Players who are selected in the final two rounds of the NFL draft or are signed as rookie free agents are typically not the most naturally gifted athletes. But those players may have a few characteristics that allow a team's management and coaching staff to believe they will become a players who can eventually contribute. The team looks at these type of players as projects.
New Position
Some NFL players have played a different position in college than they do at the professional level. When a player switches positions after leaving college, he becomes an immediate project. A linebacker with decent athletic ability may be moved to tight end when he gets to the NFL. It will take him time to learn the nuances of the position. Once he understands what is required of him to play the position, he has to show he can execute those plays against top-level pros. A player who becomes a project player usually has about two years to make progress or the team will lose patience with him.
New to the Sport
Most NFL players have been playing organized football since they were in elementary school. However, some athletes come to the game later in life. A solid power forward in college basketball may project to become an NFL linebacker or tight end. This was the case with San Diego Charger tight end Antonio Gates. He played college basketball at Kent State, yet the Chargers saw enough from him to bring him in as a free agent. He eventually became an All-Pro player.
Off-the-Field Issues
NFL teams are interested in players with overwhelming athletic ability and talent. However, immature players may squander this talent by getting into trouble that prevents them from playing college football. Tampa Bay drafted running back LeGarrette Blount in 2010 even though he was suspended for much of the season in 2009 after he punched an opponent in the face in full view of the television cameras. Blount did not have a chance to develop in 2009, so the Bucs decided to give him a chance to develop because they thought he had outstanding talent. Blount rewarded the Bucs by rushing for 1,007 yards in the 2010 season.
Success Story
Not all project players work out, but Kurt Warner certainly did after coming into the league as a major project. Warner had played with the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League when the Rams signed him to be a backup quarterback in 1998. The following season, Warner got a chance to play when starter Trent Green went down with a season-ending injury in the preseason. St. Louis had a brilliant season and won the Super Bowl while Warner won the league's Most Valuable Player award. Throughout his 12-year NFL career, Warner completed 65.5 percent of his passes and threw 208 touchdown passes.
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