2023 NFL Draft: Late-Round Sleepers Who Will Surprise Right Away
Every pick is valuable during the NFL draft, but uncovering a late-round diamond offers a special source of pride.
Last year, for example, the Seattle Seahawks nabbed Tariq Woolen in the fifth round. The corner ended up generating nine takeaways, and he finished third in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Who might be the Day 3 breakout star in the 2023 cycle. Fear not, my football friend, we have opinions.
The list is subjective but focuses on players rated 100th or lower on the latest rankings from B/R's NFL Scouting Department.
Kayshon Boutte, WR
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Talent is not the question with Kayshon Boutte. At his peak, the LSU product is nothing short of outstanding.
As noted on his B/R scouting report, though, he was "maddeningly inconsistent" with focus-related drops. Boutte also curiously decided to stay in college but soon changed his mind and declared for the draft.
But, again, Boutte has serious talent.
After catching 131 passes in 27 college games, a stable situation can unlock the best version of our 121st-ranked prospect. Boutte's blend of speed and route-running ability is the foundation of an immediate-impact receiver in the NFL.
Mohamoud Diabate, LB
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Every year, fans and analysts alike have a list of "my guy" prospects. Mohamoud Diabate fits the billing for me.
In three years at Florida, he racked up 174 tackles with 14 stops for loss and six sacks while playing a couple of positions. Diabate transferred to Utah, where he notched 58 tackles with 13.5 TFLs and five sacks in 2022.
The short version is he's a fast, physical defender with superb range who needs to improve the mental side of the game. When he misreads a play, he fails aggressively—good!—but quite noticeably—not good. Diabate's coverage skills are also a work in progress, so it's not really a surprise that he's ranked 204th in the class.
However, his play style makes Diabate a high-upside Day 3 prospect.
Viliami Fehoko, Edge
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Accolades merely tell a small part of the story, but Viliami Fehoko earned first-team All-Mountain West honors three times.
Seems decent, no?
Fehoko made a consistent impact defending both the pass and run, generating at least 12.5 tackles for loss and six sacks during each of his last three seasons at San Jose State. He topped out at 18 TFLs with nine sacks in 2022, also collecting a career-high 69 total tackles.
Partly because he's not an explosive athlete, Fehoko ranks 133rd. He's not really a candidate for a sudden rise on draft boards.
In the fall, however, Fehoko is the kind of unassuming player who just plain contributes in a well-defined role.
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Nick Herbig, Edge
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As a general rule, doubting a top defender from Wisconsin feels unsettling. Sure, the athletic measurements aren't always ideal. They usually aren't the flashiest players on tape.
But darn it, they are sharp and produce.
Nick Herbig may be the latest example, checking in at 110th on B/R's rankings. He posted a 4.65-second 40-yard dash at the combine and is tagged with short arms (31 1/4"). Little about his testing results seem to suggest he deserves a much greater billing.
Two years ago, though, he recorded 64 tackles with 14.5 for loss and nine sacks. Herbig followed that campaign with 47 takedowns, including 15.5 in the backfield and 11 sacks.
Herbig's terrific read-and-react abilities can help him carve out a role as a valuable piece of an NFL rotation.
Zack Kuntz, TE
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Zack Kuntz has grabbed more attention since emerging as one of the breakout stars at the NFL Scouting Combine.
While in Indianapolis, he measured 6'7" and 255 pounds yet ripped off an impressive 4.55-second 40-yard dash and 40-inch vertical leap. That combination of stature and athleticism is unquestionably rare.
The main hesitation is Kuntz had limited production in college other than a 73-catch season in 2021. He missed most of the 2022 campaign after an unspecified injury, too. There is definite risk attached to the Old Dominion product, who's ranked 143rd overall in B/R's rankings.
Nevertheless, with the mix of elite size, refined route running and great ball skills, Kuntz's potential is enticing.
Keaton Mitchell, RB
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Most likely, Keaton Mitchell won't be a starter right away. But he might make it difficult to keep him out of a rotation.
The reason is simple: Speed.
Mitchell stood out as one of the most explosive players in the country, averaging 7.1 yards per touch in 2021 and tallying 7.5 last season. He ranked second nationally with 22 runs of 20-plus yards in 2022 and, for good measure, totaled 25 touchdowns over the past two years.
Additionally, he provides some useful versatility after nabbing a combined 49 catches in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Mitchell's potential to contribute in multiple ways—and be dynamic at either one—should get the No. 174 player on the field quickly.
Jarrett Patterson, OL
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Injuries are an inevitable part of football, so offensive linemen who can fill multiple spots are rather important.
Jarrett Patterson started as Notre Dame's center for three seasons and shifted to left guard in 2022. Most importantly, though, Patterson performed well no matter where he played.
Now, he narrowly fits the criteria as the No. 103 prospect. Patterson is not as dramatic a choice as Mitchell or Diabate, for instance. But the longtime starter was such a steady blocker throughout his college career that a fluid transition to the NFL feels likely.
He just might be available on Day 3 anyway.
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