nfl:Draft sleepers: Non-combine invitees on the rise

[cowboyjoe]

Draft sleepers: Non-combine invitees on the rise
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/09000...witter_writers
By Chad Reuter NFL.com
Published: April 6, 2012 at 03:17 p.m.
Updated: April 6, 2012 at 03:47 p.m.

Earlier this week, I mentioned several high-profile players who boosted their draft stock with strong pro-day workouts. Those prospects had either opted against performing at February's NFL Scouting Combine or needed to make up for a disappointing performance in Indianapolis.

But hundreds of lesser-known prospects weren't invited to the combine in the first place, leaving them to rely on school visits from NFL scouts to put their names on the draft radar.

.....

One such player who cashed in on his pro day was Miami (Ohio) guard Brandon Brooks. The massive (6-foot-5, 346 pounds, 32 5/8-inch arms) three-time second-team All-MAC pick clocked at 5.0 and 4.98 seconds in his two 40-yard dashes. He also lifted 225 pounds 36 times in the bench press and showed excellent agility in shuttle drills. In combination with a strong week at the East-West Shrine Game, it might land him in the late-second or early-third round.

[RS12]

Tim Fugger, DE/OLB, Vanderbilt (6-3, 248): An honorable-mention All-SEC pick by league media, Fugger posted times of 4.60 and 4.65 in the 40-yard dash, and recorded other results that would have matched up favorably with combine participants (34-inch vertical, 9-7 broad jump, 4.20 20-yard shuttle, 7.00 three-cone drill, 29 bench reps). Teams primarily using a 3-4 front are showing real interest in his talents.

Have heard quite a bit of interest in him lately. Has to be intelligent if he went to Vanderbilt. Know the Bears like him.

Michael Smith, RB, Utah State (5-9, 207): Already an ascending player due to the flashes of brilliance he showed when given a chance to spell Robert Turbin (278 yards on 30 carries in the team's final two games of 2011), his 4.33 pro-day 40 and 40 1/2-inch vertical jump may have locked up a spot in the first half of Saturday's proceedings

.

I am intrigued by this guy.

[Bluefin]

Derek Carrier, WR/TE, Beloit College (6-4, 238): Tiny Beloit College doesn't produce a ton of NFL talent, but scouts walked away from the University of Wisconsin pro day talking about Carrier as a receiving tight end in the Joel Dreessen/Jacob Tamme mold due to his impressive 4.50 40s, 38-inch vertical, 10-2 broad jump, 4.09 short shuttle and 6.70 three-cone drill.

I wish the team was more flexible and willing to add a H-Back, receiving option rather than another on the line Y.

Rafael Vela and Wes Bunting discussed Temple H-Back Evan Rodriguez (6-2, 242) several times since October in their weekly chats.

But Dallas places such a premium on size and blocking, I'm likely just banging my head against the wall for no reason.

If another receiving option was added, the Cowboys could always stick a blocking Y on the practice squad and maybe even try swing tackle Jermey Parnell as an occasional jumbo TE if he's active for game days next season.

[BAT]

Originally Posted by Bluefin

I wish the team was more flexible and willing to add a H-Back, receiving option rather than another on the line Y.

Rafael Vela and Wes Bunting discussed Temple H-Back Evan Rodriguez (6-2, 242) several times since October in their weekly chats.

But Dallas places such a premium on size and blocking, I'm likely just banging my head against the wall for no reason.

If another receiving option was added, the Cowboys could always stick a blocking Y on the practice squad and maybe even try swing tackle Jermey Parnell as an occasional jumbo TE if he's active for game days next season.

Nagy was also a very good run blocking TE for Wisconsin. I see no reason why Nagy could not fill this role with Dallas as well. Run blocking only TE's are going the way of the dinosaur in today's NFL anyway.