Possible Sleepers in 2014 NFL Draft

[RS12]

OFFENSE

• 1. QB : Jeff Matthews, Cornell 6' 4" 225

Today's NFL revolves around the QB position. If you do not have a franchise QB chances are you won't get very far in the postseason at the NFL level. Cornell QB Jeff Matthews is an interesting prospect and could possibly be the most gifted passer in this draft class. He has prototypical size for QB at 6' 4" 225 lbs, and has shown he can make all the throws necessary to play QB in the NFL. He has a cannon for an arm and possesses an above average football IQ. He has the strongest arm of any QB in this draft and watching game film of his 2013 season most of his incompletions were dropped passes that hit the receiver's hands. The knock on Matthews is the level of competition he faced in the Ivy League. I argue that not only did the Ivy League provide him with subpar competition, but they also provided him with subpar team mates. As much of an advantage most people say he got from competition level was balanced out by the lack of playmakers around him. Given the right coaching and surrounding talent at the next level Matthews could be one of the best QBs taken this year. His low draft status could land him on a playoff team or contender next season with plenty of supporting talent.

• 2. RB : Zurlon Tipton, Central Michigan 6'1" 220

With today's NFL geared more towards the forward pass RB has become less of a concern for NFL teams, but a really good RB can change the fortunes of a team. Central Michigan RB Zurlon Tipton has the size you would look for in a workhorse back. In 2012 he rushed for 1492 yards and 19 TDs while averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Tipton only played 4 games this season for the Chippewas after returning early from ankle surgery that everyone thought would end his season. He wound up the season with only 74 carries but he averaged 5.4 yards per carry and scored 8 TDs. He shows good vision when running between the tackles and while not a burner shows the explosiveness to get to the edge and the power to deliver a blow at the end of a run. He may possibly wind up a starter in the NFL at some point in his career.

• 3. FB : Ryan Eppes, South Florida 6' 1" 236

Most NFL teams have gone away from the traditional I formation set and the need for FB to catch the football out of the backfield and block has translated into hybrid TE/FB players but Ryan Eppes is your prototypical FB. 6' 1" 236 lbs he has the power to get the short yardage at the next level and is an excellent run blocker. His hands are suspect at best. But he can be tough to bring down if he catches the ball in the secondary.

• 4. WR : Corey Washington, Newberry 6' 4" 208

At 6' 4" 208 lbs Washington has the size to go up and get the ball at its highest point. He doesn't show the burst to separate himself from defenders, but has shown the ability to catch the ball in traffic, and once he has the ball in his hands he is strong and elusive leading to big gains in an important category for an NFL WR, yards after catch. He could wind up on someone's practice squad this season, but eventually he will crack the 53 man roster somewhere in the NFL.

http://****************/possible-sl..._medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+Fvsnn+(FVSNN)

 

[Leadbelly]

Nice info. The link is broken for me but I found it via Google. Folks can replace DOT with a . to find the article…

http://voicesDOTyahooDOTcom/possible-sleepers-2014-nfl-draft-12504820.html


Zurlon Tipton…haha, the guy must be from that Key and Peele college football sketch.

Was looking forward to seeing Zach Moore at the Shrine game. Shame he got hurt but hopefully we can snag him late. Here's video from his sophomore year.




I'd also throw in Elhadji Ndaiye at Nebraska Kearney. He's listed at 6-5/245in his college bio. Looks a little shorter but looks crazy fast. Converted from basketball. Check him out…

 

[RS12]

Nice info. The link is broken for me but I found it via Google. Folks can replace DOT with a . to find the article…

http://voicesDOTyahooDOTcom/possible-sleepers-2014-nfl-draft-12504820.html


Zurlon Tipton…haha, the guy must be from that Key and Peele college football sketch.

Was looking forward to seeing Zach Moore at the Shrine game. Shame he got hurt but hopefully we can snag him late. Here's video from his sophomore year.




I'd also throw in Elhadji Ndaiye at Nebraska Kearney. He's listed at 6-5/245in his college bio. Looks a little shorter but looks crazy fast. Converted from basketball. Check him out…

• 3. DT Chris Davenport Tulane, 6' 3" 330

After transferring from LSU Davenport shed the extra weight that hindered him getting on the field and it showed in his play. He is an excellent run stuffer with the strength to push the pocket and pressure the QB as well. He will draw double teams in the middle allowing ends to flourish. Definitely a must watch if he makes it onto a 53 man roster this year.

• 4. DT : Ashton Dorsey, Lamar 6' 2" 295

Small for a DT in the NFL but Dorsey plays with the kind of motor and drive you want to see in the middle of your defense. He is a solid run stopper and is strong enough to push the pocket. He could sneak on to a 53 man roster this year or some team will greedily hide him away on the practice squad for a season.

If Davenport was an LSU recruit he could be worth a look.

 

[xwalker]

• 1. QB : Jeff Matthews, Cornell 6' 4" 225

Today's NFL revolves around the QB position. If you do not have a franchise QB chances are you won't get very far in the postseason at the NFL level. Cornell QB Jeff Matthews is an interesting prospect and could possibly be the most gifted passer in this draft class. He has prototypical size for QB at 6' 4" 225 lbs, and has shown he can make all the throws necessary to play QB in the NFL. He has a cannon for an arm and possesses an above average football IQ. He has the strongest arm of any QB in this draft and watching game film of his 2013 season most of his incompletions were dropped passes that hit the receiver's hands. The knock on Matthews is the level of competition he faced in the Ivy League. I argue that not only did the Ivy League provide him with subpar competition, but they also provided him with subpar team mates. As much of an advantage most people say he got from competition level was balanced out by the lack of playmakers around him. Given the right coaching and surrounding talent at the next level Matthews could be one of the best QBs taken this year. His low draft status could land him on a playoff team or contender next season with plenty of supporting talent.

This guy is impressive. Big, strong arm, reasonably quick release, accurate.

 

[reddyuta]

The word Sleeper gives Me indigestion,usually its a small school guy whose learning curve is too steep and we have to carry these guys on the roster with little or no production.

 

[IAmLegend]

OFFENSE

• 1. QB : Jeff Matthews, Cornell 6' 4" 225

Today's NFL revolves around the QB position. If you do not have a franchise QB chances are you won't get very far in the postseason at the NFL level. Cornell QB Jeff Matthews is an interesting prospect and could possibly be the most gifted passer in this draft class. He has prototypical size for QB at 6' 4" 225 lbs, and has shown he can make all the throws necessary to play QB in the NFL. He has a cannon for an arm and possesses an above average football IQ. He has the strongest arm of any QB in this draft and watching game film of his 2013 season most of his incompletions were dropped passes that hit the receiver's hands. The knock on Matthews is the level of competition he faced in the Ivy League. I argue that not only did the Ivy League provide him with subpar competition, but they also provided him with subpar team mates. As much of an advantage most people say he got from competition level was balanced out by the lack of playmakers around him. Given the right coaching and surrounding talent at the next level Matthews could be one of the best QBs taken this year. His low draft status could land him on a playoff team or contender next season with plenty of supporting talent.
http://****************/possible-sleepers-2014-nfl-draft-12504820.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: Fvsnn (FVSNN)

No way Matthews has a stronger arm than Logan Thomas. Thomas can literally hurl the ball 70 yards with the flick of a wrist.

Regardless, I'd rather not draft a QB who's a statue in the pocket like Matthews is. It'd be Drew Bledsoe all over again if he ever actually played.

 

[IAmLegend]

If he's there in the 5th, he's a steal.

 

[xwalker]

No way Matthews has a stronger arm than Logan Thomas. Thomas can literally hurl the ball 70 yards with the flick of a wrist.

Regardless, I'd rather not draft a QB who's a statue in the pocket like Matthews is. It'd be Drew Bledsoe all over again if he ever actually played.

They probably meant all QBs that have a legit chance to be an NFL QB.

Matthews appears to be more mobile than the Eagles QB Nick Foles.

 

[IAmLegend]

They probably meant all QBs that have a legit chance to be an NFL QB.

Matthews appears to be more mobile than the Eagles QB Nick Foles.

Lol I hear ya. I just went back and watched some of Mathews' tape from this season on draftbreakdown. The last I had seen on him was from 2012. I stand corrected: He actually look a lot better than I remember. The first thing that jumps out at you is his arm talent. It's elite. He passes the eye test for an NFL QB with his size and arm, but his footwork definitely needs refining and he tends to lock onto his 1st read too often. It's also hard to tell how good his accuracy is because most of the windows he's throwing into on tape are pretty big due the defenses being so poor. But, all in all, if he's still available in the 7th round, there's no reason not to pull the trigger. At worst you might be able to develop him into a nice (and cheap) backup. He might even go higher depending on his combine workouts. Interesting prospect for sure.