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Scouting The Draft: More Day Two Prospects

Last week, I wrote the first of a few posts that quickly touch on some potential second day draft picks.  Today, I want to continue on with five more potential draft targets on day two of draft weekend.

CB Greg Toler, St. Paul's College
5'11 1/4", 191

This division II school has never had a player drafted in the history of the NFL Draft.  But that may change later this month.  Without question, eyebrows were raised by many Dolphin fans upon learning that Tony Sparano and Jeff Ireland went to Virginia to attend a private workout with this small-school cornerback.  However, it shouldn't be a shock if you learn about this kid.

His stock has been steadily rising since his pro day workout - when he ran a 4.45 40 yard dash and posted a 4.18 short shuttle - a time that beat the Combine times of other corners like Darius Butler, D.J. Moore, and Coye Francies.  NFL.com's Steve Wyche has begun calling Toler this year's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie because of how quickly he is rising up many teams' draft boards. 

To go with his measurables is his play on the field.  Scouts say he is very athletic and has terrific ball skills.  The kid is also said to be a great "character" person - very humble and willing to work hard to get to where he wants to be.  And that's certainly something that Bill Parcells looks for in his players.

WR Marko Mitchell, Nevada
6'3 5/8", 218

Here's perhaps my favorite day two wide receiver prospect in the draft.  Nevada's Marko Mitchell is a big, long-armed, play-making wide receiver.  He ran a 4.49 40 (officially) at the combine, though some had him timed as high as 4.43.  His arms measure in at 34.5" and his hands are 10.25".  He loves to go up and get the ball and will attack smaller defensive backs when the ball is in his hands.  And perhaps his most underrated attribute is his ability - and, more importantly, his willingness - to block.  Look for Mitchell to come off the board somewhere between rounds 3 and 5 - mainly because he is raw and will need to refine his route running.  In college, he was able to get by with his physical talent because of the relatively poor compeition he faced week in and week out.  But at the next level, his size and speed won't be enough to succeed.  But he can certainly be coached up and has the skill set that any NFL team would love - especially the Dolphins.

Star-divide

DE/OLB Henry Melton, Texas
6'3, 270

Time to meet one of the draft's most underrated prospects - Texas DE Henry Melton.  He's been overshadowed by his teammate, Brian Orakpo, but had an amazing pro day that now has his stock rising.  He ran the 40 in 4.58 seconds, posted a vertical leap of 36.5", a broad jump of 10'1, and benched 225 pounds 23 times.  His senior season saw him post just 29 tackles, though 10 were for a loss.  He also recorded 4 sacks.

So what's his deal?  Melton has only spent 2 seasons as a defensive player.  He began his college career as a running back, rushing for 625 yards on 132 carries and scoring 16 touchdowns combined in '05 and '06.  So he's very raw, and would need even more work if he was to be switched to outside linebacker in a 3-4.  But he's so very athletic and explosive that he's definitely worth the risk.  And he'd also be a terrific special teams player on gamedays while he learns his new position - which is something this regime demands from their young players.

ILB Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina
6'1 5/8", 252

Brinkley is a player who is going to receive a lot of attention as we inch closer to the draft - mainly because of the lack of depth at inside linebacker.  If he has some solid private workouts, he could even work his way up to the 3rd inside linebacker selected after Rey Maualuga and James Laurinaitis.  While his 2008 numbers don't look very special, you need to consider that Brinkley wa coming off of a torn ACL that he suffered in 2007.  And just now is he really beginning to get back into his ideal shape.

At the Combine, Brinkley ran a solid 4.72 40 yard dash and benched 225 pounds 26 times - both figures being better than the two highly touted ILB prospects.  When you watch him play, he's a little stiff in the hips and seems like he would project more as a two down inside linebacker in a 3-4.  In my opinion, he'd make an ideal compliment to Channing Crowder because he's good at shedding blocks and is an effective inside blitzer - something Channing doesn't seem to be.  A 4th or 5th round pick on Brinkley would be a tremendous steal for any team.

TE John Nalbone, Monmouth
6'4 1/4", 257

Regardless of how you feel about our current tight end situation, I still feel like I must spend a moment talking about this kid out of Monmouth - and not just because it's a Jersey school (and the same school WR Miles Austin attended).  Nalbone wowed scouts at his pro day workout, running a 4.75 40 yard dash.  Then two days later, at a private workout, he weighed in 8 pounds lighter and ran a 4.63 40.  He also benched 225 pounds 22 times - which is just as many as Brandon Pettigrew did at the Combine.  If you compare his workout numbers to those of other TEs at the Combine, Nalbone ranks 3rd in the 40 yard dash, 3rd in the 3 cone drill, 1st in the short shuttle, and 6th in the broad jump.

Why am I highlighting all of his numbers?  Simple - it's because it's hard to judge a player like Nalbone on game film.  If you do, you'll like what you see - but it's against subpar competition.  And if you look at his college numbers, you won't be overly impressed, either.  His senior stat line of 42-491-5 isn't anything to write home about.  But he was the team's leading receiver (next closest had 15 fewer receptions) in an offensive that was very run-heavy (60% of the plays were runs in '08).  Nalbone, though, is likely a lock to get drafted at some point after his solid workouts.  If he was to make it as far as round 6 or 7, it might be hard to pass on a kid like him.

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Just one man's opinion.
The defending AFC Champions Miami Dolphins chose Marino with the 27th pick in the NFL draft.....
Founding member of the 2nd round draft of NT Ron Brace, 6'3", 330, benchx225:32 bandwagon
Founding member of the 3rd round draft of OG Herman Johnson, 6'7", 350, 36.5" arms bandwagon

by hwyatt3 on Apr 3, 2009 1:10 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Some real nuggets...

you have dug up. I imagine most of these are on every coaching staff’s radar. But the Toler workout for Trifecta is interesting. A distractionfrom a day 1 CB pick? Still I really like Toler.

Butler Brace Barwin & Barden: 4Bs or not 4Bs, that is da Q

by Corroncho on Apr 3, 2009 2:32 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Marko Mitchell

sounds like an intriguing prospect…but playing in Nevada he didn’t play against much competition, so we can’t really judge how he will play against a good D or CB…but i wouldn’t mind giving him a look at

-"I'll weather whatever storm, Make it out without a bruise"
-"Even when winning illogical, losing is still far from optional"
-"Even the greatest gotta suffer sometime"
-"No excuses, No explanations"

by MiamihastheDolphins.... on Apr 3, 2009 3:11 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Jasper Brinkley

is one heck of a football player. If he comes back from his knee right he can definitely start in this league. South Carolina actually has a few good defenders in this draft.

I’ve seen Nevada play a few times on those weeknight specials or on the latenight Saturday games- he is definitely intriguing but inconsistent. The real star there is Colin Kaepernick- he looks like a damn Ostrich but he is a fun QB to watch running the pistol.

Winner of the 2009 Bill Parcells Award.
Less Lonely Leader of the Percy Harvin Bandwagon.

by GatorPhan on Apr 3, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Kaepernick is hilarious to watch

it doesn’t look like he’s any good, then he breaks off like a 30 yard run and you’re like 8-O WOW! lol

by Little Nicky 21 on Apr 3, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

doesnt

Jasper’s brother play right next to him on the SoCar defense…he pretty good too

-"I'll weather whatever storm, Make it out without a bruise"
-"Even when winning illogical, losing is still far from optional"
-"Even the greatest gotta suffer sometime"
-"No excuses, No explanations"

by MiamihastheDolphins.... on Apr 4, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nice picks

wouldn’t mind getting any of these guys:>)

" oh I'm sorry did I break your concentration?" -Jules Winfield-
Creator of the(pie in the sky) trade up and "draft B. J. Raji" bandwagon Matty I's Besswagon L Nicky 21s Brandwagon-- Winner of BloodyElbow FunnyBone Contest IV's Andre Arlofski's "how's taste my poo poo?" Award for his fondness for not so tasteful poop jokes..

by uncle finster on Apr 3, 2009 1:37 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Lets hope Toler stays a secret

"How can I blame you
When it's me I can't forgive?"

-From the Unforgiven III off of Death Magnetic

by Patssuck456 on Apr 3, 2009 2:48 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah that would be nice:>)

" oh I'm sorry did I break your concentration?" -Jules Winfield-
Creator of the(pie in the sky) trade up and "draft B. J. Raji" bandwagon
*uncle fester + fins (how I refer to our team) = uncle finster*

by uncle finster on Apr 4, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

very nice

" oh I'm sorry did I break your concentration?" -Jules Winfield-
Creator of the(pie in the sky) trade up and "draft B. J. Raji" bandwagon

by uncle finster on Apr 4, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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