Plenty of prospects get overlooked throughout the draft process; there is no reason to think the 2020 NFL Draft will be any different.
Last week we took a look at five 2020 NFL Draft prospects who may be overrated in the eyes of the media, and today we will look at the opposite end of the spectrum. In any given draft, scouts are writing over 300 prospect scouting reports, and it is entirely possible for great players to get stuck in the weeds.
Tom Brady was a sixth round pick, the story that will be told forever. The NFL’s leader in sacks Shaquil Barrett was an undrafted free agent, David Baktiari of the Green Bay Packers and potentially the best left tackle in football was a fourth round pick. There are sleepers and steals in every draft class, and this year will be no different.
Whether or not players have athletic traits, or they were late bloomers, or they may just not have the production of a top prospect, there are plenty of reasons players fly under the radar. NFL teams are going to get steals in the later rounds of the draft, or these 2020 NFL Draft prospects will begin to rise throughout the pre-draft process after the season is over.
Here are five players in this year’s draft class who may fly under the radar and turn out to be great players at the next level.
56
Zach Baun EDGE
Scouting Report
This class of edge rushers, led by Ohio State’s Chase Young, has potential to be a special one. Other than Young there is Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa, LSU’s K’Lavon Chaisson, Boise State’s Curtis Weaver, and more. Not to get lost in the weeds is Wisconsin’s Zach Baun.
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A late bloomer, Baun has burst onto the scene for the Badgers this year, and now will get a chance in the Big Ten championship game against the top ranked Buckeyes to put his skills on full display. Already at double-digit sacks on the season, Baun has blown his 2018 numbers out of the water and has caught the attention of some NFL scouts.
Last year, Baun tallied only two and a half sacks and seven and a half tackles for loss as a junior for the Badgers. This year, however, has been a different story for Baun as he has recorded 11.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage as he continues to bolster is draft stock.
Baun is, however, a bit undersized for an edge rusher and there are no guarantees on his athletic ability. One thing is for certain though, Baun has put himself in a great position moving forward to give himself every opportunity after the season to impress NFL scouts and general managers.
7
C.J. Verdell RB
Scouting Report
In addition to a deep edge rushing class, a lot of NFL teams are going to get solid contributors at the running back position in the 2020 NFL Draft as well. There are just a few big name backs, but the middle of the draft could see a ton ball carriers come off the board; among those names could be Oregon’s C.J. Verdell should he decide to declare for the draft after the 2019 season is over.
Only a redshirt sophomore, Verdell is looking at his second straight 1,000 yard rushing season for the Ducks as they look to take home the Pac-12 championship next week. He is a versatile back as well, able to be an efficient receiver out of the backfield for the Ducks as well; this would make him a huge weapon at the next level for NFL teams.
Last year averaging five yards per carry, Verdell bumped his average to six yards per carry and has scored 17 touchdowns in his career at Oregon. Verdell is electric with the ball in space and has the speed and agility to break a big play at any point in the game.
He may not declare as he is only a redshirt sophomore and the 2020 NFL Draft is a deep class of backs. However, if he does, Verdell could be a late day-two or early day-three back who could have a significant impact on his team.
39
Malik Harrison LB
Scouting Report
It took him until his senior season, but Ohio State linebacker Malik Harrison has seen his draft stock take a massive rise after entering the season as a day three flier. Harrison has now played himself into a Reese’s Senior Bowl invite and into a potential day-two pick in the 2020 NFL Draft this upcoming April.
While his solo tackles have taken a bit of a dip this year (mainly because he is not making tackles six yards off the ball anymore), Harrison has had his nose in opposing backfields all season. After just eight and a half tackles for loss and two and a half sacks a year ago, Harrison has jumped those numbers to 16 tackles for loss and six and a half sacks from the second level of the much improved Ohio State defense this year.
Harrison has great size for the linebacker position at 6-3 and 240 pounds, has seen a jump in production, and is expected to test well. The Ohio State product has all of the makings of a linebacker prospect who could continue to climb up boards, despite the slow start to his career.
Right now this writer has a fourth round grade on Harrison, but at the combine, he has the ability to raise that even further.
1
Hunter Bryant TE
Scouting Report
This is a pretty weak tight end class, and it got even weaker yesterday after Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth announced he would be returning to the Nittany Lions next season. This leaves even more room for Washington’s Hunter Bryant to continue to rise.
Already one of this writer’s favorite at the position, Bryant has the ability to sneak into the second day of the 2020 NFL Draft, should he declare. The junior tight end has been a favorite target of quarterback Jacob Eason this season, and has seen a massive increase in production as a result.
As a sophomore a year ago, Bryant flashed, but managed only 11 catches for 238 yards and a touchdown for the Huskies. This year, however, Bryant has caught a massive 52 passes for 825 yards and three scores from Eason. His stock is on the rise after a great junior year and a display of agility from the tight end position.
At only 6-2 and 240 pounds, Bryant gives Irv Smith Jr. vibes from a year ago, as he is a route running technician with the ability to make splash plays down the field. Keep an eye on the Husky tight end in this weak group of mismatches.
3
Cameron Dantzler CB
Scouting Report
Looking for a cornerback with the size and athleticism to succeed at the next level, Cam Dantzler from Mississippi State is your guy. At 6-2 and 185 pounds, Dantzler has the length to stick with bigger receivers down the field and use his lanky arms to make plays on the football.
Paging NFC South teams who have to look Mike Evans, Michael Thomas, and Julio Jones in the face twice per year each, Dantzler could be an added asset to your team for the future. He has now been productive two years in a row for the Bulldogs, and could be a riser in the pre-draft process, similar to Justin Layne from a year ago.
Last year as a sophomore, the lanky Dantzler tallied two and a half tackles for loss, nine passes defended, and two interceptions for the Mississippi State defense. This year, he is right around the same pace with two tackles for loss, two picks, and eight passes defended for the Bulldogs.
This writer is most looking forward to watching Dantzler throughout this pre-draft process if he decides to declare. If he tests athletically off the charts, we could see the Mississippi State product rise into the second round, and maybe into the late first round.