Sleeper/Steal Alert: Armanti Edwards

Sleeper/ Steal Alert

Every year the NFL Draft is littered with Busts and Steals/Sleepers.  Steals/Sleepers are what make a team’s draft special and build decision makers reputations.  Some of the more famous Steals/Sleepers include Tom Brady (round 6 pick 199), Terrell Davis (round 6 pick 196), and Zack Thomas (round 5 pick 154).  But a Steal/Sleeper doesn’t necessarily have to be drafted in the later rounds.  An example would be the Green Bay Packers getting Clay Matthews at pick 26 after players like Larry English were selected.  Matthews earned a spot on the NFC Pro Bowl after registering 10 sacks in his rookie season. We are going to  review what makes this player a potential sleeper and what teams might be interested.  This Sleeper Alert was written by new writer Caleb!

Player:

Armanti Edwards – WR/KR – Appalachian State

Projected Rounds:

6th – 7th Rounds

Thoughts:

Armanti Edwards hopes to use his athleticism to transition from a highly decorated college quarterback into a wide receiver and kick returner in the professional game.  In four years, Edwards managed to rack up a total of 10,392 yards and 74 touchdowns at Appalachian State. He also ran for 4,361 yards and 64 rushing touchdowns.  Edwards lacks the size and strength to succeed as a pocket passer in the NFL.  He is, however, a gifted athlete and has the ability to make tacklers miss in the open field.  Edwards may take some snaps in the wildcat formation or during gadget plays, but his best chance of success will likely be as a kick returner or depth receiver.

The Cleveland Browns recently took a chance on a college quarterback, who possessed great athleticism, but lacked the size to play quarterback in the NFL.   Their gamble turned into one of the best return men in the game – Josh Cribbs.

One team will gamble on Edwards in the 6th or 7th round, in the hopes that they found the next Josh Cribbs.  With Edwards’ skills, he has the potential to turn into a game changing special teams player.