April 27, 2010
Rivals.com's All-Undrafted team for 2010
Rivals.com Staff
There were 255 players selected in this year's NFL draft, but there were some familiar names who were snubbed in the three-day event.
Here's our look at the All-Undrafted team for this year.
ALL-UNDRAFTED TEAM OFFENSE
QB JEVAN SNEAD, OLE MISS
BUZZ: Going into the 2009 season, Snead was considered a legit Heisman Trophy candidate. But he and Ole Miss underachieved. Snead threw for 2,632 yards and 20 TDs, but he also threw 20 picks and had four games with at least three interceptions. While he has the physical tools, his mistake-prone ways and inability to produce under pressure are big negatives. To make matters worse, he left school after his junior season.
RB CHRIS BROWN, OKLAHOMA
BUZZ: Brown ran for 1,220 yards and 20 TDs as a junior in 2008 and followed that up with a 749-yard, seven-TD season as a senior in '09. He also was a solid receiver. His lack of top-end speed hurt him in the draft.
RB DARIUS MARSHALL, MARSHALL
BUZZ: After back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, Marshall left school after his junior season. But off-field issues, a lack of size (he's 5 feet 9) and a lack of top-end speed left him undrafted.
WR DANARIO ALEXANDER, MISSOURI
BUZZ: While he's not a blazer, Alexander's size (6-5/215) and production (113 receptions for 1,781 yards and 14 TDs) as a senior had most projecting him as a late-round pick. Instead, he wasn't selected.
WR FREDDIE BARNES, BOWLING GREEN
BUZZ: Barnes set an NCAA single-season record with 155 receptions as a senior, for 1,770 yards and 19 TDs. He also had a big season as a sophomore, with 82 receptions in 2007, before suffering through an injury-marred junior season. While Barnes is a physical receiver with great hands and a knack for getting open, his lack of speed is considered a huge hindrance.
WR SHAY HODGE, OLE MISS
BUZZ: Hodge led the SEC with 70 receptions in '09 and was the only league player to reach that plateau. Those catches went for 1,135 yards (16.2 yards per catch) and eight touchdowns. He also had eight TD catches as a junior and six as a sophomore. He has good size (6-1/209) and speed. But NFL teams considered him raw as a route-runner and wondered how he would handle press coverage.
T CIRON BLACK, LSU
BUZZ: Black was a four-year starter for the Tigers at left tackle and won the 2009 Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given annually to the SEC's best lineman. But there were questions about his footwork and mobility, and some NFL scouts thought he'd best best-suited for guard. Black not getting drafted at all, however, was a surprise.
T ADAM ULATOSKI, TEXAS
BUZZ: He was a four-year starter and three-time All-Big 12 selection for the Longhorns. But NFL scouts noted his lack of athletic ability and mediocre footwork. While Ulatoski does a good job once he locked on to an opponent, evidently NFL teams worried about how he would fare against speedy outside rushers.
G BRANDON CARTER, TEXAS TECH
BUZZ: Carter was a three-year starter for the Red Raiders and earned All-Big 12 and All-America honors during his career. He was known as a physical, aggressive mauler in the middle. But his lack of athletic ability and poor footwork bothered NFL scouts.
G SERGIO RENDER, VIRGINIA TECH
BUZZ: Render was a four-year starter for the Hokies who earned All-ACC honors during his career. He was known for his run-blocking ability. But NFL scouts questioned his consistency and his ability as a pass-blocker.
C JEFF BYERS, USC
BUZZ: Byers started at guard and center for the Trojans during his six-year college career and earned some All-Pac-10 and All-America note. But his injury history, lack of athleticism and poor side-to-side mobility made him slide down draft boards.
ALL-UNDRAFTED TEAM DEFENSE
E ANTONIO COLEMAN, AUBURN
BUZZ: Coleman led the SEC with 10 sacks in '09 and had 24.5 in his career, which helped him earn some all-league honors. But his lack of height (he's 6-1) and so-so ability against the run led most NFL teams to think he only could be an outside linebacker in a 3-4 set. Given that he never has played linebacker and has no coverage skills, drafting him was seen as too big a risk.
T VINCE OGHOBAASE, DUKE
BUZZ: Oghobaase was a four-year starter for Duke who earned some All-ACC notice. He has good size (6-5/303) and was a productive interior player for the Blue Devils. But he has had some injury/durability issues, his technique was criticized and his pass-rush ability was limited to power moves.
T MALCOLM SHEPPARD, ARKANSAS
BUZZ: Sheppard was a productive three-year starter for the Hogs who has some pass-rush ability and earned some All-SEC notice. But he's a bit on the small side (6-2/285), and his ability to hold up in the middle of the line worried NFL teams.
E BRANDON SHARPE, TEXAS TECH
BUZZ: Sharpe was second in the nation with 15 sacks in '09. But he is a one-trick pony of sorts, as his pass-rush ability is the only thing he has going for him on the field. He did nothing in his other season at Tech. He struggles against the run and isn't athletic enough to play outside linebacker.
LB KEATON KRISTICK, OREGON STATE
BUZZ: Kristick was a productive two-year starter for the Beavers and earned All-Pac-10 notice after his senior season. He made 95 tackles in '09 and made 82 in '08 for a solid defensive team. While he has good size (6-3/234), he lacks speed side-to-side and has some injury issues.
LB JOE PAWELEK, BAYLOR
BUZZ: Pawelek was a four-year starter for the Bears and one of the most productive defensive players in the nation. He finished his career with 422 tackles, nine interceptions, 17 pass breakups, four forced fumbles and 18 quarterback hurries. He was an All-Big 12 performer. But his lack of speed and agility caused NFL teams to shy away. He can struggle to make plays in space.
LB KION WILSON, USF
BUZZ: Wilson had 105 tackles as a senior and always seemed to be around the ball, earning All-Big East mention. But his lack of speed and marginal agility mean most NFL teams think he only can be a backup at best. His pass-coverage ability was a big issue.
CB DEVIN ROSS, ARIZONA
BUZZ: Ross was a two-year starter for the Wildcats and earned some all-conference honors in the Pac-10. He was extremely willing against the run as a senior, making 81 tackles, with one interception and 12 pass breakups. He had three picks and 13 breakups as a junior. While he can run, his lack of bulk and strength (he's 5-10 and 183) made some teams worry whether he could be a press-man corner.
CB DONOVAN WARREN, MICHIGAN
BUZZ: Warren left school early, which was a big blow to a poor Michigan defense. He had 66 tackles, four picks and seven pass breakups to garner some All-Big Ten honors as a junior last season. While he has good size, he lacks elite speed and some teams wondered about his ability to play man coverage. Warren could end up at safety.
FS VAN ESKRIDGE, EAST CAROLINA
BUZZ: Eskridge was one of the most productive safeties in the nation the past three seasons, with a combined 303 tackles, 11 interceptions, 15 pass breakups and four forced fumbles. Alas, he lacks elite speed, making teams wonder if he can play free safety in the NFL. He may end up at strong safety.
SS WILL HARRIS, USC
BUZZ: Harris was highly productive as a senior, with 69 tackles, four picks and four pass breakups, which earned him all-conference mention. But he had an injury-filled college career. Though he has good size (6-0/204) and is skilled, his physical problems left him undrafted.
ALL-UNDRAFTED TEAM SPECIALISTS
K LEIGH TIFFIN, ALABAMA
BUZZ: Tiffin made 83 field goals in his Tide career, including 30 as a senior. He has a good leg and has hit some 50-yard-plus field goals. He was considered one of the two best kickers in the draft, along with Michigan State's Brett Swenson, but no kickers were drafted.
P MATT REAGAN, MEMPHIS
BUZZ: Reagan was fourth in the nation in punting, at 45.4 yards per attempt, and Memphis ranked eighth in the nation in net punting, at 44.6 yards per attempt. Reagan doubled as Memphis' kicker, too.
KR BRANDON BANKS, KANSAS STATE
BUZZ: Banks returned four kickoffs for touchdowns as a senior, when he averaged 28.9 yards per return. He also returned one for a touchdown as a junior in limited return duties. Banks also caught 123 passes in his two seasons at K-State. But he is extremely small (5-7/149), and his lack of size and some off-field issues were a concern.
