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April 28, 2008

Day 2 Draft Steals

Jacob Hester RB, LSU (69th, San Diego)
NFL Comp : Heath Evans - Patriots
Hester is a very tough runner who can pick up difficult yardage. He has soft hands, great work ethic, and is an exceptional blocker. Hester will most likely be converted into a fullback with the Chargers.

Dan Connor LB, Penn State (74th, Carolina)
NFL Comp : Keith Bulluck - Titans
Connor is the prototypical linebacker. He is a hard hitting, mean, instinctive, and physical player who is tougher than grandma's pot roast. Connor will be one of the top defender's to come out of the 2008 draft.

Mario Manningham WR, Michigan (95th, Michigan)
NFL Comp : Reggie Wayne - Colts
Manningham is an extremely talented receiver who has great vision, speed, and hands. He runs good routes and is also a good red zone threat as he possesses a great vertical leap that allows him to go above corners and come down with the ball. The only blemish on his record would be a knee injury he suffered in '06.

Anthony Collins OT, Kansas (112th, Cincinatti)
NFL Comp : Levi Brown - Cardinals
Collins is a big bruising right tackle, who is a stallwart in pass protection. He can open up huge holes in the run game and is very strong and athletic.

Josh Sitton OT, UCF (135th, Green Bay)
NFL Comp: Edwin Mulitalo - Detroit
Sitton's wide body and drive blocking skills are more suited for an interior position. He might have been born 20 years too late, as he would have been an ideal "Hog" next to Joe Jacoby on the Redskins' front line. Sitton plays with a mauler's mentality. He doesn't look pretty on the move, but has a knack for leveling second-level defenders. Just look at the success of the UCF ground game behind him.

John David Booty QB, USC (137th, Minnesota)
NFL Comp : Trent Green - Dolphins
Booty is a gunslinging signal caller who has put up big numbers in USC's pro-style offense. His arm strength and accuracy are both well above average and he isn't afraid to take a hit in the pocket.

Dennis Dixon QB, Oregon (156th, Pittsburgh)
NFL Comp : Vince Young - Titans
Dixon is a dual threat quarterback who is just as dangerous with his legs as he is with his arm. He has good pocket awareness, a very strong arm, and is becoming a great leader. Pittsburgh loves gadget plays, and Dixon's ability to run and throw will be utilized.

Marcus Henry WR, Kansas (171st, NY Jets)
NFL Comp: Jeff Webb - Kansas City
He has the long limbs to extend for the ball at its high point and soft hands. He's not a physical receiver, nor does he relish a role blocking. He still needs to refine his route running and will gather and drift in his routes. If used on controlled routes or underneath, he has the size to compete for the jump ball and uses his body control effectively near the sideline.

Colt Brennan QB, Hawaii (186th, Washington)
NFL Comp : Brett Favre - Packers
Brennan is an accurate passer who isn't afraid to distribute the ball to a multitude of targets. He has a good arm and is very comfortable in the pocket. The knock on Brennan is that he is a "system" quarterback and will not find success in the NFL. Fans will be calling for him to start some time in the next 2 seasons (I'm not sold on Campbell as a solid NFL QB).

Mike Hart RB, Michigan (202nd, Indianapolis)
NFL Comp : Warrick Dunn - Falcons
Mike couldn't be more appropriately named because he plays the game with 100% heart. He is a leader on and off the field, and is an exceptional receiver out of the backfield. He is a tough runner who can run inside and out. Addai and Hart will be a solid 1-2 combo.

Peyton Hillis FB, Arkansas (227th, Denver)
NFL Comp: Brian Leonard - St. Louis
Hillis has good value as a short-yardage runner, but to have him carry the ball often would not be beneficial, as he does not have the second gear or speed to make big gains on the ground. He has natural hands for short-area tosses. He's a good blue-collar type who can help in a variety of roles, rather than being utilized strictly as a blocker. Hillis can develop into a key element of the Shanahan run game.

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