CSPorts NFL Draft analysis
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Colvin & Thomas: Potential Draft Steals Due to Injury
Christian Page April 27, 2014 Unfortunately, injuries occur, even to those with superior talent. It is just part of sports. A bigger let down is when an injury occurs when a player is preparing for his pre-draft workouts doing so to distance, good or bad, himself from others. Oklahoma cornerback Aaron Colvin and Clemson offensive guard Brandon Thomas both fell victim to this crime as injuries robbed them from top slots in May’s (May? Yes, May) NFL Draft. Aaron Colvin had a very productive college career starting thirty-six games while participating in fifty! Colvin was a two-time All-Big 12 player and in 2013 was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back). Colvin racked up 234 total tackles, fifteen tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and five interceptions. Colvin tore his ACL in a Senior Bowl practice most likely eliminating any chance of him playing for any NFL team this fall. Former Clemson offensive lineman Brandon Thomas started thirty-six career games while playing in forty-nine. Thomas managed ninety-eight total knockdowns while participating in over 2,700 career snaps! Thomas was elected to two All-ACC teams while also placing on the All-ACC honor roll team. Thomas, like Colvin, blew his ACL during a private workout with the New Orleans Saints. You may ask yourself why am I telling you this. I am telling you this because even though Colvin and Thomas ended all possibilities of playing this fall and making a couple of more million dollars, that’s a big deal, some team is going to get a steal with either one of these players and not just in the skill department. Their game speaks for itself but their integrity and drive is on a whole other level. Colvin posted this the day of when he found out his devastating news: A list of previously highly rated draftable players that suffered injuries and their draft stock could plummet:
1. Aaron Murray, Quarterback, Georgia Murray went down with an ACL tear versus Kentucky on November 23rd. The SEC’s all-time leading passer has qualities that could make him a top five to six quarterback. This ACL tear hurt literally and figuratively. 2. Zach Mettenberger, Quarterback, LSU Mettenberger’s draft stock is slowing rising again but durability could be a question as Zach suffered his second knee injury (ACL) on November 29th. 3. James Hurst, Offensive Tackle, North Carolina Hurst was having a solid year before suffering a gross leg injury as he snapped his fibula on December 28th in Carolina’s bowl victory over Cincinnati in the Belk Bowl. Hurst entered the season as my third best offensive tackle. 4. Anthony Steen, Offensive Guard, Alabama Steen underwent a quiet shoulder (labrum) surgery prior to the Sugar Bowl. Labrums or any other shoulder injury is rough for any lineman but the eam that picks up Steen will get a quality player. |