2010 NFL Draft

With the NFL draft just a few days away, attention has centered on the top prospects expected to be selected in the early rounds. Yet every year unknown players chosen in the middle and late parts of the draft make rosters around the league and positively impact NFL squads. Here are 14 players, none of whom were invited to the combine, creating a buzz in the scouting community, and the teams which have shown interest in them:

Matt Nichols/QB/Eastern Washington: Nichols, a four-year starter at Eastern Washington, threw for more than 12,600 yards and had 95 career touchdowns. He's patient and has an excellent feel for the game and command of the offense. Nichols, who has already visited with a half-dozen NFL teams, possesses the size and skill to back up at the next level.
Teams with interest: Chargers

Deji Karim/RB/Southern Illinois: Karim is not only one of the hottest small school running back prospects in the draft, but also one of the fastest risers at the position. The junior college transfer set the FBS world on fire last season, rushing for 1,693 yards while averaging 31 yards on kick returns. Scouts think Karim could be selected as early as the fourth round
Teams with interest: Lions

Ray Fisher/WR-CB-RS/Indiana: The versatile Fisher was a productive receiver for the Hoosiers before moving to cornerback as a senior. More than anything else, Fisher was a game-breaking return specialist at Indiana. He averaged 37.4 yards returning kicks as a senior and took two back for scores. Fisher's special team skills will place him in the draft's late rounds while his versatility to play cornerback or receiver is added value.
Teams with interest: Browns, Jets

Terrell Hudgins/WR/Elon: Hudgins amassed 394 receptions, 5,200 receiving yards and 51 touchdowns at Elon. During his pro-day workout, the 229-pound receiver surprised scouts by running the 40 in the mid-4.5 range. He's a sure-handed possession wideout with a nose for the end zone.
Teams with interest: Colts, Broncos, Packers

Marc Mariani/WR/Montana: Mariani elevated his game the past two seasons and is a terrific combination of reliability and toughness. He could easily be a fifth receiver at the next level; the ability to return punts is added value.
Teams with interest: Falcons, Texans, Colts

Scott Sicko/TE/New Hampshire: Sicko is a terrific pass-catching tight end who has averaged 52 receptions over the past three seasons. He shocked scouts last month by running the 40 under 4.55 seconds at his pro-day. Sicko has moved into the late rounds of the draft
Teams with interest: Patriots

Chris Campbell/OT/Eastern Illinois: Campbell could be the best kept secret in this year's draft. He's already visited three while six offensive line coaches have privately met with Campbell. He's an athletic left tackle prospect with terrific size (6-foot-6, 328 pounds) as well as growth potential. Just a one-year starter in college, Campbell's best football is ahead of him.
Teams with interest: Lions, Seahawks

Nick McDonald/G/Grand Valley State: McDonald is a two-year starter who held down the left tackle spot as a senior yet is a better fit inside at guard. He possesses a good frame (6-5, 300) and will only get bigger and stronger in time. Five offensive line coaches traveled to Grand Valley State for private workouts with McDonald.
Teams with interest: Packers, Seahawks

Darryl Jackson/DT/Kean: The Union, N.J., school is not a hotbed for NFL talent but scouts made the trip this year to watch Jackson. The 343-pound nose tackle moves well on his feet and plays with a degree of athleticism. He must improve his consistency yet his ability to collapse the pocket and control blockers up front has teams intrigued.
Teams with interest: Jets

David Howard/DT/Brown: Howard has been a fast riser recently as a number of NFL teams have become enamored with his athleticism. His quickness and burst help him consistently beat opponents off the snap.
Teams with interest: Raiders, Panthers

Danny Batten/DE-OLB/South Dakota State: Batten has been flying up draft boards after a dozen private workouts and visits the past month. The intense defender plays with a non-stop motor and could be a surprise middle-round pick on Saturday.
Teams with interest: Saints, Bengals

Tim Knicky/OLB/Stephen F. Austin: Like Batten, Knicky plays with a warrior mentality and is consistently disrupting the action behind the line of scrimmage. He totaled 24.5 sacks and 30.5 tackles for loss the past two years. His 6-4, 240-pound frame is better suited for outside linebacker than the defensive end position he played in college. Knicky's speed, 4.60 in the 40, should make for a smooth transition. He could end up as a late-round pick.
Teams with interest: Packers, Patriots

Josh Morris/CB/Weber State: Morris possesses prototypical cornerback measurables at 5-11, 180, which nicely compliments his speed (4.45 in the 40). He improved week-to-week since transferring to Weber State three years ago and was one of the best small-school cornerbacks by the end of 2009. Franchises across the league have been receiving rave reviews on his skills from Andre Dyson, a six-year NFL veteran and presently the cornerbacks coach at Weber State.
Teams with interest: Dolphins, Cardinals

Terrence Johnson/CB/California-PA: Johnson plays in the same conference as another highly rated cornerback, Akwasi Owusu-Ansah of IUP, and is often overlooked. He's a feisty, three-year starter with eight interceptions to his credit the past two seasons. Johnson offers potential as a dime back at the next level and should be a demon on special teams.
Teams with interest: Ravens, Dolphins



NFL Mock Draft www.espn.com
1. Sam Bradford
Quarterback
Oklahoma The Rams have set up their roster to add a franchise quarterback in the draft. Bradford might not be the highest-rated player on the board, but his selection will give the organization someone to build around. (Mike Sando)
2. Ndamukong Suh
Defensive Tackle
Nebraska There has been significant debate about the wisdom of giving No. 2 money to a defensive tackle. Oklahoma State left tackle Russell Okung is a financial alternative. But if the Lions want the best player here, Suh is their man. (Kevin Seifert)
3. Gerald McCoy
Defensive Tackle
Oklahoma The Bucs might prefer Suh. But they'll be very happy to add McCoy to the middle of a defensive line that desperately needs help. McCoy has been compared to Warren Sapp. The Bucs will be thrilled if he's anything close to that. (Pat Yasinskas)
4. Russell Okung
Offensive Tackle
Oklahoma State With Donovan McNabb now in the fold, the Skins need someone to protect his blind side. Okung is the most complete left tackle in the draft and he'll be expected to lock down the position for the next 10 years or so. Andy Reid's "genius" prevents Mike Shanahan from making a play for Sam Bradford. (Matt Mosley)
5. Eric Berry
Safety
Tennessee The Chiefs would have a decision to make if Okung fell past Washington. Berry has to be the choice over the other available left tackles. Berry can be the impact defender Kansas City desperately needs. (Bill Williamson)
6. Trent Williams
Offensive Tackle
Oklahoma The Seahawks badly need a tackle and scouts say Williams would fit their scheme nicely. This would seemingly be an easy choice given how the first five picks unfolded. (Mike Sando)
7. Earl Thomas
Free Safety
Texas The Browns would prefer Berry here, but Thomas is the next best thing. Cleveland now has its playmaker at safety to match division rivals Baltimore (Ed Reed) and Pittsburgh (Troy Polamalu). (James Walker)
8. Bryan Bulaga
Offensive Tackle
Iowa The Raiders must address left tackle. They may be tempted to take a defender like Rolando McClain or Joe Haden or even trading down. But taking Bulaga begins the rebuilding process on the line. (Bill Williamson)
9. Jimmy Clausen
Quarterback
Notre Dame If there's a run on offensive tackles, the Bills will have a tough decision to make. Do they pick up a possible franchise quarterback or the fourth-best tackle in the draft? Based on this mock that would be Anthony Davis of Rutgers. Clausen is too tempting to pass up here. (Tim Graham)
10. Rolando McClain
Linebacker
Alabama Trading down to gain extra picks looks to be priority No. 1. But in this scenario in this spot, McClain is very attractive. He'd ensure Daryl Smith is outside where he belongs, and potentially give the Jags the sort of playmaking MLB they see in Indy and Houston. (Paul Kuharsky)
11. Dez Bryant
Wide Receiver
Oklahoma State The Jaguars' selection of McClain makes Denver turn to Bryant to replace Brandon Marshall. There is a risk that Bryant could be an off-field problem like Marshall was, but his talent can't be denied. Denver could also think about trading down to take Florida center Maurkice Pouncey. (Bill Williamson)
12. Dan Williams
Defensive Tackle
Tennessee Now that the Dolphins have taken care of their missing piece at wide receiver, their biggest pressing need is nose tackle. Aging veteran Jason Ferguson will be suspended the first eight games, and while Paul Soliai has been a solid fill-in, he's not the type of player who can be the keystone in a 3-4 defense. Williams is an elite run stopper. (Tim Graham)
13. C.J. Spiller
Running Back
Clemson The 49ers filled their need for a return specialist by adding Ted Ginn Jr., but Spiller would appear to be the most dynamic player available at this point. The 49ers need to set up Alex Smith for success and Spiller would liven up the offense. Cornerback Joe Haden, tackle Anthony Davis or pass-rush help could make sense, too. (Mike Sando)
14. Derrick Morgan
Defensive End
Georgia Tech Spiller would make sense if the 49ers did go with a tackle under this scenario. Morgan would give new Seattle coach Pete Carroll another building block on defense. End is a huge need and the value would seem to be there. (Mike Sando)
15. Mike Iupati
Guard
Idaho The Giants probably wanted McClain, but Iupati can take over immediately at left guard. The Giants must regain their identity with the running game. McClain was the guy, but Paul Kuharsky "reaches" for him at No. 10. (Matt Mosley)
16. Brandon Graham
Defensive End
Michigan The draft's first CB or second DE? The Titans go polished production over long-term upside in Jason Pierre-Paul. But with good options on the board at both positions, I think they'd love to move back, perhaps for Pierre-Paul or Kyle Wilson later. (Paul Kuharsky)
17. Anthony Davis
Offensive Tackle
Rutgers The 49ers wanted to draft a tackle in 2009, but they saw more value in Michael Crabtree than Michael Oher. Passing on a tackle two years in a row could be tough. Davis would fill an immediate need. (Mike Sando)
18. Joe Haden
Cornerback
Florida This is a dream scenario for the Steelers and fills their biggest need on defense. They acquire the best cover corner in the draft without moving up from No. 18 to get him. (James Walker)
19. Jason Pierre-Paul
Defensive End
South Florida I think they'd prefer Graham's proven track record over Pierre-Paul's potential. Outside linebacker also is a possibility here. But the need for a pass-rusher is so great, the Falcons almost can't pass on Pierre-Paul. (Pat Yasinskas)
20. Ryan Mathews
Running Back
Fresno State The Texans can't be displeased with the options here -- a choice of running backs beyond Spiller and corners beyond Haden. I think it'll be a choice between Mathews or Devin McCourty. Completing the offense trumps defensive need -- which gets addressed next. (Paul Kuharsky)
21. Jermaine Gresham
Tight End
Oklahoma In seven years, quarterback Carson Palmer has never had a legitimate threat at tight end. Gresham is a tremendous weapon in the middle of the field who could take Cincinnati's passing game to the next level. (James Walker)
22. Sergio Kindle
Linebacker
Texas The Patriots were frustrated with their production at outside linebacker. Highly-paid veterans Adalius Thomas and Derrick Burgess combined for eight sacks. Kindle fits the Bill Belichick prototype for an outside linebacker. Kindle's about 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds and versatile enough to rush the passer, pursue the run and drop into coverage. (Tim Graham)
23. Charles Brown
Offensive Tackle
USC I'm thinking the Packers would have jumped on Kindle if New England passed him up. I also gave serious thought to Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson, but stuck with the Packers' top need. (Kevin Seifert)
24. Kyle Wilson
Cornerback
Boise State The Eagles can't believe their good fortune when the Packers take a project player in front of them. There's a chance Wilson immediately takes over for Sheldon Brown as a starter. The Cowboys were hoping he'd keep sliding. (Matt Mosley)
25. Jared Odrick
Defensive Tackle
Penn State With the exception of Haloti Ngata, Baltimore's D-line is getting long in the tooth. Odrick is a solid value pick here and will immediately help Baltimore win those battles in the trenches. (James Walker)