Risers
Jeremy Williams/WR/Tulane: Williams could be the best receiver you never heard of. He's a natural pass catcher with good size and playing speed. Williams is having a breakout campaign this season and is on course to double or even triple many of his production numbers from last year. He's also displaying himself to be a game impacting kick returner. Williams' play this year will pay big dividends for him next April as the senior could sneak into the draft's initial 45 selections.
Sleeper
Robert Johnson/S/Utah: The junior college transfer and former track and field star has pulled the pieces together this season. He's gone from a player that flashed skill on occasion to a defensive back developing a complete game. Johnson ranks fourth on the Utah defense in tackles and his skills in pass coverage are vastly better. He leads the team with five interceptions which he has returned for 139 yards. Johnson was not ranked by NFL scouting services entering the season yet his range and playmaking skills in centerfield have been so impressive he's heading towards the middle rounds.
Sliders
Greg Matthews/WR/Michigan: Matthews was initially considered a middle round choice entering the season but the senior is struggling and has been just a minor part of the Michigan offense this year. His 19 receptions and one touchdown are his worst numbers since his freshman campaign.
Notes: Syracuse receiver Mike Williams had been zipping up draft boards this season but hit a major roadblock last week. A Week 1 riser, Williams had made a successful return to the field this year after sitting on the sidelines in 2008 to get his academics in order. Williams was suspended for violating team rules prior to the Akron game, but returned to play against Cincinnati on Oct. 31. He then abruptly quit the team the following Monday. Sources familiar with the Syracuse program said Williams was about to be suspended a second time but decided to leave the team instead. The latest episode will have a near-fatal impact on Williams' draft grade.
Throughout the first two months of the season, Williams displayed the game-breaking skills scouts became accustomed to early in his college career and had climbed as high as the third round in the opinion of many. His previous academic issues coupled with the problems of this season will now push Williams deep into the late rounds next April.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/11/09/risers.sliders/index.html
Jeremy Williams/WR/Tulane: Williams could be the best receiver you never heard of. He's a natural pass catcher with good size and playing speed. Williams is having a breakout campaign this season and is on course to double or even triple many of his production numbers from last year. He's also displaying himself to be a game impacting kick returner. Williams' play this year will pay big dividends for him next April as the senior could sneak into the draft's initial 45 selections.
Sleeper
Robert Johnson/S/Utah: The junior college transfer and former track and field star has pulled the pieces together this season. He's gone from a player that flashed skill on occasion to a defensive back developing a complete game. Johnson ranks fourth on the Utah defense in tackles and his skills in pass coverage are vastly better. He leads the team with five interceptions which he has returned for 139 yards. Johnson was not ranked by NFL scouting services entering the season yet his range and playmaking skills in centerfield have been so impressive he's heading towards the middle rounds.
Sliders
Greg Matthews/WR/Michigan: Matthews was initially considered a middle round choice entering the season but the senior is struggling and has been just a minor part of the Michigan offense this year. His 19 receptions and one touchdown are his worst numbers since his freshman campaign.
Notes: Syracuse receiver Mike Williams had been zipping up draft boards this season but hit a major roadblock last week. A Week 1 riser, Williams had made a successful return to the field this year after sitting on the sidelines in 2008 to get his academics in order. Williams was suspended for violating team rules prior to the Akron game, but returned to play against Cincinnati on Oct. 31. He then abruptly quit the team the following Monday. Sources familiar with the Syracuse program said Williams was about to be suspended a second time but decided to leave the team instead. The latest episode will have a near-fatal impact on Williams' draft grade.
Throughout the first two months of the season, Williams displayed the game-breaking skills scouts became accustomed to early in his college career and had climbed as high as the third round in the opinion of many. His previous academic issues coupled with the problems of this season will now push Williams deep into the late rounds next April.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/11/09/risers.sliders/index.html