Monday Morning Sleepers: 4 2021 NFL Draft sleepers with potential to soar in 2020
By Cory Kinnan
Joey Blount, safety, Virginia
First up on this inaugural edition of Monday Morning Sleepers is University of Virginia safety Joey Blount. Entering his final year of eligibility, Blount is coming off of his first season as a full time starter in the back third of the Cavalier defense, and he managed to stuff the stat sheet in 2019, making him an easy addition to the 2021 NFL Draft sleepers list.
More from With the First Pick
- 2024 NFL Draft: Prospect Viewing Guide for Week 0
- 2024 NFL Draft: All Eyes On NFL Draft Defensive Prospects
- Player Spotlight: USC Safety Calen Bullock
- 2024 Senior Bowl Watchlist Announced
- 2024 NFL Draft: Florida State is Loaded with Prospect in 2023
At 6-1 and 190 pounds, Blount racked up 60 solo tackles, six and a half of which came behind the line of scrimmage, and three sacks for the Cavaliers a season ago. Showing his ability to patrol over the top as well, Blount recorded three interceptions, knocking down three additional passes as well.
Blount can play over the top, he can stack the box, and he is not afraid to lay the wood on the defensive side of the ball in Charlottesville. Where Blount can take his game to the next level in 2020 is by showing he can display more versatility in coverage than what he has historically done.
For the most part, Blount will take a deep third in coverage, or patrol the curl-to-flat zone; by showing the ability to hit a wide variety of marks in zone coverage, as well as stick tight ends and running backs in man coverage will give Blount a massive boost before next April’s draft.