Many believe that NFL general managers earn their paychecks based on their level of success in the later rounds of the draft by 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.

Effort level on the field is always going to get the attention of pro scouts when evaluating game tape of pro prospects leading up to the draft. With South Dakota State 3-4 outside linebacker Danny Batten that is exactly what has given scouts the inclination to consider this young man as a solid edition to any team in the 3-4 scheme. Batten doesn’t have off the charts athletic ability and he isn’t going to fool anyone into thinking that he was a five star recruit out of high school with his small college roots, but heart cannot be measured. More than 300 career tackles and 25 sacks make him more than just productive as a collegiate player as well playing as a small pass rusher with South Dakota State. At 6’3” 246lbs. he has the size to play the outside linebacker spot at the next level and his 40 yard dash time of 4.71 seconds along with 30 reps at 225lbs. on the bench press suggest that he also has the necessary strength and speed to be effective at the NFL level.

Of course the small school stigma will stick with him during the scouting process and teams have to base their evaluations on how they feel his natural talents will translate at the NFL level. Although work ethic is not an issue, perhaps his ceiling as a football player is with his natural frame and body type appearing to be at the peak of its physical threshold. Batten was quite productive playing at a small level of college football, but the NFL is a whole new ball game and his smallish frame and average intangibles could be exposed at the next level. Despite these potential roadblocks, teams really like the high motor players and love the effort that this kid shows on film. It wouldn’t be a shock to see Batten go in round number 6, but the 7th round seems like the more logical area for a team to take a chance on a player with borderline physical abilities.

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 Danny Batten be one of them. Keep looking out for more Under the Radar players shooting up draft boards or quietly lurking in this incredibly deep 2010 class that could make a huge impact over the coming years on Sundays.

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