Editor's Note: Want to know whose stock is rising? Each Monday and Wednesday until the draft, Mel will highlight an underrated prospect -- Kiper's Climber -- who is receiving favorable reviews from NFL scouts.
Kiper's Climber | William Peterson, CB, Western Illinois
William Peterson was initally a great player and prospect at Michigan. When he started with the Wolverines as a freshman and sophomore, he was considered one of the Big Ten's top defensive backs. He played at a consistently excellent level, looking like a future All-American and a potential first-round draft choice.
Then Peterson had some off-the-field problems at Michigan. He left Ann Arbor and played at Youngstown State his junior season before moving onto Western Illinois as a senior. Although he battled through an injury last season, his performance was good enough to warrant another look at his game film from Michigan.
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When he is at full strength, Peterson is potentially a lead corner in the NFL. He could immediately move in as a nickel back.
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Coming out of high school, Peterson was an outstanding tailback. He rushed for over 3,000 yards before starring in Michigan's secondary. As a freshman, he had five pass breakups and then led the Wolverines in interceptions with four as a sophomore. At Western Illinois, Peterson continued his effectiveness. He had five interceptions and 12 pass breakups despite being banged up.
When he is at full strength, Peterson is potentially a lead corner in the NFL. He could immediately move in as a nickel back and work into the packages that call for extra defensive backs. He has good size (6-foot, 200 pounds), runs in the 4.5 range for the 40, and had a 38 ½-inch vertical jump at the combine.
If he shows the focus, attention to detail and consistency that a player needs at the pro level, Peterson could be a starting nickel back as a first-year player, a No. 2 cornerback in two or three years, and perhaps a lead corner. As a prospect, he has moved into the mid-second-round area after once being considered a likely draft pick between the fourth and sixth rounds.