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What's the deepest position in the draft? Mel Kiper Jr. goes wide for his pick.
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Mel Kiper Jr. says that this is a weak class for quarterbacks.
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Mel Kiper Jr. breaks down the top underclassmen in the NFL draft.
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Mel Kiper's story archive


Tuesday, January 30

Watch out for these underrated players

Mel Kiper Jr. lists some underrated prospects to keep an eye out for on draft day and next season on NFL rosters.

Offensive players
Cleo Lemon, QB, Arkansas State: Lacked a top-flight supporting cast, particularly along the offensive line, yet still was able to showcase the necessary skills to garner some interest on day two of the draft. Lemon has a live arm, throws a catchable ball and displays excellent instincts in the pocket.

Matt Kalapinski, FB, Maryland: Rugged, hard-working pure fullback with the all-around skills necessary to make the grade at the next level. Kalapinski is a strong and very determined runner, has a chance to develop into a top flight lead blocker and also shows decent hands as a pass-receiving option.

Scotty Anderson, WR, Grambling: With all the super blue-chip wide-outs available this year, it's conceivable that a small-college performer like Anderson could get a little lost in the shuffle. If he slides into the early second day of the draft, he'd bring excellent value at that point. Anderson is a smooth, fluid athlete who gains the necessary separation and possesses above-average natural pass-receiving skills.

Cedrick Wilson, WR, Tennessee: Lacks ideal size at 5-foot-9½, 180 pounds, but he's a reliable, experienced playmaker who shows up big at key points in the game. As a third or fourth option, he'd be ideal, while also providing outstanding ability as a primary return man.

Joey Getherall, WR, Notre Dame: Similar to Wilson in that he's a versatile performer who can contribute as an extra wide-out along with providing big-play potential in the return game.

Marcellus Rivers, TE, Oklahoma State: Shared the spotlight at tight end with fellow seniors Khary Jackson and Bryan Blackwood while also operating in an offense that didn't allow his skills as a pass receiver to be maximized. Rivers is an athletically gifted performer with the ability to stretch the deep middle and then adjust to haul in the poorly thrown ball.

Kenyatta Jones, OT, South Florida: With his athleticism, quick feet and impressive weight-room strength, Jones has the long-range potential that offensive line coaches in the NFL are looking for in a third- or fourth-round draft choice.

Robert Garza, C, Texas A&M-Kingsville: More than held his own at the Senior Bowl practices, showing the strength and toughness to slug it out effectively against the physically gifted defensive tackles he'll be forced to work against in the NFL.

Defensive players
DeLawrence Grant, DE, Oregon State: The Beaver offense led by RB Ken Simonton and WR Chad Johnson garnered most of the national publicity, but the OSU defense, with Grant as the top headliner, usually held up its end of the bargain. Grant is a natural edge pass rusher with a quick takeoff, sound technique and the closing speed of a linebacker.

Cedric Scott, DE, Southern Mississippi: Came through with several All-American type performances this past season, then gave Michigan RT Maurice Williams a few problems during the Senior Bowl. Scott hustles for 60 minutes and you have to be impressed with his productivity.

Eric Westmoreland, OLB, Tennessee: At 5-foot-11½, 235 pounds, the athletic and quick SEC standout has the look of a very solid weakside linebacker in the standard 4-3 scheme. If you study Westmoreland on film, what jumps out at you will be his consistency and reliability as an open-field tackler.

Ligarius Jennings, CB, Tennessee State: Strong, compact 5-foot-9, 200 pounder who has experience working in zone packages as well as man situations at TSU. Keep in mind as well that Jennings gained a great deal of big-league experience while working against a talent like former TSU WR Avion Black everyday in practice during the '99 season. Jennings is an instinctive performer in coverage, yet has the toughness and strength to get the job done in run support.

Adam Archuleta, DB, Arizona State: If NFL clubs question his ability to make the easy transition from a rover/linebacker position at ASU to a safety spot at the pro level, he could be up being a real bargain in round two. Archuleta is a rock-solid 6-foot, 209 pounder with 4.43 speed and superior overall strength. During workouts leading up to the draft, he figures to do 30 bench-press reps when lifting 225 pounds.



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