Walking Wounded Prospects for the 2007 NFL Draft

The following is a list of a few 2007 NFL Draft Prospects that have recently recovered or are still recovering from serious injury and therefore have the potential of providing significant draft value for patient NFL teams.

1. RB Michael Bush, Louisville

Michael Bush took a pitch from QB Brian Brohm, didn't find much room and went down when being tackled by Kentucky's Wesley Woodyard. Bush got his leg caught awkwardly under Woodyard, the bone snapped, and Bush's senior season came to a very premature end. This happed at the beginning of the 2006 season and Bush hasn’t really run since. The impressive Bush led the nation in scoring in 2005, notching 23 touchdowns and averaging 14.4 points per game. He directly accounted for 28 percent of Louisville's high-powered offense. He has undergone surgery and he will recover fully. NFL Scouts are holding their breath, hoping Bush runs on March 26 during Louisville’s Pro Day. The only big elite back in the 2007 NFL draft (6’ 2” 250 lbs), when healthy, Bush has top 10 talent.

Update: Bush on or around March 20th had a second surgery to place another rod in his leg, so he will definitely not be running before the draft. Bush still claims he will be ready to participate in an NFL training camp this summer/fall, but serious questions are being raised about his health. Bush could slip into the 3rd or 4th round with this recent news.

2. TE Matt Spaeth, Minnesota

During his NFL Combine interview, Minnesota TE Matt Spaeth measured in at a height of 6’ 7” and a weight of 270 pounds. Spaeth tore three ligaments in his shoulder Nov. 21, 2006 and is recovering from reconstructive surgery. He did not work out at the NFL Combine and also miss his Pro Day March 10. Spaeth said, "The shoulder is doing good. Checking it out today, it looks great. Everybody was happy with the way it was. I saw my surgeon on Monday and he's very happy with the way everything has gone." In 2006 he recorded 47 receptions for 564  yards and  4 TDs. A big powerful blocker with nice hands, he could be a late round value for an NFL team that requires their tight ends to block.

3. TE Matt Herian Nebraska

Herian, a senior tight end from Nebraska, suffered a compound fracture of his left leg in the eighth game of the 2004 season, a 24-3 victory against Missouri. Since then, Herian has undergone two surgeries, missed an entire season, and answered the same questions about his health and playing status more times than he cares to remember. He says he’s the same player now that he was two seasons ago. Nebraska coaches didn’t agree. The explosiveness that separated Herian from other tight ends hasn’t yet returned, his coach (Watson) said. “He’s got a dead spot,” Watson said. “He’s got to wind it up.” Yes, it’s still a work in progress, Watson said. Herian missed the entire 2005 season and received an extra year of eligibility. Last season (2006) recovering from the devastating injury, he only played in 8 games, where he recorded 12 receptions for 150 yards and 2 TDs. Herian wasn’t invited to the 2007 NFL Combine, but he might finally be ready for the NFL Draft, on March 9th during Nebraska’s Pro Day Herian (6-4, 242) ran both of his 40s in 4.72 seconds, the short shuttle in 4.45 and the three-cone drill in 7.46. He also had a 38-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot-10 broad jump and 16 lifts.

4. CB Tim Mixon, California

Thought of as a top corner entering his senior season. Some even saw him as a better NFL prospect than his teammate, Daymeion Hughes. Mixon tore the ACL in his right knee in August and missed his entire season senior season (2006). An All-Pac-10 performer in 2005, Mixon finished with 46 tackles and was fourth in the Pac-10 with 13 passes broken up, including three interceptions. Mixon is also an excellent punt and kick returner. In 2005 he finished ninth in the country with a 14.9-yard punt return average, including a 79-yard return for a touchdown against Illinois. CB Tim Mixon is still recovering from the torn ACL he suffered in August, but plans on running on the second Cal Pro Day on March 29.

5. S Leonard Peters, Hawaii

Peters, a once speedy free safety and a viable NFL prospect, missed most of 2005 with an MCL tear sustained early in the season. Prior to the injury, Peters was clearly Hawaii's best player and unquestioned leader on defense. He was granted a 5th season of eligibility and is still trying regain his "reported" 4.45 speed in the 40 yard dash. Peters had a very poor run at the 2007 NFL Combine, running a 4.84 second 40 yard dash. He hopes to improve his time at Hawaii’s Pro Day on March 29 at Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

6. DeAndre Jackson, Iowa State

Cornerback DeAndre Jackson (6-0, 192), is a big-time hitter and solid cover man. He earned All-Big 12 honors in '05 after making 55 tackles and a league-leading five interceptions.  "Jackson is definitely the best defensive back we have on this team," said McCarney. "In my mind, he should be one of the better corners in the Big 12 and all of college football in 2006. This is a tremendous talent, and if you look back at what we did in passes defended, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, interceptions and tackles, you will see DeAndre's name. He is a playmaker who needs to step up and become a leader." Jackson suffered a serious knee injury mid way through the 2006 season and didn’t run at the combine, he plans on running March 19th at Iowa State’s Pro Day and with a good run could end up as a great value pick later in the 2007 NFL draft.

 7. OT Andrew Carnahan, Arizona State
The huge 6' 7" 310 pound, talented offensive tackle underwent season ending knee surgery last September (2006).  He is on schedule to be 100% by the end of April, but he is unlikely to workout for scouts prior to the draft.  There is a possibility Carnahan could start the season on the PUP.

8. WR Mike Mason, Tennessee State
Mike Mason is probably the epitome of the definition of a workout warrior. Largely unknown because he was a transfer from North Carolina and then he severely injured his knee on a kick return in the first quarter of TSU's game against Jackson State in Memphis (9/16). Fortunately it was a sprain of his Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) rather than a tear, so he was able to return, but he didn’t show the same burst during the season that he displayed in the post season. For the year he was averaging 31.3 ypg on kick returns (2nd in the OVC) and had 122 yds on 11 receptions in three games, before his injury. Mason was invited to the NFL combine and he performed outstanding. He measured in at 5’ 11” 190 pounds, had a 39.5” vertical jump, and a 10’ 9” broad jump which was the best jump of all the receivers. He also ran a 4.45 second 40 yard dash, and his 20 yard shuttle run time of 4.08 seconds was tied for first with Ohio State’s WR Anthony Gonzalez. Mason continued to raise some eye brows at Tennessee State’s pro day when he blazed two 40 yard dash times of 4.31 and 4.37 seconds. More of a returner than a receiver at this point, but he has the raw tools to make an NFL squad.