Al Fronczak's

"Second Day Gems"

My "Second Day Gems" are NFL Draft Prospects that are generally rated as second day draft-picks by most Draft experts and Media outlets... but I feel these three Prospects will make the grade at the next level and could be regarded as "steals" of this Draft a few years down the road...I have also listed several Prospects that have earned an "honoral mention" as my "Second Day Gems".

WR Sloan Thomas (Texas)  6-1.0  203  40 time - 4.50

Sloan has a good combination of size, speed and athleticism...when you look at the film on him you see an athlete with untapped potential who has made several highlight reel catches during his career and when given the chance he has dominated - (7 catches for 130 yards vs Oklahoma State)...He's not a finished product at this time because he needs to improve on his route running and blocking but surely those are things that can be taught... Sloan has been the #3 receiver the past two seasons because he played the Split End position and has been playing behind and in the shadow of teammate Roy Williams during his stay at Texas...He's a better NFL Prospect than teammate B.J.Johnson but isn't ranked so by most Media Outlets...but NFL Scouts know all about him and his capabilities...Sloan is my favorite "Gem" of the Draft ...so remember him on Draft Day and where he goes in the Draft.

HB Adimchinobe Echemandu  (California)  5-11.0  226  40 time - 4.58

Adim is a good in between the Tackles runner - he's a slasher and a back that can make the first man miss but also has the speed and quickness to "kick it " outside...Adim is also considered as excellent Kick returner...As far as I'm concerned Adim may be the "Terrell Davis" HB of this Draft because he's being rated as a second day prospect - but (when healthy) would be considered a sure fire first day pick...He suffered a torn ACL and meniscus to his knee in Cal's 2002 Spring Practice and sat out the 2002 season...He came back in 2003 to post some good numbers (225 carries for 1161 yards and 12 td's) despite being less than 100%...when Training camp rolls around this summer Adim will be a FULL two years plus removed from his injury...Adim could be a typical (Denver Bronco's type) second day Draft Halfback steal! 

OLB Alex Lewis  (Wisconsin)  5-11.6  227  40 time - 4.74

Other than lacking "ideal height" Alex has good size and speed for the position and a definite nose for the Football...in 2003 Alex recorded 79 tackles...15 tackles for a loss and 8 sacks...If you watched any Wisconsin football this past season you will surely agree with me on this prospect...Alex is the ultimate gamer...I've seen him roam sideline to sideline making tackles and excelling on Special teams...as a football player on pure production - Alex is a first day pick...but because he lacks "ideal height" he is being rated as a second day prospect...the bottom line is - Alex will be making plays and playing football on Sundays in the NFL come this fall.

                         My Honorable Mention List

QB Matt Mauck  (LSU)  6-1.6  228   40 time - 4.79

Matt is tough and gutsy and very mobile enabling him to make plays with his feet...he has a decent arm with good accuracy in the short to medium range passing game...he's very mature and athletic and played minor league baseball for 3 seasons in the Chicago Cubs farm system...as an NFL QB Prospect he is considered a raw talent at this stage since he started only one full season for LSU at the College level...but the kid's a winner who posted a 18-2 all time record as a starter for the LSU Tigers...He's an extremely smart QB that knows how to improvise and beat a Defense...Matt will be a 25 year old rookie and was married in February...he reminds me of a young Steve Grogan - a type of player who will make it as a backup at the next level and earn a chance to start somewhere down the road....this prospect may not even be Drafted but is certainly worth a chance as a Free Agent signee.

QB  Bradlee Van Pelt  (Colorado State)  6-2.0  231  (40 time - 4.98)

LB  Caleb Miller  (Arkansas)  6-3.2  224  (40 time - 4.71)

CB Jeremy LeSueur  (Michigan)  6-0.0  197  (40 time -4.55)

LB  Leon Joe  (Maryland)  6-0.4   230  (40 time - 4.47)

CB  Gennaro Gilford  (Brigham Young)  6-1.2   187  (40 time -4.48)

CB  Stanford Samuels  (Florida State)  5-9.7   193   (40 time - 4.50)

TE Matt Kranchick  (Penn State)  6-6.5  258  (40 time - 4.60)

Click here to view Al's 2003 "Second Day Gems".

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