2014 NFL Draft Day 2 Values: Offense
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 offensive 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.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
I’m conflicted on this in part because I know quarterback gurus who like A.J. McCarron and Zach Mettenberger more, but I feel that Bridgewater will be a better pro quarterback than either of those players. Bridgewater doesn’t have an elite skill set, but I think he could beat teams with his mental acumen. Bridgewater’s ability to read defenses and find the right receiver is phenomenal for a college quarterback. Mentally, he is pro ready, and I think in the NFL, he’s going to master the mental side of the pro game. Bridgewater’ll win the chess match and make up for his lack of elite physical tools. He has enough athletic talent to complement his mental abilities.
Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU
Hill will be selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, but in a few years, I see many people regretting not taking Hill in the first round. The 6-foot, 233-pounder has the power to run over through tacklers with a surprising burst and speed to run away from defenders in the open field. He enters the NFL without a lot of wear-and-tear as he was part of a rotation at LSU as a freshman. In his one season (2013) as the featured back, Hill averaged 6.9 yards per carry for 1,401 yards with 16 touchdowns. He also has potential as a receiver. For the NFL, Hill should be a three-down starter who gives his offense a physical, downhill-rushing attack.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washigton
Seferian-Jenkins has a first-round skill set, but a number of issues make him a value pick on the second day. There are some off-the-field concerns around Seferian-Jenkins and sources have said that he didn’t interview well with teams. In combination with his 2013 numbers being down from year before, Seferian-Jenkins could slide on the second day of the 2014 NFL Draft. Still, the 6-foot-6, 266-pounder is an excellent athlete with size and speed to be a mismatch weapon in the NFL. He is quick and presents a huge target. It wouldn’t be surprising to me if Seferian-Jenkins becomes one of the top receiving tight ends in the NFL. He is a boom-or-bust pick who is worth the roll of the dice on Day 2.
Jared Abbrederis, WR, Wisconsin
The 2014 NFL Draft features a tremendous class of receivers. As a result, Abbrederis, who is a good player, is falling under the radar. WalterFootball.com spoke with sources who believe Abbrederis going to be a nice value pick as a slot receiver in the third or fourth round. Last season, Abbrederis made 78 catches for 1,081 yards with seven touchdowns. He torched Bradley Roby and Ohio State for 10 receptions, 207 yards and a touchdown. Abbrederis is a phenomenal route-runner with quickness and special teams ability. He was a good receiver for Wisconsin in 2012 and 2011 as well. Abbrederis could be a steal as a mid-rounder.
Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee
Entering the 2013 season, Richardson was labelled by consensus as a future first-round pick. 2013 wasn’t as good for the junior as 2012 and there are concerns regarding a micro-fracture injury. However, Richardson (6-6, 336) was phenomenal in 2012 and was one of the best left tackles in the nation. Tennessee’s line was superb, and Richardson did very well in both of his matchups against Jadeveon Clowney. Richardson could go Day 2 of the 2014 NFL Draft, and it would not surprise me if he develops into a good starting tackle in the NFL.
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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