5 Late-Round Sleepers Who Would Be Perfect for the New York Jets
Thursday night of the NFL draft draws the ratings and steals the headlines, but how efficient teams are when drafting in the late rounds of the draft is what separates the average from the great teams.
This year's Super Bowl is a prime example of "sleeper" picks defining a team. From Richard Sherman to Byron Maxwell to Justin Britt, the Seattle Seahawks would be a mediocre squad if they relied on the talent from the early parts of the draft.
If the New York Jets want to follow suit and build a contender of their own, finding diamonds in the late-round rough is the fastest ticket to the playoffs, especially for a team starting from scratch like the Jets.
Here are five late-round sleepers who would fit the Jets' roster.
Geremy Davis, WR, UConn
1 of 5
UConn has not given the NFL many reasons to comb its roster for NFL talent, but Geremy Davis is one of the few NFL-caliber prospects on the Huskies' squad.
At 6'3", 216 pounds, Davis has a great blend of size and speed to go along with his sure hands. He was virtually the entire UConn passing game in 2013: With 1,085 yards on the season, the closest receiver to him recorded just 534 yards.
Davis has an unfair hill to climb because of the rapidly declining UConn football program, but he is an NFL-caliber prospect nonetheless who should warrant a draft pick.
Aundrey Walker, G, USC
2 of 5
Audrey Walker has flashed a lot of talent at USC in both the run and passing game, but he never quite lived up to expectations due to lapses in attention to detail and technique.
It will take some considerable coaching to get the most out of Walker, but he has enough raw talent and experience at a high-level college program to work with.
The Jets would ideally bring in more of an instant starter due to their immediate need at the position, but Walker could pay off big in the long run if the new administration is patient.
Detrick Bonner, DB, Virginia Tech
3 of 5
The Jets don't just need a new starter (or two) in their secondary. After benching all but one player (Marcus Williams) in 2014, depth and versatility are each as big of a need as ever.
Having played all over the secondary in Bud Foster's defense at Virginia Tech, Detrick Bonner could be an instant contributor in the NFL, starting out as a special teams ace while working his way into dime and nickel packages.
Bonner's ceiling is somewhat limited by his relatively average measurable, but whichever team drafts him will get itself a competitive player who will contribute earlier than most of his peers will.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Hayes Pullard, ILB, USC
4 of 5
With David Harris (and Nick Bellore) set to hit the open market, the Jets may find themselves in a desperate situation at inside linebacker. However, their other massive needs will push this position down the priority list, forcing them to resort to late-round picks to fill it.
While not the most powerful linebacker prospect, Hayes Pullard makes up for his lack of power with great instincts and fluidity, slipping past blockers to make plays.
It would be a stretch to project Pullard as a starter in the NFL, but he has the makeup of an excellent special teams player, allowing him to resume Nick Bellore's role and thicken the Jets' depth at an otherwise paper-thin position.
Sam Arneson, TE, Wisconsin
5 of 5
Between Jeff Cumberland and Jace Amaro, the Jets have themselves enough receiving threats at the position—but they have a massive need for an all-around player who can block in both the run and passing game.
Wisconsin's Sam Arneson is not going to set any receiving records, but he is at least adequate as a blocker—which is all the Jets need to field a tight end unit that checks all the boxes. He is also a factor in the red zone, scoring four touchdowns for the Badgers this season.
At worst, Arneson would give Zach Sudfeld another wave of competition to get through as a more complete player with a bit more upside because of his age.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
