2016 NFL Draft's All-Sleeper Team
Even after four months of NFL draft buildup, there are still players who will likely be drafted without any real buzz. The first- and second-round prospects have dominated the discussion through mid-April, but NFL teams need to win the third round and beyond to have a successful draft.
Many expect these prospects to land somewhere on Day 3 of the draft, with the outside chance of being a late Day 2 selection. However, each prospect, in the right situation, could outplay his likely draft position. A mix of attending a small school, being undersized or lacking appreciation, these nine prospects are players you should hope your team drafts on Day 3 of the 2016 NFL draft.
Quarterback: Josh Woodrum, Liberty
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While quarterbacks dominate the first- and second-round discussion, Josh Woodrum of Liberty will patiently wait for the dominoes to fall before him. The tall, strong-armed quarterback performed well in the team’s matchup against FBS foe West Virginia in 2015, and his flashes of developmental upside kept teams intrigued during the process.
NFL teams have begun to grow averse to “project” quarterbacks because so few have found success, but Woodrum can be a unique exception to that rule. Managing a somewhat pro-style offense and his mental adeptness at the quarterback position should make him a quick study as a reliable backup after a year in the NFL, and he has the upside to be a potential starter down the road in the right situation.
Running Back: DeAndre Washington, Texas Tech
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Despite producing at a high level and winning All-Big 12 honors as a senior, DeAndre Washington has received little to no attention from major media. With diminutive size at 5'8" and a career spent in a spread offense, Washington has been dismissed as an NFL-level prospect, but his skill set as a pass-catcher and open-field runner should still spark NFL interest.
Offering a similar refined third-down running back skill set to San Jose State’s Tyler Ervin, both should spark interest in the same teams. While Ervin might be a more NFL-style receiver out of the backfield, Washington has just as much experience and may garner interest from teams searching for a running back with those services. The fifth or sixth round could be a possible destination despite the little “buzz” he’s had during the process.
Wide Receiver: Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia
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Once considered one of the best athletes in the country as a freshman, injuries and a lack of a true positional identity pushed Malcolm Mitchell out of the national spotlight. However, as Matt Harmon of NFL.com published in his yearly “Reception Perception” research, Mitchell has been on par with some of the best receivers in the country.
A skilled route-runner, Mitchell is able to separate on shorter and perimeter routes with success. Most impressively, Mitchell is able to finish away from his frame with remarkable consistency, making him one of the better comeback and seam route-runners in this class. For teams that value three- and four-receiver sets and wideouts who can finish away from their frame (like the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals), he’d be a steal on Day 3.
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Tight End: David Grinnage, North Carolina State
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The big-bodied tight end didn’t receive substantial targets or reception opportunities over the last two years, but David Grinnage should have ample NFL interest as a uniquely built athlete. The early-entry tight end should intrigue as a capable blocking tight end with interior pass-catching upside.
More intriguing for Grinnage is his frame, which could be indicative of a position switch if a team doesn’t feel he’s needed at tight end. A developmental left tackle or even a defensive end switch could be in store for Grinnage if things do work out. However, with a weak tight end class in 2016, Grinnage should intrigue needy teams on Day 3, especially as an immediately capable run-blocker.
Offensive Line: Anthony Fabiano, Harvard
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After a midseason injury derailed his potential Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine invite, Anthony Fabiano recovered from an ankle injury in time for his Pro Day. Performing at a remarkable level for a recently recovered offensive line prospect, Fabiano’s Pro Day workout numbers were the best among offensive linemen in the 2016 NFL draft, according to the SPARQ formula.
Working as a center since his injury and offering the most value there thanks to his quickness off the snap, pivot-blocking ability out of his stance and relative football (and general) IQ, Fabiano is battling for positioning in one of the best center classes in recent memory. That said, Fabiano’s athleticism, on-film versatility and work ethic after recovering from injury should make him a worthwhile Day 3 pick.
Defensive Line: Connor Wujciak, Boston College
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As Fabiano is one of the 2016 NFL draft’s most athletic offensive linemen, Connor Wujciak of Boston College is the same for the defensive side of the ball. Many originally considered Wujciak a mere rotational option for potential late-round consideration during the season, but after showing flashes of persistent disruption and interior penetration, Wujciak should be a lock to be taken.
With NFL teams valuing defensive line depth, athletes like Wujciak, who has value as a rotational defensive lineman, are going to remain coveted by NFL teams on Day 3 of the draft. And while it’s a strong defensive line class in the first few rounds, Wujciak’s versatility to play 5-technique or 3-technique should keep his value in the fourth or fifth round.
Linebacker: Antonio Morrison, Florida
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As a sub-6'0" linebacker, Antonio Morrison was always going to struggle as a linebacker prospect transitioning to the pro game. However, multiple knee injuries over his career even further inhibited his NFL draft projection, making him a difficult pick for even the most risk-allowed franchises.
On film, though, Morrison is one of the most active and explosive linebackers in the country. While it’s thrown around too often, Morrison epitomizes the “pure football player” aspect of scouting defenders, and it should be no surprise to any if he sticks in the NFL as a longtime starter, especially in a 3-4 defense. His struggles in traffic to get off blocks are notable, but his perimeter range and high-impact tackling ability should be enough to keep him on teams' boards and, potentially, into a team’s starting rotation in time.
Cornerback: Arjen Colquhoun, Michigan State
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Michigan State cornerbacks have found themselves as high draft picks in recent draft history, but Arjen Colquhoun won’t be drafted in that territory. The Canadian-born prospect, however, should garner ample interest from NFL teams as a tall, press-capable zone cornerback with impressive straight-line speed.
While missteps in vertical coverage and good, not great, ball skills should drop his grade to Day 3 of the draft, the fact that NFL teams are still enthralled with longer cornerbacks who can press should keep him well within the confines of the 2016 NFL draft. Should he land with the Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons or Jacksonville Jaguars, don’t be surprised to see the athletic, long and high-character cornerback challenge for a starting job in time and potentially be a younger, less toxic version of Brandon Browner.
Safety: Michael Jordan, Missouri Western
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Hailing from the MIAA, the same conference that produced Cleveland Browns cornerback Pierre Desir and Arizona Cardinals receiver John Brown, Michael Jordan of Missouri Western should have similar under-the-radar interest from NFL teams. Playing both cornerback and safety in his college career, Jordan may have more upside as a safety thanks to his change of direction and upfield timing, and he may have to lean that way after a disappointing 40-yard dash time at his Pro Day.
The small-time defensive back reminds a lot of Tashaun Gipson, former Browns and current Jaguars safety who emerged as a quality starter despite being a relatively unknown prospect during the early part of his career. Thanks to a strong safety and cornerback class, Jordan is destined for Day 3 of the draft, and he may fall out of the seven rounds altogether, but he’s worth keeping an eye on for a team to value him as a developmental starter at the safety position.
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