2015 NFL Draft Sleepers and Under-the-Radar Prospects

[Carolina_Packer]

I thought it might be fun to discuss some of the total sleeper prospects for this year's NFL draft. A couple of year's ago, my guy was Michael Hill from Missouri Western, a Division II school, and he ended up having a cup of coffee with Green Bay, which was kind of cool.

My guy this year is Terrell Watson from Azusa Pacific, another Division II school. First, he seems like a great kid, despite unfortunate circumstances with his birth mother. His grandparents stepped up and deserve a lot of credit for helping him when their daughter abandoned him from very early on in this kid's life.

He broke Christian Okoye's school records at Azusa Pacific, and seems like someone whose best football could be ahead of him, especially because he seems like someone who would take to the coaching. http://www.apu.edu/stories/terrell-watson/ Watch the video, which will give you some back story. It would be pretty cool to find a diamond in the rough, plus this kid is easy to pull for. I went to Walter Football site and there is no mention of this kid. I think he will be a college free agent.

http://rotoviz.com/2015/01/terrell-w...ever-heard-of/ (good highlight reel included in article)

Who are your favorite sleepers?

[Fritz]

My own favorite in this category is Jhusta Jhokeen from the Colorado School of Mines. He's from Nigeria and came to the US when he was fourteen. Got to CSM on a lacrosse scholarship, but switched to football his senior year, starting twelve games as a cornerback. Had five interceptions.

He's 6' 2" , weighs 205, runs a 4.34 40. He's as raw as a porn star at the end of a shoot, but he's got the skills and attitude. Getting some press now - might be a sixth or seventh round pick based on his body size and speed alone.

[pbmax]

He's 6' 2" , weighs 205, runs a 4.34 40. He's as raw as a porn star at the end of a shoot, but he's got the skills and attitude. Getting some press now - might be a sixth or seventh round pick based on his body size and speed alone.

What are things you won't hear Mike Mayock say during draft coverage?

[denverYooper]

CSM is like Michigan Tech. It's a smaller engineering-focused school. The school is tough and they have pretty high standards but don't get a lot of the national pub.

So the guy's probably pretty smart.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I was reading an article on Kyle Emanuel of North Dakota State that stated some teams project him as a 3-4 ILB. In an interview he confirmed that some teams see him as a 3-4 ILB. I hadn't seen him being projected inside before, but it makes him more intriguing for the Pack. I looked at his measurable. He's bigger, but his measurables are similar to Sam Barrington (a bit better but pretty close in almost all categories).

Sam Barrington = 6'1" 246, 4.83 40, 4.25 shuttle, 7.16 cone, 32.5 vertical, 117 broad, 22 bench
Kyle Emanuel = 6'3" 255, 4.77 40, 4.25 shuttle, 7.10 cone, 34 vertical, 120 broad, 27 bench

Barrington's numbers came from his Pro Day (which tend to be helpful to the player). Emanuel's numbers came from the scouting combine.

[Fritz]

I was reading an article on Kyle Emanuel of North Dakota State that stated some teams project him as a 3-4 ILB. In an interview he confirmed that some teams see him as a 3-4 ILB. I hadn't seen him being projected inside before, but it makes him more intriguing for the Pack. I looked at his measurable. He's bigger, but his measurables are similar to Sam Barrington (a bit better but pretty close in almost all categories).

Sam Barrington = 6'1" 246, 4.83 40, 4.25 shuttle, 7.16 cone, 32.5 vertical, 117 broad, 22 bench
Kyle Emanuel = 6'3" 255, 4.77 40, 4.25 shuttle, 7.10 cone, 34 vertical, 120 broad, 27 bench

Barrington's numbers came from his Pro Day (which tend to be helpful to the player). Emanuel's numbers came from the scouting combine.

It's all about the cone, baby.

[smuggler]

I scouted Emanuel a bit during some mock drafts I ran through. He's typically seen as a late 5th rounder through an early 7th rounder, from what I can tell...

[Carolina_Packer]

http://www.sportingnews.com/list/464...-david-johnson

Emanuel is listed as #11 in the list above, which has some other guys who are consistently on the sleeper lists I am finding. Check out the production jump he had from junior to senior year:

http://gobison.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4604

Tre McBride and Donatella Luckett are intriguing WR talent from smaller schools. If they are around later in the draft, I'd love to see the Packers get someone like that.

By far the best name I've run across (besides Donatella) is Jaquiski Tartt, SS from Samford. That dude looks like he would light you up, ala Cam Chancellor.

[Freak Out]

A Packer Scout never needs to visit ND State....they have Harvey there.

[vince]

Justin Coleman - CB Tennessee
Best 3-cone among CBs. Like Fritz says, it's all about the 3-cone baby. Not exactly a sleeper school, but late round or undrafted potential inside and outside as a nickel.

[Carolina_Packer]

We'll just consider it under the radar, Vince! Good one.

[pbmax]

I am pretty sure UT has been sleeping for a while.

[Carolina_Packer]

What do you think of Zach Zenner from South Dakota State? 3 2,000 plus yard rushing seasons, albeit against weaker competition. I've heard it said that if a player dominates at the level they are at, that means there is a chance for their talent to show out at the next level. http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profil...ner?id=2552384 He was invited to the combine, and participated at the East-West Shrine game, so he is not necessarily a sleeper or under the radar, but he might be passed over during the draft, which is where TT comes in! Kuhn won't last forever, and if Zenner makes the team, they might be able to move him to FB, with the added benefit that he can also play RB if depth is needed. Makes you wonder how he got overlooked coming out of high school.

[mraynrand]

Justin Coleman - CB Tennessee
Best 3-cone among CBs. Like Fritz says, it's all about the 3-cone baby. Not exactly a sleeper school, but late round or undrafted potential inside and outside as a nickel.

me likey. Hate his speed,but the dude can tackle and has a knack/battles off the line. Cheat likes this kinda db.

[Carolina_Packer]

Anyone remember former Northwestern RB Venric Mark? He transferred his senior year to a DII school after facing a two game suspension at Northwestern. There's got to be more to it, but he went back to TX to live near his family, and was able to play DII right away. He has some wiggle and shake, and while small, could definitely help as a dual threat punt and kickoff return guy.

At the 2:25 mark in the video below, look who catches up to Mark and tackles him; none other than the Micah Hyde while at the University of Iowa.



Turn down the sound if you don't like the music (worked for me).

[Carolina_Packer]

This is a pretty cool link: http://www.draftdaddy.com/ranks/smallschool_RB.htm

[pittstang5]

Lynden Trail

DE/OLB Norfolk State 6' 6" 260 lbs

His measurables say 4-3 DE and is probably his best fit, but he played OLB in Norfolk States 3-4 defense.

Could be this years version of Zombo / So'to / Mulumba / Elliot

[mraynrand]

Could be this years version of Zombo / So'to / Mulumba / Elliot

a veritable lineup of who's not who.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Lynden Trail has a talent for swatting down passes. Had 18 of them in three years. He was a WR in high school and took some snaps at TE at the Senior Bowl. I wouldn't draft him but a possible UDFA.

[Carolina_Packer]

Yeah, draft draft prognosticators call him very raw, and say he doesn't flash much, buy oh, the raw materials! With the right coaching, and his own hard work, he could be like a Julius Peppers, given his size and athleticism. If he gets drafted late and develops and becomes even close to what Peppers was, that would be an incredible job of draft and develop.