Sleepers

[MHS831]

I have been hearing a lot of people having some good thoughts buried in threads that need a proper platform.  This thread is to promote someone you consider to be a sleeper and to share some intelligence.  Who are the hidden gems?  What round do you expect them to become a value?  Etc.

For Example, Ezra Cleveland, LOT Boise State.  

https://theathletic.com/1450877/2019/12/11/ezra-cleveland-boise-state-nfl-draft/

I have seen him slowly rising--but with the first round packed full of WRs and OTs, it is very reasonable to expect this OT to be an option in the second round. Check him out-decide for yourself. He could very quietly be the second best LT in the draft. 

(check out his block at the 1:00 mark--oh my!)

[MMA]

The Auburn kid Noah Igbinoghene has been jumping on some boards. Maybe someone we can look at in the 2nd if Bradberry leaves. 

[MHS831]

10 hours ago, MMA said:

The Auburn kid Noah Igbinoghene has been jumping on some boards. Maybe someone we can look at in the 2nd if Bradberry leaves. 

Good one....also a returner (former WR with blazing speed--raw for that reason) Gonna kill it at the combine---could move into the second pick range.

 

[Panfan35]

Anthony Gordon is on my list currently the 8 th ranked qb but I think he could be better than burrows with joe Brady 

[LinvilleGorge]

Demarkus Acy - CB, Missouri (6'2" 195)

He had 3 INTs and 10 pass breakups last season but struggled with a bad hamstring for most of this season. 

 

[Rags]

Jared Pinkney, TE, Vanderbilt

I haven't watched a lot of guys that could be considered sleepers, and tbh Pinkney might not either.

But I really like this kid. He's got solid hands, extends to catch the ball often, a solid, willing blocker. But my favorite thing to add ontop of all of that is his acceleration is really good for A 6'4 guy. He has a second gear that allows him to pull away from defenders and pick up more RAC.

I would love to bring him in and develop him. 

[Stumpy]

James Lynch - DL - Baylor

Full disclosure, this is my buddy's nephew so I may be a little biased here. But, he is the reason why I was first excited by the idea of hiring Rhule. I watched almost every game Baylor played this season, and loved the way his guys played for him. And, the way he adjusted his system to fit the personnel. Had Rhule stayed, Lynch would've stayed for his senior season. And, I selfishly want him to be a Panther. He is a versatile, team player who can flat out rush the passer. Just what we need.

When Lynch came to Baylor, he was a prototypical 4-3 DE: 6-4 275lbs with a 4.5 40. Going into his junior year, Phil Snow had a problem, though. He didn't have enough lineman recruits to field the 4-3 defense they had been running. Rhule/Snow decided to switch to a 3-4 as they had an excess of linebackers. So they asked James to bulk up and play closer to 300lbs. Short on big bodies, Baylor lined him up everywhere on the line and the results speak for themselves.

From Rotoworld...

Quote

Lynch (6'4/295) was one of the best defensive linemen in college football this season, as he earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors and was also a consensus All-American. He finished with 41 total tackles (19.5 for loss), 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 13 quarterback hurries and five pass breakups. Lynch, Baylor's all-time sacks leader, also had an impact on special teams as he blocked two kicks. He's projected to be a Day 2 draft pick, with Pro Football Network giving him a third round grade ahead of the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

I've seen him protected anywhere from the 2nd to the 7th. If I had to guess, he'll probably end up going somewhere in the 3rd.

[MHS831]

7 hours ago, Panfan35 said:

Anthony Gordon is on my list currently the 8 th ranked qb but I think he could be better than burrows with joe Brady 

This is one ranking I pulled from an NBC website:

1. Joe Burrow, LSU
2. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
3. Justin Herbert, Oregon
4. Jordan Love, Utah State
5. Jake Fromm, Georgia
6. Jacob Eason, Washington
7. Bryce Perkins, Virginia
8. Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
9. Nate Stanley, Iowa
10. Anthony Gordon, Washington State

Bold:  Expected to go in first round

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/2020-nfl-draft-qb-rankings-where-tua-tagovailoa-fits-talented-class

I see why you like him---He throws a pretty ball and is accurate.

He is 6-3, 210---71% completion rating--48 TDs vs. 11 Int.  (They threw it a lot at WSU).  Could WSU produce another sleeper QB in 2 seasons?

[MHS831]

1 hour ago, Stumpy said:

James Lynch - DL - Baylor

Full disclosure, this is my buddy's nephew so I may be a little biased here. But, he is the reason why I was first excited by the idea of hiring Rhule. I watched almost every game Baylor played this season, and loved the way his guys played for him. And, the way he adjusted his system to fit the personnel. Had Rhule stayed, Lynch would've stayed for his senior season. And, I selfishly want him to be a Panther. He is a versatile, team player who can flat out rush the passer. Just what we need.

When Lynch came to Baylor, he was a prototypical 4-3 DE: 6-4 275lbs with a 4.5 40. Going into his junior year, Phil Snow had a problem, though. He didn't have enough lineman recruits to field the 4-3 defense they had been running. Rhule/Snow decided to switch to a 3-4 as they had an excess of linebackers. So they asked James to bulk up and play closer to 300lbs. Short on big bodies, Baylor lined him up everywhere on the line and the results speak for themselves.

From Rotoworld...

I've seen him protected anywhere from the 2nd to the 7th. If I had to guess, he'll probably end up going somewhere in the 3rd.

I also hear that the coaching staff at Baylor LOVED him.  Incredible motor, great teammate, etc.

[MHS831]

6 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Demarkus Acy - CB, Missouri (6'2" 195)

He had 3 INTs and 10 pass breakups last season but struggled with a bad hamstring for most of this season. 

 

Got a lot of swag--a talker---if Bberry leaves, imagine the noise from Jackson and Acy?   Highlights:

 

[MHS831]

6 hours ago, Rags said:

Jared Pinkney, TE, Vanderbilt

I haven't watched a lot of guys that could be considered sleepers, and tbh Pinkney might not either.

But I really like this kid. He's got solid hands, extends to catch the ball often, a solid, willing blocker. But my favorite thing to add ontop of all of that is his acceleration is really good for A 6'4 guy. He has a second gear that allows him to pull away from defenders and pick up more RAC.

I would love to bring him in and develop him. 

I think all the TEs are sleepers--I really do not see one going before the third round.  Weird.

 

[MHS831]

Jake Fromm  (the next 2 posts, Fromm and Hurts, fall more under the category of "Beaten down Stocks:" than Sleepers--but you get the idea)

Sometimes a sleeper (my definition, anyways) could be a player who falls due to a bad game or a nagging injury.  Jake Fromm could be one of those guys.   He does not have a strong arm, but the Hall of Fame has several of those guys.   If you surround him with weapons (and we have them) and an OL  with solid T play, he should be good.  Remember, UGA had some decent Tackles--when they held up, Fromm was solid.

In 2020, his completion percentage dropped from 67% in 2019 to 60% in 2020.  He still averaged about 24 TDs vs. 6 Ints.  Here is the scouting report---

Bottom line and career projection: Fromm’s IQ, leadership, ability to see the field, overall good ball placement, quick release, and how he builds chemistry with WRs should land him a starting job at some point, but with limited physical tools, he is going to need a strong supporting cast to excel. However, if he does get that supporting cast, I truly think he can. I would take him early 2nd round, and only if I know I can surround him with what he needs.

Could a nagging injury, system change, personnel turnover, etc. have caused this dropoff?  He would have been a first rounder if he came out in 2019, arguably.  Lotta people do not like him, but here is how I see it:  He makes good decisions most of the time and has a quick release.  He is the quintessential game manager. With CMC, Samuel, Moore, and a new WR and maybe a TE---he needs weapons and outside protection---he could prosper.  Maybe not a great fit here, but he could be that guy that everyone regrets passing over.

[MHS831]

Jalen Hurts

I think Jalen is a work in progress--he has some breakdowns and some cerebral issues that can be corrected in time.  For example, he has never been asked to do much at the LOS and he is slow through progressions--staying with the first read too long.  But he is likely to be there in the third round---and in a year, could be a solid starting QB. 

Anytime a player loses his job and has to transfer, it hurts his stock.  Jalen did not disappear; he was positive and a team player at Bama after losing his job, working just as hard as he did as the starter.  He goes to Oklahoma and wins.  I think his stock is beaten down a bit unfairly--making him a sleeper and a household name. 

Scouting Report (Draft Network): Projection: One of the most celebrated athletes wherever he’s been, Hurts is a winner, who also displays high levels of leadership. His poise and maturity are well beyond his years and he’s made tremendous strides overall in his game. Transferring to Oklahoma was a blessing in disguise as he was able to show his passing abilities. Still with a long ways to go, he can become a bit gun shy when in tight situations and his accuracy when testing tight windows leaves a lot to be desired in some areas. His mobility helps while becoming a bit trigger shy, but on the next level it will take a team that’s fully invested in him in order to see his potential. Hurts projects as a top-75 pick, but he still has a lot of developing to do as an overall passer in order to become a consistent starter. 

Hurts is 6-2, 220 and a solid athlete.  He completed a fraction under 70% of his passes, 32 TDs and 8 Ints.  Not too shabby.

[Shocker]

8 hours ago, Panfan35 said:

Anthony Gordon is on my list currently the 8 th ranked qb but I think he could be better than burrows with joe Brady 

He is the definition of system QB.  Don't see him as a pro QB.  

If we cant get Burrow, Tua, Herbert, Eason or maybe Love I don't want em.