Best Sleepers in the 2022 NFL Draft that the Saints should target.
Zander Horvath, RB/FB, Purdue: Horvath has drawn many comparisons to former Boilermaker Mike Alstott, and that’s high praise. While the 2 players share many similarities, Horvath is easily the superior athlete, as evidenced by his 9.82 RAS score.
“When Purdue running back Zander Horvath broke his fibula in the 49-0 win over UConn earlier this season, college football fans and NFL Draft analysts were deprived of the opportunity to further study a rare creature in his natural habitat.
Horvath plays the game with a physicality that you’d expect from a 6’3″, 230-pound running back. Yet, he combines that physicality with an athleticism associated with a smaller framed athlete. The Purdue RB also has the hands of a wide receiver while possessing the blocking ability that most playmakers can only dream of.
At the time of his injury, Horvath averaged 4.6 yards per carry and 9.0 yards per reception for his career. While he has played exclusively as a running back for the Boilermakers, his size and skill set should see him effortlessly transition to fullback in the NFL like former Purdue RB Mike Alstott did for Tampa Bay.”
Horvath could provide the Saints offense with a substantial upgrade at the FB position, while also doubling as a short-yardage power RB and viable safety valve as a receiver out of the backfield. As a bonus, Horvath can also contribute on special teams (like he did as he was earning his spot on Purdue as a walk-on).
Zach Line was a converted college RB, and he was one of the better Saints’ FBs in recent memory, but Horvath could be much more… Line and current 49er stud FB Kyle Juszczyk both ran a 4.77 40 yard dash entering the NFL… Horvath bested both players in that regard when he ran a 4.57 40 at the Purdue Pro Day.
A little highlight reel as well…
Zander Horvath, RB/FB, Purdue: Horvath has drawn many comparisons to former Boilermaker Mike Alstott, and that’s high praise. While the 2 players share many similarities, Horvath is easily the superior athlete, as evidenced by his 9.82 RAS score.
“When Purdue running back Zander Horvath broke his fibula in the 49-0 win over UConn earlier this season, college football fans and NFL Draft analysts were deprived of the opportunity to further study a rare creature in his natural habitat.
Horvath plays the game with a physicality that you’d expect from a 6’3″, 230-pound running back. Yet, he combines that physicality with an athleticism associated with a smaller framed athlete. The Purdue RB also has the hands of a wide receiver while possessing the blocking ability that most playmakers can only dream of.
At the time of his injury, Horvath averaged 4.6 yards per carry and 9.0 yards per reception for his career. While he has played exclusively as a running back for the Boilermakers, his size and skill set should see him effortlessly transition to fullback in the NFL like former Purdue RB Mike Alstott did for Tampa Bay.”
Horvath could provide the Saints offense with a substantial upgrade at the FB position, while also doubling as a short-yardage power RB and viable safety valve as a receiver out of the backfield. As a bonus, Horvath can also contribute on special teams (like he did as he was earning his spot on Purdue as a walk-on).
Zach Line was a converted college RB, and he was one of the better Saints’ FBs in recent memory, but Horvath could be much more… Line and current 49er stud FB Kyle Juszczyk both ran a 4.77 40 yard dash entering the NFL… Horvath bested both players in that regard when he ran a 4.57 40 at the Purdue Pro Day.
A little highlight reel as well…