My favorite sleeper in this draft is Elerson Smith, Northern Iowa, OLB, EDGE 6'6" 260. I know, I know...the standing argument is small school, weak schedule. However, this guy played in the Senior Bowl and played very well. So many times you hear about scouts being impressed by a particular player who was at the Senior Bowl and when you go to see the tape they show the practice sessions. Well, I saw the actual game and this guy was impressive.
I have a list here https://forums.theganggreen.com/threads/after-1st-round-players-spotlight.95092/ some of my personal favorites are cameron mcgrone, pete werner, james wiggins, d'wayne eskridge, warren jackson (should be an UDFA), richard wildgoose (could be an UDFA), ans javian hawkins. I assume by sleeper you mean not a 1st or 2nd round guy and mostly 4th or later.
Walker Little, OT - He could have been a top 5 OT in the draft but he got injured in 2019 and sat out 2020 due to Covid. Matt Bushman, TE - He lead BYU in reception as a Freshmen, Sophomore, and Junior, but got injured before the 2020 season. If he would have played last year, he could have worked his way up in the top 5 TEs, plus he would give Wilson some comfort being one of his close friends.
One prospect I've mentioned many times here, WR Anthony Schwartz. Likely a day 3 pick who is a track star. Our WR group needs a speed guy, so who better to fill that role while he develops into a complete receiver.
Deonte Smith- East Carolina-6’5-300 OT/Guard, needs to refine his technique but he has a great foundation to work with. Quick feet, long arms, stays engaged and recovers well. Has a tendency to lunge as he likes to use his upper body strength and arms, and gets a little complacent. He can get to second level pretty well and is suited for a zone blocking scheme because of his quickness.
My list: Jevon Holland - Oregon - Safety Benjamin St-Juste - Minnesota - CB Pierre-Olivier Lestage - UdeM - OT Joshua Palmer - Tennessee - WR Chuba Hubbard - Oklahoma State - RB Amen Ogbongbemiga - Oklahoma State - LB Terrell Jana - Virginia - WR Alaric Jackson - Iowa - OT They all have one thing in common. Can you guess it?
My definition of a sleeper is a guy from a Div. II or III school or a small program Div. I school like Miami, Ohio for example.
Jonathan Adams Jr. - WR, Arkansas State Cam Bynum - CB, Cal Kenny Yeboah - TE, Ole Miss Khyris Tonga - DT, BYU Peter Werner - LB, Ohio State (not really a sleeper) Tommy Togiai - DT, Ohio State (not really a sleeper) TJ Vasher - WR, Texas Tech (character issues) Damonte Coxie - WR, Memphis Drake Jackson - C, Kentucky Javian Hawkins - RB, Louisville All of these Notre Dame offensive lineman. The Buffalo RB Jaret Patterson is an interesting player as well. Bell cow.
that's not really a sleeper then. take quinn meinerz. he's from a D3 school but will be a 2nd round pick. nobody is sleeping on him.
Me and @GasedAndConfused are on the D'Wayne Eskridge WR Western Michigan super intergalactic hype train.
I have a few I really like Ben Cleveland G - This dude is an absolute mauler. He beats the shit out of DTs in the run game. Robert Hainsey G - Great feet, super athletic and has a mean punch. Royce Newman G - Huge upside because of his size and quickness. Trea Berry TE - He’s 6’7”, long arms and is a good athlete. Only played 4 games this year because of Covid. He’s my super sleeper.
Chazz Surratt LB - converted QB at North Carolina, very fluid athlete that has improved every year since his transition to LB. Improved his tackling immensely from 19 to 20 and he seems like the perfect guy for us to take in the 4th round range and let Saleh mold him into a very good WILL. Paulson Adebo CB - might be a borderline sleeper because I think he'll get taken fairly early (late 2nd/3rd round) but if we can't find value at CB or go heavy offense early, getting a guy like Adebo with either 3rd round pick would be great value IMO. Dan Moore OT - definitely more of a late-round flyer guy (6th-7th). Started 36 games for Texas A&M during his career, decent athlete that could become a useable RT in the NFL. Willing run blocker but needs some work on his pass sets. Dazz Newsome WR - likely a slot only guy which is why I think he'll slide down boards (thinking 5th round) but he has everything you want from a slot. Solid separation, solid hands, dangerous after the catch, and an above average route runner. Could be a good Crowder replacement going forward with minimal investment.
Love this kid (I should say man as he's 25). Would be a great pick-up IMO in the 4th or 5th round where you'd be getting second round talent. Obviously, the achilles is a concern but this pick would make a ton of sense.
You have a point, so I will revise my definition of a sleeper. It is a player from one of the fore mentioned class of schools who if they performed at the same level in a BCS Division I school would be considered among the top draft 250+ draft choices. Therefore, I would still consider Meinerz a sleeper even if he is highly regarded by everyone.
