dbair1967

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Have seen the Cowboys connected to quite a few of these guys.


Diamonds in the Rough: Introducing the top sleepers in the 2017 NFL Draft

You may know Cooper Kupp and Forrest Lamp, but who's the best quarterback sleeper? Cornerback?
by Rob Rang
The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com
Apr 07, 2017

Anyone can get lucky and draft a Pro Bowler in the first round. It takes an ability to find “diamonds in the rough” in the middle and late rounds to stick as a scout in the NFL, however.

Below is a list of players who for whatever reason haven’t yet received the attention their physical abilities warrant. Some starred at a lower level of competition, like record-breaking Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Others played at relative FBS powerhouses but injuries, suspension or talent ahead of them on the depth chart kept them relatively overshadowed.

All are hoping to join a list of past sleepers highlighted in this annual article that have gone on to enjoy success in the NFL, like the Chargers’ combine snub turned rookie standout linebacker Jatavis Brown (Akron, 2016), Cardinals running back David Johnson (Northern Iowa, 2015), Ravens stout nose guard Brandon Williams (Missouri Southern State, 2013), Colts speedy wideout T.Y. Hilton (Florida International, 2012) and Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson (Montana, 2012).

One player is featured per position with five others listed alphabetically who deserve honorable mention. In keeping with the true sleeper theme, at least one player per position was not invited to the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine. These players are noted with an asterisk.

Quarterbacks


Patrick Towles, Boston College, 6-5, 241, 4.54*

After completing only 50.5 percent of his passes – including just 12 touchdowns all season for the 7-6 Eagles – Towles understandably has not received much buzz as a prospective NFL draft pick. In exactly 4.54 seconds at his March 21 pro day, however, the strapping 6-foot-5, 241-pound quarterback forced scouts to take a closer look, with a few imagining – like I am – what kind of weapon Towles could be at tight end.

Towles, a graduate transfer from Kentucky, ran for 663 yards and 15 touchdowns over the past three seasons against mostly SEC and ACC competition, including a 75-yard scoring jaunt through Syracuse last year.

Towles is not a throw-away as a quarterback. He shows legitimate velocity and touch to make NFL throws. To remain at the position on an NFL roster, however, he will need to show much greater anticipation and decision-making. Regardless of his career 54.8 percent completion percentage and ultimate position, Towles’ rare traits virtually guarantee he will get a shot – and deservedly so.

Five other quarterbacks to consider:
1.Jerod Evans, Virginia Tech, 6-3, 232, 4.80

2.Brady Gustafson, Montana, 6-6, 230, 5.04*

3.Ryan Higgins, Louisiana Tech, 6-0, 209, 4.78*

4.Sefo Liufau, Colorado, 6-3, 232, 5.08

5.Alex Torgersen, Penn, 6-2, 218, 4.91*


Running Backs

Kareem Hunt, Toledo, 5-10, 216, 4.62

The 40-yard dash is simultaneously the most popular and overrated test in scouting, especially when it comes to running backs. More important numbers are average per rush attempt and fumbles over his career, in which the Hunt excelled, gaining 6.3 yards per carry and losing the ball just once in 855 career touches.

It isn’t just the balance through contact, burst and underrated wiggle that Hunt showed on tape against MAC foes, but that he looked just as good as elite competition at the Senior Bowl. If you are looking for an exceptional running back to build your offense around, invest in one of the superstars in the first round. Hunt has starter qualities and will provide much more value early in Day 3.

Five other running backs to consider:
1.DeAngelo Henderson, Coastal Carolina, 5-07, 208, 4.48

2.Brian Hill, Wyoming, 6-1, 219, 4.54

3.Elijah McGuire, Louisiana, 5-10, 214, 4.53

4.Khalfani Muhammad, California, 5-07, 174, 4.37*

5.Dare Ogunbowale, Wisconsin, 5-11, 213, 4.65


Tight Ends

Gerald Everett, South Alabama, 6-3, 239, 4.62

Few are more qualified to be included in this article than Everett, who soon will be the first Jaguar ever to be drafted into the NFL. Everett’s career began at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas because the Georgia native didn’t make the grades to sign with any of the SEC teams recruiting him. After choosing the University of Alabama-Birmingham following his JUCO stint, Everett was forced to again transfer when the university dropped football.

While Everett’s path has been a long one, his talent is undeniable. Elusive, fast and capable of running through arm tackles, Everett is a classic move tight end who has drawn comparisons to Tennessee’s Delanie Walker and Washington’s Jordan Reed by scouts.

Five other tight ends to consider:
1.Cethan Carter, Nebraska, 6-3, 241, 4.68

2.Michael Roberts, Toledo, 6-4, 270, 4.86

3.Adam Shaheen, Ashland, 6-6, 278, 4.79

4.Jonnu Smith, Florida International, 6-3, 248, 4.62

5.Keith Towbridge, Louisville, 6-4, 262, 4.93*


Wide Receivers

Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington, 6-2, 204, 4.62

By now, even casual NFL Draft fans should know Kupp, the Senior Bowl standout and all-time FCS receiving leader. The statistics are something out of a video game, with Kupp recording 6,464 yards and 73 touchdowns over his career. Better yet, they are the result of traits (both his father and grandfather played in the NFL) and a work ethic that translate well to the next level.

Kupp lacks elite straight-line speed but he is the most polished route-runner in this draft, consistently gaining a sliver of room just as the ball is arriving. Further, Kupp has what I call Hoover hands; the ball just seems to get sucked into his big mitts like they are attached to vacuum cleaners.

Five other wide receivers to consider:
1.Robert Davis, Georgia State, 6-3, 219, 4.44

2.Kenny Golladay, Northern Illinois, 6-4, 218, 4.50

3.Carlos Henderson, Louisiana Tech, 5-11, 199, 4.46

4.Francis Owusu, Stanford, 6-2, 223, 4.37*

5.Chad Williams, Grambling State, 6-1, 204, 4.42*


Offensive Linemen

Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky, 6-4, 309, 5.0

Diamond in the Rough subjects generally are selected on Day 3 or sign as free agents, but it would surprise no one if Lamp, arguably the top overall offensive lineman this year, cracked the top 32. Excuse the pun but Lamp “shined” regardless of who was put in front of him, starring against the likes of Alabama and LSU while starting 48 consecutive games at left tackle for the Hilltoppers.

Better yet, he showed no problem in sliding inside to guard (where his 32 1/4-inch arms project best) at the Senior Bowl, turning heads with his core strength, balance and toughness and showing even more versatility at his well-attended pro day, snapping the ball. The most versatile and polished blocker in this class, Lamp is a plug-and-play candidate with the physical traits and intangibles to start inside (and outside in a pinch) for a decade.


Five other offensive linemen to consider:
1.Corey Levin, Chattanooga, 6-4, 307, 5.16

2.Jordan Morgan, Kutztown, 6-3, 309, 5.36

3.Sam Tevi, Utah, 6-5, 311, 5.27

4.Cameron Tom, Southern Mississippi, 6-3, 291, 5.17*

5.Jerry Ugokwe, William & Mary, 6-7, 321, 5.61


Edge Rushers

Trey Hendrickson, Florida Atlantic, 6-4, 266, 4.65

Starting with consensus top prospect Myles Garrett, this year’s edge rusher class is one of the best I’ve seen in nearly 20 years of evaluating the NFL Draft, but it is the depth at the position and not just the top-end talent that really stands out. Take Hendrickson, the reigning Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and East-West Shrine Game Defensive MVP as an example.

In most years, a player with his production (42.5 tackles for loss, 29.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles and four blocked kicks) would be generating all kinds of pre-draft buzz. What Hendrickson may lack in bend and length (32-inch arms), he makes up for with polished hand play and a motor that knows no idle.

Five other edge rushers to consider:
1.Tarell Basham, Ohio, 6-4, 269, 4.70

2.Keionta Davis, Chattanooga, 6-3, 271, 4.86

3.Samson Ebukam, Eastern Washington, 6-1, 238, 4.74*

4.Tanoh Kpassagnon, Villanova, 6-7, 289, 4.83

5.Derek Rivers, Youngstown State, 6-4, 248, 4.61


Defensive Linemen

Larry Ogunjobi, Charlotte, 6-3, 305, 4.97

Ideally, middle- and late-round selections are supposed to provide the foundation of a team’s roster. Ogunjobi comes with unique experience as a program builder as the most celebrated player in the 49ers’ short four years of competition.

He possesses the thick lower body and toughness to stuff the run – as he was asked to do at nose guard over the past four years – but it was the initial burst he demonstrated in splitting gaps at the Senior Bowl that has me more intrigued. Sure, he had little competition to this point in team history but it isn’t often that a nose guard leaves as his school’s all-time leader in tackles (217) and tackles for loss, which appropriately enough was 49 (including 13 sacks).

Five other defensive linemen to consider:
1.Hunter Dimick, Utah, 6-3, 268, 4.75*

2.D.J. Jones, Mississippi, 6-1, 319, 5.04

3.Tanzel Smart, Tulane, 6-1, 296, 5.24

4.Grover Stewart, Albany State, 6-4, 347, 5.14*

5.Josh Tupou, Colorado, 6-3, 353, 5.35*


Off-ball Linebackers

Harvey Langi, BYU, 6-2, 251, 4.77

Like many of the programs listed in this article, BYU has produced far too many good players to accurately be described as “the rough.” Langi, however, is nonetheless being underappreciated by many in the media because he played out of position as an edge rusher in 2016 and will be moved back to inside linebacker in the NFL, where he excelled in limited duty as a junior.

Making a switch is nothing new for Langi, a former running back who began his career at rival Utah. He turned heads at his pro day, clocking in at 4.63 seconds at 244 pounds and the tape shows an aggressive, physical defender. In a poor year for true linebackers, do not be surprised if Langi winds up being drafted ahead of several more recognizable names from big-time programs, perhaps as early as the middle rounds.

Five other off-ball linebackers to consider:
1.Blair Brown, Ohio, 5-11, 238, 4.65

2.Connor Harris, Lindenwood, 5-11, 242, 4.73

3.Javancy Jones, Jackson State, 6-1, 245, 4.87*

4.Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee, 6-0, 230, 4.72

5.Tanner Vallejo, Boise State, 6-1, 228, 4.67


Cornerbacks

Brian Allen, Utah, 6-3, 215, 4.48

Every team in the NFL is hoping to find the next Richard Sherman, and there are more than a few similarities between Allen and the Seahawks All-Pro. Like Sherman, Allen comes with an exceptional combination of height, arm length (34-inch), speed and ball skills (10 passes broken up and four interceptions in 2016). Also like Sherman in Seattle, Allen was protected deep by a rangy free safety, complicating his projection to the next level.

Allen must learn to anticipate routes and tackle with greater consistency to come close to Sherman’s success in the NFL, but if he is dedicated to his craft, a team willing to roll the dice on him in, say, the fifth round (where Sherman was selected) could get a steal.

Five other cornerbacks to consider:
1.Xavier Coleman, Portland State, 5-11, 189, 4.50*

2.Jeremy Cutrer, Middle Tennessee State, 6-1, 167, 4.52*

3.Treston DeCoud, Oregon State, 6-2, 206, 4.62

4.Damontae Kazee, San Diego State, 5-10, 184, 4.54

5.Jalen Myrick, Minnesota, 5-10, 200, 4.28


Safeties

David Jones, Richmond, 6-1, 205, 4.43*

A broken arm limited Jones to just six games last season, which may have contributed to the converted cornerback not being invited to the combine despite intercepting 11 passes over the past two years. Any doubts about the high school quarterback’s raw athleticism were answered at his March 14 pro day, however, when Jones was clocked at 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash and registered a 10-foot-9 broad jump – which would have ranked third among the 21 safeties tested in Indianapolis this year.

Given his position switches, it should not be surprising that Jones is still a bit raw with his reads. However, he has intriguing ball skills (14 career INTs), experience as both a kick and punt returner (taking one of his five attempts last year back for a touchdown), and the competitiveness as a tackler to project as an immediate help on special teams and developmental defensive back.

Five other safeties to consider:
1.Dante Barnett, Kansas State, 6-0, 192, 4.67*

2.Jadar Johnson, Clemson, 6-0, 206, 4.60

3.Lorenzo Jerome, Saint Francis (PA), 5-10, 204, 4.70

4.Shalom Luani, Washington State, 5-11, 202, 4.55

5.Xavier Woods, Louisiana Tech, 5-11, 197, 4.54
 

theoneandonly

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Players they have worked out, talked to or invited are:
QB Evans
RB Hunt and Hill
TEs Roberts and Shaheen.
WR Chad Williams.
DLs Ogunjobi, Stewart and Tupou.
LB Vallejo
CB DeCoud Kazee
S Woods
Edge Kpassagnon Rivers and Basham (a player they seem to love)
 
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