NFL Draft 2015: Underrated Stars Who Will Provide Great Value Past Day 1

The beauty of the NFL draft is that you never know when you're watching the next great star selected. Whether it's the first round or the seventh, there's always the chance that you can witness the beginning of something special.

The best head coaches and general managers know how to maximize the value from each and every one of their draft picks. Unlike the NBA draft, where extracting value outside the top 10 is extremely hard to do, the NFL draft boasts a seemingly endless pool of potential Pro Bowlers.

You can bet that the 2015 draft will feature a number of talented stars who fail to crack the first round but prove productive nonetheless. Among that group, the four players below stand out.

Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

There's the slim chance that Tevin Coleman goes in the first round. However, it seems unlikely that he goes before Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon, and it seems even unlikelier that three running backs go in the first 32 picks.

The Indiana Hoosiers star is holding out hope that he'll hear his name on Day 1, per David Woods of The Indianapolis Star:

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He said it was "real important" to be chosen in the first round. The Hoosiers haven't had a first-round pick for 20 years, a drought exceeded by only Iowa State (41 years) and Duke (27) among major college programs.

"It's one of the goals that I want to achieve," Coleman said. "That's why I came out here and gave my all, gave it my best."

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Bleacher Report's Matt Miller believes he's a just on the outside looking in:

Should Coleman fall to the second round, he'd be a strong addition to a team hoping to upgrade in the backfield.

He's a strong runner who's not afraid of contact and won't often get caught going sideways and losing yards. He can also be a threat in the passing game—his speed could help turn short screens into big gains.

Coleman offers the total package at running back.

Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA

Two things should be working in Brett Hundley's favor on draft day.

For one, he almost certainly won't go in the first round. While that means getting less money, it also means Hundley won't be burdened with the expectations that come with first-round QBs. In addition, he should also end up in a situation where he's not asked to start right away.

There's little question that Hundley is ill-equipped to handle starting duties in 2015. B/R's Mike Tanier highlighted how the former UCLA Bruin was a seriously liability in the pocket at times:

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Like Jameis Winston's interception totals, Hundley's sack rates should not be shrugged off as meaningless college stats. An NFL executive once told me that he considers a high sack rate a red flag for a quarterback prospect. It signifies multiple problems, from pocket indecision to a slow delivery. The fact that the quarterback has already taken a collegiate pounding is one more reason to look away.

UCLA's loss to Utah illustrates the Hundley dilemma. Hundley endured 10 sacks in the 30-28 loss in early October. His pass protection was horrendous for most of the game, but Hundley compounded the problem by hanging in the pocket instead of either stepping up or checking down.

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If—and it's a big if—Hundley can become more comfortable in the pocket, then he will be a No. 1 quarterback in the NFL. He has the arm to make any throw and the mobility to extend plays and avoid pressure.

Yes, selecting Hundley is a massive gamble. If a team is willing to be patient with him, though, he could emerge as one of the better passers to come out of the 2015 draft.

Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Inside linebackers tend to be undervalued when it comes to the draft. They're far overshadowed by their brethren on the outside. As a result, teams can usually find somebody like Kiko Alonso or NaVorro Bowman outside the first round.

Stephone Anthony has the potential to be the best inside linebacker in the 2015 draft. He's strong enough to fight through blocks and get after the quarterback or ball-carrier. Speed isn't an issue, either, after he ran a 4.56 40-yard dash and 4.03 20-yard shuttle at the combine, per NFL.com.

Perhaps most importantly with the way the game continues to evolve, Anthony is athletic enough to keep up with most tight ends. He won't be a major liability in pass coverage unless he's lined up against Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski, who give everybody matchup problems.

Cody Prewitt, FS, Ole Miss

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Cody Prewitt doesn't necessarily wow you with his physical gifts. He only ran a 4.60 40-yard dash at the combine, and his 11 reps on the bench were the lowest among the safeties who took part.

Despite his physical limitations, the former Ole Miss Rebels safety should have a long and fruitful career in the league because of his IQ and instincts. Fox Sports' Charles Davis praised Prewitt's ability to often find himself around the ball:

When lined up in man coverage, Prewitt will be a bit of a liability against quicker, more agile wide receivers.

When he's in zone, however, Prewitt will be in his element. He can read the field and knows when to break to properly jump a route without getting there too early or too late. In the right scheme, a defensive coordinator can mask some of Prewitt's deficiencies while highlighting his best attributes.