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Brent Sobleski@@brentsobleski is an analyst for the National Football League.
Rick Bowmer is an Associated Press photographer.
Every year, some draft prospects get overlooked because they didn't play at a top-tier program, failed to ball out until their final year at school, were a surprise early entrant or didn't get the respect they deserved for their overall performance.
The players who rise in the draft process are not as well-known as their classmates.
An overlooked prospect is more related to how much a person follows the draft. None of the people considered for this particular conversation are currently projected as first-round picks by Bleacher Report.
All of them have the potential to rise over the next three months through All-Star efforts, combine performances and pro day workouts as they supplement what's already seen on tape.
B/R's scouting department identified one player at every position who should get a lot of attention in the draft.
The person is Phelan M. Ebenhack.
As a true freshman, Brock Purdy took over as Iowa State's starting quarterback and helped build the program into a ranked squad with national appeal. He was projected to be a first-round draft pick going into his junior season.
Although he was named first-team All-Big 12 in 2020, he didn't play as well as expected.
Questions about pocket presence and overall arm talent came to the forefront. He makes plays outside of structure, but he has good mobility and climbs the pocket. He played in 48 games against high-level competition and helped elevate his program's standing.
Two things stand out in Purdy's favor. He threw for more yards than any other quarterback since the start of the season. Over the last six draft classes, Joe Burrow was the highest accurate pass percentage from a clear pocket.
The overall quarterback class may be disappointing, and the 6'1", 220-pound Purdy may not be the most impressive prospect from a physical standpoint, but he's well worth a middle-round investment as a developmental starting option.
The images are from the same person.
Some running backs glide and cut, others show tremendous vision and patience, and others are just freight trains barreling through opposing defenses.
Tyler Allgeier is the most physical runner in this year's draft class.
Allgeier is not just a downhill, between-the-tackles type. He had 25 carries of 20 or more yards in the last two seasons, tying him for third. He averaged 4.3 yards per attempt after contact.
Iowa State's Hall and South Dakota State's Strong finished first and second in 20-plus-yard runs. Strong is the fastest straight-line back in the class, and Hall relies on excellent vision and contact balance. When compared to Allgeier, both are very different.
Allgeier's potential was obvious a year ago. The back had 1,130 rushing yards and 13 touchdown. He had 1,606 yards and 23 rushing touchdown in 2021. He became a bigger threat in the passing game with a career-high 28 catches.
Allgeier should be able to make an immediate impact in the NFL as a short-yardage/red-zone back, and he has the potential to develop into a full-time starter as he continues to improve on third down.
Steve Conner is a photographer.
Bleacher Report currently has seven wide receivers graded as first-round options, though Jameson Williams' torn anterior cruciateeum puts a damper on the position's outlook.
In recent years, teams have found instant-impact contributors outside of the first round, like Ja'Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson. Over the last three drafts, the likes of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman Jr., Chase Claypool, Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown, DK Metcalf, Diontae Johnson, Terry McLaurin, and Hunter Renfrow all
Some prospects get lost in the shuffle if they aren't high-profile options due to the prevalence of multi-receiver, pass-first offenses.
Despite not being considered a first-round option, the excellent wide receiver from the University of Idaho is an example of a player with an ideal skill set who can contribute in the NFL.
As a senior, Shakir set career highs with 77 catches for 1,117 yards and seven touchdown. B/R's Nathan Tice named him the class' best slot receiver, though he has inside-outVersatility along with some kick and punt returning experience.
The biggest target for Shakir is 190 pounds. The first-team All-Mountain West performer is a smooth route-runner with excellent body control and some of the strongest hands in the class. The touches that were manufactured by Boise State were created by Shakir.
Tom R. Smedes is a reporter.
Cole Turner is a wide receiver in a tight end's body.
The cliche suggests that a tight end contributes in the passing game but is a terrible blocker. Turner is a wide receiver and a tight end in the Air Raid-based offense.
He's a great target for a quarterback. Turner is a threat that can create mismatches based on his size. His height, wingspan and catch radius make him a good friend to a quarterback, but he can be more consistent with his hands.
Turner missed a game while in the concussion protocol and didn't play in Nevada's bowl game, but he still tied for third among tight ends with 10 touchdown catches.
If Turner is ever going to be a true in-line option, there will be a concern about his lack of bulk. He looks like a big target that can be an immediate red-zone threat, as well as a big slot option and a way to stretch the seam.
The second-team All-Mountain West performer is a wide receiver.
Turner told Chris Murray that he doesn't tell the quarterback to throw him the ball when he's open. You have to have a mindset that you always want the ball. I think that makes a difference.
The NFL is not a good league. Turner could be a threat in any offense. He will have a place in the league based on what he already does.
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According to Pro Football Focus, the offensive tackle graded better than anyone else at his position during college football's regular season.
Alabama's Evan Neal may be the No. 1 overall pick, but it wasn't him.
North Carolina's Ikem Ekwonu was a run-blocker, but he falls a little short.
Charles Cross is the most natural pass-blocker in his class, but it wasn't him. Louisiana's Max Mitchell earned an impressive 98.6 grade out of 100.
Mitchell is an exciting prospect because of his growth potential.
The Louisiana native was a hometown 270-pound offensive line recruit for the Rajun's Cajuns. Mitchell was 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 He has room to add bulk, which would help in a few key areas.
His play strength and anchor are questionable. He has good athletic upside with his ability to block in the zone. He's still growing and learning, but he's more than capable of holding his own against a higher level of competition.
Mitchell will be more valuable to certain teams than others because of where he stands in his development. His draft status will likely vary between organizations. For some, he'll be an ideal developmental prospect to serve as a swing tackle with long-term starting potential.
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The offensive tackle is where tight ends convert to because of their athletic ability against ferocious edge-rushers. Virginia's Lecitus Smith is atypical.
Smith was a tight end recruit who grew into a big man. He looks like he's been playing guard his entire life because his playing style is completely different from other people who have made the transition.
He started one game at left tackle in 2021, but found a home at left guard. When he's asked to block defenders in space, he has some of his remaining athletic skills. His barroom-brawler mentality is his real strength.
Smith is strong at the point of attack. He's good at driving defenders off the ball. The starter faced a long day at the office.
Smith will need some work as a pass-blocker since he will have to work half a man. His attitude, approach and strengths in the run game are significant feathers in his cap that will be appreciated by his coaches.
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The defensive line at Texas A&M was home to multiple NFL prospects, which meant that Peevy didn't get the same recognition as his teammates.
DeMarvin Leal was considered an early-round prospect before the campaign began. Micheal Clemons is a legitimate edge prospect in his own right and finished his final season with seven sacks in 10 appearances.
It was difficult to not notice Peevy working hard along the defensive interior as he freed up others and messed with opposing game plans.
A scout told Bruce Feldman that he was a one-man wrecking crew. He's big. It was long. Heavy-handed. The quicks were off the ball. Can chase. This guy is too big and athletic to not play in a 4-3 or 3-4.
The defensive tackle can be a disruptive force on all three downs, but he is better against the run. Depending on the system, he should fit as a 0-, 1- or 3-technique.
"Reliable anchor, sees blocks in well, flashes the occasional juice to get into the backfield," Bleacher Report's Derrik Klassen said. It feels like he got buried playing next to all the other guys.
Peevy is also an NFL dude. He does the dirty work in the middle that is crucial to a defense's success.
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Some prospects grow on an evaluator. San Diego State's Cameron Thomas is a good fit.
Thomas didn't look like an edge-defender. He has clear ways to win in the NFL.
Thomas is not going to be mistaken for someone who is quicker than him or someone with a bend around the edge. He can be successful if he has a pass-rushing plan at all times, works his hands consistently, is a straight-line pass-rusher and has a relentless motor.
Some defensive ends win against blockers in the same way. T.J. Watt has a nonstop motor that accentuates his physical capabilities. Thomas is not on Watt's level, but his approach to the game should make him effective in the NFL.
The reigning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year was a former interior defender who bumped out to end and continued to succeed. Thomas finished second in 2020 with 37 quarterback pressures. He was 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217
The 6'5", 270-pound Thomas looks like an instant contributor as a base end with the ability to reduce down to defensive tackle in sub-packages.
Abate
Since Josh Allen lived in Laramie, the Wyoming Cowboys haven't been viewing appointments. That's a shame, becauseChad Muma was one of the nation's best middle linebackers this fall.
The Georgia linebackers are fun to watch, and they're going to get a lot more recognition as national champion and members of the nation's best defense. Between that time, Wyoming produced another NFL linebacker in Wilson, but Muma is even better.
Jim Nagy, the executive director of the Senior Bowl, reached out to him. He told me that the kid knew how to work. He was a big fan of football. He said he would test off the charts. There aren't a lot of holes in this kid.
Other top linebackers received the same help as Muma. He was as effective as some of the bigger names currently found at the second level.
Muma made 142 total tackles this season. His ability to play in space is what will most attract teams to him.
The two-time All-Mountain West performer is comfortable in passing situations, as a former defensive back. He is in place in both phases of the game. The 6'3", 242-pound Muma is more than comfortable playing downhill while maintaining solid run fits.
It can be difficult to find three down-linebackers. Muma is one of them.
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If a prospect is expected to declare for the NFL draft, most scouting departments focus on upperclassmen.
Gordon wasn't guaranteed to enter the draft as a sophomore. He's done that now, which means scouts will get a closer look in the coming weeks.
Gordon is an ideal candidate for defensive schemes. He has the size and strength to fly up against the run and the receiver. He's at his best when he's in front of a route and driving the ball.
Gordon was a full-time starter for the first time in 2021. Trent McDuffie is a potential first-round pick.
Gordon trailed his teammate in average yards allowed per coverage snap among the draft class of 2022, according to Pro Football Focus.
Gordon has a lot of potential early in his development. His hip flexibility will come into question. Gordon isn't as natural turning and running with wide receiver as he is with corner, so his effectiveness will decrease when he's asked to lock onto targets in man-based coverages.
Chris Carlson is a photographer.
Not a lot of safeties look like Kenderick Duncan. The Georgia Southern transfer is an imposing figure in the secondary.
Even before Duncan joined the program, coaches around the country knew Louisville had something in the hulking defensive back.
Duncan can be an All-ACC player thanks to his high football IQ, tackling ability and surprising coverage skills, according to The Athletic's Bruce Feldman.
The logic behind the praise was sound.
Louisville often played Duncan in or near the box. He finished third on the team with 76 tackles.
Some scouts may project Duncan as a sub-package linebacker or even a full-time linebacker because of his size. It would be foolish to do that.
His size makes him unable to identify routes and coverage of running backs and tight ends. Does Duncan play a tight game as a bulked-up safety prospect? Yes. He isn't a complete impediment in this area.
Duncan is a prospect with the ability to play multiple roles. Kyle Hamilton, who is expected to be a top 10 pick, brings the same size and skill set to the safety class.
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