As depressing and demoralizing as an NFL bust can be for an NFL team, a fan, or even the player that receives the label, there is always a softer side to the NFL Draft. We’ve seen guys like Green Bay receiver Donald Driver and New England’s Tom Brady emerge from the sixth round of the draft to formulate incredible careers. After scouring over the college player pool and making their picks, each team undoubtedly feels they’ve found a gem or two, with the exception of maybe Al Davis. Regardless, here is The Red Zone Report’s look at a dozen guys (In no particular order) who could end up playing at a much higher level than the round they were selected in suggests.
1. Rey Maualuga, ILB, Cincinnati Bengals (2nd round)
Rey is undervalued because of poor tackling and bad angles, but his instincts and intensity are unmatched. Maualuga is, hands down, the best overall linebacker in this draft class when it comes to pure skill and awareness. He also has ideal athleticism and solid speed. He should be able to give the Bengals a man in the middle they can rely on, and their best defensive player since Odell Thurman.
2. Paul Kruger, DE, Baltimore Ravens (2nd round)
Kruger’s strength and quickness are extremely underrated, and his great cerebral game will have him pushing for playing time from day one. Down the road, he could mold into a player such as Minnesota’s Jared Allen, considering his already gifted skill set.
3. Jarron Gilbert, DE, Chicago Bears (3rd round)
Gillbert, best known as the guy who can jump out of pools, is an extremely strong and athletic defensive end who has the size and versatility to excel at the next level. He has too much talent to fail is a system like Chicago has.
4. Ramses Barden, WR, New York Giants (3rd round)
The Giants probably felt they had their man with their first pick in Hakeem Nicks, but I argue that Barden will be the better pro. Barden has solid speed, is a tremendous target at 6′6” and 229 pounds. While he didn’t face elite competition in college, he still put up some gaudy numbers. With Eli Manning directing the way, Barden could make an impact immediately.
5. Austin Collie, WR, Indianapolis Colts (4th round)
Collie has only average speed, but he has terrific hands, runs refined routes, and possesses good quickness. He’s an ideal fit for the Colts’ system, and judging by the talent and production from past receivers, Collie has the possibility of following suit.
6. Jamon Meredith, OT, Green Bay Packers (5th round)
Meredith was a candidate to fall between rounds 2-3, yet he plummeted to the Packers, due to various rumors and concerns. Meredith has imposing size, as well as great strength. He could end up being a franchise tackle if he can piece it all together.
7. James Casey, TE, Houston Texans (5th round)
Casey may not have the elite blocking or even the size to be an elite tight end. However, an explosive natural athlete who can play from all over the field, he is. One way or another, Gary Kubiak will find ways to get this talented offensive weapon onto the field.
8. Nate Davis, QB, San Francisco 49ers (5th round)
Davis slipper considerable due to a learning disability, while once having relatively high stock. Davis has too good of an arm, and is way too athletic to sit behind Alex Smith or Shaun Hill for more than a year. As long as he can prove he can learn and NFL offense, then his talent will do the rest.
9. Jarrett Dillard, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (5th round)
Dillard was in the same productive offense James Casey was at Rice, and is no stranger to success. He has adequate speed and quickness, and has the size and awareness to make plays consistently. As long as he doesn’t turn out to be simply a product of Rice’s system, Dillard should flourish.
10. Duke Robinson, G, Carolina Panthers (5th round)
A late-first or second rounder, Robinson dropped extremely low for his size and strength. There is no reason he should have fallen to Carolina, but he did, and now they have a guy who could very well be one of the next great guards.
Two Wild Cards
11. Curtis Painter, QB, Indianapolis Colts (6th round)
Painter put up impressive numbers in his sophomore and junior seasons at Purdue but was the victim of a poor supporting cast in his senior season. Painter has the arm strength and accuracy to make all the throws, but needs more time to learn defensive schemes. Sitting behind Peyton Manning until he gets his chance can only help him.
12. Julian Edelman, QB, New England Patriots (7th round)
The Kent State product was most likely drafted to be used in the Patriots version of the “Wildcat” offense. Edelman probably won’t ever see the light of day at quarterback with Tom Brady in town, but he has good speed and athleticism, which could get him on the field as a receiver, option quarterback, or maybe even a return man.
