This edition of the All-Sleeper Team series is the transition from offense to defense.
The first man to be unveiled will be the last offensive sleeper of the series—the center. If you need to know how important the center position can be, watch an Atlanta Falcons game from this past season.
Then, we officially go to the other side of the ball, where we begin with middle linebacker, whom is often referred to as the quarterback of the defense.
In Case You Missed It:
Introduction
Quarterback & Tight End
Running Back & Fullback
Wide Receivers
Offensive Tackles
Offensive Guards
The first man to be unveiled will be the last offensive sleeper of the series—the center. If you need to know how important the center position can be, watch an Atlanta Falcons game from this past season.
Then, we officially go to the other side of the ball, where we begin with middle linebacker, whom is often referred to as the quarterback of the defense.
In Case You Missed It:
Introduction
Quarterback & Tight End
Running Back & Fullback
Wide Receivers
Offensive Tackles
Offensive Guards
C Evan Boehm
Missouri
6'3" 315 lbs.
5th round projection
Full Draft Breakdown Profile
PROS: Efficiently drives defenders backwards when run blocking and creates big holes for the running back. Latches onto defenders and doesn't easily let go, defenders rarely slip by him. Has smooth feet and uses hands well. Excels in tight spaces. Won't often lose balance. Handles blitzes and stunts well. Plays through the whistle.
CONS: Lacks ideal length, which will push his draft status down from where it'd be otherwise. Has short strides that make him lumber a bit when moving downfield. Sometimes bends waist as opposed to knees.
BOTTOM LINE: Boehm was the strength of Missouri's offensive line. Started for four years in the SEC, including initially at guard, thus he's displayed some versatility. Very durable, intelligent. Not lacking in intangibles. Likely to start as a rookie.
Missouri
6'3" 315 lbs.
5th round projection
Full Draft Breakdown Profile
PROS: Efficiently drives defenders backwards when run blocking and creates big holes for the running back. Latches onto defenders and doesn't easily let go, defenders rarely slip by him. Has smooth feet and uses hands well. Excels in tight spaces. Won't often lose balance. Handles blitzes and stunts well. Plays through the whistle.
CONS: Lacks ideal length, which will push his draft status down from where it'd be otherwise. Has short strides that make him lumber a bit when moving downfield. Sometimes bends waist as opposed to knees.
BOTTOM LINE: Boehm was the strength of Missouri's offensive line. Started for four years in the SEC, including initially at guard, thus he's displayed some versatility. Very durable, intelligent. Not lacking in intangibles. Likely to start as a rookie.
MLB Tyler Matakevich
Temple
6'0" 238 lbs.
4th round projection
Full Draft Breakdown Profile
PROS: High motor and very high production. Tackling machine. Can penetrate an offensive line for tackles for loss and sacks. Displays ability to drop into pass coverage. Reads offenses and the quarterback's eyes well. Decisive. Has natural instincts, doesn't bite on play action. Uses hands effectively.
CONS: Undersized. Sometimes overpowered when blocking and burnt when covering. At times, will simply find himself in a mismatch due to physical limitations. Even with all the tackles he makes, he tends to get sloppy with his technique. Struggles to disengage.
BOTTOM LINE: Matakevich doesn't possess many of the ideal measurables, but makes an abundance of plays anyway. Has the ability to truly be the quarterback of the defense. Another player with seemingly all the intangibles. Best fit is probably in a 4-3. A player a team will easily fall in love with.
Temple
6'0" 238 lbs.
4th round projection
Full Draft Breakdown Profile
PROS: High motor and very high production. Tackling machine. Can penetrate an offensive line for tackles for loss and sacks. Displays ability to drop into pass coverage. Reads offenses and the quarterback's eyes well. Decisive. Has natural instincts, doesn't bite on play action. Uses hands effectively.
CONS: Undersized. Sometimes overpowered when blocking and burnt when covering. At times, will simply find himself in a mismatch due to physical limitations. Even with all the tackles he makes, he tends to get sloppy with his technique. Struggles to disengage.
BOTTOM LINE: Matakevich doesn't possess many of the ideal measurables, but makes an abundance of plays anyway. Has the ability to truly be the quarterback of the defense. Another player with seemingly all the intangibles. Best fit is probably in a 4-3. A player a team will easily fall in love with.