After 18 hours, the NFL Draft is complete. Two hundred fifty-five players were selected. JaMarcus Russell of LSU was the first. Ramzee Robinson of Alabama was the last. Hundreds of players were not drafted, but many of these guys will get a chance to make a team at training camp as a priority free agent. The following are thirty guys draft analysts expected to be picked but were not. Most of these guys will fade into oblivion, but a handful could end up being stars.
The explanation for some of these guys falling off draft boards is simple. NFL teams had more information about these guys than NFL draft analysts did. Wonderlic scores and personal interview performances weren't disseminated to draft gurus. So, in draftspeak, while may of these have a "tremendous upside", they might have had (1) "character issues", (2) not enough of a "high motor" (lazy or inconsistent) or [3] "talent that doesn't translate to the NFL." (too slow or small)
The Best Players Not Drafted
Kenny Scott, CB, Georgia Tech
Rory Johnson, OLB, Ole Miss - This modern day Rufus French was expected to go as high as the 3rd round after emerging as a star in the second half of his first college season and posting good numbers at the NFL combine and personal workouts. But there's a knock of Johnson's game, and it'll be interesting to find out what that is.
Anthony Arline, CB, Baylor
Travarous Bain, CB, Hampton
Darius Walker, RB, Notre Dame - Considered to be a 4th round draft pick, Walker joins Johnson as another early entrant whose stock plummeted on draft weekend.
Julius Wilson, T, UAB
Tony Taylor, OLB, Georgia
Dan Mozes, C, West Virginia
Nate Harris, OLB, Louisville - Off-the-field troubles could have doomed this talented defender from Louisville, a one-time University of Miami linebacker.
Chase Johnson, T, Wyoming
Earl Everett, OLB, Florida
DeAndre Jackson, CB, Iowa State
Jon Abbate, ILB, Wake Forest - Superb college player was done in by lousy 40 time in combine and pro day workouts. Hard to see how this guy wouldn't catch on as a special teams player somewhere.
Chris Leak, QB, Florida - Leak has the making of a franchise quarterback - for a CFL franchise.
Xavier Jackson, DE, Missouri
Rhema McKnight, WR, Notre Dame
Tim Mixon, CB, Cal
Enoka Lucas, C, Oregon
Juwan Simpson, OLB, Alabama
Tyler Palko, QB, Pittsburgh
Jared Zabransky, QB, Boise St. - First NCAA Football cover boy not to be drafted by a NFL team?
Jeremy Clark, DT, Alabama
Selvin Young, RB, Texas
Walter Thomas, DT, N.W. Miss. CC - Not even a New York Times article hyping Thomas's athleticism could get him drafted. Will be picked up by somebody and if he doesn't get too down on himself early and a team is willing to be patient with his development, Thomas could become a formidable NFL defensive tackle.
Tim Duckworth, G, Auburn
Joe Newton, TE, Oregon State
David Ball, WR, New Hampshire -- Teams must have been dozing when several analysts called Ball their favorite "sleeper" pick.
Antwan Applewhite, DE, San Diego State - Injuries held back this talented early entry pass rusher. Like Thomas, might be really good or a complete flop.
Mkristo Bruce, DE, Washington State
Ramonce Taylor, RB, Texas - Could be a star in NFL Europa next year.