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While much of the attention of Draft season revolves around the guys at the top of the draft, sometimes it's good to see who some of the guys are that'll be around in the last round, to try and find that diamond-in-the-rough type player. Bill Polian did it time and again, finding guys in the 6th and 7th rounds that ended up being key contributors in the Colts success. Today we'll look at a late-round Receiver, Alec Lemon from Syracuse.
Lemon played in all four seasons for the Orange, amassing 201 career catches, almost 2600 yards and 18 touchdowns, but his junior and senior seasons were where he really shined. He broke the Syracuse record for receptions in a season with 68 back in 2011, then decided to break his own record this past season with 72, plus had over 1000 yards receiving and seven TDs. He was named a First Team All-Big East WR last season.
He had the good fortune to have a potential first round QB throwing to him as well in Ryan Nassib, so he had plenty of opportunities to improve and make plays on the ball. I have to admit I didn't watch any Syracuse football in the past four years (a late November 18 degree day in South Bend, 2008, still doesn't sit well), so I can't go on anything other than stats and write-ups from others online. Personally I like seeing production for a full four years in college, yet Patterson from Tennessee is the top guy in this WR class, and he only played one season at UT.
How will he fit with the Colts? He seems to be more of a possession receiver, so my guess is he'd run a lot of the routes that Reggie Wayne runs now, although I guess that may be changing this season as well. For a 7th rounder, is it time to get a guy that could learn from Wayne? It might depend on what other positions are filled by both Free Agency as well as earlier draft picks. Taking a guy in a strictly back-up role, especially at a position where a bigger, down the field receiver is needed, probably isn't in the cards. Lemon's production may make you take a second look though.
Profile from SB Nation's Syracuse blog, Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician:
Strengths: Excellent route runner, experience and "clutch" gene.
Weaknesses: Lack of speed and strength and injury history.
Big Moment: Single handedly ensuring that Syracuse became bowl eligible with his final drive performance against Missouri.
Stats from Sports-Reference.com
Combine Measurements:
| Height | Weight | 40 Time | Bench | Broad Jump | Vertical | 3 Cone Drill | 20 Yd. Shuttle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6'0" | 202 | 4.59 | 7 | 9"4' | 32" | 7.04 | 4.29 |