2024 NFL Draft: Under-The-Radar Prospects
From Tom Brady to Jason Kelce – over the years, the NFL has forged an unprecedented reputation for unheralded draft prospects proving their doubters wrong and dominating from the moment they step on the field. As a result, NFL scouts, head coaches and general managers are always on the lookout for those prospects that may have flown under-the-radar throughout the evaluation process.
With just one more day until the 2024 NFL Draft, Decyfr dissects two prospects – that you likely haven’t heard a great deal about – in each of the first three rounds.
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With the 2024 NFL Draft TOMORROW, former first-round pick and Defensive Rookie of the Year, @shawnemerriman gives Decyfr an insight into what it's like for prospects on Draft Day.#Decyfr #NFL #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/08I0gjhyaG
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Round One
Keon Coleman – WR – Florida State
It’s well known that the NFL combine can make or break a prospect’s draft stock. For Keon Coleman, his remarkably slow 40-yard dash time of 4.61 raised concerns amongst experts and scouts alike – resulting in some projecting the former first-team All-ACC receiver as a third-round pick. However, Coleman did lead all wide receivers on the GPS in the Gauntlet drill – designed to test a pass-catcher’s in-game speed. The last receiver to run a notably slow 40-yard dash, yet lead the draft class on the GPS was Puka Nacua – who put together a record-breaking rookie season for the Los Angeles Rams. Taking this into consideration, alongside Coleman’s strong performances last season, it’s easy to see the Florida State wideout as a late round-one pick.
Ladd McConkey – WR – Georgia
Good things come in small packages – but not in the eyes of NFL scouts. Georgia’s Ladd McConkey is undoubtedly one of the best route-runners in this year’s draft class. With elite speed and start-stop ability, McConkey is able to get in and out of cuts with ease – prompting comparisons to the likes of Elijah Moore and Jordy Nelson. That said, his small stature, limited strength and history of injuries has seemingly prevented decision-makers from viewing McConkey as a clear WR1. Despite his size, in the right scheme, the former second-team All-SEC selection could yet prove to be an incredibly valuable asset. As such, expect McConkey to be snapped up towards the end of the first round or at the beginning of the second.
Round Two
Braden Fiske – DT – Florida State
With an incredibly quick first step and a relentless motor, Braden Fiske has a reputation for refusing to be blocked – racking up nine tackles for loss and six sacks, en route to third-team All-American honors. Despite his unique ability to win in small spaces and overcome double teams, Fiske’s diminutive size and under-developed technique will likely keep him out of the first round. However, with Aaron Donald-esque tenacity and work ethic, Fiske could be a steal for someone in the first half of the second round – assuming he can progress his hand technique, learn to leverage his lower-body strength and bulk up.
Blake Corum – RB – Michigan
Being the lead back on a National Championship-winning team is no mean feat. After breaking the record for the most touchdowns in Michigan history – with 58 over the course of his career – Blake Corum finished as the only FBS player to score in every game during the 2023 season. However, the reigning Big Ten Running Back of the Year’s lengthy college stay has left question marks surrounding his potential longevity in the NFL. That said, Corum’s performance in the National Championship Game will have given all 32 of the league’s general managers plenty of reason to target him in the middle of the second round.
Round Three
Kiran Amegadjie – OT – Yale
At 6’5″, 323 lbs Kiran Amegadjie has the prototypical build and strength for an offensive lineman at the pro level. With a basketball background and experience starting at both guard and tackle, the back-to-back first-team All-Ivy League lineman possesses all the traits that NFL scouts typically deem invaluable. However, like many prospects that haven’t faced elite competition, Amegadjie leaves a lot still to be desired in regard to his technique. Perhaps even more so with a partially-torn quadricep keeping him out of six crucial games at the end of last season. Even so, Amegadjie has shown enough potential for offensive line coaches to view him as excellent value in the third round – possessing an incredibly high upside under the right tutelage.
Mohamed Kamara – EDGE – Colorado State
Mohamed Kamara separated himself from the rest of the edge rushers in this year’s draft class at the NFL Combine. After recording a lightning-fast 40-yard dash time of 4.58, Kamara trailed only Dallas Turner and Chop Robinson – both of whom are projected to be first-rounders. With an insane 45.5 tackles for loss, 30.5 sacks and five forced fumbles during his college career, Kamara out-produced all of his peers by a sizeable margin. However, at Colorado State, the 2023 Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year rarely faced elite competition – raising questions over his ability to level-up in the NFL. Furthermore, despite having a rapid 40, some have highlighted a concerning reliance on power rather than speed when rushing the passer. If addressed, however, Kamara could have a transformative impact on a team in need.
While the landing spot for each of these prospects is almost impossible to predict, their potential to make a mark in the league is irrefutable. There’s every chance several of these six become household names.
https://decyfrsport.com/2024-nfl-draft-under-the-radar-prospects/
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