You will hear debates about who’s going where in the first round and how they can impact your fantasy team, but this is where we dig way down the barrel. As we’ve learned, there are plenty of day two or three players that you can add to complement your roster.
We want to find you a Brock Purdy, Keenan Allen or even a Marques Colston. Here are a few players going after day one that you should watch for in the draft.
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2023 NFL Draft Prospects: Sleeper Picks & Predictions
Jake Haener (QB – Fresno State)
Jake Haener has been an incredible quarterback since transferring to Fresno State in 2020. He finished his three seasons with 67 TDs to 17 INTs, a 68.2 completion percentage and a 156.3 quarterback rating.
He’s not a QB who can sling it deep for a big play, but he is precise and can hit his receivers in stride and away from the defender to gain yards after the catch. He isn’t an elite dual threat, but he can extend the play while keeping his accuracy during throws on the run.
His football IQ will interest teams, and he can look great in the right system. If you’re looking for someone to potentially be the 2023 Purdy, this would be him.
Zack Kuntz (TE – Old Dominion)
You might not know about Zack Kuntz if you aren’t deeply into Conference USA football. The Old Dominion tight end only played five games in 2022, but he averaged 12 yards per catch. 2021 was the breakout year with 63 catches for 692 yards and five touchdowns.
Initially, he was in the day three or UDFA range, but after his performance at the NFL Combine, he’s now projected into day two. He blew scouts away with his testing and came out with a perfect 10 out of 10.
He is everything you want in a pass-catching tight end. He has an excellent catch radius, can’t effectively run routes, is tough in the middle of the field and can get yards after the catch.
Jayden Reed (WR – Michigan State)
The former Michigan State receiver regressed in 2022. Yet, in the previous seasons, he frequently showed off his explosiveness with 1,026 receiving yards on just 59 catches with 10 touchdowns.
He’s considered undersized at 5-11 and 187 pounds but still excels as an X or Y receiver, fighting off press coverage to gain separation. This includes not just running verticals on the sidelines but going through the middle of the field and holding onto the ball after contact.
His value grows as a return specialist. In 2021, he had 238 yards and two touchdowns on 12 punt returns.
Tyler Scott (WR – Cincinnati)
Tyler Scott is someone we are not talking enough about, especially when you see his big-play potential. He is not long in height, but he takes strides like he is and almost looks like he floats past defenders.
Playing with Desmond Ridder in previous years showed the deep threat he was. This slightly diminished after Ridder left for the NFL. But he found a new way to be a playmaker and showed off his footwork in WR screens and jet sweeps. He explodes off the snaps and has the twitch muscles to change directions on a dime while staying locked in on the play and completing the catch.
He is someone midway through day two who plays a valuable role.
DeWayne McBride (RB – UAB)
DeWayne McBride isn’t the biggest or fastest running back in this Draft class, but he’s one of the most athletic. He had a fantastic two-year run at UAB, rushing for 3,084 yards, averaging seven yards per attempt, and 32 touchdowns.
He’s one of those prospects whose intuition makes up for some physical skills he lacks. He has an incredible ability to visualize the line of scrimmage. The moment at gap opens, he’s already through it. He has excellent body control and can change directions quickly, but he also can run with force, which makes him tough to take down.
The struggles in the passing game and as a blocker limit his usage. However, if an offense can utilize his skills, he can be valuable.
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