2015 NFL Draft: Mid-Round Sleepers Who Can Start Right Away
The NFL draft process is a long-winding road for prospects that encompasses their entire football careers. NFL scouts have access to all types of information and resources such as coaches’ tape, the ability to interview college coaches and watching closed practices.
Even with the special access, there are numerous prospects who fall to the mid-rounds of the draft who are able to contribute and start every year. Theoretically, the mid-rounds are for developmental players who need time until they play, and the first round is for impact guys.
But the draft is an inexact science, and sometimes really good players get picked apart for having skinny knees or other ridiculous criticisms. What is more important is how hard the individuals will work and how they’ll fit into the situation they’re drafted into.
Without a doubt, there will be immediate mid-round starters from the 2015 draft class. We’ve done our best to identify seven different players from across the country who have the talent to start right away, despite their mid-round draft status.
Justin Hardy, WR, ECU
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The all-time leader in receptions in NCAA football history, Justin Hardy was a dominant presence at East Carolina. Had Hardy benefited from better quarterback play, his impressive statistics would’ve surely been even better.
Hardy’s legacy won’t be defined by statistics, though. He’s an excellent receiver who has reliable hands, great burst off the line of scrimmage and toughness to run any route.
Similar to Jarvis Landry, Hardy isn’t the biggest athlete, or the fastest. He measured 5’10”, 190 pounds at the Senior Bowl, so his stock may be reduced to a mid-round pick. A smart team that knows his value as a slot receiver will take advantage and be very happy when Hardy is producing as a rookie.
Quandre Diggs, NCB, Texas
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There are few players in college as experienced as University of Texas product Quandre Diggs. In Diggs’ four collegiate seasons, he accrued 52 games of experience, and almost all of those came as a nickel cornerback.
The nickel cornerback is a special position. It doesn’t require the same skill set as a boundary cornerback, so finding a viable slot option can be a tough task.
Instead of length and speed, slot corners need quick feet and a physical mindset. They must be willing run defenders and capable tacklers since they’re the first line of defense outside of the tackle box. Since they’re often isolated in space against a shifty slot receiver, they’ll need to be strong finishers.
There are few, if any, more qualified and talented nickel cornerbacks in college football than Diggs. He’s the prototypical nickel with his excellent tackling form and tough, never-go-away mindset in coverage. He’s a nuisance when he’s covering a receiver.
Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson
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The current state of linebackers has led it to become one of the weakest positions across the NFL. In a draft filled with solid playmakers who are capable of playing inside, expect some mid-rounders to earn early playing time.
Of the candidates who should be on the board on late Day 2 and early Day 3, Clemson linebacker Stephone Anthony is the most talented. Anthony is a physical specimen at 6’2”, 245 pounds and matches that size with great downhill speed.
Anthony is a great blitzer and run defender with his ability to close distances quickly and diagnose plays. He’s not super-smooth in coverage, but he is capable of running with leaking backs and tight ends. His ability to stay on the field for three downs is valuable and will lead him to a starting role quite quickly.
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Ibraheim Campbell, SS, Northwestern
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Stuck in a very mediocre class of safeties, Ibraheim Campbell brings value to whoever decides to take him. Campbell is an experienced and versatile player, giving him a better chance to get on the field as a rookie.
Campbell is a great tackler, showing discipline and technique as he comes down to fill running lanes. His 317 career tackles and 10 interceptions help illustrate that he also has a nose for the football in coverage.
The most surprising aspect of Campbell’s skill set is his ability to play press coverage. He was dominant in press at the Senior Bowl, jamming receivers like Tony Lippett, Jamison Crowder and Devin Smith with ease. His ability to slip outside to cornerback for some snaps is a great plus for a secondary that needs versatility.
Malcolm Brown, RB, Texas
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Stuck in a deeply talented group of running backs in the 2015 class is former prep star Malcolm Brown. His tenure at Texas was filled with flashes of brilliance, but his surrounding situation crumbled around him as former head coach Mack Brown’s program struggled to augment the roster as it did in previous seasons.
While watching Brown, his consistency and smooth movement are standout traits. He has very good vision as he approaches the line of scrimmage. Brown doesn’t have great acceleration or speed, so he won’t create a lot of big plays, but he can be productive.
Instead of investing in a top-tier back, a shrewder team will find Brown to be a great value in the middle rounds. He’s capable of starting for zone-blocking teams that want the consistency and sure-handedness that Brown brings. The fact that he’s lost just two fumbles in 630 rushing attempts is incredible and rare.
Daryl Williams, OT, Oklahoma
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Although he’s coming off a mediocre Senior Bowl performance, Oklahoma offensive tackle Daryl Williams has the potential to be a solid starting player in the NFL. Williams has great size, measuring 6’5” and 334 pounds, along with 34” arms.
For teams that use gap blocks, Williams is a solid right tackle option. His power and length will be utilized perfectly because he can drive defenders out of the way for running backs. He was the most consistent run blocker for the explosive Sooners’ rushing attack.
As a pass blocker, Williams wins with his length and hand strength. His hand placement on punches gets him in trouble because he’s not very agile, but that’s coachable and can improve. His build is NFL-ready, and he just needs technique refinement to become a capable starting tackle.
Jamil Douglas, OG, Arizona State
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Another Senior Bowl participant, Jamil Douglas is making the transition from tackle to guard as he enters the NFL. With his 6’4” frame and 32” arms, he’s not quite long enough to be a viable tackle option, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a great guard.
Douglas is really impressive when he’s the pulling guard. His ability to move laterally and also upfield is promising to a team running the zone-blocking scheme. Since strength isn’t the biggest trait that zone teams prefer, Douglas can be an impact run blocker right away.
Where Douglas can improve is his ability to lock out pass-rushers when matched up one-on-one. He needs some more functional strength before he can consistently handle power rushers. But if the guard opposite Douglas is good, the center can lean toward Douglas’ side and give a helping hand.
All stats used are from Sports-Reference.com.
Ian Wharton is a Miami Dolphins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, contributor for Optimum Scouting and analyst for eDraft.
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