Most believe that NFL general managers earn their paychecks by their level of success in the later rounds of the draft and uncovering those hidden gems that can push a team over the top. With the NFL’s scouting process now winding down, many names are being brought to the forefront that weren’t exactly on the tip of anyone’s tongues when the collegiate season started. This segment called Under the Radar will continue to explore just what scouts find attractive about certain prospects that may be available beyond the glamour rounds of the draft and why you’re team may be interested in landing one of these sleepers.

Since the 7th round discovery of Marques Colston by the New Orleans Saints back in 2006, every team around league is always looking for the big bodied target in the late rounds that could develop into a superstar. Many clubs are banking on Pat Simonds and his 6’6” 225lbs. frame out of Colgate to be that player this year. In a similar fashion to boxing out for a rebound in basketball, tight ends across the league have been using their frames to pull down catches for years now. It is only recently that wideouts have joined the party and Simonds really uses his size well to make catches on jump balls as an extremely effective red zone target. His 28 career touchdowns certainly show just what kind of a threat he can be with 14 of those coming in 2009. Scoring inside of an opponent’s 20 yard line has become a focal point for teams in recent years and Simonds certainly offers a ton of value when it comes to that area of the field.

What makes him so valuable also can be a bit of a detractor from his stock however as many feel his 4.66 and 4.67 second times in the 40 yard dash at his pro day will limit him as an every down threat in the NFL. Although the time itself isn’t far from average for an NFL receiver, scouts question whether he actually plays that fast in space and has the legitimate ability to separate from defenders. One place where Simonds isn’t fooling anyone is after the catch where he isn’t very dynamic and won’t shake many tackles in his career. Even with these concerns, a red zone threat is slowly becoming a position unto its own in the league and Simonds should have a great deal of success in that area. With the ability to snag him in the 6th or 7th round, teams will be willing to take the gamble and try to produce their own Marques Colston story.

A number of names will be called during April’s NFL Draft that seem to be from out of left field, but don’t let Pat Simonds’ be one of them. Keep looking out for more Under the Radar players shooting up draft boards or quietly lurking in the depth of this class that could make a huge impact over the coming years on Sundays.

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