "sleepers". But I call them the "draft-makers". 

Beyond the common names of Luck, Griffin, Blackmon and Claiborne lie some 2012 NFL Draft prospects that most people have probably never even heard of. 

As a draft-nerd myself, I think one of the best parts is talking about the late-round guys that could turn into something valuable for an NFL organization. 

Mike Shanahan has made a reputation for stealing players late in the draft and receiving tremendous value. But perhaps this season Shanahan and his front office finds value even beyond the typical running back position.

Defense

James Michael-Johnson, Nevada

I've mentioned JMJ before and he may very well not last into the late rounds, but his name is on this list anyway. Playing in the WAC, there's a slight chance that JMJ's talents are judged a little more harshly than, say, an SEC linebacker. But I don't think there's any doubt that this guy can play.

Michael-Johnson has good collegiate experience and has often been considered the best defensive player in his conference. He's versatile in terms of playing both inside and outside and he has good speed to contain offensive threats on the edge and keep them from turning up field. JMJ sometimes struggles to fight off blocks, but when he does, he's a sure tackler.

Malik Jackson, Tennessee

After transferring from Southern California after two seasons, Jackson had a solid career at Tennessee. Jackson is very strong along the defensive line, using his size to gain leverage, and he's a smart and disciplined player.

Jackson was a semi-late addition to the South roster in the Senior Bowl, but he was certainly deserving of the invite. Jackson weighed in at 270 pounds (6'5) and the Redskins coaching staff will be able to get a good look at him.

Jonathan Bostic, Florida

Jonathan Bostic had big shoes to fill as the successor to Brandon Spikes as the Gators' middle linebacker. Although I feel like sticking around for his senior season would be in his best interest, Bostic will enter the draft this season and likely wait until the latter rounds.

Bostic's biggest strengths will be his tackling and athleticism. Despite measuring in somewhere around 6'1, 240 pounds, Bostic plays the inside position well. The Redskins will eventually need to replace the ageless London Fletcher and Bostic could take a couple seasons to learn under one of the best to ever play the position.

Offensive Line

Stephen Good, Oklahoma

This isn't the first time I've mentioned Stephen Good's name as a potential late-round target for the Redskins, and starting left guard Kory LIchtensteiger's recovery could play a big role in how Shanahan approaches the offensive line this offseason.

After losing Lichtensteiger in the Philadelphia game, Washington's offensive line didn't seem to work as a functioning unit until the last three or four weeks of the year. Although no one would have expected it, 'Steiger played a huge role along the offensive front.

Good is a lineman with good experience and he has filled in along the entire Sooners' trench. Good has impressive size for a guard at 6'6, but he'll need to add some weight to his 300-pound frame and increase his strength if he wants to be an effective run-blocker.

With an area of the team that is in dire need of depth--and maybe even a potential starter--Stephen Good would be a great late-round pickup for the Redskins.

Tight Ends

Brad Smelley, Alabama

After capping off his senior season with a bang, Brad Smelley may very well creep up into the mid-rounds to a team that enjoys his work ethic and all-around ability as an H-back.

Smelley has very little to show in terms of production prior to this season, but he's a well-coached football player with all the tools and potential to succeed at the next level. In terms of effort, style and build, Smelley reminds me of current-Redskins H-back Chris Cooley.

Kevin Kroger, Michigan

While playing at Michigan in the spread offense, I always thought Kevin Kroger was too often overlooked. Although he has the potential to be a good receiver, Kroger was used primarily as a blocker--where he was very effective.

Kroger has good size at 6'3, 265 pounds and I think a team will be very pleased with what they get from this guy. In terms of what Shanahan likes in his tight ends, Kroger could be an animal alongside Fred Davis (assuming return).

Special Teams

Who says kickers aren't important?

After watching Billy Cundiff pull an Einhorn (Ace Ventura reference) last week in the AFC Championship game, I'm committed to doing my absolute best to help encourage the Redskins to finally find a decent kicker.

Graham Gano may have the power, but his accuracy is inconsistent. And when the Redskins are sitting in the NFC Championship next season (see what I did there?), I don't want it to come down to Gano's kick.

I understand that fans think drafting kickers is a waste of picks, but how many seventh-rounders typically make an NFL roster. If they do, great. But usually we don't see a lot of seventh-round positional players. So why not take a look at a guy that would provide immediate competition at his position and probably win it in camp?

By the way, I don't place the entire blame on Cundiff for the Ravens' loss. Should he have made the field goal? Yes, that's what he's paid to do. But, not only have the Ravens showed zero confidence in him all season, there were also multiple other blown opportunities by the guys in purple throughout the first 59 minutes.

Randy Bullock, Texas A&M

Randy Bullock may not look like a football player, but he's a damn good one.

Throughout the 2011 season, Bullock didn't do much except nail field goals, break all kinds of records and ultimately take home the Lou Groza Award.

If the Redskins are serious about finding a kicker, I'd most certainly keep my eye on this guy. Whether we take him in the sixth, the seventh or sign him as an UDFA, I think Bullock needs to be in burgundy and gold.

Receivers

Chris Givens, Wake Forest

After watching enough ACC football, I think Chris Givens is a legitimate wideout prospect for the NFL. Although he didn't come onto the scene until just this past season, Givens appears to have grown with his quarterback's progression.

Some scouts may be weary of Givens' random leap from 35 receptions for 514 yards to 83 receptions for 1,330 yards, but it can't necessarily be a negative to his game. He got better as his quarterback got better.

Givens has good hands and I like his speed. Perhaps another year to prove/support his junior stats would help his stock, but that could mean good things for a team like the Redskins that lurks in the latter rounds.

Derek Moye, Penn State

What stands out most about Moye is his size at 6'5, 210 pounds. Some added weight could really help Moye, as his knack for the game, position and catching the football are attributes that are all prepared to grow at the next level.

Even after being under-utilized at Penn State and having to go through the wringer with questionable quarterback play (McGloin?), Moye has shown potential as a redzone target and vertical threat.

Devon Wylie, Fresno State

After an impressive week at the Shrine Game, Wylie put his name on the map as a potential slot receiver at the next level. His quickness and Welker-like route-running are his strongest attributes, but there's concern over Wylie's ability to stay healthy. In five years at Fresno State, Wylie has just 98 catches. He missed the entire 2010 season and was forced to take a redshirt year.

It's also important to note that Wylie has shown skills in the return game as a punt returner. His 5'9 frame and quickness make for impressive elusiveness and he had two returned touchdowns last season.

Damarlo Belcher, Indiana

I've been talking about Belcher for a while now and I know that character issues are a huge red flag on this guy, but I can't help but be impressed with what he did on the field prior to being thrown off the football team earlier this season.

Belcher's combination of size (6'5 / 213), speed and catching ability make him a very intriguing prospect in the seventh round or as an UDFA. Over his shortened four-year career at Indiana, including a true freshman season, Belcher hauled in 189 catches for 2,225 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Backfield

Marc Tyler, USC

Tyler is another draft prospect with falling stock after questionable character started to overrun his athletic career.

Beyond his off-the-field issues, Tyler is a very large running back with the North/South style that fans enjoy so much. At 5'11, 230 pounds, Tyler runs downhill and with power.

The Redskins currently employ a crowded backfield, assuming Tim Hightower returns strong, but I think Tyler will be around in the sixth or seventh round and we all know how Shanahan gets late in the draft.

When I think of Tyler in the burgundy and gold, I think of a thunder/lightning type of backfield like that of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs in New York.

Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State

Hillman is mostly projected as a scat-back at the next level, but I enjoyed his short career with the Aztecs.

In his two seasons at San Diego State, Hillman carried the ball 573 times for 3,243 yards and 36 touchdowns. It wasn't until last season that Hillman also demonstrated his ability to be a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield, when he hauled in 24 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown.

Chris Rainey, Florida

Because of his 5'9, 180-pound frame, I really don't know where Chris Rainey fits on the football field in the NFL. I assume his potential as a return-man is an initial thought, but offensive gameplans might want to think about a few plays that can get the ball to this guy and let him create in space.

Okay. Let be honest. Who am I kidding, anyway?

I put Chris Rainey on this list for one reason and one reason only. The dude is prepared to run a sub-4.2 forty-yard dash. That is all.