Rush Delivery

Courtesy of Sports Illustrated

Every year in the NFL Draft, after the players we have been hearing about for months have all been selected, a player gets taken by our favorite team in the fifth round, and - as a fan - our reaction is: "who?"

Elite passers, pass blockers, and pass rushers are viewed as premium positions in the NFL. Rookies that might be too small, not great run defenders, or might be more effort type players than athletes can find a place in the NFL as pass rush specialists.

Examples of players being drafted in the middle to late rounds and making an impact on a team's pass rush have happened.

Elvis Dumervil was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He had 8.5 sacks in his rookie year and last year led the NFL with 17 sacks.

Mark Anderson was drafted in the fifth round by the Chicago Bears in 2006 and had 12 sacks his rookie season.

So here is a preview of the 2010 draft's possible mid to late round "pass rush specialists":

Greg Hardy, Mississippi:  Once viewed as a first round pick, Hardy has the size, strength, and pass rush moves to help a team out as a pass rush specialist immediately.  Injuries and inconsistent play will prevent him from being drafted in the first two rounds.

Antonio Coleman, Auburn:  An undersized defensive end prospect at 6' 1" and 255 pounds, Coleman's competitiveness and athleticism will get him drafted and possibly earn a role in a team's defensive rotation.  Expect him to be drafted in the late rounds.

George Selvie, South Florida:  Another undersized player who had an ultra productive sophomore season.  Has a nonstop motor that could result in some sacks for the team willing to overlook his stature. A possible 5th or 6th round pick.

Rahim Alem, LSU:  Alem has the physical makeup to be a 1st or 2nd round pick. He has been tagged with the "inconsistent motor" label and struggles with his technique. If he could be coached up, he could be the best player out of this group.  Expect him to be a late round pick.

Kevin Basped, Nevada:  Basped entered the draft after his junior season.  At 6'4" 258 pounds, he has good size; however, he has struggled to stay healthy and having played in the WAC limits him.  He is a developmental prospect but could come in and make an impact on third downs next season.  Expect him to be drafted after the fourth round.

Greg Middleton, Indiana:  Another prospect who had an awesome sophomore year, his last two seasons have left more questions than answers.  Inconsistent effort has plagued him, but when he's good, he's really good.  He could help strictly as a pass rusher.  Look for him to be drafted in the late rounds.

Lindsey Witten, UConn:  Younger brother of Buffalo Bills' Safety Donte Whitner, Witten is a excellent athlete.  After having seven sacks in his first two games of the 2009 season, he was hospitalized with a mysterious illness and lost a lot of weight.  Could be converted into a 3-4 outside linebacker.  Expect him to be drafted anywhere after the beginning of the third round.

O'Brien Schofield, Wisconsin:  Could either be a 3-4 outside linebacker or a 4-3 pass rush specialist. Schofield is undersized but has excellent athletic ability.  He tore his ACL at the Senior Bowl and will probably not be ready for the beginning of the regular season.  Schofield is my personal favorite and will be a steal if someone selects him.  Plan on him being a late draft pick or free agent signing.






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