Under The Radar Draft Picks: Michael Mauti, LB

Michael Mauti is an inside linebacker from Penn State, where he is highly regarded as an excellent prospect. You may not have heard of him though because he has had numerous injuries (three ACL tears since 2009). However, when he has played he has been extremely productive, and was a three-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week, First Team All-Big Ten (2012), the Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year (2012), and a First Team All-American (2012).

However, Mauti is recovering nicely, as you can see in this video here. Consider that he ran a 4.6 40-yard dash, in sneakers, after recovering from his latest tear. Furthermore, Mauti is a high character-type of player that loves the game of football, and was the heart and soul of the Penn State team that fought through some serious adversity this past season. Most consider him a second-round talent that will likely fall to the fourth or fifth round due to his injury concerns, where he could be a steal for the New York Jets. In a lot of ways, he is reminiscent of former Penn State player Sean Lee, who also suffered from injury concerns and dropped as a result. Would you be willing to take a flier on Mauti? I know I would.