Our Top 10 Sleepers In The 2015 NFL Draft
Hard to take down, Simon Fraser's WR, Lemar Durant proved to be a nightmare matchup for defenders during his college career
Top 10 Sleepers In The 2015 NFL Draft
1. Zach Wagenmann, DE Montana
A three-time All-Big Sky performer, Wagenman (6-3½, 250) won the league’s defensive player of the year in 2014. He finished the season with 13.5 sacks and with 4.7 speed, Wagenmann is big enough to play at the line of scrimmage and fast enough to work in coverage.
2. Shaquille Riddick, OLB/DE West Virginia
Riddick is an interesting prospect. He transferred to WVU from Division II Gardner-Webb. Blessed with tremendous size at 6-7 and 240 pounds, Riddick is a former basketball player with tremendous athletic ability. He’ll have to prove he can play at the elite level.
3. David Johnson, RB Northern Iowa
An under-recruited back coming out of high school, Johnson rushed for 1,000 yards or more in each of the last three seasons for one of FCS’s best programs. He is big, 6-2 and 229 pounds, and possesses good speed, 4.59 in the 40-yard dash. He is thick and imposing and built to take punishment, plus he has great hands and vision.
4. Tevin McDonald, S Eastern Washington
The son of former All-Pro Tim, the 6-foot, 200-pound younger McDonald transferred to Eastern Washington from UCLA where he started 13 games in 2012. He has the size, speed, and pedigree to become a long-time starter in the league.
5. Lemar Durant, WR Simon Fraser
After transferring from Nevada, Durant lit it up at Division II Simon Fraser. In 25 games, the 6-3, 228-pound Durant recorded 175 receptions for 2,392 yards and 28 touchdowns. He is big, strong, fast, and can be a game-changer. Missed a few games last season with an illness but has been very durable otherwise. Scouts may question the competition, but Durant clearly dominated everyone he faced at the D-II level.
6. Zach Hodges, OLB Harvard
Hodges is a lightning quick, 6-3, 235-pound linebacker that could excel at the professional level. He is a two-time winner of the Bushnell Cup, which goes to the Ivy League’s Defensive Player of the Year. Has a great first step and is equally good rushing the passer and in coverage.
7. Zack Zenner, RB South Dakota State
The 6-0, 220-pound Zenner is a two-time FCS All-American after rushing for over 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons. He is a thick, physical back that can block and catch. Zenner could turn into a fullback at the next level.
8. Bryan Bennett, QB Southeastern LA
The former Oregon transfer had a remarkable junior season, but struggled some in 2014. Still he possesses the size (6-3, 215) and the arm strength to make NFL teams take notice.
9. Kyler Fackrell, OLB Utah State
Should the junior decide to come out, he could be a first-round selection. He has great size at 6-5 and 245 pounds and is versatile. He can be an edge rusher or play in coverage and he’ll fit into a 3-4 scheme just as easily as a 4-3. Fackrell is an athletic linebacker with a mean streak.
10. Tre McBride, WR William & Mary
A three-time All-CAA selection, McBride was the 2013 league Special Teams Player of the Year. He’s a dangerous return man as well as a big, fast receiver. Will contribute right away on special teams and can be an effective possession-type receiver.
