2015 NFL Draft: Tyler Lockett Headlines The Sleepers

Nov 29, 2014; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) scores a touchdown during a 51-13 win against the Kansas Jayhawks at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Part of winning in the pros is being able to spot players who can help you win that other teams missed. So who are the 2015 NFL draft sleepers?

RB: Zach Zenner – South Dakota St.

Coming from a small school will automatically injure his stock, but Zach Zenner is one of those rare types who is more than meets the eye. He dominated for South Dakota St. and has that rare combination of size and speed. There isn’t much agility to his game but he does everything asked of him. He runs hard and shows good vision. He shows good hands and instinct when catching passes and he doesn’t shy away from drilling blitzers in pass protection.

WR: Tyler Lockett – Kansas State

Him being undersized at 5’11” will be in the conversation all the time. Never mind the fact that Tyler Lockett is a pristine route runner who not only has speed to spare but also athleticism and quickness to leave corners in his dust. His hands are reliable and he comes from a football family. Everything about him screams playmaker.

TE: Khari Lee – Bowie State

The buzz word that jumps out about Khari Lee right away is “basketball.” That background shows right away in his ability to control his body and gain position on defenders. Also the good hands and ability to go up and get the football. His coaches moved him everywhere and he made plays everywhere. If not for his small school designation, he would be higher on boards.

DT: Tyeler Davison – Fresno State

Being tied to just one style of defense typically hurts a players’ stock, but a number of teams won’t care because Tyeler Davison will become an outstanding player for them on the defensive line. He may not have the preferred size for a 3-4, but his ability to knife through blocks using power and natural leverage show up constantly on tape.

LB: Zach Hodges – Harvard

Limited competition and lack of desired strength have kept Zach Hodges down on boards since the end of the college season, but scouts continue to admit he has the burst, speed, agility and hips coaches look for in an edge-rushing linebacker. All his problems stem from a lack of high quality direction, which he’ll get if a team is smart enough to take him in the 2015 NFL draft.

CB: Nick Marshall – Auburn

Why is he low on boards? Simple. Nick Marshall made his name as a quarterback at Auburn, but he’s going to try to do in the NFL as a corner. That’s a tough transition. However, Marshall has some advantages. He’s a hard worker, smart, has ideal corner size at 6’1” and is a good athlete. On top of that, he played corner at Georgia early in his college career. Couple that with a strong Senior Bowl performance and this kid is going to make a team very happy.