5. Austin Carr (Wide Receiver, Northwestern)
In a draft class that featured names like Mike Williams, Corey Davis and John Ross, it’s no real surprise that a slot receiver from Northwestern isn’t getting a ton of attention. But that doesn’t mean Austin Carr brings nothing to the table, because he most certainly does.
In his senior season at Northwestern, Carr hauled in 90 receptions for 1,247 yards and 12 touchdowns. It was a true breakout season for a receiver who had a combined 23 receptions for 402 yards and two touchdowns in the three previous seasons.
Carr didn’t just put himself on the map in the Big Ten, but also on a national stage. His 1,247 yards were fourth-most by a slot receiver in the nation, and his 12 touchdowns were good for third-best by a slot receiver.
There’s obviously still some development left to take place for Carr, but he has tremendous upside. Someone is going to take a flier on him late in the draft, and it could pay off in a big way.
4. Brandon Barnes (Tight End, Alabama State)
If you watched the HBCU Spirit of America Bowl All-Star Game in January, you might be somewhat familiar with Brandon Barnes. He didn’t exactly light up the box score with his receiving prowess, although he did haul in a pair of passes, but he certainly put himself on the map thanks in large part to his blocking ability.
That’s not to say Barnes isn’t a talented receiver, however. His career numbers may not be overly impressive, but the film doesn’t lie. In addition to his very valued blocking ability, Barnes is a solid seam receiver who is capable of going up and getting the ball using his 6-foot-4, 250-pound frame.
The problem for Barnes is that he doesn’t really have a set position. He could play tight end in the NFL or he could convert to wide receiver. He could also play the h-back role similar to what Rhett Ellison has done throughout his career.
Barnes has met with quite a few teams and is bound to get a call from one of them in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft.
3. Jeremy Clark (Cornerback, Michigan)
Jeremy Clark would be a much hotter name headed into the 2017 NFL Draft if a shoulder injury didn’t limit him early in his college career and a torn ACL didn’t cut his senior season short. But that’s the hand Clark has been dealt, and that’s the hand he continues to play.
Despite his injuries and the concerns that come along with them, Clark has put some good tape together when healthy. He’s a lengthy press corner who doesn’t shy away from physical receivers, and has added 15 pounds so far this offseason.
At the next level, Clark could be seen as either a cornerback or safety, but that versatility only adds to his potential mid- to late-round value. And if his medical check comes back clean, there will undoubtedly be a team or two willing to take a chance on him in the mid-rounds.
2. Jeremiah Ledbetter (Defensive Tackle, Arkansas)
After an impressive week of practice leading up to the Shrine Game, Jeremiah Ledbetter caught the attention of quite a few NFL teams, even earning private visits with a handful.
The 6-foot-3, 280-pound Ledbetter also excelled during his senior season, leading Arkansas with 5.5 sacks. Only adding to his value, Ledbetter has demonstrated the ability to play both the three- and five-technique.
However, despite a relatively impressive resume and solid game tape, there are some concerns about Ledbetter’s size and how that will impact him at the next level. Some experts question whether he’s better suited for the 3-4 or the 4-3, while others feel he can play in either system.
Ledbetter will be an interesting prospect to watch during the NFL Draft. He could go as high as Round 4 or as late as Round 6.
1. Alek Torgersen (Quarterback, Penn)
Arguably, this spot could have been reserved for Tennessee’s Josh Dobbs or Ole Miss’ Chad Kelly, but are they really “sleepers”? Both have received a significant amount of attention for various reasons are expected to be mid- to late-round draft picks. However, the same can not be said for Alek Torgersen.
Although Torgersen has generated some interest from NFL teams, he wasn’t invited to the combine in Indianapolis and is widely considered a development prospect. Despite that, there’s a certain level of intrigue with his dual-threat ability and strong arm.
The two-time first-team all-Ivy League quarterback also comes with a few added bonuses: intelligence and a great character. He’s as hard a worker in the classroom as he is the film room, and there are several NFL teams that will put an emphasis on that.
For all those reasons, Torgersen should absolutely be considered a late-round sleeper.
