Top Underrated Players entring the NFL Draft

Article by Ian Hughes

We know who the superstars are in the upcoming draft. I have covered those that I think will be busts and/or Overrated. Now it’s time to start looking at those under the radar guys, those that are not being considered as highly as some of their peers. So here are my guys that we should be talking about more than we actually are by Position.

QB: Dak Prescott, Mississippi State

Was one of the hot QBs coming into the season, but poor play around him has really hampered his Draft stock. He is a durable player that I expect to surprise any team that picks him up in the 2^nd or 3^rd rounds. To me, teams should really be looking at him at the bottom of the 1^st. Should be a better player than Paxton Lynch straight out the gate, and could prove to be better in the long term as well. His slide could see him end up in a better situation than some of the top picks that could help his chances.

Kenneth Dixon, RB Louisiana Tech

RB: Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech

This guy has scored more times than any other Running Back in NCAA Div. 1 history, yet here we are looking at a Mid-round pick. He can do it all. He can run inside, outside, catch out of the backfield and protect your QB. Yet scouts mark him down for being a physical runner. Workouts didn’t really help him as he lacks ‘Home Run’ speed. I would be looking to take him in the 2^nd round, but there is a good chance he is still waiting for him name to be called when they start the 3^rd round.

WR: Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma

Are you guys kidding me. This is one of the smoothest route runners going. Forget his size or his speed. Has anyone watched the likes of Julian Edelman play the slot position? Sterling Shepard is a STARTING SLOT in year 2. And at the WR position, it’s the second year you’re looking at. The position is not conducive with starting a lot as a rookie. He should be hearing his name back end of the 1^st to the top of the 2nd, but he could be waiting a bit longer because of the search for that bigger, faster #1 WR.

TE: N/A

I feel the TE position has been picked apart very well. There isn’t a lot of talent there and the value and type of player depends a lot from team to team.

Offensive Line: Nick Martin, OG/C, Notre Dame

Has a second round grade but I think he should be going late in the 1^st round. The versatile Interior Lineman can fill a slot straight away. It seems foolish to me to not pick him if there was a hole on my line. Will help a team somewhere get their best combination on the field. There hasn’t been much talk about the line position in general outside of Tunsil.

Kevin Dodd, DL Clemson

Defensive Line: Kevin Dodd, Clemson

The Depth at this position is outrageous. The only real stand out underrated guy in the group is Dodd. Yes, he is raw. Yes, there is work to be done. But he was a real handful in every game I watched. Relentless motor that will make DL coaches rave for him. He should be going in the 1^st round, maybe in place of his Clemson teammate, Lawson.

LB: Tyler Matakevich, Temple

A Tackling Machine. This guy’s name is constantly coming up when watching Temple, and even in the Senior Bowl. It’s the measurables that are holding him back. Teams tend to fall in love with the stopwatch times and the drills in shorts this time of year. But the moment you see this guy in pads you know he can play. Shame he won’t get the draft slot he really deserves.

CB: Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech (Another Fuller)

Underrated because of his projected scheme at the next level. Here is the best Tampa 2 corner in the draft. Physical player that wants to be involved in the game any way he can. He wants to make every play he can, leads him to be a bit of a gambler but hey, there have been a few gamblers in the NFL that have done very well. Size isn’t great, but hey the kid plays. I don’t think I have heard his name in draft conversations yet.    

Safety: Keanu Neal, S, Florida

I have his as the second best Safety in the draft behind Ramsey. But he still isn’t expected to be picked before the 2^nd round. You’d think with the increased use of Nickel packages, that this big hitting safety with good instincts would be someone everyone hopes slides to them after pick 15. It’s not like he’s immobile or a liability in coverage. Yet there will be teams that turn him down twice, maybe 3 times if you listen to some pundits. Outrageous.