2016 NFL Draft: The Most Overlooked Player at Every Position
First-round picks steal the headlines, but every year, the NFL draft produces a handful of prospects who outperform their projections and prove to be stellar value picks.
From a lack of size or ideal measurables to injuries or facing lower-level competition, there are myriad reasons why these prospects can be overlooked on draft day. But no stopwatch, measuring tape or opposing helmet can ever tell the complete story of a player's potential at the next level.
Last year, Stefon Diggs, Adrian Amos, Karlos Williams and Kwon Alexander proved their worth as value picks.
Who will it be this year?
QB: Vernon Adams, Oregon
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For every Russell Wilson and Drew Brees, there are dozens upon dozens of undersized quarterback prospects who never manage to make a significant impact at the NFL level, regardless of college success.
This year, it's Oregon's Vernon Adams who is attempting to be yet another exception to the rule.
After transferring from Eastern Washington, Adams spent one season with the Ducks, overcoming injury to put together an impressive 2015 campaign. He capped it off with a dominant showing in the East-West Shrine Game, tossing three touchdowns in the first half.
At just 5'11", 200 pounds, Adams falls well outside the prototypical frame for an NFL quarterback. But size aside, he has many of the physical and mental tools required to succeed at the next level, from adequate arm strength and accuracy to awareness and athleticism.
If he ends up in the right system with a fair shot to develop, Adams could surprise many with his effectiveness at some point down the line.
Honorable Mention: Jacoby Brissett, North Carolina State
RB: Jonathan Williams, Arkansas
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Alex Collins is the Razorbacks runner who is getting the most attention in this year's draft, but teammate Jonathan Williams is somewhat of a forgotten man who could end up being a huge steal on draft day.
After rushing for over 2,000 yards over the previous two seasons, Williams was lost for the entire 2015 season due to a foot injury. Instead of teaming up with Collins again to form one of the most dominant backfields in the country, Williams was forced to watch from the sidelines.
He may not have the top-end speed that Collins possesses, but Williams is a physical runner who churns out the tough yards between the tackles and requires a host of defenders to bring him down. If he can stay healthy at the next level, he could become one of the most successful backs to come out of this year's draft class.
Honorable Mentions: Daniel Lasco, California; Kelvin Taylor, Florida
WR: Mike Thomas, Southern Mississippi
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One of the most surprising combine snubs this year, Southern Mississippi's Mike Thomas checks all the boxes when it comes to projecting his ability to succeed in the NFL, from production to physical tools.
But despite averaging nearly 20 yards per catch in 2015 and showing fantastic ball skills and adequate speed, Thomas was left to prove his athleticism at his pro day. He did just that, running in the 4.4-second range in the 40-yard dash and silencing any critics who questioned his straight-line speed.
Thomas is projected as a late-round pick, but he has the makings of a player who could make an immediate impact. His experience as a return man gives him added value, but he could end up being a successful starter early in his NFL career.
Honorable Mentions: Nelson Spruce, Colorado; Jay Lee, Baylor
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TE: Darion Griswold, Arkansas State
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The box score doesn't even begin to tell the story of Darion Griswold's potential, as the Arkansas State product has the size, athleticism and physical tools to be an effective chain-mover and red-zone threat at the next level.
At 6'5", 255 pounds, Griswold was a late addition to the Senior Bowl roster after a stellar performance at the East-West Shrine Game. His basketball background shows through in his ability to beat defenders at the catch point, and he's not afraid to get physical to come away with a contested catch.
He's still raw and needs to improve his technique and route-running skills, but Griswold has the makeup of a perfect developmental prospect who could thrive in the right situation.
Honorable Mentions: Tyler Higbee, Western Kentucky; Henry Krieger Coble, Iowa
OT: Dominique Robertson, West Georgia
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When asked to name a raw but talented offensive tackle prospect with the size, length and athleticism that NFL scouts love, most would point to Texas Tech's Le'Raven Clark.
But West Georgia's Dominique Robertson also fits the bill, and he could be available much later in the draft, based on his current projections.
At 6'5", 324 pounds, Robertson used his massive frame and 36-inch arms to dominate lower-level competition. He has the bulk and power to perhaps slide inside to guard in the NFL, but he has the physical tools to develop into a successful tackle if given time to develop under the right coaching staff.
Honorable Mentions: Caleb Benenoch, UCLA; Pearce Slater, San Diego State
OG: Eric Mac Lain, Clemson
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A highly touted tight end prospect coming out of high school, Mac Lain made the switch to the offensive line due to injuries along that unit and quickly developed into a promising blocker.
Sporting a solid blend of strength and athleticism, Mac Lain earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2015, helping one of the nation's most potent offenses on the way to a berth in the national title game.
He's still growing into his new position, but Mac Lain's work ethic and leadership ability will immediately ingratiate him to any NFL team. He'll be a valuable presence in the locker room from day one, and if he continues developing the way he did at Clemson, he could become an effective starter in the pros.
Honorable Mentions: Rees Odhiambo, Boise State; Joe Thuney, North Carolina State
C: Austin Blythe, Iowa
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This year's crop of center prospects has some impressive offerings at the top of the draft, but for teams that are looking deeper for a player to develop down the road, Iowa's Austin Blythe should be on the radar on Day 3.
He's undersized at just 6'2", 291 pounds, but the Hawkeyes are known for putting out quality blockers, and Blythe was a four-year starter with experience at center and both guard spots. He uses his size to his advantage, showing good quickness and the ability to get to the second level and neutralize linebackers while also holding his own against explosive interior defenders.
There are bigger, stronger and more athletic players in this year's center class, but Blythe is far more than the sum of his parts and could be one of the best value picks along the offensive line in the entire draft.
Honorable Mention: Matt Skura, Duke
DE: Stephen Weatherly, Vanderbilt
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He doesn't have gaudy sack numbers as a pass-rusher, but Vanderbilt's Stephen Weatherly has the size and physical traits to develop into a successful situational player, if not a solid starter.
After tallying 22 tackles for loss over the past two seasons for the Commodores, Weatherly impressed at the combine, measuring in at 6'4", 267 pounds and running a 4.61-second 40-yard dash. His combination of size, length and athleticism should be intriguing to NFL scouts, and his success against top college competition speaks for itself.
Weatherly's skill set should allow him to be successful in any scheme, and in a weak class of edge defenders, he's one of the more promising developmental prospects who are likely to be available on Day 3.
Honorable Mentions: Romeo Okwara, Notre Dame; Matt Judon, Grand Valley State
DT: Willie Henry, Michigan
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This year's draft is deepest along the interior defensive line, and while the class has plenty of talent at the top, there are some potential steals who could slip to Day 3 but still have a big impact in the pros.
Michigan's Willie Henry is a versatile defender who can play inside in a 4-3 and also slide outside and play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. At 6'3", 303 pounds, he has the frame and power to anchor against the run and take up multiple blockers, and he also has the quickness to knife through the line and make plays in the backfield.
Henry has the nonstop motor that NFL coaches will love, and when combined with his balanced skill set, he could make his presence felt immediately as a rotational player before developing into a quality starter.
Honorable Mentions: Hassan Ridgeway, Texas; Trevon Coley, Florida Atlantic
OLB: Yannick Ngakoue, Maryland
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Detractors certainly can't use the "lack of production" complaint on Maryland's Yannick Ngakoue, who racked up 33 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks over his career.
Ngakoue got to the quarterback a school-record 13.5 times in 2015, using a solid combination of quickness and power to beat would-be protectors. He has a strong enough frame to set the edge effectively and is versatile enough to play in any scheme.
Ngakoue's issues are more technical than based on talent or effort, which should make them correctable with pro-level coaching. He has the knack for making plays in the backfield that simply can't be taught, and if he smooths out the rough edges of his game, he could end up being just as disruptive in the pros.
Honorable Mentions: Antwione Williams, Georgia Southern; Tyrone Holmes, Montana
ILB: Elandon Roberts, Houston
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Another defender who checks the production box as well as any in this year's draft class, Houston's Elandon Roberts led the nation with 88 solo tackles in 2015, but he still wasn't invited to the combine.
At just 6'0" and 235 pounds, Roberts is undersized for an NFL inside linebacker, but he put to rest questions about his athleticism with a solid pro-day performance. It seems his late-round projections may be underestimating his combination of smarts, physical tools and leadership abilities.
Roberts has the work ethic and team-first mentality that will make him a valuable special teamer from day one, with the chance to develop into something more, if given the chance.
Honorable Mentions: Antonio Morrison, Florida; Luke Rhodes, William & Mary
CB: Harlan Miller, Southeastern Louisiana
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A highly productive player at the FCS level, Southeastern Louisiana's Harlan Miller tallied 11 interceptions and broke up 22 passes over his career. He followed up those solid numbers with an impressive week of practice at this year's Senior Bowl, but Miller is still projected by many as a Day 3 pick.
Miller's biggest question mark is his lack of bulk and top-end speed, but at 6'0", 182 pounds, he has the frame to add a few pounds. He's also only seven pounds lighter than Houston's William Jackson III, who is widely regarded as one of the top corners in the draft.
Miller has the quick feet and instincts to overcome his lack of elite speed, and he has the height to defend bigger receivers. If his slow 40 times cause him to slip into the later rounds, Miller could end up being a steal for a team that can put him in position to accentuate his strengths.
Honorable Mentions: Tavon Young, Temple; Cre'von LeBlanc, Florida Atlantic
S: Kevin Byard, Middle Tennessee State
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Another surprising combine snub, Middle Tennessee State's Kevin Byard was one of the nation's most productive safeties over the past four years and has the physical tools to match.
Byard picked off a school-record 19 passes over his career for the Blue Raiders, playing some of his best football against top programs like Alabama. At 5'11", 216 pounds, he already has an NFL frame and the size to survive in the box, plus the range and athleticism to be a playmaker in coverage.
Byard's pro-day performance proved he should have been invited to the combine, and his film and production speak for themselves. He's projected as a late-round pick by most at this point, but he's worth a late pick on Day 2 and could become a successful starter in the NFL down the line.
Honorable Mentions: Justin Simmons, Boston College; Jamie Byrd, USF
Note: All observations obtained firsthand, unless otherwise noted.
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