2010 NFL Draft: 15 Overlooked NFL Prospects You Need To Know

Of course, following the Senior Bowl, everyone is talking about Tim Tebow, which really isn’t unexpected. However, there are a few prospects who, following their senior seasons and postseason All-Star games, should be talked about, as well.

As the draft season goes into full swing after the Super Bowl, knowing these players with rising stocks is a must for any draft follower for the 2010 NFL Draft.

John Skelton, QB, Fordham

Remember Joe Flacco’s rise from an FCS program to being the first-round pick and future of the Baltimore Ravens? Well, I can’t see that meteoric of a rise from Skelton, but he is the same type of prospect: Perfect NFL quarterback size, rocket arm, improving footwork, and great coaching ability. He could go as high as the middle of Round Two.

Matt Nichols, QB, Eastern Washington

Even less known than Skelton, Optimum Scouting’s Tyler Shannon has been touting Nichols as a top-level quarterback prospect since the early part of the year. Nichols has good enough size and the passing ability of any other quarterback in this class. He showed good skills at the East-West Shrine game and may get a combine invite as well.

Mike Kafka, QB, Northwestern

Kafka is another in a long line of Northwestern quarterbacks who will get a look at the NFL. Kafka is more athletic than CJ Bacher was last season, and is a more polished passer. He’s got a quick release, moves well, and has good accuracy. Kafka wasn’t outstanding in college, but his East-West Shrine practices really have boosted his stock.

Joique Bell, RB, Wayne State

Bell, the winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy, Division II’s version of the Heisman Trophy, has emerged as a solid prospect this offseason. He has shown that he has the talent of a Division I prospect, and through the East-West Shrine game and Senior Bowl, he’s emerged as one of the top running backs in the class.

Jacoby Ford, WR, Clemson

The Clemson quarterback issues the past few years have really hurt the Clemson receivers, and Ford has suffered a lot. Ford has elite speed and runs good enough routes to use that speed effectively. He has the deep speed, good enough size, and decent hands, and really came on at the Senior Bowl. Ford could slide into the mid-second round area.

Andre Roberts, WR, Citadel

One of the more well-known small school receivers since the preseason, Roberts hasn’t disappointed one bit this season. Usually small-school receivers who have top-three round potential have either undeniable size or great speed. Roberts doesn’t have either, but can get deep, runs great routes, and is one of the most reliable hands in this draft class.

Joe Webb, WR (QB), UAB

The former quarterback never really produced enough at UAB as a passer to get consideration as a quarterback, but has performed well thus far when it comes to developing as a receiver. Webb has shown decent hands, improving route running, and as expected, outstanding athletic ability. He could be the next Brad Smith.

Jimmy Graham, TE, Miami (FL)

The former basketball player, Graham, has striking similarities to Antonio Gates as a prospect. While teams are constantly searching for the next former basketball player-turned-Pro Bowler, Graham has shown great athletic ability and development as a tight end, and may have become a top-five tight end in this class.

Andrew Quarless, TE, Penn State

With Penn State losing their top three receivers a season ago, Quarless emerged as a focal point in the offense. While he hasn’t seen the rise in the spotlight like tight end Anthony McCoy, Quarless has tremendous potential as a complete tight end, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he goes a few rounds higher than most expect.

Vladimir Duccassee, OG, Massachusetts

Maybe the most well-known of this group, Duccassee rose in the limelight as he is the consensus top small-school prospect. I’ve never felt Duccassee was a future left tackle, but he can be an extremely valuable guard and could go as high as the second round.

Alex Carrington, DE, Arkansas State

Probably has seen his stock rise the most of any prospect at the Senior Bowl, Carrington has risen from Sun Belt mediocrity to fringe second-rounder. He has the size, hands, and arm length to get a look, and he has dominated as much as any defensive player during the practices.

O’Brien Schofield, OLB, Wisconsin

After being arguably the best defensive prospect at the East-West Shrine game, Schofield got the invite to the Senior Bowl and was poised to continue his rise up the draft boards. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL at the Senior Bowl.

Although he could be a stretch to go in the first five rounds, a team could take a shot that he could regain his East-West game emergence.

Darryl Washington, LB, TCU

Washington has been a great contributor to the dominant TCU defense, even though last year’s TCU linebacker draft prospects Jason Phillips and Robert Henson made NFL rosters. Washington is a great athlete and has great range in both coverage and run -game pursuit.

Myron Rolle, S, Florida State

It’s not very often (actually, I doubt it’s ever happened) that a top-level talent leaves early from college, not for the NFL draft but to be a Rhodes Scholar.

There were questions about how he would re-adapt to the football world, but he seems in perfect shape and seems as though he’s never left. He still has to continue playing well and showcasing his skills, but Rolle has definitely re-emerged as a top-notch safety prospect.

Nate Allen, S, South Florida

In what I feel is the best safety class I’ve ever scouted, Allen should be right in that mix as top five in his position.

The amazing thing is that even though there might be two or three safeties better than Allen, he’s still so talented that he’s still a top-40 prospect in this class. He may have jumped Taylor Mays already, and he could end up being a first-rounder.

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