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5 NFL Draft Sleepers

Dorsett

Phillip Dorsett has the speed that can take the top off of defenses

With being only weeks away from the draft, everyone is gearing up for football again and it’s nowhere more evident than a simple Google search for mock drafts. There are countless mock drafts for the big event coming up on April 30, so instead of adding another one to the list, we’re using one to our benefit.

Looking at a mock like the one above, trying to pinpoint who will be the next Tom Brady is difficult. For that reason, we’ve taken the task to the experts to name players that are drafted after the 4th Round who are sleepers.

Draft Wizard Mock Draft Simulator
Q. Pick 1 sleeper going in the 4th Round and beyond and tell us why he’ll produce over the long term.
Note: Players selected based on mock available on 4/15/15.

Phillip Dorsett (WR – Miami)
Projected team: St. Louis Rams – 4th Round

“The player that jumped off the page to me as a value was Dorsett falling to the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round. There is no way Dorsett should slide out of the top two rounds based on his elite skill which is SPEED. Dorsett is a track guy who can actually make plays at the wide receiver position. His short stature makes people think he won’t be able to make plays on the ball against larger defensive backs, but his tape suggests he can make tough catches in traffic and his hand size (9 and 3/8”) was larger than projected first round receivers DeVante Parker and Breshad Perriman. It would be ideal if Dorsett could land on a team with a quarterback who can deliver a nice deep ball to take advantage of his speed. It would be even better if that QB could hit the deep seam with Dorsett running by defenders in the slot. Nick Foles proved he could use a speed receiver the right way two years ago when he connected with DeSean Jackson again and again. While Dorsett is not DeSean Jackson from a talent perspective, he can develop into a lesser version. What I’m saying is that Dorsett is more like a young Santana Moss than a one-trick pony like Marquise Goodwin. If you were all over John Brown in your dynasty leagues, you should love Dorsett.”
Dennis Esser (Coach Esser)

“Dorsett would be a steal for the Rams, as he has a good shot at going in Round 2. Sure, at 5’10, 185 pounds, he’s clearly undersized – and that could lead to limited scoring upside in the NFL. But with a rare combination of 4.3 speed and reliable hands, he carries DeSean Jackson-like potential. Landing in St. Louis certainly gives him a shot at immediate playing time. Nick Foles probably isn’t the long-term answer at QB, though.”
Kevin English (Draft Sharks)

Mike Davis (RB – South Carolina)
Projected team: Dallas Cowyboys – 4th Round

“While I do worry about Davis’ initial burst, his vision is amazing. He is 5’9” and 216 lbs., so he is geared toward a bell cow. Dallas is the perfect landing spot for a guy like him with the offensive line that they have, pushing around their opponent. If the Cowboys don’t take an RB early and wait on Davis, this could be a steal in dynasty drafts considering who he would start out behind on the depth chart… Joseph Randle (thief and not very good), DMC (injured or dead), Lance Dunbar (I like him, but more suited for 3rd down back?). It’s the perfect storm for Mike Davis, so let’s hope it aligns like this for our dynasty teams. But… We know it won’t, because well, football.”
Mike Tagliere (Tags Fantasy Football)

E.J. Bibbs (TE – Iowa State)
Projected team: Tennessee Titans – 5th Round

“I debated giving a nod to the vertically-challenged (like myself) with lightning-quick Dorsett out of Miami, but I turned my attention to a deeper sleeper option in tight end E.J. Bibbs of the Iowa State Cyclones. Bibbs was a beast for the Cyclones in two years and particularly dominant in the red zone (eight touchdowns in 10 games during the 2014 season). At 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds, he has the size to create separation and mismatches downfield. Bibb also ran a sub-4.9 40-yard dash at his Pro Day to prove that he’d moved past a knee injury that weighed down his stock. Go hard or go home.”
Mike Harmon (Swollen Dome)

Tre McBride (WR – William & Mary)
Projected team: Indianapolis Colts – 5th Round

“I’m intrigued by receiver Tre McBride out of William & Mary. There normally are some players from smaller colleges that get overlooked come draft day and McBride certainly fits the bill when it comes to that. McBride didn’t show great speed in workouts, which likely hurts his draft stock, but is a player that runs much faster with pads on. He has great hands and can make the acrobatic catch. You can’t teach great hands and McBride certainly has that gift. He also has very good strength for the position and certainly looks the part of a legit NFL receiver. McBride could start his career a tad slow as he gets acclimated to the pro game, especially since he comes from a small school, but he has a real chance to make an impact in this league.”
Jeff Paur (RTSports)

DeAndre Smelter (WR – Georgia Tech)
Project team: Undrafted

“If we are talking strictly long-term potential without much consideration for 2015 stats, DeAndre Smelter from Georgia Tech is one of my favorite sleepers. Had it not been for a torn ACL in late November, Smelter would likely be considered an early-round draft prospect, but an injury so late in the season almost certainly pushes him to the later rounds. A former baseball player, Smelter played just two years of college football and 2014 was the first season that he devoted exclusively to the gridiron at Georgia Tech. He accumulated 56 catches, 1,060 yards, and 11 touchdowns in just 22 collegiate games. Considering the option-based Tech offense that ranked in the bottom five of all FBS teams in pass attempts each of the last two seasons, that makes the numbers all that more impressive.

Less than three months removed from knee surgery, Smelter did not participate in drills at the NFL combine, but he measured in at 6’2” and 226 pounds with 11-inch hands and nearly 33-inch arms. That frame allows him to be physical with defensive backs and win on contested passes. Smelter has also demonstrated willingness and ability as a run blocker. While he doesn’t have elite speed, Smelter is a precise route runner and is able to create separation, particularly on underneath routes. He’s also very good after the catch. Given the right situation and a level of patience from his fantasy owners, Smelter has the potential to be a dynasty steal down the road.”
Jason Willan (Gridiron Experts)

Thank you to all the experts who took the time to evaluate the draft board and name their sleepers. For more advice, be sure to follow them on Twitter.

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