DeAndre Smelter: 2015 NFL Draft Sleeper of the Year?

There are a ton of sleepers in the 2015 NFL Draft class, but Georgia Tech wide receiver DeAndre Smelter might be one of the most slept-on prospects of the group. We enjoy these under the radar guys more than most – and if you’re a fan of the receiver position, you’ll want to keep an eye on Smelter.

Here’s a bit of a breakdown:

STRENGTHS

When turning on the film you’ll immediately recognize Smelter’s Calvin Johnson-like size. He turns heads every time he hits the field with his big-bodied frame. With this size, he possesses surprising athleticism and short-area quicks to compete at the next level. He’s “sneaky fast”, showing off quick footwork and a good ability to streak straight downfield.

Smelter shows up big on film with his powerful athleticism. It’s one thing to be athletic, but only a few players have power combined. It’s tough to keep comparing to Megatron, but it just feels right.

WEAKNESSES

It’s tough to spot too many flaws in Smelter’s game, but much of that is due to the limited scheme that Georgia Tech employs. Smelter doesn’t get the chance to work with a gunslinger, something to consider when looking at his rather pedestrian numbers.

Smelter is having his first big year in 2014 after transitioning from baseball after an injury after 2012. We’d all like to see a bit more, and that should come late in this season. If he shows up in a big way to finish this year, his draft stock could improve tremendously heading into the pre-draft process.

DRAFT STOCK

As things currently stand, Smelter is still unnoticed by much of the national media. In my rankings, I’ll put him on the verge of cracking the first round. The NFL will notice, and they’ll be impressed when they turn on the tape very soon.