By Sascha Bartels
Published: April 23, 2008 PrintEmail
Late round gems? – By Sascha Bartels
Jalen Parmele – RB – Toledo
In today’s NFL era of the two back system, you can
certainly do worse than finding this guy late in the draft. He’s got
good size at 6 feet and 228 pounds, and he’s fast, posting a 4.47 40 at
the combine. Parmele claims that while training in California, he ran
the 40 in 4.40. At the combine, Parmele finished among the top 10
running backs in the 40 yard dash, three cone drill, broad jump and
vertical jump. Parmele broke out at Toledo during his junior season,
running for 1131 yards on 207 carries, and then backed it up with 1511
yards and 14 touchdowns last season, earning all-conference honors in
the process. Parmele will likely get drafted in the 6th round.
Pierre Garcon – WR – Mount Union
While playing at DIII powerhouse Mount Union, Garcon may
not have had the competition he’ll be seeing in the NFL, but he has
proven his worth during workouts since. He really impressed at the
combine, posting a 40 time as low as 4.37, 20 reps of the bench press,
as well as being a top performer among receivers in the vertical, broad
jump and 20 yard shuttle. He finished his college career with 4380
yards and 60 touchdowns, an average of 15 per season. He is a smooth
route runner, and is very good at running with the ball. Within two
years, Garcon could see plenty of playing time, and any team looking
for receiver depth should take a look at him in the 5th round.
Orlando Scandrick – CB – Boise State
His 40 time alone will get him drafted; he posted a 4.32
in Indy. He’s 5’10 and 190 pounds, and should be able to keep pace with
any NFL receiver. He still has some polishing to do, since at Boise
State he generally roamed the avoided side of the secondary. He can
also provide instant gratification for special teams with both his kick
returning and his kick blocking skills. Scandrick’s name should be
heard sometime in the 5th round.
Jeremy Geathers – DE – UNLV
Only 242 pounds, but still room to grow, Geathers has
all the tools needed to become a third downs pass rush specialist in
the NFL. Geathers comes from a football playing family. His father and
uncle combined to play 19 years in the NFL, and his cousin Robert is
currently a Bengal. He is also a candidate to move to outside
linebacker, though right now it seems he’s best suited as an edge pass
rusher. Geathers should be drafted in the 7th round.
Dan Marshall – OG – Northwood
Another player who first has to overcome the stigma that
comes with playing against lower level competition in Division II, but
Marshall has all the tools needed to become an NFL guard. While at
Northwood, he anchored one of the best rushing attacks in the nation.
In the four years Marshall has started, the Timberwolves ranked 3rd,
1st, 2nd, and 5th nationally in rushing, despite limping to a 5-5
record in the last season. Marshall is not likely to get drafted, but
should be getting a call from an NFL team Sunday night.
