Sleeper and Under the Radar Prospects

[Carolina_Packer]

I know there is a draft thread already, but I thought a place to discuss sleepers and under the radar prospects might be fun.

Traditionally these are players from lower profile FBS, FCS and DII football programs, but there may even be guys who were the third best WR, LB, DB on a traditional power, such as a Trey DePriest from Alabama.

Who do you like, or who have you been studying as a longer-shot prospect?

Here are a few that intrigue me.

Diondre Hall/DB/Northern Iowa: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profil...all?id=2555366

He is listed as a safety, but if you watch film of him, he seems like he can cover and has ball skills as well. Might be another Ladarius Gunter type, but I think this guy will get drafted on the third day.

Michael Jordan/DB/Missouri Western: http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/cfb/...michael-jordan

Who doesn't want Michael Jordan on their team?

Miles Killebrew/S/Southern Utah: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGl0nYVDT2s

Seems to dominate at his level. Obviously, smaller school guys have to jump out and he does.

Javon Hargrave/DL/SC State: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profil...ave?id=2555239

A big guy with good feet and a high motor. Yes, please. A development DL to keep your eye on.

Kwame Bell/DE/OLB/Clarion University (not an online school): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmgX5qHoDmE

6'3, 250, strong, and has pass rush speed...looks like a great 3-4 OLB prospect.

Jason Vander Laan/QB/TE/Ferris State: http://www.freep.com/story/sports/co...laan/74408122/

He holds the NCAA record for rushing QB's at any level. He's 6'4 244. It sounds like he's game to switch positions and I've read that in multiple places. I don't know if he has any ball skills, but he can run. Why not take a flyer on a guy like this?

Paul McRoberts/WR/SE MO State: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z89P42Fmqk

6'3 and 200 lbs. Seems to do a good job catching the ball in traffic and has nice hands and body control. I'm not sure about the speed. Likely more quick than fast, which seems to be a theme with this year's WR class at the combine.

Joe Haeg/OL/North Dakota State: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITJDqZf0KRY

Somebody had to be protecting Carson Wentz and this guy did it as an LT. Not sure if he's LT material, but he seems to have good feet.

[BZnDallas]

Being down here in Texas I get to see and hear a lot about the Big 12. A couple of guys that I'd like to keep an eye on are Sterling Shepard WR and Eric Striker ILB from Oklahoma and Aaron Green RB and Kolby Listenbee WR from TCU. Shepard I talked about the other day. He has been exactly what TT looks for in his WRs. He's not the big fast guy, but he's a production guy. He played outside at Oklahoma and wants to prove he can do it in the league. He was their go to guy when OU needed a play and he's just Packer people. I understand people liken him to Randall Cobb, but those body types take a pounding and you can't have enough ball catchers as we found out. I think he has a chance to slide as he is not highly rated on the WR draft board. Striker is under sized but pretty quick. He might end up being too small to play in the league. But every now and again one can hit. Aaron Green from TCU is pretty damn quick. Again he's pretty small and might not end up in the league long, but if James White can stick I think Aaron Green can find a place. Listenbee is supposed to be tall and fast. He played opposite of Doctson so I really dont know what to think of him.

Honestly I don't really know what to think about any of these guys. I guess you wanted under the radar and projects so I figure these guys certainly meet that criteria.

[smuggler]

From what I can tell, Haeg and Killebrew are above the table and will not be underdrafted. I've seen Mayock talking up Killebrew anyhow.

[Joemailman]

CBS has Killebrew at #80 overall and Haeg #117.

Packers interviewed Listenbee at the Combine. CBS has Listenbee at #148.

[Carolina_Packer]

Javon Hargrave is predicted to go in the 4th round. After I read about him yesterday and posted him on the list above, I was reading Ask Vic today and he mentioned Hargrave as a guy who jumped out from a smaller program, calling him unblockable when he saw him play. According to CBS Sports, he's rated #13 of all DT's and 123rd overall, if I reading that correctly. That might be a guy to wait on if they chose not to go with a Sheldon Rankins, who is rated 25th overall, but could slide to #27, but who knows if he'd be the BAP on TT's board.

[Carolina_Packer]

From what I can tell, Haeg and Killebrew are above the table and will not be underdrafted. I've seen Mayock talking up Killebrew anyhow.

Yeah, it's harder to have the "Where did that guy come from?" experience, because so much attention is paid to finding and rating these guys. Still, it's fun to project guys from smaller programs, or guys like Ryan Grant back when he came out of Notre Dame, and end up catching on. Perhaps they get overlooked because of the system they played in, but suddenly fit in the pros because some scout sees something. Other guys may have been dinged up, like Grant, limiting his production, and sharing the work-load, but then they get a chance in the pros and make the most of it. I love stories about underdogs and grinders who make it.

OK, can we get TT to take a chance on NC A&T's Tarik Cohen? A&T is a traditionally black college in Greensboro, NC. He could become our change of pace back, and return specialist. Check out his athleticism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5NmuO4ipwE Wow! He busted some runs against Alcorn State in their bowl game this year. Could be another Darren Sproles.

[Joemailman]

Yeah, it's harder to have the "Where did that guy come from?" experience, because so much attention is paid to finding and rating these guys. Still, it's fun to project guys from smaller programs, or guys like Ryan Grant back when he came out of Notre Dame, and end up catching on. Perhaps they get overlooked because of the system they played in, but suddenly fit in the pros because some scout sees something. Other guys may have been dinged up, like Grant, limiting his production, and sharing the work-load, but then they get a chance in the pros and make the most of it. I love stories about underdogs and grinders who make it.

OK, can we get TT to take a chance on NC A&T's Tarik Cohen? A&T is a traditionally black college in Greensboro, NC. He could become our change of pace back, and return specialist. Check out his athleticism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5NmuO4ipwE Wow! He busted some runs against Alcorn State in their bowl game this year. Could be another Darren Sproles.

Did Cohen apply for the draft? CBS has them on their list of 2017 RB's.

[woodbuck27]

TT will most likely draft a DLman in Round 1. As the draft proceeds I expect him look for a WR.

The WR position was conspicuously looking like a need with Jordy Nelson out. There was no way Randal Cobb could replace what Jordy Nelson brought to the table for Aaron Rodger (the Packers passing game which was ranked what? somewhere mid 20').

That simply put was a terrible fall off with the adversity of losing one an although one vital to Aaron Rodgers success as a QB. Without Ordy as his security blanket Aaro Rodgers seldom looked comfortable. We're now aware of all the stuff that ARod had to deal with and try to be the NFL's MVP again.

[woodbuck27]

Does anyone like OLman Jason Spriggs ?

I havn't checked his reports (Review (s) out yet. I saw him run the 40 yesterday on the NFL Network and he's fast for a Big Fella registering a 4.92 second 40.

[King Friday]

The WR position was conspicuously looking like a need with Jordy Nelson out.

Sorry, I don't buy the need at WR. We are 6 deep at WR...Nelson, Cobb, Montgomery, Adams, Janis, Abby. Do you really see some 5th round pick coming in and knocking any of those guys off the roster? I don't.

I think Thompson will pick a WR late to use as a PS stash, but I don't see anyone getting drafted who has a legit chance of making the team.

[Carolina_Packer]

Did Cohen apply for the draft? CBS has them on their list of 2017 RB's.

I looked for that online and only found articles that speculated whether he should or might. I agree with their point that being at a historically black school in FCS, there is a limited showcase for him. Last December, he ran for close to 300 yards in the Celebration Bowl, which is one of the early bowls that takes place in the Georgia Dome. Coming back for one more year might lift his draft stock some, but if he projects as a specialist, he may want to come out now anyway to start his journey and avoid possible injury for his senior year.

[Carolina_Packer]

Does anyone like OLman Jason Spriggs ?

I havn't checked his reports (Review (s) out yet. I saw him run the 40 yesterday on the NFL Network and he's fast for a Big Fella registering a 4.92 second 40.

He's very well regarded. Tony Pauline was giving him props during Senior Bowl week. At 6-7, 307 he's an impressive prospect. Pro Football Focus rated his performance at the Combine as the best among the OL there.

It's possible he's there at #27, and may be the BAP. I wouldn't complain if he fits the board at that spot. One thing last season showed is how far the drop-off is when you have to put in guys like Josh Walker and Don Barclay who are hybrids with guard leanings. Others might say straight up guards. This would be a luxury, but it would be awesome depth.

[Carolina_Packer]

Sorry, I don't buy the need at WR. We are 6 deep at WR...Nelson, Cobb, Montgomery, Adams, Janis, Abby. Do you really see some 5th round pick coming in and knocking any of those guys off the roster? I don't.

I think Thompson will pick a WR late to use as a PS stash, but I don't see anyone getting drafted who has a legit chance of making the team.

Would you be happy with Paul McRoberts from my original list? You can use one of the late comp. picks on him.

[wist43]

Sorry, I don't buy the need at WR. We are 6 deep at WR...Nelson, Cobb, Montgomery, Adams, Janis, Abby. Do you really see some 5th round pick coming in and knocking any of those guys off the roster? I don't.

I think Thompson will pick a WR late to use as a PS stash, but I don't see anyone getting drafted who has a legit chance of making the team.

KF, the problem with that stable of WR's is that there is only one legitimate flanker in the group, Nelson; and, we all saw how devastating his loss to the offense was. Janis may be able to win outside, but we simply don't know. Adams was a mess last year; Cobb is strictly a slot and gimmick guy; and so too Abby maybe.

If a legit flanker prospect is there at any pick, TT would be wise to jump on him b/c having another legitimate outside threat would do wonders for the offense as a whole.

Is Doctson worth a 1st round pick??

[wist43]

Couple of interesting guys...

Matt Judon, Grand Valley State, 6'3", 275 lbs, 4.73 (40).

Shilique Calhoun (great name!!), Mich. State, 6'4", 251 lbs. Showed well at the combine.