2021 Sleepers

QB Shane Buechele (SMU)  

He started his career at Texas before transferring to SMU.  He has a lot of starts under his belt.  He displays an above average arm with a quick release.  He throws an accurate deep ball.  He is also capable of throwing the ball with anticipation.   

RB CJ Marable (Coastal Carolina)

He has good speed and shows the ability to make the first defender miss.  He is an excellent receiver out of the backfield.  He displays soft hands and runs good routes.  A change of pace back at the next level. 

RB Shane Simpson (Virginia)

He is a very versatile back.  He catches the ball well out of the backfield and is a terrific return specialist.  He is an elusive RB with great speed.  He had a good career at Towson before transferring to the Cavaliers for one season.  

WR Dazz Newsome (North Carolina)

He is a slot WR with good speed.  He is at his best in the open field due to his acceleration and the ability to make the first defender miss.  He is quick in and out of his breaks.  He also provides added value as a punt returner. 

WR Michael Strachan (University of Charleston)

He was a dominant player the last two seasons at the University of Charleston.  He has great size, a large catching radius, terrific speed and excels in contested situations.  He was a track star in college and had hopes of going to the Olympics.  

TE Josh Pederson (UL-Monroe)

He is a good pass catching TE.  He has reliable hands and is an above average route runner.  He displays good quickness to create separation.  His father is Doug Pederson who was an NFL QB and former Eagles head coach.   

TE Briley Moore (Kansas State)

He spent his entire career at Northern Iowa before transferring to Kansas State for his senior season.  He is an athletic TE with good hands.  He displays toughness and excels at getting yards after the catch. 

OT Walker Little (Stanford)

In 2019, he suffered a season-ending injury in the first game and opted out of the 2020 season.  He was a starter for two years for the Cardinal.  He is a LT with ideal size, long arms, good athleticism and light feet.  A player with huge potential.   

OG Bryce Hargrove (Pittsburgh)

He is a late bloomer with upside.  He started playing football as a junior in high school.  He is very quick and looks smooth when getting out to the second level.  He is a tough blocker with good size (6’4, 310 pounds) who finishes his blocks.

C Drew Dalman (Stanford)

I am not sure he qualifies as a sleeper because he was one of the top OL in the PAC-12 in 2020.  Displays good strength at the POA, quickness off the snap and is excellent when blocking at the second level.  His dad was an OL for the 49ers. 

DE Earnest Brown IV (Northwestern)

He has good size and knows how to use his hands effectively to shed blocks.  He displays quickness off the snap and closes in a hurry on a QB or the ball carrier.  He has the versatility to play in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. 

DT Darius Stills (West Virginia)

Undersized for the position, but he is a disruptive pass rusher with a relentless motor.  He displays very good short area quickness and plays with good leverage.  He played NT in a 3-4 defense, but fits best as a three-tech in a 4-3 scheme. 

OLB Chris Garrett (Concordia-St. Paul)

He racked up 36.5 sacks and a D-II record 15 forced fumbles in only 28 games.  He shows a knack for getting after the QB.  He is an athletic player with an outstanding first step.  He is making the switch from DE to a 3-4 OLB. 

ILB Buddy Johnson (Texas A&M)

This guy isn’t being talked about enough.  He filled up the stat sheet the last couple of years.  He was the leader of that Aggies defense.  He is an athletic LB with sideline to sideline speed.  He made plays when the team needed him the most. 

CB Bryce Thompson (Tennessee)

He has good speed, athleticism and outstanding ball skills.  When the ball is in the air, he attacks it like a WR.  He is a feisty and aggressive player.  He projects as a slot corner at the next level.    

S Tariq Thompson (San Diego State)

He has been a big-time playmaker for the Aztecs.  A four-year starter who has a nose for the ball.  He is an athletic safety with very good ball skills.  During his career, he has recorded 11 INT’s and five forced fumbles.

S D’Angelo Amos (Virginia)

He played his final season at Virginia, but made his previous mark at James Madison.  He is one of the best punt returners in this draft.  He is also an instinctive safety with a high football IQ.