NFL Draft 2023: Day Two Sleepers Flying Under The Radar – Part Two
With the NFL Draft now here, it’s time to dive into more late round draft picks and which teams will take a gamble on them being franchise players. We’ll leave the first round mock drafts for the others and take a look at more players we can find down the board that can boost a roster as well as offering value.
Here are five more players flying under the radar I believe will be selected on Day Two that will have an impact and the right team that should draft them.
5. Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
What to expect – Former wide receiver, Daiyan Henley’s talent was displayed as a linebacker when he transferred to Washington State from Nevada where he would go on to lead his team in tackles, TFL, and FF’s.
With Henley your getting a strong bodied sideline-to-sideline playmaker, his determination in chasing down his opponent makes him an asset against the run as well as covering the pass, where his football intelligence allows him to recognise plays and wrap up on his tackles (which he rarely misses).
Best Fit – New York Giants. With such a high ceiling prospect, its hard to see a team missing with the pick of Daiyan Henley. The New York Giants would appreciate a talent who either can be a solid special teamer or be a great sub-package starter who can impact straight away under DC Wink Martingdale.
The Giants also had Henley in for a Top-30 visit so watch out if he’s selected with either their 2nd or 3rd pick to strengthen the roster.
4. Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
What to Expect – The 6 ft 3 wide receiver out of Tennessee is certainly one to watch in the later rounds this year, but not out of lack of talent. Tillman was hampered by injury in his final season of college therefore his draft stock has fallen.
Despite this, Cedric Tillman is a beast on the outside as a physical receiver that can go up and get it without question. What scouts like about Tillman is his ball tracking skills, his ability to adjust on routes to catch the ball and his vertical speed to pressure corners.
Best Fit – Kansas City Chiefs. If the Chiefs don’t trade up to get one of the top five guys at receiver I can see them using their 2nd pick to get Tillman to improve that pass catching room for Patrick Mahomes.
Kansas City lost what seemed a few key players at receiver this offseason, one big hole to fill is that of Juju Smith-Schuster who was their possession catch guy in key 3rd down situations. Give Mahomes a big target like Tillman and you’ve got yourself another scary matchup to look out for. Chiefs trade up in the second round to get Tillman.
3. Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina
What to expect – In a solid Cornerback class finding value down the board may not be a massive issue when you players like Darius Rush lurking around the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
Rush showed real talent at his time at South Carolina where his reactionary quickness in man to man coverage allowed him to make plays on the football. He’s FAST fast as well, running a 4.36 forty at the combine which translates into his game keeping stride for stride with receivers with elite speed.
Best fit – Arizona Cardinals. The bottom line is the Cardinals need more defensive pieces after last season poor showing. Add in the potential trade away of star safety Budda Baker and you have potentially another defensive disaster.
Darius Rush won’t be the answer to this but his high motor and elite quickness can be an asset for the Cardinals. Rush is still developing is the CB role but head coach Jonathan Gannon will appreciate a solid player in Rush and what he can offer. I see Arizona picking him up at the top of the 3rd round.
2. Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati
What to expect – What to expect from Cincinnati’s Tyler Scott? Speed. At 5 ft 9 and weighing 185 pounds, Scott has elite speed and very good hand-eye coordination when tracking deep balls down the field. As a former running back, Scott has the knowledge to see the field in front of him to make plays and can be vital in the jet sweep and end-arounds game to open up his usage too.
Although Scott can improve in his physicality to ensure he can compete with NFL calibre corners, he would be a great wide receiver to take the edge off down field as well as a potential kick-returner in the NFL.
Best Fit – Cleveland Browns. The Browns don’t have an excess of picks this draft after the Deshaun Watson trade however they can get some value down the board with their first pick in the 3rd round.
Scott grew up a Brown’s fan so this selection wouldn’t be too bad for him, and the browns wouldn’t dislike it either getting a raw speed receiver to add to the arsenal for QB Watson. Add a player who can play on special teams and you’ve got yourself a solid pick. Browns select Scott at pick 74th overall.
1. Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
What to expect – Isiah Foskey is another freakish athlete in this year’s draft. At 258 pounds and the ability to run 4.58 on the 40-yard dash, that’s one hell of a combination to input into any team’s pass rush.
Foskey’s college career is also a great indicator of what he can become when drafted, at Notre Dame he didn’t miss a single game In 3 seasons and become the first player in Notre Dame history to get double digit sacks in multiple seasons (11 sacks in two seasons).
Foskey also become a team captain in 2022 which is great sign he can become a leader on and off the field. Improvement is needed in variety of pass rush and plays against the run but regardless he’s worth the risk in a stacked EDGE draft class.
Best fit – New Orleans Saints. Foskey would suit the Saints for me and it’s a wonder if he will even be available at 40th overall due to his upside but I believe he will fall due to the number of EDGE prospects rated higher than him.
New Orleans need to address an aging defensive line, Cam Jordan is in his 30s and adding a fresh rookie to mix up the D-line would be massively beneficial to get the team headed in the right direction. Saints select Isiah Foskey at 40 and don’t regret it!
