Twice a week between now and the NFL Draft Pro Player Insiders will take a look at 5 combine snubs to keep an eye on during draft weekend.

Here is the third group of our series with a twist.  We are only profiling small schoolers who played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, just to showcase how good the talent was in Los Angeles.

We should also mention that we are a proud media partner of the fastest rising all-star game in the circuit.

1. RB MALCOLM AGNEW, SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

If the name is familiar then you are correct in that you have seen it before.  His father, Ray Agnew Sr, played in the NFL and his brother, Ray Agnew Jr, plays for the Cowboys and also played in the NFLPA Bowl last year.  Agnew measured in at 5’9, 202 pounds and ran in the high 4.5s at his pro day, which may not blow you away but his other results will.  His 1.57-10 yard is good and his 37 inch vertical, 10’9 broad jump, 3.90 short shuttle, and 6.75 3-cone are going to put him in the top 5 or 10 among all running backs in the nation.  When you see him up close you can see he is ripped and very strong, which he showed on the bench with 19 reps.  Malcolm ran for 820 yards and 10 touchdowns in 8 games, missing significant time due to injury.  Some believe he is better than the MVFC running backs who went to the NFL Scouting Combine.  The former Oregon State transfer has great quickness, change of direction, and sees the holes well.  Whether drafted in the final 60 picks or undrafted he is a name we believe will make a NFL roster.

2. C NICK EASTON, HARVARD

You can’t have a sleeper list without an Ivy Leaguer it seems like.  This conference has put out some very good talent over the last few years.  Easton is probably the best center that most media and fans have not heard of.  He is just a two-year starter but has played guard and center in his career and was a two-time first-team All-Ivy selection.  The Associated Press named him a third-team All-American but to be honest he should have been a consensus All-American.  Scouts love his ability to pull, locate targets, seal, and drive defenders off the ball.  Some believe he is a top 5 center in this draft class and should be selected.  There is buzz that Easton has plans outside of football and may not stick for long if he does not make it as a rookie, and scouts may hold that against him.  Regardless of whether he is drafted or not we expect him to make a NFL roster.  At his pro day he impressed by running a 5.14 and 4.18 40 at 6’2 ¾, 303 pounds along with a 30 ½ inch vertical, 9’4 broad jump, 4.60 short shuttle, and did 29 bench reps.  We have him on the borderline of projecting him to get drafted but we believe he is good enough to go in the 160-200 range, despite the fact we aren’t hearing that from our NFL sources.

3. OT JAKE RODGERS, EASTERN WASHINGTON

NFL scouts were impressed with the play of Rodgers as a senior and in the NFLPA Bowl as he showed the ability to be a solid pro.  The former Washington State transfer was a backup in 2013 but had a breakout campaign in 2014 earning first-team All-American honors from the Associated Press along with AFCA and Walter Camp All-America accolades.  Rodgers started at left tackle, right guard, and right tackle during his career.  While he is not flashy he gets the job done and has the tools you want to work with.  Rodgers ran a 5.26 and 5.29 in the 40 at 6’5 ¾, 315 pounds at the Eastern Washington pro day with a 30 ½ inch vertical, 8’10 broad jump, 4.86 short shuttle, 8.05 3-cone, and did 24 bench reps.  We don’t expect him to get drafted simply because he put up guard times and needs to get stronger but his experience at just about every position up front, his flexion, and ability to pick up blitzes should make him a solid developmental player.  As a rookie we expect him to make a NFL roster and be a backup at every position but center.

4. RB TERRELL WATSON, AZUSA PACIFIC

One question remained on Watson after his illustrious career and that was his speed.  After running for over 1,000 yards as a sophomore, 1,800 plus as a junior, and over 2,100 as a senior there was not much else to show on film.  His production and trophy case alone are worth drafting if his postseason is strong… and it has been.  Watson was named the MVP of the NFLPA Bowl and then followed that up with proving people wrong at his pro day.  He ran a 4.51 and 4.58 in the 40 to silence the critics who thought he would run in the mid 4.6s.  The most impressive part was the fact he measured 6’0 5/8, 236 pounds and ran that.  He also had a 35 ½ inch vertical, 10’3 broad jump, 4.49 short shuttle, and did 22 bench reps.  The strength of the 22 reps was shown on film as he is tough to bring down and does a good job of finding the open holes.  Despite the deep class we believe Watson should be drafted and will make a NFL roster as a #3 with the potential to be a solid #2 for years to come in the NFL.

5. WR VERNON JOHNSON, TEXAS A&M COMMERCE

The Texas A&M Commerce pro day was a letdown for us in some ways as nobody lit it up but Johnson was one of two players to put up a solid workout.  Johnson did not run quite as fast as we, and NFL scouts, expected but he did well enough that if not drafted he will be a highly sought after priority free agent.  His game speed is very good as he was never really caught from behind at Commerce.  Quickness, speed, and the ability to get open were his strengths.  The two-time Lonestar Wide Receiver of the Year hauled in 77 catches for 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior.  Johnson ran a 4.53 and 4.56 in the 40 at 6’0, 196 pounds along with a 1.57 10-yard, 37 inch vertical, 10’7 broad jump, 4.47 short shuttle, and did 18 bench reps.  Keep an eye on him as a potential late round or priority free agent selection that has the ability to make a NFL roster.

6. WR JAKE KUMEROW, WISCONSIN-WHITEWATER

This week we add a bonus player to the group with Kumerow.  The bloodlines are there as his dad played for the Miami Dolphins and he has great size (6’4 ½, 209).  As a senior he missed 4 games due to injury and still caught 66 passes for 1,116 yard and 14 touchdowns.  He’s a big target with solid hands who needs to fill out his lower body and be more explosive but has he adequate speed and a good frame.  During the NFLPA Bowl he looked solid and showed he belonged despite the big jump from Division III.  At the Wisconsin pro day on March 11^th, he ran a 4.52 and 4.56 in the 40 along with a 31 inch vertical, 9’5 broad jump, 4.26 short shuttle, 6.90 3-cone, and did 15 bench reps.  We don’t expect him to get drafted but he should be a highly sought after priority free agent.

5 Combine Snubs to Watch During NFLDraft – Part 1

5 Combine Snubs to Watch During NFL Draft: PART 2