Sleeper of the Week: Rodger Saffold

by Jon Dove on Mar 11, 2010 10:00 AM EST in 2010 NFL Draft

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 pick a Sleeper of the Week and review what makes this player a potential sleeper and what teams might be interested.

Player:

Rodger Saffold- OT- Indiana

Projected Rounds:

2nd- 4th rounds

Thoughts:

Rodger Saffold has picked up a lot of game experience since starting as a true freshman for Indiana. All of Saffold’s starts have come at left tackle which is a very important position in the NFL. Saffold played in the Big Ten which isn’t short on playmaking pass rushers. Saffold has good enough size and athletic ability to remain at left tackle in the NFL. I think that Saffold’s game experience against top competition will lead to a successful NFL career. Saffold could come off the board in round 2 but even at that position could be a steal.

Potential Teams:

Washington team needs; Oakland team needs; Colts team needs; Chiefs team needs; Chargers team needs; Bills team needs; Packers team needs; Lions team needs

Poll

Is there too much value placed on the Left Tackle position?

Yes

39 votes

No

177 votes

216 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 1 recs |

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Comments

do we know the extent of his injury history?? below was taken from scout.com

The 6-foot-4, 316-pound offensive tackle already impressed pro talent evaluators with his toughness and durability after rolling up 41 consecutive starts—especially since he played through the 2008 season with a brace due to a back injury.

“I don’t know if anybody has ever had lower back pain, but when you have a fracture back there—I mean, I couldn’t put on my own socks,” he said. "It was hard putting on my own shoes.

by durst on Mar 11, 2010 10:34 AM EST reply actions

Yea, that's a red flag but team doctors will for sure give him a full physical

I linked to him on the Redskins site as well..

http://www.hogshaven.com/2010/3/3/1334602/indiana-ol-rodger-saffold-2nd

"I am excited about starting 2009. We are looking forward to an outstanding year. We're on our way. We have a lot of healthy players this year." - Vinny Cerrato

by Kevin Ewoldt on Mar 11, 2010 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

Bills

Would love for Bills to pick up Dan Williams with the 9th pick and Saffold in the second. We could address two of our (many) team needs.

by TedWashington'sRobotDance on Mar 11, 2010 3:03 PM EST via mobile reply actions

He never impressed me during the season. He is overrated.

Scientific research has proven that you lose exactly 5.37 billion brain cells every time you listen to Todd McShay.

by TheRealSlimShady on Mar 11, 2010 7:51 PM EST reply actions

TRSS, do you watch Indiana regularly?

Saffold is a guy who has really jumped up in the draft over the last month or so [since the Shrine game] and I am wondering why he did not stand out during the season.

What don’t you like about him?

by NorthLeft12 on Mar 12, 2010 7:42 AM EST up reply actions