With the 249th pick, St. Louis selects Derek Stanley, WR, Wisconsin-Whitewater

**Nick** · #1 (**permalink**) -29-04-2007

Derek Stanley
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 173 lbs
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Wisconsin-Whitewater

40-Time: 4.45

Team Site

Discuss our seventh round pick here!

*Varg6* · #2 (**permalink**) -29-04-2007

uhhhh, practice squad?

*smizzhfx* · #3 (**permalink**) -29-04-2007

from nfldraftcountdown.com:

Strengths:
Has terrific timed speed...Elusive and runs well after the catch...A big play threat who will stretch the field vertically...A good leaper...Has decent hands...Was very productive...Has experience as a return man...Has lots of special teams potential.

Weaknesses:
Undersized and doesn't have either the ideal height of bulk you look for...Did not play against top competition and will be making a huge leap...Not a great route runner...Needs to work on his technique...Probably more of a long-term project.

Notes:
Was a man amongst boys at the Division III level...Also played a little defense in college...He could be a real interesting developmental guy...Profiles as more of a backup or slot receiver and return specialist in the pros...A nice sleeper prospect.

*smizzhfx* · #4 (**permalink**) -29-04-2007

Let's hope he's the Marques Colston of '07!

**Nick** · #5 (**permalink**) -29-04-2007

War Room analysis
Strengths: Is a great athlete with the quickness and agility to make defenders miss. Is tough. Shows surprising strength and balance to absorb hard hits and keep going. Runs through arm tackles. Has the speed to stretch the field. Runs sharp routes, and shows the burst out of cuts to gain separation. Uses hands and body well to create space and shield defenders. Follows blockers well. Shows the hands to make tough catches look easy. Shows great leaping ability to win jump balls. Works hard as a blocker.

Weaknesses: Is short and thin. Is a durability question because of his lack of size, which also will hinder his ability to break tackles in the NFL. Must improve technique at the snap -- takes a false step with his back foot, hindering ability to get into his route quickly. Lack of size and strength hinders ability to block.

Bottom line: Stanley dominated Division III competition. His lack of size is a definite concern, especially since he looks even smaller on film, but he is tough and consistently plays bigger than his size. He is a dangerous open-field runner and could become a great special teams player -- as a punt and kick return man and gunner on punt coverage. Stanley will not be drafted as high as we have him rated but will make it in the NFL as a slot receiver and special teams player.

*UtterBlitz* · #6 (**permalink**) -29-04-2007

Special teams pickup more than anything.

*RamsFan16* · #7 (**permalink**) -29-04-2007

Potential steal here:

63 receptions, 1141 yards, 18.1 average, 17 Touchdowns LAST SEASON.

**AvengerRam** · #8 (**permalink**) -29-04-2007

Looks like a special teams guy who might be developed to back up D.Hall. After taking four interior linemen on Day 2, I guess the Rams decided to take a chance on a speed guy.

**Nick** · #9 (**permalink**) -29-04-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamsFan16

Potential steal here:

63 receptions, 1141 yards, 18.1 average, 17 Touchdowns LAST SEASON.

...in Division III, but yes.

*smizzhfx* · #10 (**permalink**) -29-04-2007

Apparently he ran a 4.45 so maybe he can come in and be a longshot to compete with Dante Hall for the returning job. Always the optimist...

*RamsFan16* · #11 (**permalink**) -29-04-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick

...in Division III, but yes.

Even in DIII that doesn't impress you?

*RedArcher7* · #12 (**permalink**) -29-04-2007

I hope he's not the Colston. We're paying 3 WRs, a 2 TEs and 2 RBs big money. I don't wany my seventh round pick from Nowhere, USA catching more balls then them.

*tomahawk247* · #13 (**permalink**) -29-04-2007

he will practice squad next year, but down the road could be our returner

*smizzhfx* · #14 (**permalink**) -29-04-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamsFan16

Even in DIII that doesn't impress you?

I think theres a bit of a jump between DIII and the pros. Definitely a project, but who knows? Marques Colston came out of nowhere last year.:l

**Nick** · #15 (**permalink**) -29-04-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamsFan16

Even in DIII that doesn't impress you?

I would expect a DIII player who gets drafted to put up good numbers. They're good, but level of competition is a big concern that can't be ignored.

I like the pick and hopefully he's able to spend time on the practice squad refining his play. But those stats don't mean much at that level of competition, so let's calm down a bit.