2014 NFL Draft Day 2 Values: Defense
2014 NFL Draft Day 2 Values: Offense | 2014 NFL Draft Day 2 Values: Defense
2014 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Offense | 2014 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Defense
2014 NFL Draft Sleepers
Published May 1, 2014
By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell
In the recent weeks, there have been a lot of questions about who are my value picks in the 2014 NFL Draft class. A value or sleeper prospect is basically a player who gets drafted after the first round and proves to be a steal. The second day of the draft is when the men are separated from the boys among NFL general managers. All the players have strengths and flaws, but the top evaluators find future starters and team building-blocks on Day 2.
My favorite prospect in the 2009 NFL Draft was Ole Miss wide receiver Mike Wallace. He went late in the third round to the Steelers and now is one of the best receivers in the NFL. A year later, my sleeper prospect to go after the first round was Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes. He’s a good player for New England.
Two years ago, my favorite sleeper was Cincinnati defensive tackle/end Derek Wolfe, who played well for the Broncos in 2013 after going in the second round .
My favorite value pick of the 2013 NFL Draft was guard Larry Warford. He was a third-round pick by the Lions and had a superb rookie season for Detroit. Warford was a steal by general manager Martin Mayhew.
Here is a breakdown of a sleeper prospect at each defensive position for the 2014 NFL Draft. All the players will be prospects who are going on the second or third day of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Dominique Easley, DE/DT, Florida
If Easley can stay healthy – and that’s a big if considering he has suffered two torn ACLs – he’s going to be a steal for somebody. Prior to his most recent season-ending knee injury, Easley was dominating in 2013 and was one of the best defensive linemen in college football. He has a non-stop motor and is extremely disruptive at the point of attack. Easley uses his speed to blow up runs in the backfield and pressure the quarterback in his pass rush. He also is very strong for his size and holds his ground well. Easley would fit well as a 4-3 lineman who plays end on run downs and moves inside in passing situations. Sources said Easley was a first-round pick before the injury, so obviously he has the physical skills to be a difference-maker in the NFL.
Taylor Hart, DT/DE, Oregon
Another defensive lineman who has gone under the radar because of a late injury is Hart. He was impossible to ignore for Oregon in 2013. Hart was a big run-stuffer and also put pressure on the quarterback. The junior showed his pass-rush ability with eight sacks and his run-defense capabilities with 75 tackles last year. The 6-foot-6, 281-pounder would be a great fit as a 3-4 defensive end. He has a burst to go along with great size and length. Hart is going to be a steal for someone in the third or fourth round.
Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU
I wish I could pick Ryan Shazier for this, but he’s a first-rounder, so he doesn’t count. Of the second-day prospects, Van Noy can really do it all as a linebacker for the NFL. He can fit as a 4-3 or 3-4 outside linebacker who also could move inside. Van Noy is a tremendous pass-rusher off the edge as totaled 13 sacks in 2012. He also has the ability to drop into coverage. Van Noy (6-3, 244) has enough size and is a good pursuit run-defender. His numbers were down as a senior because teams went away from him and sent double-teams his direction. However, Van Noy has great instincts and probably would have been a first-round pick if he had entered the 2014 NFL Draft. I think Van Noy is a safe pick to become a valuable defender and a steal on Day 2.
Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida
This could even function as a potential third-day steal because Roberson might fall to Saturday. He has had awful postseason performances at the Combine and pro day to serve as a catalyst for him to have a huge fall. The reason I like Roberson is because the tape doesn’t lie. He won a starting job as a true freshman and was an excellent man-cover corner for Florida in 2011 and 2012. Roberson matched up well against elite receivers and was superb at not allowing separation. The 6-foot, 190-pounder has good size and length to him while also playing fast. Roberson was once viewed as a potential first-rounder, and I think he’ll end up being a steal who turns into a good starter in the NFL – if his head is on straight.
Dion Bailey, S, USC
Some slow 40 times are hurting the stock of Bailey, but speed was never an issue for him in college. In his first two seasons, he was a speedy and instinctive Will linebacker in Monte Kiffin’s Tampa 2 defense. Bailey went back to safety for 2013 and produced another good season. The junior led the way to give Derek Carr and the high-powered Fresno State offense fits. Bailey is versatile to be cross-trained in the NFL as a free and strong safety. The 6-foot, 200-pounder also has ball skills as he recorded 11 interceptions in three seasons. Bailey could go in the third round and end up being a superb value pick.
2014 NFL Draft Day 2 Values: Offense | 2014 NFL Draft Day 2 Values: Defense
2014 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Offense | 2014 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Defense
2014 NFL Draft Sleepers
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