2018 NFL Draft: Sleepers That Can Awaken Part 1

Read Time:3 Minute, 23 Second

Next month is the NFL draft and it is the time for the big names. Time to see if guys are picked where they are expected and to see those we also expect in round one. Names like Darnold, Allen, Rosen, and Barkley are the sure fire guys. Of course, there are more that will go in the first round as expected.

Then, we have the guys that very few know about. The ones that are from D2 and lower, smaller schools. These are the diamonds in the rough, or as most of us know them as, the sleepers. Let’s take a peek at a few of these guys and see where they stack up in preparation for the draft.

1. Ja’Von Rolland-Jones, OLB/DE Arkansas State 6-2 244lbs.

When you look at the stats the first thing that jumps out at you is the remarkable number of sacks this kid had in college. He finished with 43.5 for his career, one shy of the FBS record of 44 set by Terrell Suggs. He has shown improvement in his craft each year, especially as a pass rusher. He loves to initiate contact and his motor allows him to get to the quarterback often. Though still improving, he can finish with the best of the best in this draft. He uses his long arms and shows enough bend to get around his opposing lineman.

He has a few things to work on and the first is being more than just a bull rush guy. He is too dependent on this and once figured out by the opposition, he does not have much else in his arsenal. Needs to come up with more moves and will need to improve against stronger, more powerful linemen. Of course, he took advantage of playing lower level competition too. He did not help himself with a disappearing act at the East-West Shrine Game.

2. Justin Watson, WR, Penn 6-3 213lbs.

Simply, the best wide receiver in the history of Penn football. He is the career leader in receptions, touchdown receptions, and yards receiving. Has the ability to get in and out of his breaks as a route-runner. He has had at least 1,000 yards receiving the last three years and has good size for an NFL player. Has a good football IQ and loves to put in the work. Has very good hands and awareness of where the ball is. Has good hips and ball skills.

He is not the most athletic kid and needs more of a look against bigger, better competition. Needs to improve his route breaks and become more elusive. Lacks the breakaway speed to get away from the secondary at this time. Needs to get better off press coverage too.

3. Daurice Fountain, WR, Northern Iowa 6-4 210lbs.

He was named the Offensive MVP at the East-West Shrine Game after a nice game where he had three catches for 61 yards and two punt returns for 40 more. A very explosive player with downfield speed to go with is 34.5-inch arms. Can climb the ladder and make in-air adjustments on the fly. Can be physical and is looking like he could be a playmaker at the next level.

He needs to learn to keep his head in the game for a full 60 minutes. Must improve in press coverage and his technique. His production, like the guys before him, has been against lower level competition. Must improve on picking up the long pass as well as his timing of the ball.

With a small school prospect like Nathan Shepard (Fort Hays State) being pegged a solid Day 2 selection, if any of the three noted above make a mark with their future NFL team, we could be later mentioning this draft as one of the better classes in terms of small school prospects in quite some time.