2015 NFL Draft Sleepers: Tyler Lockett Creating A Buzz
By Erik Lambert
Part of building a true winning team is hitting a picks people don’t expect. Who are some potential sleepers in the 2015 NFL draft?
Tyler Lockett – WR – Kansas State
Size isn’t everything in the pros, contrary to popular myth. Smaller, quicker receivers who have some speed are becoming favorite weapons for quarterbacks and offensive coordinators, which is why Tyler Lockett of Kansas State is garner more and more attention. He’s blazing fast on the field with the route running footwork to gain separation almost at will. It doesn’t matter who covers him either. He still makes plays.
Shane Carden – QB – East Carolina
Questionable competition will follow Shane Carden no matter where he goes but the fact is the East Carolina quarterback has the traits of a future starter. He’s got preferred size at 6’2″ with a natural throwing motion and enough arm strength to deliver passes down the field accurately. There is still work to do on his game, but he plays really well against top competition and carries himself like a leader.
Dominique Brown – RB – Louisville
Nobody ever said a running back needed to be flashy to succeed. He just needs size, speed/power, and the toughness to take hits. Dominique Brown checks all those boxes. Though not known for highlight reel plays, the 6’2″ back from Louisville has plenty of power and the vision to find open running lanes. On top of that he also boasts a good pair of hands to catch passes out of the backfield. In the right system he could turn into a heck of a find.
Cedric Reed – DE – Texas
The 2015 NFL draft is shaping up as the year of the pass rushers. Not only is the top end thick with big names, there may also be some depth to it as well. A great example is Cedric Reed. The Texas defensive end had 10 sacks in 2013 and boasts the size, length and motor to harass quarterbacks at the pro level. Some may question his intensity and lack of available moves, but those things can be corrected. Reed has too much talent to ignore.
Ronald Martin – SS – LSU
LSU has become a defensive back factory of late for the NFL and 2015 promises to be no different. Still, a lot of people may be overlooked safety Ronald Martin. He has good size and possesses that attacking mentality safeties need at the pro level. Tackling and hitting aren’t a problem either and he has shown a knack for causing big turnovers in big moments as he did against Mississippi. The big issue is lack of experience, so his progress will be judged once the season is over.