{"id":687,"date":"2023-04-23T18:37:37","date_gmt":"2023-04-23T22:37:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dollaboys.com\/?p=687"},"modified":"2023-04-23T19:13:04","modified_gmt":"2023-04-23T23:13:04","slug":"nfl-draft-2023-top-10-most-underrated-prospects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dollaboys.com\/?p=687","title":{"rendered":"NFL Draft 2023 – Top 10 Most Underrated Prospects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Being picked in the early rounds of the draft doesn\u2019t ensure that a player will have a successful career. Sometimes, certain players don\u2019t get the recognition they deserve because of the school they go to, their measurables, production, or a bunch of other reasons. A few of the names below have a chance of being drafted early, while others are continuing to be slept on by scouts and fans alike. I wanted to identify some guys who aren\u2019t being talked about as much as some other \u201ctop prospects\u201d, but who can have just as big of an impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Aidan O\u2019Connell, QB – Purdue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

O\u2019Connell has been one of my favorite QBs in the country since he took over as the starter in 2021. Loved his production the past two years and was consistently accurate throughout his career, peaking at 72% in 2021, his most prolific season. Played in a very complicated pro style offense that will certainly help him pick up the playbook quicker when he gets to the league. Also played under center a good amount and is very comfortable with the play action game. Uses his eyes well to manipulate defenders. Shows some wiggle in the pocket. Has a great understanding of spacing. Throws a very catchable ball with nice touch, but can mix speeds as well. One of the only knocks against him is that he is not really mobile, something that really puts your offense at a disadvantage in today\u2019s game. Could very possibly be the most ready to play now QB in this class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Tyjae Spears, RB – Tulane<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have to admit that I hadn\u2019t seen Spears play until this year but he made an impression right away. He is a BIG TIME playmaker. Averaged over 6 yards per carry each year of his four year career (!) and averaged nearly 7 yards per carry the last three years, which is a clear indicator of his explosiveness. Ran a 4.52 40, but plays faster than that. Great vision and has plenty of burst when he sees a hole, showing the ability to set up his blocks and get vertical in a hurry. His elusiveness in the open field is second to none in this year\u2019s RB class, but also breaks a ton of tackles. Can definitely be an every down back in the pros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Keaton Mitchell, RB – ECU<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you talk about speed, you have to talk about Keaton Mitchell. With a 4.37 40, he is lightning!!! I can\u2019t emphasize it enough, but that\u2019s the type of rare speed that can truly scare a defense – if he\u2019s able to get the corner, there will be almost no defenders in the NFL that can catch him. Huge production in college, eclipsing 1,000 yards, 6.5 yards per carry, and 9 TDs each of the past two seasons. Guy just has a knack for making big plays. Will probably be pigeonholed into a role as a 3rd down back, but I think that\u2019s where he can be the most effective. Mitchell isn\u2019t really a back who\u2019s comfortable running between the tackles, but his elite speed gives him excellent value. Very sudden in the hole and easily leaves defenders flatfooted. Has a great jumpcut when he bounces to the outside. Great receiver as well. Would love to see Mitchell with a team that can utilize his talents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Deuce Vaughn, RB – Kansas State<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coming in at 5\u20196, and having played at Kansas State, the comparisons between Vaughn and Darren Sproles are inevitable. Their playing styles are also almost identical, with both being featured as all purpose backs in the Little Apple. Had ridiculous stats \u2013 3,604 rushing yards, 34 rushing TDs, 1,280 receiving yards, and 9 receiving TDs in three seasons. The epitome of an \u201cit factor\u201d player that you need on your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compact frame gives him exceptional quickness and shiftiness. I don\u2019t think he has the build\/power to be a workhorse back, and his diminutive stature could be an issue in pass blocking situations, but I could see Vaughn carving out a niche role as a returner while also taking some snaps in certain packages or on 3rd downs on offense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. Rashee Rice, WR – SMU<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rice is next in line for Pony Up Dallas, a school that has definitely shown it can develop WRs. Scored 25 career receiving TDs and totaled over 3,100 receiving yards, which doesn\u2019t happen by accident. Prototypical size for a receiver, at 6\u20192, 203 pounds. Reminds me of Antwan Goodley from Baylor. Has no problem high pointing the ball. Did not run the most advanced route tree, but is very savvy at creating separation from defenders right before the ball arrives. Smooth. Has good, but not break away speed. Just a consistent, reliable player, and that\u2019s why I think he could turn heads early in training camp somewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. Tank Dell, WR – Houston<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have Dell on my Top 10 Underrated Prospects list, but I think he\u2019s one of the best WRs in this year\u2019s class. Over the last TWO seasons \u2013 compiled 199 catches, 2,727 receiving yards, and 29 receiving TDs (!!!) under savage Offensive Coordinator Shannon Dawson. Has an electrifying style that is really fun to watch. Ideal slot receiver with incredible quickness and route running pedigree. Leaves defenders in the dust when he makes his breaks. Was a huge weapon in the redzone at Houston because of his spatial awareness and his footwork, and I think he can continue to showcase that in the league. Also adds versatility as a returner. Dell is a player to keep an eye on as a potential Offensive Rookie Of The Year candidate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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7. Charlie Jones. WR – Purdue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jones has taken quite a journey to get to this point and has had an interesting career. Signed with Buffalo out of high school where he redshirted as a freshman, played sparingly the following year, then transferred to Iowa and sat out a full season. In 2020, he was used exclusively as a returner and did not record a single catch. The next year he had modest receiving stats, but excelled in the return game, pulling in numerous awards as both a kick and punt returner. In his sixth and final season finally broke out, with 110 catches, 1,361 receiving yards, and 12 receiving TDs. The disparity in production is related to many factors, but I think that after playing in a lackluster run heavy offense at Iowa, coming to play in Purdue\u2019s high flying offense with QB Aidan O\u2019Connell let Jones show that he can be a difference maker given the right opportunity. I think a lot of defenders underestimated his speed and he was able to take advantage. Great possession receiver, but can also use his deceptive speed to take the top off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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8. Dante Stills, DT – WVU<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Playing for a WVU defense that has been less than stellar, this guy has been an absolute force in the trenches for the Eers going back to 2018. Had 53 career TFLs, 24.5 sacks, and 6 forced fumbles. Stills is a bit undersized for a DT at 285 pounds, but that\u2019s exactly what enables him to use his quickness to exploit interior offensive linemen. Also great with his hands. Excellent at shooting gaps and causing chaos against the run. Never takes a play off and is relentless in his pass rush. He will have to add some more weight, but I can see Stills being a good fit for certain 3rd\u00a0down packages early in his career, and will be able to play some DE because of his body type and how stout he is against the run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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9. Dee Winters, LB – TCU<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Had a breakout year in his final stanza with the Frogs. Elite speed for a LB, shown by the way he bursts through gaps and does a lot of damage chasing down plays from the backside. His mind also allows him to play fast \u2013 he diagnoses plays and triggers in a hurry. True sideline to sideline player who always seems to be around the ball and will strike you when he gets there. One of the most explosive hitters in this draft. Perfect fit for a modern defense because of his versatility in the pass game. I don\u2019t think he can be an every down LB due to his size, but Winters is an impressive prospect who can secure a role immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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10. Yasir Abdullah, LB – Louisville<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abdullah is another undersized player who lined up at LB and DE in college. Has tremendous speed, running a 4.47 40. Became a real pass rush specialist the last two years, with over 9 sacks in each of those seasons. Also filled up the stat sheet in other categories \u2013 had 8 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 3 interceptions during his career. Uses a combination of speed and bend to turn the corner on OTs and get to the QB. Flies around the field and plays with reckless abandon. I can\u2019t wait to see what kind of impact he can have at the next level.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

4\/23\/23 Being picked in the early rounds of the draft doesn\u2019t ensure that a player will have a successful career. Sometimes, certain players don\u2019t get the recognition they deserve because of the school they go to, their measurables, production, or a bunch of other reasons. A few of the names below have a chance of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-687","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nfl-draft"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dollaboys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/687","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dollaboys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dollaboys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dollaboys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dollaboys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=687"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dollaboys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/687\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":699,"href":"https:\/\/dollaboys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/687\/revisions\/699"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dollaboys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=687"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dollaboys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=687"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dollaboys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=687"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}