When the Dallas Cowboys opened their rookie minicamp last Friday, Calvin Watkins of ESPN Dallas highlighted Saalim Hakim as a player to watch during the minicamp, saying:
The brother of former NFL player Az-Zahir Hakim spent just one season at Tarleton State after playing at Palomar Junior College in California. Hakim, an undrafted free agent, caught 18 passes for 358 yards and two touchdowns for Tarleton State, including a game-winning catch against Texas A&M Commerce in 2010. Hakim missed the deadline to declare for the draft after his 2010 season and spent 2011 in the United Football League. Hakim has been clocked at 4.29 in the 40.
Hakim, though, struggled during the weekend, with Todd Archer reporting that the wide receiver dropped two passes, and was pushed around by cornerback Isaac Madison.
The Locos list Hakim at 6' even, 195 lbs. It's not exactly big size, but for a guy who can run the 40 in 4.29, it's more than adequate. There's plenty more to being a wide receiver aside from size and speed, hands are crucial to the position -- and Hakim did not display good hands over the weekend, dropping two passes.
Hakim certainly seems like a long-shot to make Dallas' roster. There does appear to be plenty of talent you can't teach with Hakim, evidenced by his 40 time, but his lackluster collegiate career doesn't give a lot of room for optimism. Hakim's speed will keep him on Dallas' radar, but he's going to have to make great strides through the summer to be a legitimate candidate to make the 2012 Cowboys.