Round one of the 2012 NFL Draft has come and gone, and Friday starting at 7 p.m. ET it will pick back up again as round two and three will be underway. Though, the first day of the draft gets all the hype, the final two days is where NFL franchise are built, as teams search for that hidden gem.
For Rutgers football fans, they're hoping one of those sleepers is going to be former Scarlet Knight wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, who's expected to go early in the second round. Sanu should come off the board early on Friday, but there's always that hidden fear of teams not beveling in a players ability, but, instead, look at height, weight and 40-yard dash times to project how good somebody is going to be.
When it comes to Sanu, if a team is going to scout him based on the numbers, his stock wouldn't be very high. Sanu has average height (6-foot-2), an average build (215 pounds) and average 40-time (4.4-4.5 seconds). However, Sanu's collegiate accomplishments -- in his junior season he set a Big East Conference and school record of 115 receptions for 1,206 yards and seven touchdowns -- show production and a play-maker.
In 2011-12, Sanu was so dominate at times -- he caught a team-record 13 balls against the North Carolina Tar Heels -- that teams press-covered him with two corner backs. That was the strategy the Syracuse Orange used on him during a 19-16 double OT victory last season, and despite the attention Sanu still caught seven passes for 61 yards and a touchdown.
When Sanu decided to declare for the draft in January, mock draft initial had him pegged as a late-first or early-second round prospect. But Sanu's stock slipped a bit after his 40-time (4.67) at the NFL Combine wasn't impressive at all, which led to scouts beginning to wonder if he could separate himself from NFL-caliber defensive backs.
Sanu's stock bounced-back a little after he blew away NFL scouts with his workout during the Rutgers Pro Day.
In the end, Sanu's Pro Day showcase and the game film will show a future NFL starter and player that can help an offense almost right away. Sany is a very bright, high-character player who is willing to do whatever for a NFL franchise.
Sometime during day two of the NFL draft, a hidden gem will be taken. And time will prove Sanu will be one of them.
For a complete recap of the NFL Combine, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. For everything on the NFL Draft visit the SB Nation blog Mocking The Draft.