2009 Wes Welker Watch List
Don Banks

Every NFL draft season, we fixate on the top 15 percent of the incoming talent pool, breaking down every possible angle that affects the potential order of how the top names will come off the board (see drafts, mock).

And every year, almost unbeknownst to most of us, there's a new wave of Wes Welkers, James Harrisons, and Willie Parkers entering the league so below the radar screen they're virtually undetectable. We know them now, of course. Now that Welker is one of the most unstoppable weapons in the game as New England's slot receiver, Harrison is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and Parker a Super Bowl hero of the recent past.

But we didn't know them then, because they all -- and many more like them -- made their names in the NFL without the benefit of being drafted. In some cases, they didn't even get invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, which this year featured well over 300 prospects displaying their "draftability'' before almost every personnel decision-maker in the league.

The list of those who made it in the NFL the hard way is an impressive one, and it's filled with undrafted players who were cut multiple times, or forced to hang around on the fringes of the game until their opportunity came, and they seized it. (Here's a list of some of the best undrafted free agents since 1994.)

"It's the mystery of our business: why first-round picks are sometimes busts, and why seventh-rounders and free agents go to Honolulu,'' said Chargers general manager A.J. Smith, the man responsible for signing Gates as a collegiate free agent for San Diego in 2003 and Welker in 2004. "But it happens every year, and it'll happen again this year. There are guys who will go on to have great careers in the NFL after their name didn't come off that board draft weekend. And then you'll be writing about first-day picks who [are] busts. We don't know why it happens, but we know it will happen.''

All undrafted free agents have some significant hurdles to overcome, including non-typical NFL size, a lack of big-time college experience, ill-timed injuries or not having a natural position.

"A lot of times a guy can just get caught up in the wash, even in his own school,'' Smith said. "There's always a story to be told about every guy. ... You have to cling to the intangibles, because all of these guys have got something going for them. Sometimes we take a chance with a guy who's got a work ethic and some toughness to him."

Predicting who won't get drafted is almost as foolhardy as trying to predict the exact order of the first round. But the reality that some very good players will slip through the cracks every year is the inspiration for our inaugural Welker Watch List -- a modest compilation of 10 prospects who weren't invited to the combine, but who we still project to make the NFL some day, and maybe even star in it.

1. Brigham Harwell, DT, UCLA -- At 6-0, 295 pounds, Harwell isn't as tall as the NFL likes a defensive tackle to be. But he's a three-year starter at a major college program and fared well in the Pac 10 against the likes of current or future NFL linemen such as Carolina's Ryan Kalil (ex-USC center), Cal's Alex Mack and Oregon's Max Unger.

2. Vince Anderson, CB, Webber International University -- Playing at an obscure NAIA school like Webber International in Central Florida makes it tough enough to get noticed, but Anderson has reportedly drawn some interest this spring from teams such as the Patriots, Giants and Chiefs, meaning some of the better personnel men in the league are on to him. Anderson is a 6-2, 205-pound cornerback who is a past high school high jump champion.

3. Julian Edelman, QB, Kent State -- Besides quarterbacking for KSU, the versatile Edelman returned punts and played safety on the punt team. He's a likely receiver, or return specialist/Wildcat formation quarterback in the NFL, where he will be used wherever he can employ his 4.46 speed and great short-burst quickness (a'la Welker). The former California Juco transfer has been busy with private workouts and team visits this spring, a sure indication he's a priority free agent target.

He measures at 6'4" 327 pounds, and ran the 40-yard dash in 5.04 seconds. He also threw up 225 pounds on the bench press 32 times.

All I want is a shot. If I get my foot in the door, Im going to give 185 percent. Ill do anything. Ill help the film men set up and pack up. Im going to put my all into it. One day, I want to be one of the greats. No matter what it takes. I just want to play. I dont care if they tell me Willie, we just want you on special teams. Ill say Coach, no problem. Im going to run down like Im running a 40 every time, until you tell me to slow down.

This one will work the filmroom, whatever it takes. 185% effort is the promise.

I have always felt that our toilet guy shouldn't also be our beer dispenser guy, so maybe he'd be willing to help out there, perhaps doing the crappers, not the brewski's.

OK- Jokes done...read the article. Not only do I think that Ted should be on the phone IMMEDIATELY after the draft contacting this kid, I think he just might do exactly that.

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