Here is a look at a few prospects that were not drafted and remain, at this date, unsigned.� According to various draft gurus, these men were draftable but the fact is that they were not.� Something�s wrong but, given the info I have, I can�t guess what the problem may be.� At this point, there aren�t a lot of future HOF types left but for what�s its worth, here are a few players I�d like to see in camp.� These men are arranged in terms of team need, not individual ability.
Team speed:� The train has left the station with all reasonable WR and CB prospects on-board.� CB Ligarius Jennings is in Detroit and CB Dyshod Carter will remain close to home in KC.� Excluding Boo Williams and Sly Johnson, the WR were long gone when Chris Taylor got his call.�
Be that as it may, the Stillers need for speed in the D-side reserve ranks remains, especially at OLB. At present, Haggans (5.0 40) backs up Porter and the great Roger Knight is behind Gildon.� This suggests that, since he is the only reserve with the tools to help at OLB, Kendrell Bell will have his attention diverted from MLB.� This may retard his development and, if so, will lengthen the Jones Era inside.� IMO, the Stillers should look for some player with the measurables to succeed at OLB.� These may include:
LOLB Brady McDonnell, Colorado.� Lists at 6�3�, 255# or 6�-4� 267#, depending on the source.� 40 given as 4.57 and 4.75.� Regardless, played DE at Boulder and had 8 sacks in 2000.� Said to have excellent straight-line speed and a great work ethic.� Plays tough and plays hurt; gives good effort on every down.� On the downside, is somewhat stiff and doesn�t get through traffic.�� Played a little situational TE as an underclassman.� I like this player as a ST coverage guy and, maybe, a long-range LOLB.�
LOLB Roland Seymour, FSU.� Discussed previously; had 6 sacks as a sophomore when he and Jamal Reynolds were described as bookend DE.� Lists as 6�-2�, 250# to 6�-4� 265# with 40 times ranging form 4.55 to 4.80.� Did 27 reps at FSU�s pro day.� I continue to regard this player as a future value pick in the Anthony Poindexter mold.
Defensive Line:� Mario Monds was this year�s Grady Jackson/Jermaine Haley interior prospect and he is a Skin now.� There is no help to be had at NT but consider:
DE Fred Wakefield, Illinois.� Lists as
6�7�, 287# with a 4.90 40.� Did 26 reps
at the Combine.�� Last year, had 9
sacks, 21 TFL and 61 tackles.� Finished
3rd all-time at Illinois in both sacks and TFL; I�m guessing Simone
Rice and Kevin Hardy top the list.� Was
a Senior Bowl participant but did not stand out.� Said to be tough but needs strength work.� Unlike Bailey, has the frame to develop;
like Bailey, played pretty well in America�s Heartland.
Offensive Tackle:� If Mathias Nkwenti is a LOT, there may be no need here.� However, I believe Nkwenti is an athlete who is more likely to play in the interior OL.� Gandy will probably be gone after 2002, the Stillers may be able to get ahead of the OT curve now.�
ROT/OG Chris Brown, Georgia Tech.� 6�-5�, 327# did 30 reps at the Combine.� Started 43/48 games in four years; 35/36 over the last three.�� Durable and powerful but has trouble with speed rushers.� Was a LOT in college but projects inside or at ROT in the NFL.
ROT Jarvis Borum, NC State 6�-7�, 337# did 25 reps.� Huge, but raw with really horrendous footwork.� Strictly developmental.
OG/T Scott Kempenich, Oklahoma 6�-4� 320# Protected Heupal�s blind side at OU. Not a good athlete but seemed to be the leader on the Sooner�s O-line last year.� Could develop in a year or two.
These players all seem to have the measurables; they all played in big-time programs.� Why they were not drafted or signed is a mystery to me but, in fairness, 30 other FO share the Stiller�s assessment of these men.