By Ryan Frye
A month ago today, I introduced the All-Sleeper Team series. Since then, I have created a team of players projected to be selected during the third round or later that I feel are underrated.
Today, just six days before the NFL Draft commences in Chicago, Illinois, I bring to you the final edition of this twelve part series. If you missed any previous installments, take the opportunity now to catch up:
Introduction
Quarterback & Tight End
Running Back & Fullback
Wide Receivers
Offensive Tackles
Offensive Guards
Center & Middle Linebacker
Defensive Ends
Defensive Tackles
Outside Linebackers
Cornerbacks
A month ago today, I introduced the All-Sleeper Team series. Since then, I have created a team of players projected to be selected during the third round or later that I feel are underrated.
Today, just six days before the NFL Draft commences in Chicago, Illinois, I bring to you the final edition of this twelve part series. If you missed any previous installments, take the opportunity now to catch up:
Introduction
Quarterback & Tight End
Running Back & Fullback
Wide Receivers
Offensive Tackles
Offensive Guards
Center & Middle Linebacker
Defensive Ends
Defensive Tackles
Outside Linebackers
Cornerbacks
DeAndre Houston-Carson
William & Mary
6'1" 201 lbs.
6th round projection
Full Draft Breakdown Profile
PROS: Has shown ability to heavily contribute on special teams. Has a knack for blocking kicks. Former cornerback. Plays physical press coverage. Has excelled in both man and zone. Strong in run support. Often able to slip through and evade blocks. Swarms to the football, often gets the ball carrier on a second effort. Ball hawk, possesses the speed to take any interception back the other way. Can read a quarterback's eyes. Hard hitter. Displays great awareness.
CONS: Level of competition is somewhat of a concern. Has average recovery speed. Gets sloppy with tackling at times. Doesn't utilize leverage well in tackles and blocks. Had a season ending injury in 2014.
BOTTOM LINE: Has ideal size and speed. Was a team captain. Impressed at the Senior Bowl. Can get on the field right away on special teams, and will develop into a starting free safety.
William & Mary
6'1" 201 lbs.
6th round projection
Full Draft Breakdown Profile
PROS: Has shown ability to heavily contribute on special teams. Has a knack for blocking kicks. Former cornerback. Plays physical press coverage. Has excelled in both man and zone. Strong in run support. Often able to slip through and evade blocks. Swarms to the football, often gets the ball carrier on a second effort. Ball hawk, possesses the speed to take any interception back the other way. Can read a quarterback's eyes. Hard hitter. Displays great awareness.
CONS: Level of competition is somewhat of a concern. Has average recovery speed. Gets sloppy with tackling at times. Doesn't utilize leverage well in tackles and blocks. Had a season ending injury in 2014.
BOTTOM LINE: Has ideal size and speed. Was a team captain. Impressed at the Senior Bowl. Can get on the field right away on special teams, and will develop into a starting free safety.
KJ Dillon
West Virginia
6'0" 210 lbs.
5th round projection
Full Draft Breakdown Profile
PROS: Hits hard. Plays physical press coverage, and is effective at jamming receivers at the line. Sideline-to-sideline player. Displays awareness. Showed ability to break up passes. Often used as a blitzer, comes around the edge with a nice burst. Has solid ball skills. Was extremely productive his final two seasons at West Virginia. Reads offenses well.
CONS: Takes poor angles. Shows stiffness in hips, takes longer than desired to change direction. Lacks recovery speed. Draws too many pass interference penalties. Momentum stops with contact, tackles are often broken. Sloppy tackler.
BOTTOM LINE: Had nice showings at both the NFL Combine and the Senior Bowl. Was highly productive throughout his college career. Has shown an abundance of athleticism and tackling issues can be worked on with coaching and added bulk. Has ability to play either strong or free safety at the next level.
West Virginia
6'0" 210 lbs.
5th round projection
Full Draft Breakdown Profile
PROS: Hits hard. Plays physical press coverage, and is effective at jamming receivers at the line. Sideline-to-sideline player. Displays awareness. Showed ability to break up passes. Often used as a blitzer, comes around the edge with a nice burst. Has solid ball skills. Was extremely productive his final two seasons at West Virginia. Reads offenses well.
CONS: Takes poor angles. Shows stiffness in hips, takes longer than desired to change direction. Lacks recovery speed. Draws too many pass interference penalties. Momentum stops with contact, tackles are often broken. Sloppy tackler.
BOTTOM LINE: Had nice showings at both the NFL Combine and the Senior Bowl. Was highly productive throughout his college career. Has shown an abundance of athleticism and tackling issues can be worked on with coaching and added bulk. Has ability to play either strong or free safety at the next level.