With the NFL Draft this weekend, The Daily Cardinal analyzes the Badgers eligible for the two-day selection. The following is the second of a two-day analysis of where they could fall.
Brett Bell, 6'0' 200 lbs. CB
Sustained a serious shoulder injury as a true junior and was granted a redshirt and given another junior season in 2004. He played extremely well that season (64 tackles, 13 PDs), but he tore the ACL in his right knee during off-season workouts in January 2005. Appeared a step slow all season long and did not play in the bowl game.
Doesn't tackle or cover very well but displayed great character during a rocky final season with the Badgers. Some team may be able to look past injuries and take a gamble on a player who is clearly a gifted athlete.
Prediction: free agent
Levonne Rowan, 6'1' 191 lbs. CB
Timed at 4.28 seconds in the 40-yard dash but pulled a hamstring and did not take place in other drills at the UW pro day. The injury reflected Rowan's career as a Badger, as he never consistently played up to the level of his physical talent and seemed suffer an injury or another setback every time he was playing well during the season.
Really just a track guy playing football, but appeared confident about his draft status, stating, somebody is going to take a chance [in the draft] and they're going to get a diamond in the rough.\ Can't see a team wasting a pick on him, but he may find his way into the NFL.
Prediction: free agent
Jason Pociask, 6'3' 258 lbs. TE
A better blocker than Daniels but not a legit threat in the passing game, Pociask caught only 12 passes in his career. He surprised many with a 4.72 in the 40 and a vertical jump of 36 inches. Hard-nosed player who could play special teams at the next level.
Prediction: late round or free agent
Jason Palermo, 6'3' 307 lbs. OG
Started only one season in his five years with the program. Could find his way onto an NFL roster, riding the rich tradition of Badger lineman in the NFL. Son of former Badger defensive-line coach John Palermo, Jason was consistent all year long but did little to improve his draft status at the pro day workouts.
Prediction: free agent
Donovan Raiola, 6'3' 294 lbs. C
Once thought to be a top center prospect before the season started, Raiola's stock has plummeted ever since. Started every game the last three seasons but may scouts dubbed him as lazy and inconsistent after watching his workout and film.
Raiola ran a 5.49 40 time twice at the NFL combine, a time so slow that it may have cost him a chance to be drafted. ""Free agent,"" one scout said after his workout. ""You look for a guy to run no higher than 5.2. He was in the 5.4s."" Regardless, Raiola is a tough and hard-nosed competitor who should find a home with an NFL team. Brother Dominic plays for the Detroit Lions.
Prediction: late rounds or free agent
Dontez Sanders, 6'1' 208 lbs. OLB
Too small and too slow to play in the NFL. The type of guy you want on your team, but his game does not translate to the next level. Would be moved to safety in the NFL, meaning he would have to shave a few tenths of a second off his current 4.59 40 time.
Prediction: free agent
Matt Bernstein, 6'3' 260 lbs. FB
Ran a 4.91 and then 4.95 at the combine, but the fact that Bernstein was able to work out certainly was a step in the right direction. He sat out the final nine games because of a sports hernia and told the Indianapolis Colts that his hernia was inoperable.
The top fullback on a few draft boards, Bernstein plays a position that is slowly becoming extinct in many NFL offenses. Still, if teams believe his injury will not be a problem, he should be drafted on the first day of this weekend's draft.
Prediction: third to fifth round
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