Lots of decent shouts already in this thread. Here are my sleepers - some of whom I mentioned in another post last week but with a bit of added detail here:
Elijah Jones, Cornerback, Boston College
3rd round grade
Elijah Jones has risen through the process to the point where he is probably a consensus day two pick whereas when I first assigned him a round 3 grade it was common to see people talking about him as a day three guy. The thing that stand out with him is ball skills - he had five interceptions in 2023 - and his ability to play press technique at the line. He reminds me a bit of Emmanuel Forbes last year and a bit of Kaiir Elam the year before in that he is tall and slender and sometimes his long limbs cause him issues in transitions when playing off. Neither of those guys has been a success yet in the league but I'd argue both were forced into schemes they didn't truly fit and you are not paying a 1st round price to snag Jones. The other concern is Jones is already 24 and the fact that he hasn't begun to fill out his frame at that age is a factor teams need to consider.
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Safety, Texas Tech
Round 3 grade
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson also fits the description of a guy that the talking heads have now caught up to after a really strong Combine. I was told by one well connected source that the league was already pretty high on him before that and he benefits from being in a class where a lot of the popular early safety names fit better as box guys who can cover half the field in two deep looks. DTD is a genuine deep safety with the speed to go side to side as a centre fielder and can also reduce down and play the nickel in certain packages. He can improve his tackling against the run, but at the same time he forced incompletions on 20% of the plays where he was targeted in 2023. In a passing league that does not go unnoticed.
Deantre Prince, Cornerback, Ole Miss
Round 4 grade
Another defensive back but this time one where the consensus definitely hasn't caught up with me on him despite Prince running a 4.38 in the 40 yard dash at the Combine. He is another corner that just always seems to be around the ball and has had 16 pass breakups the past two seasons. He is also a fantastic run support defender with 5 tackles for loss in 2023. That aggression can sometimes be used against him and there it, it must be said, some inconsistency on his film which leaves you wondering whether he goes full gas every down but I think he could be a starting nickel in the right scheme and has enough size to get by on the boundary too if needs be.
Jalyx Hunt, EDGE, Houston Christian University
Round 5 grade
It will be no surprised to people who have asked me about it this draft season but I am not high on the depth of this edge class. Proof of the pudding comes in Hunt being my 12th ranked edge despite putting up just 6.5 sacks playing in the FCS Southland Conference against such college football powerhouses as McNeese State University and Prairie View A&M. But this guy was at the Senior Bowl and has some raw ingredients. He is super explosive, he has length, he can bend and he has quick twitchy feet - that is a pretty good starting point for any edge rusher. He has mainly been a stand up guy in a 3-4 and needs to add some bulk and be better converting speed to power to be a three down player but as a situational pass rusher this guy is worth a swing, especial for 3-4 defense teams.
Darius Muasau, Linebacker UCLA
Round 6/7 grade
Muasau was a stand out performer at the East-West Shrine game and while he won't wow anyone with size or speed he is relentless in terms of his motor and his pursuit of the football. Despite his size he plays tough and physical against the inside run game, maintains lane discipline and wins reps based on his instincts and play recognition skills. He needs to work on his pass coverage, especially zone drops, but he could earn his way onto the field early just through his sheer effort.
Roger Rosengarten, Offensive Tackle, Washington
4th round grade
Roger Rosengarten is a guy who knows how to play offensive tackle. In terms of understanding of how rushers are trying to attack him and using his technique and length to maintain his blocks he is a high level prospect. The questions are mainly about athleticism and whether he uses his size as effectively as he could. I know his RAS score from the combine was impressive but you don't see an athletic prospect so much on tape. That will drop him to this sort of range where someone will pick up a starting offensive lineman, either at tackle or shifted inside to guard.
Cornelius Johnson, Wide Receiver, Michigan
4th round grade
Johnson is yet another older prospect (23) and this class does seem to be littered with them on day 3. He is an athletic freak who just leaves you wanting more from him when you watch the tape. The modest production, to an extent, can be put down to the offense he played in for the Wolverines. When you watch the 2022 Ohio State game tape you think this guy has WR1 potential in the NFL but the consistency hasn't been there and he has struggled against man coverage in particular. However he is 6'2, 212lbs runs a 4.45 and is physical at the catch point. That skillset remains tantalising if he can put it all together.
Tip Reiman, Tight End, Illinois
5th round grade
Reiman looked like the classic backup tight end who has the ability to block and while he needs to tidy up his technique some could sustain a career in the league with the combination of blocking ability and sure hands as an occasional passing option. However, when he blew up the Combine posting a 9.92 RAS score I think a lot of people re-traced their steps and took a second look. He actually reminds me some of Dawson Knox. He is going to be a serviceable two way tight end who will excel in the redzone. He isn't quite as agile or quick as Knox but there are some similarities in their game, especially with ball in hand.
Antony Gould, Wide Receiver, Oregon State
6th/7th round grade
Gould is a classic late day 3 type receiver who is going to be a weapon in the return game and play a bit of gimmick receiver for you on bubble screens, reverses and jet sweeps. He ran a 4.39 at the Combine after scoring a punt return touchdown in the Shrine Bowl which has contributed to him moving up boards in the spring. I think he has probably earned himself a draft pick now, and his special teams ability give him a shot to make an NFL roster.
