By Bill Smith

    Almost any idiot can pick a decent player in the first two rounds.  I say almost because there have been many examples of picks that were disasters getting off the bus.  However, the difference between a pretender for the playoffs and a team that seems to be there every year is ability to find quality players that contribute in the 5-7^th rounds and undrafted rookie free agents.  Teams that do that have a great advantage.  It is far less expensive to raise your own starters rather than bid against the rest of the league for average free agents.

    One team that has used the draft successfully is the Indianapolis Colts.  Last year, the Colts started 3 players that were undrafted rookie free agents.  All pro center Jeff Saturday, starting fullback Ben Utek, and defensive tackle Ed Johnson were all undrafted coming out of school.

     It takes a minimum of 3 years to effectively evaluate a draft.  So, check back after the 2010 season to see how I did.

    Now for my top under loved quality players.

QB Paul Smith Tulsa 7^th/FA- At 6-1 200 he is not the most imposing guy at the position.   He is extremely athletic but has an average arm.   He has great accuracy and more leadership qualities you are looking for.  All he does is make play after play.

Honorable mention Dennis Dixon Oregon (injured)

HB Tony Temple Missouri 7^th/FA Temple has excellent instincts, hits the hole quickly and can make an unblocked tackler miss.  He is not a great athlete.  He is very good at everything but not great at anything. At 213 pounds, he is a tough kid can take a pounding and keep producing.

Honorable mention Cory Boyd from South Carolina, Justin Forsett California

FB Jacob Hester LSU 6^th/7^th  Hester is tough.  At 230, he is quicker than fast and will get into a linebacker or blitzer and blow them up.  He also is an excellent receiver.  In a situation with 2 tight ends at the end of a game, put Hester in a one back set and jam the ball down the D's throat. 

Honorable mention Jerome Felton from Furman

WR Kevin Robinson Utah FA Had a great Shrine game.  Not as consistent as you would like but show the ability to catch against pressure coverage, get open and has enough speed to go to the house.  Also adds PR capability.  Had a 70 yard TD punt return in the Shrine game.

WR Marcus Smith New Mexico 7^th FA If you could get Smith to work harder on and off the field, he could be outstanding.  Classic underachiever that needs a fire under his butt.

Honorable Mention Patrick Carter Louisville 7^th FA Carter is green as astroturf but has very good speed and size at 6-3.  He was not a starter but has all the tools to be a developmental project.

Honorable Mention Ernie Wheelwright Minnesota 7^th FA Wheel is 6-5 with very good hands and concentration.  Not a burner but is very dependable on 3^rd and 6.  Very strong after the catch and can get away from press coverage at the goal line.

TE Derek Fine Kansas FA Fine is another player good at everything but not great at anything.  Has very good hands and catches easily.  He is smart and finds the open area in a zone.  A willing blocker that can get to the second level.  Just not enough speed to be an elite prospect but will contribute right away on special teams.

T John Shaw Penn State FA You won't find Shaw anywhere except on the field getting the job done.  Until 07 he played DE.  Very raw but just plain mean and determined to get better.  Could move to G.

T Pete Clifford Michigan St. FA Clifford is another monster at 6-7 325. He is equally good at pass and run blocking.  Played particularly well in bowl game against BC and showed good awareness.

Honorable mention Barry Richardson Clemson, Josh Sitton Cent. Florida

G Drew Miller T/C Florida 7^th FA Miller has played C, G, and LT.  Huge 6-7 320 but has decent feet. Probably will be a center in the NFL because of the need to stymie larger NT 1 on 1. 

G Jason Britt Alabama FA An excellent pass protector that needs work on run blocking.  Struggles to get blocks at the second level

Honorable mention Josh Tschirgi Oregon

C Adam Kraus Michigan 6^th – FA A consistent blocker that never gets noticed which is what you want from the OL.  Solid run blocker that can devastate at the 2^nd level.  Sometimes over helps G and misses delayed blitz.

DE Tommy Blake TCU 6^th - 7^th Going into the 2007 season Blake was a sure fire top 10 choice.  Bad year with nagging injuries took him down.  Question is will you get the 06 Blake that dominated or the 07 Blake that sulked and was hurt?

DE Eric Foster Rutgers FA Played DT in college but will move to DE at NFL level.  Consistent pass rusher with multiple moves.  At 260 depends on quickness and moves to get to QB.  Holds up better than expected vs. run but has trouble shaking a tackle that gets hold of him.

Honorable mention DE Chase Ortiz TCU 7^th – FA Developed well during the season.  In 06 was over shadowed by Blake, but made a name for himself in 07.  At 245 a 3^rd down pass rusher.  Shows consistent pass rush and high effort but can be overwhelmed vs. run. 

DT Brian Mattison Iowa FA Played both E and T at Iowa but does not have the movement skills to play E at the NFL level.  Must get stronger.  Is only 285 now.  Plays the run effectively and gives excellent effort.  Shows quickness to slip between T & G to pressure the QB.  Played well in Shrine Game.

DT Nick Hayden Wisconsin 5^th - 6^th Originally projected to be late 3^rd round choice has slipped in the eyes of some.  Better vs. run than pass.  Not that quick but a run stopper hat can play NG in a 3-4.

Honorable mention Lionel Dotson Arizona

OB Robert Killibrew Texas 7^th FA Killibrew is equally adept at rushing the passer and playing the run. At 230 he is a possible pass rush 3-4 outside backer but needs work on pass coverage.  4.6 speed and good instincts.  Played inside at Texas but fits outside better in the NFL.

OB Nathan Peterson Oklahoma St.  FA Played DE at OkSt but projects to OB in the NFL.  Has fair speed but good hands and football IQ.  Has some experience at covering receivers in limited area.  Solid against the run and can rush passer effectively.  All conference but still off the radar.

Honorable mention Mark Dodge Texas A&M IF he can gain 15 lbs without losing speed.

IB Brock Christopher Missouri FA This guy is a run stuffer.  Did a great job against Arkansas.  Can get to the outside to stop the run around end.  Doesn't have much experience in pass coverage and not used to blitz much but has the toughness to be taught how to do that.  At least a 2 down IB.

CB Marquis Carpenter Texas A&M FA Because of the demand, most of the good cb's have been on the radar.  Carpenter tackles well—something that few CB's do.  Comes up to force the run, stays with WR deep, and had good ball skills.

CB Trae Williams South Florida 5^th - 6^th Williams was used to cover the deep threat of the opponent.  Did well with good speed, instincts, and ball skills.

S Jamie Silve Boston College 5^th - 7^th Not fast enough; Not athletic enough;  BULL!  Kid makes plays all over the field.  Great instincts, technique, and motor.  I'll take this kid on my team anytime.  Reminds me a little of Bob Sanders when he was at Iowa.

S Justin Harrison Illinois FA Best defensive player against USC in the Rose Bowl.  A safety that can play man D and break up pass plays.  Shows good effort even when the game out of reach.  Has ability to cover deep and good ball skills.

Honorable mention William Moore Missouri  Dennis Keys UCLA

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams and has scouted talent.  He is a senior writer for BrutusReport.com and has published several novels on http://ebooks-library.com/index.cfm