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-watson-best-rb-prospect-youve-never-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/4641026-nfl-draft-2015-sleepers-schedule-order-small-schools-players-prospects-scouting-tre-mcbride-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.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fJSCkdz5ts

[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/profiles/zach-zenner?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.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I00tb_OcxtU

[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.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk89NBcO9q0

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.

[vince]

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/profiles/zach-zenner?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.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I00tb_OcxtU
As a runner, I'm not saying it's not there, but I am saying I don't see it. Maybe as a fullback (though 225 ain't big enough for that) as you said Carolina or 3rd down specialist (doubt it), but I just don't see a lot of wiggle - or power for that matter. He ran through a number of high tackles but that's due to bad tackling and the level of competition.

He's a good player but I just think the game has changed and what he has doesn't bring much value anymore - especially at 225. Alstott was closer to 250 than 225, and that skillset isn't coming back into vogue anytime soon I don't think.

jmo

[Carolina_Packer]

Vince, if someone made me choose between Tyler Varga from Yale and Zach Zenner from SDSU, I'd take Varga. The more I see of that Varga kid, the more I like, but really as a John Kuhn replacement. I think Varga has an it factor, and would be a demon on special teams as well. If he's there late in the draft, and he might be a college free agent, I'd snag him. I think he's got game, but you'd have to know if he's OK with playing FB, or would be any good at it for that matter.

[smuggler]

If Varga is there in the 6th hell yes... He already has the blitz awareness we demand at FB.

[vince]

Both those Great White Hopes fall nicely into the “sleeper” theme of this thread and I’m a bit off topic with this post, so sorry in advance about the thread jack…

If/when Ted drafts a back, I hope he’s getting Starks’ AND Kuhn’s replacement in one – a guy who can (at least learn to) pass protect, catch AND run. Perhaps he’ll need to pick his guy before the sixth to get that, or maybe one of them can be that guy. I just can’t help but prefer they take a guy they know can run and think he can learn to protect vs. a guy they know can block and hope can run at the NFL level.

Guys like David Johnson or T.J. Yeldon – someone who falls to day 3, but drops to the fourth or fifth instead of the 6th or 7th … Add a TE that has H-back abilities and now he’s consolidated 3 roster spots into two and (hopefully) upgraded the skillset with younger talent as well.

I know you probably agree with that Carolina, and it’s obviously easy to pick apart any sleeper pick, which is not the point of the thread in the first place, so I apologize about being that guy. I just don’t want a sleeper pick at any running back spot for the Packers – especially one who’s projection/ceiling is John Kuhn.

[Carolina_Packer]

I see your points, Vince. I don't think it's imperative to choose a running back or even a "Kuhn replacement", however, if we're projecting down the road, which is what the later rounds can be in terms of development, I'd say you are spot on to be talking about a versatile guy. My point was not really about need, but value. Heck yeah, if T.J. Yeldon or David Johnson (a WR in high school before he grew more at Northern Iowa) is there on Day 3, you gotta take a look, no matter who you are. I'd give the same respect to a Tyler Varga. Just for me, if it's the 6th round, and Varga is there, I take him, hoping best case scenario he develops into replacement for Starks, or at worst, a replacement for Kuhn. Again, that's if he's just ripe for the picking on day 3. Something tells me that kid is going to show out if he gets a chance. He's got some serious smarts to go along with his athletic ability. I think I read he wants to be an orthopedic surgeon when he's done with football. He can speak 3 languages. Pretty impressive.

[pbmax]

Daniel Jeremiah ‏@MoveTheSticks 7h7 hours ago
Small school name to know for the draft: Texas Southern CB Tray Walker. 6'2 187 lbs. Lot of tools to work with.

[MadScientist]

Well for the most part, the Packers pre-draft visits count as a list of sleepers.

There's a list from http://walterfootball.com/ProspectMeetings/ByTeam
But that list includes players the Packers met a the combine, etc. The ones the bring in to GB are mostly the 6th round through UDFA list.

[wist43]

Christian Covington, DT, Rice

6'2", 290 lbs

Love this guy... only question is injury history.

[wist43]

Davis Tull, Chattanooga

6'2", 260 lbs

Played DE, listed as an OLB prospect, but from what I saw of him I don't think he fits on the outside. Think he'd be best inside.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSWkozmJefM

[red]

how bout Quentin Rollins, cb for miami of ohio

not really a sleeper or under the radar guy (probably a 2nd rounder), but my god, wow

4 year starter at PG on the redhawks basketball team. wasn't gonna get drafted to the NBA, so last spring he tries out for the football team and makes it. in his one and only season of football becomes team mvp, leads team in tackles (71) and int's (7). was named MAC defensive player of the year and first team all conference

[vince]

how bout Quentin Rollins, cb for miami of ohio

not really a sleeper or under the radar guy (probably a 2nd rounder), but my god, wow

4 year starter at PG on the redhawks basketball team. wasn't gonna get drafted to the NBA, so last spring he tries out for the football team and makes it. in his one and only season of football becomes team mvp, leads team in tackles (71) and int's (7). was named MAC defensive player of the year and first team all conference
I really like him too, after Johnson, Jones and Rowe. He ran slow at the combine but he's more quick than fast. He'd be a great pick-up in the fourth, but I think somebody's going to grab him earlier than that. I think he'll be playing a lot on Sunday for somebody before long.

[pbmax]

TE James O'Shaughnessy, Illinois State


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iof7sfPhrwY

Dates: 03/25/15 03/03 @Northwestern
Height: 6042
Weight: 248
40 Yrd Dash: 4.68
20 Yrd Dash: 2.71
10 Yrd Dash: 1.61 225 Lb. Bench Reps: 16
Vertical Jump: 35
Broad Jump: 09'08"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.38
3-Cone Drill: 7.20

[Carolina_Packer]

O'Shaughnessy looks like a pretty good prospect. He wouldn't make a GM forget about Maxx Williams, but he could make a GM think twice about having to take him at #30 if he was concerned that Williams might be gone by pick #60, and said GM didn't want to trade up in the 2nd round. This is a guy that could fall right in your lap in rounds 4 or 5, like an Andrew Quarless did. Say what you want, but Q has stuck around.

[smuggler]

Q was definitely worth his draft choice. Better than you get from some selections...

[pbmax]

O'Shaughnessy also has the benefit of winning you some respect while talking about the draft with your friends. He doesn't have a profile on most sites. He has stats on nfldraftscout.whatever and Emory talks about him, but not much else. Scout.com has no profile on him and while Bill Huber put him in his preview for TEs, the scouts on the site spend no time on him.

Did McGinn cover him?

[pbmax]

Bob: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/talented-dorial-green-beckham-comes-with-red-flags-b99485287z1-301013621.html


Williams, with 15 first-place votes and 70 points, was followed by Clive Walford (49, one first), Tyler Kroft (21), Funchess (18, three firsts), Jeff Heuerman (12), Randall Telfer (five), Blake Bell (four), Busta Anderson (three), A.J. Derby (two), Jesse James (two), Nick O'Leary (two), James O'Shaughnessy (one) and Wes Saxton (one).

He made someone's Top 4 list.

[Carolina_Packer]

OL, Cole Manhart, Nebraska-Kearney, DII (great name, go Lopers!)

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/cole-manhart?id=2552241

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmr2eRxHEI4 (his interview starts at 16 minute mark) If there's a potential to develop this kid into something at the NFL level, character would seem to be of no concern, as he seems like a great kid. I'm guessing he'll be a priority free agent.

http://www.d2football.com/pros/51/ (Cole Manhart appears on this list, along with some other intriguing prospects like Donatella Lockett)

[pbmax]

Packer Report ‏@PackerReport 39m39 minutes ago
Everyone loves a sleeper. How about Caushaud Lyons, a possible five-tech from Tusculum. 9 sacks, 19 TFLs, D-II All-American as senior.

[smuggler]

That's a good first name/university combo!

[wist43]

Was listening on the radio today, and some commentator - don't know who it was... was talking up Maryland LB Yannick Cudjoe-Virgil.

I looked him up, and he isn't even on anybody's radar - and what tape I could find of him was uninspiring.

So if anyone has heard of/seen him....

Said the guy was as athletic as any LB in the draft... but I couldn't find any evidence of that.

[Joemailman]

Doesn't sound like anything special. http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/yannik-cudjoe-virgil?id=2552681 Maybe the commentator was his agent?

[mraynrand]

Was listening on the radio today, and some commentator - don't know who it was... was talking up Maryland LB Yannick Cudjoe-Virgil.


Cujo?
http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090729151423/villains/images/c/c6/Cujo.jpg

[Maxie the Taxi]

I like Darryl Roberts, CB, Marshall. 6'1" 182 lbs. Might be too aggressive for NFL, but he had a private workout with Packers. Sure looks the part.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/darryl-roberts?id=2553353

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000479107/article/marshall-pro-day-undertheradar-cb-catches-scouts-attention

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU-H3R4rTUA

ALSO, Kenny Bell isn't exactly under the radar, but he sure reminds me of Donald Driver. Plus, he is a KR...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5gathIyj0Y

[red]

how bout Quentin Rollins, cb for miami of ohio

not really a sleeper or under the radar guy (probably a 2nd rounder), but my god, wow

4 year starter at PG on the redhawks basketball team. wasn't gonna get drafted to the NBA, so last spring he tries out for the football team and makes it. in his one and only season of football becomes team mvp, leads team in tackles (71) and int's (7). was named MAC defensive player of the year and first team all conference

:knll:

[smuggler]

Good call red. And a good pick. Fell to r2 just for being shorter than ideal and slow at the combine. 'Tape' suggests we made a great pick.

[Bretsky]

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

ya but he thinks everybody is good there and they rarely are :)))) j/k

[Carolina_Packer]

I like Darryl Roberts, CB, Marshall. 6'1" 182 lbs. Might be too aggressive for NFL, but he had a private workout with Packers. Sure looks the part.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/darryl-roberts?id=2553353

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000479107/article/marshall-pro-day-undertheradar-cb-catches-scouts-attention

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU-H3R4rTUA

ALSO, Kenny Bell isn't exactly under the radar, but he sure reminds me of Donald Driver. Plus, he is a KR...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5gathIyj0Y

Maxie, I'm with you on Kenny Bell. I am an Iowa Hawkeye fan, and saw him play against the Hawks this past season. Discliamer: I would have been a Badger fan had we not moved to Iowa when I was 9. Bell looks the part, and can high point the ball well. I don't know what scouts say about him, but there were times I noticed that he wasn't completely engaged, and he is playing for Nebraska, which is not known for it's great QB's, so WR's from there can be less visible.

I think one of the things I was thinking for this thread wasn't necessarily just small school guys, but players that each poster has discovered who deserves more attention than they are receiving. I think Bell fits that. Put him with a good receivers coach, with the right QB, and he could be something.

[Maxie the Taxi]

:-)Carolina, not much chance of TT drafting him now. Another WR would make fans here apoplectic.

[Carolina_Packer]

QFT

[HarveyWallbangers]

ya but he thinks everybody is good there and they rarely are :)))) j/k

I could point out that Phil Hansen and Tyrone Braxton were Pro Bowlers, Stacy Robinson won a couple of Super Bowl, and recent Bison players have outperformed their draft positions. Joe Mays, Craig Dahl, and Ramon Humber have carved out nice NFL careers. Marcus Williams was a UDFA last year. I think he had 3 picks in a 1/2 year last year.