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2012 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Feb 26, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Mohamed Sanu participates in a catch and run drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE
Feb 26, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Mohamed Sanu participates in a catch and run drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

Mohamed Sanu of Rutgers will most likely be the first player from any of the New York/New Jersey area regional schools chosen in the 2012 NFL Draft. Coming off his so-so performance at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine, Sanu seems likely to be a second round pick at best.

Suppose the 6-foot-2, 218-pound Sanu is available to the Giants at the bottom of the second round this April. Or even the third round. Would you be interested, Giants fans? Let's use today's 2012 NFL Draft Prospect Profile to look at the former Scarlet Knights star.

Entering the combine, NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock expressed some concerns about Sanu's speed and ability to get open against NFL defensive backs. With a 4.67 40-yard dash at the Combine Sanu didn't do much to allay those concerns. Sanu had been considered a possible first-round pick entering the Combine, and that may no longer be the case. "I like him, he's physical, he has good hands, but he's way overrated. He can't get open," wrote ESPN's Todd McShay.

Complete scouting reports after the jump.

NFL.com has good and bad things to say about Sanu:

On the positive side: "He has good size and is capable of making a lot of plays within a West Coast offense. He is a player who can separate well and excels in the short to intermediate passing game, an ideal receiver for a timing-based, pass-often offense. He is a polished all-around player."

On the negative side: "Sanu is virtually non-existent in the deep passing game. He is slow off the line of scrimmage and doesn't have the speed to get behind NFL corners. He can get lazy in and out of his breaks downfield, and he almost loses interest in competing once the route gets deeper than 7 to 10 yards. He is not an explosive athlete with the ball in his hands."

Draft Tek lists Sanu's strengths and weaknesses this way:

Strengths
- Great at finding holes in zones
- Good route runner
- Versatile athlete
- Special teams versatility
- Able to break tackles
- Good hands

Weaknesses
- Not elite speed
- Some trouble with physicality off the line of scrimmage
- Might be a "tweener" in NFL: questions about separation and aerial ability

Wes Bunting of the National Football Post likes what he sees despite the lack of top end speed.

"Physically reminds me some of Hakeem Nicks. Isn't as NFL ready, but can go get the football, breakdown and separate on all levels of the field. Looks like a future NFL starter who might need some time, but the talent is most definitely there."

Mohamed Sanu Profile

Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 218 pounds
School: Rutgers
40 time: 4.67
2011 Stats: 115 receptions, 1,206 yards (10.5 yards per catch), 7 touchdowns

Complete List Of Prospect Profiles

Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
Kelechi Osemele, OG, Iowa State
Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
Emmanuel Acho, LB, Texas
Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
Dont'a Hightower, MLB, Alabama
Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State
Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina
Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia
Mark Barron, S, Alabama
Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson