Four Second-Day Sleepers Who Could Make An Impact In NFL

[AvengerRam]

Here are some players I think will last until the second day but could be good NFL players. These are not necessarily players I think the Rams should consider.

Quadtrine Hill, FB, Miami (FL)
At 230 lbs., he's not a classic lead blocker, but with good speed (4.53 40) and great hands, he could be the best H-back prospect in the draft, and could be a great special teams player.

Quinton Porter, QB, Boston College
Great size (6'5, 230), athleticism (4.68 40), and a strong arm seem inconsistent with Porter's somewhat up-and-down college career. Get him in a good system with a QB coach committed to developing his talents, and he could be a late-bloomer.

Kai Parham, MLB, Virginia
I've gone back and forth with Parham. First, I had him as a second round prospect. Then, after he failed to crack five seconds in the 40 at the combine, I dropped him. I keep coming back to his college peformance, though, and would not be surprised if he ends up being the kind of player who plays better than his measureables would suggest.

Ryan LaCasse, DE, Syracuse
May not be big/strong enough to be an every down player, but after Manny Lawson, LaCasse is the fastest (4.54 40) DE in the draft. Could be a very good situational pass rusher in a 4-3 or a 3-4 scheme.

[AvengerRam]

Update on LaCasse:

He ran even faster (4.46) at the Syracuse Pro Day (on field turf). He may very well be a Day 1 pick when all is said and done.

[AvengerRam]

Update on Parham:

He ran a bit better (4.93) at the UVa Pro Day. Nonetheless, still likely a second day prospect.

[Tony Soprano]

Players like Parham can also be good Special teams players, doubling his value to us.

.

[HUbison]

Update on Parham:

He ran a bit better (4.93) at the UVa Pro Day. Nonetheless, still likely a second day prospect.

I just don't see him dropping into the second day. He may fall past the third round, but he's still probably the #3 MLB behind Jackson and Hodge.

[AvengerRam]

If he falls past the third round, that would make him a second day selection, no?

[HUbison]

If he falls past the third round, that would make him a second day selection, no?

Yes, it would. Why do you ask?

[AvengerRam]

You said that you didn't see him falling to the second day, then you said he may fall past the third round.

Did you mean he may fall to (rather than past) the third round?

[HUbison]

Okay, after re-reading, I admit my thought wasn't clear. What I mean to say is....maybe you're right that he falls past the third round, but I doubt it. Great size, solid college production. As long as he's in a 3-4 where he won't be asked to cover as much (in certain systems), he could be a solid pick-up. He certainly won't fit every system though.

Bottom line, I think he's one of the last 15 names called on day 1.

[AvengerRam]

You may be right. Even now, Vic Carucci on NFL.com has him as the No. 2 MLB in the draft - ahead of Hodge!

[HUbison]

You may be right. Even now, Vic Carucci on NFL.com has him as the No. 2 MLB in the draft - ahead of Hodge!

Ooh, I don't know that I'd be THAT high on him. Of course, that is the same Vic Carucci who didn't list Bunkley as a top 5 DT.

[AvengerRam]

True enough.

The guy I'm surprised that nobody is talking about is LaCasse.

He's 260 lbs and runs a sub-4.5 from the DE spot. You'd think that alone would garner some attention, but I haven't seen him on anyone's list of top prospects at DE.

[serkicker32]

You may be right. Even now, Vic Carucci on NFL.com has him as the No. 2 MLB in the draft - ahead of Hodge!

Umm... RF16 should not be allowed to read that post, he's gonna throw a hissy fit and then go and snipe Vic while he's asleep

[HUbison]

True enough.

The guy I'm surprised that nobody is talking about is LaCasse.

He's 260 lbs and runs a sub-4.5 from the DE spot. You'd think that alone would garner some attention, but I haven't seen him on anyone's list of top prospects at DE.

Surely, some 3-4 team will give him a crack at their 'tweener spot. If he's still progressing and willing to learn the LB position, he could be a solid 4th or 5th round pick-up.