This is a list of my sleeper prospects for this year’s draft. I’m not talking Jimmy Garoppolo. He’s far past a sleeper at this point. I’m talking guys you may have not even heard of before but not guys who are going to be potential UDFA either. Also, a lot of these guys I don’t have a lot to say about. I can tell you the small things I like about them but it’s not going to be a whole lot more than what I had in my position rankings or more than just my personal feelings, just know that. So here it is, not a massive list but feel free to rate, hate, critique, whatever you want.

Quarterbacks

Tom Savage, QB, Pittsburgh – Savage could very, very easily become the best quarterback from this draft. He’s got good size, good arm, is great in the pocket and decent accuracy. He needs to improve on his accuracy and decision making for the NFL but he’s definitely someone who, if your team drafts, you need to watch and be excited about.

Running backs

James White, RB, Wisconsin – White is an absolute beast. He’s small and stocky with good speed and hands. My favorite part of his game is his ability and willingness to block. If he was at almost any school besides Wisconsin, he would have been a starter without question. But, at Wisconsin he was behind Montee Ball and Melvin Gordon so he was kind of fucked lol. Look for White to make an immediate impact in the NFL.

Wide Receivers

Mike Davis, WR, Texas – Davis isn’t the biggest or fastest receiver but he has solid hands and plays bigger than he is. Honestly, I don’t have a whole lot more to say about him other than I like him and can see big things from him. Then again, I liked a lot of what turned out to be shitty receivers last year too haha.
Robert Herron, WR, Wyoming – Herron reminds me of a Wes Welker type of guy, but faster. I want him on the Cardinals, round 4 or 5 sounds good.
Devin Street, WR, Pittsburgh – Street is a good combination of height and speed. But he’s a bit thin. If he can pack on some muscle to bang with some of the bigger defenders in the NFL, he could be a major steal.

Offensive Tackles

Seantrel Henderson, OT, Miami – Henderson is one of those guys who has all the pieces but has never put them together. He’s got great size and mobility but for one reason or another, he can’t stay on the field. Suspension, surgery, car accident, it just hasn’t worked out for him yet. If he goes somewhere where he doesn’t have to be called on early and can sit behind a solid vet, learn, get 100% healthy and just understand the game better, he’s going to be an incredible steal for someone.

Centers

Gabe Ikard, C/G, Oklahoma – Ikard was one of the highest rated interior lineman last year and this year it seems like no one is talking about him. He had a solid season and played well. He’s a bit undersized for guard in the NFL and should play center but he could suffice as a guard. I see no reason to sleep on him and he should go earlier than he’s projected at the moment.

4-3 Defensive Ends/3-4 Outside Linebackers

Khalil Mack, DE/OLB, Buffalo – What? Yeah, people are still saying Clowney is better.
Marcus Smith, DE/OLB, Louisville – Smith is being incredibly undervalued at the moment. He’s projected to be a third rounder (second by some) but I wouldn’t have any issue with a team taking him as early as the late first. He’s up there as one of the better pass rushers in this draft. Arizona, round 2.

Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle/3-4 Defensive End

Beau Allen, DT/NT, Wisconsin – Allen is just a blue collar, hand in the dirt guy. He fights for every inch and doesn’t seem to ever give up. I like him a lot. Reminds me of a JJ Watt type of guy, not as high profile as Watt but a massive motor and never give up attitude. We’ll see how he turns out. Seems like a lot of, if not all of the guys who come out of Wisconsin are like this.
Taylor Hart, DE/DT, Oregon – It’s difficult to ever judge Oregon prospect accurately. They blow out so many opponents you miss their defensive prospects but their talents can also be inflated by the offense (see Dion Jordan last year, also he wasn’t used properly in Miami, but you get the point). While I understand all of that, I still like Hart a lot. He’s raw, that’s for damn sure, but he has loads of potential.

4-3 Outside Linebacker

Telvin Smith, OLB/S, Florida State – I don’t think Smith can legitimately play safety, if he does he’ll be like Kam Chancellor. But, I think he’ll be a great 4-3 OLB. In fact, I think he is the best 4-3 OLB from this draft yet he’s being raked out as like a third rounder. He’s an incredible athlete who’s very fast and quick, great ball skills and fantastic coverage skills. Sure tackler with a high motor. I would honestly be stoked if the Cardinals drafted him to play SS.
Jordan Zumwalt, ILB/OLB, UCLA – I don’t have a lot to say about Zumwalt other than I personally really like his play a lot. We’ll just see how he plays out, but keep an eye on him.

Inside Linebacker

Chris Borland, ILB, Wisconsin – Borland is getting some respect now but not enough. He is my clear cut #1 ILB in this draft. Mosley is overrated, Shazier is really good but better fit on the outside. Borland, like every Wisconsin prospect (as I said already haha) is just a blue collar, hard working, high motor, never give up kind of guy you love to have on your team.
Jordan Zumwalt, ILB/OLB, UCLA – See above in 4-3 OLB.
Max Bullough, ILB, Michigan State – Bullough isn’t the best in pass coverage but he is a monster in run support and punishes anyone who gets near him with the ball. He’s going to be a great fit in a 3-4 where he won’t be so relied on in pass coverage.

Cornerback

E.J. Gaines, CB, Missouri – I’ve been in love with Gaines forever now. He’s got solid ball skills and is reliable in pass coverage. Don’t be surprised if you see him sneak into round 2.
Rashaad Reynolds, CB, Oregon State – Reynolds is being overlooked some because of his size. He’s a bit small but he’s gritty and ferocious. He’s this year’s Tyrann Mathieu without the off the field issues lol.
Aaron Colvin, CB, Oklahoma – Colvin is falling because he blew out his knee during the Senior Bowl. Before that, he was still being undervalued. He’s good in man coverage, good instincts, speed and makes plays on the ball. He could add a little muscle but aside from that, the injury is the only thing I see keeping him down. He’s going to start the season on the PUP list. Whoever drafts him would be wise to just not use him this year, stash him and let him come back fresh next season. 49ers are going to be looking good for a move like that just like they did with Lattimore last year.
Ciante Evans, CB, Nebraska – I just like this guy, that’s all.

Safety

Hakeem Smith, S, Louisville – Smith is being projected by some as an UDFA. That’s fucking ridiculous to me. He’s a mid rounder at worst. The guy is loaded with talent. He’s best fit as an SS in the NFL most likely but he still has some decent coverage skills. Smith was completely in the shadow of Pryor all year so I can see why he’s being overlooked some.

Punter/Kicker

You’re fucking kidding me, right?








2014 Post-Combine Mocks:

2014 v1.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70276439&f=204
2014 v2.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70330426&f=204
2014 v3.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70377396&f=204
2014 v4.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70419210&f=204
2014 v5.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70454553&f=204
2014 v6.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70552751&f=204

2014 Pre-Combine Mocks:

2014 v1.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=68890136&f=204
2014 v2.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=68924563&f=204
2014 v3.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=68967249&f=204
2014 v4.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69010879&f=204
2014 v5.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69056177&f=204
2014 v6.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69101987&f=204
2014 v7.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69165845&f=204
2014 v8.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69235121&f=204
2014 v9.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69285391&f=204
2014 v10.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69468393&f=204
2014 v11.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69541086&f=204
2014 v12.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69649564&f=204
2014 v13.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69715922&f=204
2014 v14.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69804282&f=204
2014 v15.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69884204&f=204
2014 v16.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70065320&f=204
2014 v17.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70114829&f=204
2014 v18.0: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70223516&f=204

2014 Reverse Mock: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70171605&f=204

2014 Perfect Matches: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70358172&f=204

2014 Team Needs: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70154753&f=204


2014 Mid-Season Big Board: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69198359&f=204
2014 End of Season Pre-Combine Big Board: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70120112&f=204
2014 Post Combine Big Board: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70316056&f=204
2014 Final Big Board: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70519763&f=204


2014 Position Rankings Pre-Combine:

QB: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69847793&f=204
HB: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69861320&f=204
FB: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69913671&f=204
WR: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69871600&f=204
TE: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69931929&f=204
OT: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69949549&f=204
OG: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69967274&f=204
C: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69891036&f=204

4-3 DE: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69974520&f=204
3-4 DE: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69985919&f=204
DT/NT: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69919859&f=204
4-3 OLB: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70004254&f=204
3-4 OLB: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70009927&f=204
ILB: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69882592&f=204
CB: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70046196&f=204
S: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=69902916&f=204
K/P: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70046263&f=204


Previous Year Mocks:

2013 Final Mock: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=67113792&f=204
2013 Draft Analysis: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=67228920&f=204

2012 Draft Analysis: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=62247355&f=204

Do you view most of these guys as 3rd rounders? 5th rounders? Where (approximately) did you put the cutoff between solid player and "sleeper" in terms of rounds?

Allen Robinson sleeper WR

I watched Gaines play over the last 3 years at Mizzou, and I think he's been one of the most underrated players on our team since my freshman year. He's small, but he's got a nose for the ball, tackles well and covers decently well too. He's chippy.

This post was edited by Benny21 on Apr 14 2014 12:50pm

Homer

Mizzou sucks

Won our division in our 2nd year in the SEC lol

Bama and Florida are the only others to do that. Mizzou would drop 50 on Penn State

#1 2015 recruiting class in the nation, things are changing around here........ #1 recruiting class and can't even go to a bowl game (yet), PSU has a bright future

I wouldn't mind having Khalil Mack at OLB in a 3-4 defense but he's not going to be able to play all over the field in Romeo Crennel's defense. Jadeveon Clowney will be able to play with his hands in the ground at defensive end on certain plays. He'll draw two blockers which will free up J.J. Watt. If he's man on man he's going to cause some havoc. As good as Mack is I don't see many highlights of him at Buffalo with two or three guys trying to block him.

Well, with the exception of Mack and Borland who are more just here for homer purposes, all of these guys grade out as 4th+ right now.

Aaron Murray