Crow's 2024 Baker's Dozen of Draft Sleepers

[kccrow]

1. QB Austin Reed, Western Kentucky (6'1" 233)
As the guy delivering passes to Malachi Corley, NFL teams are going to take notice (not that they don't anyhow). Reed climbs the pocket like a seasoned pro and sports a compact and quick delivery that league coaches are sure to love. He throws with good velocity to the intermediate level and can hit the deep ball. A lot to love for a late-round prospect with backup potential.

2. OG C.J. Hanson, Holy Cross (6'5" 300)
I guess you aren't that much of a sleeper if you get invited to the Combine but he's got a ways to go too. Hanson has the athleticism and the technique of an NFL lineman but needs to be enrolled in an NFL strength program before he's likely to get major reps. That said, with his movement and ability he's going to get that shot sooner than later.

3. WR David White, Jr., Western Carolina (6'2" 195)
White is a solid route runner with good speed and hands that was excellent in off-season games this year. He has the body control and shiftiness of a slightly smaller receiver and is a difficult cover. I think he has more than a solid shot to be drafted.

4. DT Levi Drake Rodriguez, Texas A&M-Commerce (6'1" 290)
Disruptive 3-technique that has surely been noticed. One of the top-graded pass rushers from the interior in the nation this year. Excellent snap quickness and hand usage. He'll need to continue to add mass to hold up at the point against NFL offensive linemen but his relentless energy should keep him on a roster.

5. CB Mikey Victor, Alabama State (6'2" 205)
Victor is a press corner who had a good set of off-season games like David White. He'll come in a little bit raw but his growth in 2023 is noteworthy as he checked in with 13 PBUs, 2 INTs, and a 2nd Team FCS All-American nod.

6. DE A.J. Simon, Albany (6'1" 267)
Extremely productive edge with inside/outside versatility. Has only 32" arms so he might be a 3-4 OLB prospect only but his 4.59 40 and 34 bench reps show promise. Made a ton of plays in the backfield in 2023 with 21 TFL and 12.5 sacks to go with 17 QBPs.

7. RB Jaden Shirden, Monmouth (5'8" 187)
I mentioned Shirden a few times here this offseason but he's your classic, undersized jitterbug of an RB with good top-end speed (4.45) to make people pay. He excels as a runner and a pass catcher but he'll have to find the right use and fit similar to Keaton Mitchell (Baltimore) of a year ago.

8. WR John Jiles, West Florida (6'3" 215)
Only one season out of the JuCo ranks but it was excellent and he proved difficult for Division II competition to handle, finishing 3rd in yards and doing so with only 66 receptions. He has really sneaky good speed and can go up and make acrobatic catches down the middle or on the sidelines. Level of competition will be the obvious drawback.

9. CB Willie Drew, Virginia State (6'0" 191)
Another guy who isn't as much of a sleeper anymore because of his Combine invite. Drew performed well with a 4.46 40 and a 1.49 10-yard split. He has good hips and feet to flip and run with WRs and A+ ball skills to make plays. He'll need to learn to be consistently physical with the step up in competition.

10. S John Huggins, Jackson State (6'1" 205)
Huggins showed the versatility to play strong safety and nickel in college which bodes well for his NFL hopes. He will need to work on his change of direction skills to play nickel in the NFL but it at least shows his ability to cover. Huggins put up an outstanding workout at the HBCU Combine with a 4.45 40, 38.5" vert, and 6.91 3-cone so it seems likely some team will at least stash him on the PS.

11. S P.J. Jules, Southern Illinois (6'0" 203)
I don't know if it's sad I'm listing a First Team AP All-American on this list or not but he just doesn't get any love from any media outlets. With 109 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, and 11 PBUs, the production is there. He's shown the range and versatility you're looking for and plays the nickel often. He has good hips and feet to maintain man coverage assignments. Probably a nickel safety in the NFL as well as he is a bit aggressive with over-the-top coverage.

12. LB Levelle Bailey, Fresno State (6'2" 225)
I think if you're looking for an athletic, sideline-to-sideline cover linebacker then Bailey is on the radar. He'll have trouble lining up and taking on NFL blockers but he probably will carve out a niche on special teams and as a nickel defender in sub-packages early on while he works on mass and play at the point of attack.

13. DT Khristian Boyd, Northern Illinois (6'2" 320)
Boyd received a lot of attention after he proved to be extremely disruptive during the Shrine Bowl week. He has good quickness off the snap and solid hands. His short arms and play style give way to a difficult evaluation though as he looks like NT but plays like a one-gap 3T.

[Direckshun]

What rounds would you draft any of these people in, all things being equal?

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

What rounds would you draft any of these people in, all things being equal?

If you're asking for the Chiefs, I'd feel okay taking Hanson, Jules, Drew, Simon or Boyd with our late 5th. The rest would be our 7th. I don't think any of them warrant higher.

[kccrow]

Well, we got one again

[Dunerdr]

I remember looking at this list and thinking where the hell does he find these people. Nice work!

[kccrow]

Update on these guys

QB Austin Reed - CHI UDFA
OG CJ Hanson - KC 7th Rd
WR David White Jr - Haven't heard anything
DT Levi Drake Rodriguez - MIN 7th Rd
CB Mikey Victor - NE UDFA
DE AJ Simon - Inexplicably died a week prior to the draft with no word yet on cause
RB Jaden Shirden - CAR UDFA
WR John Jiles - NYG UDFA
CB Willie Drew - CAR UDFA
S John Huggins - I'd imagine character is going to keep him out of the league, I forgot about the rape allegations when he was dismissed from Florida
S PJ Jules - CIN UDFA
LB Levelle Bailey - DEN UDFA
DT Khristian Boyd - NO 6th Rd

[ChiefsFanatic]

Originally Posted by kccrow

Update on these guys

QB Austin Reed - CHI UDFA
OG CJ Hanson - KC 7th Rd
WR David White Jr - Haven't heard anything
DT Levi Drake Rodriguez - MIN 7th Rd
CB Mikey Victor - NE UDFA
DE AJ Simon - Inexplicably died a week prior to the draft with no word yet on cause
RB Jaden Shirden - CAR UDFA
WR John Jiles - NYG UDFA
CB Willie Drew - CAR UDFA
S John Huggins - I'd imagine character is going to keep him out of the league, I forgot about the rape allegations when he was dismissed from Florida
S PJ Jules - CIN UDFA
LB Levelle Bailey - DEN UDFA
DT Khristian Boyd - NO 6th Rd

I was hoping to get Khristian Boyd, since he is a position of need, and went to my high school.