Which Underrated Players Could Be Great Picks in the Later Rounds?
2023 NFL Draft Sleepers
There have been loads of NFL players who have gone under the radar in the draft over the years. Many have later gone on to greatness. Teams with early draft picks are focusing on the most touted gems of college football. However, franchises with later picks have to put a great deal of focus on uncovering the players who haven’t been getting all the recognition. J. J. Watt is a prime example of a past player who was unheralded, but went on to greatness.
Expert scouts say that the early draft picks may make the headlines. However, it’s the most astute mid-round selections that build the strongest squads. In 2023, there are plenty of players who aren’t considered first or second-round options, but could be excellent choices for the third round and beyond.
Who Were the Most Successful Mid-Round Selections in 2022?
Various players who came up through the mid-round selections in the 2022 NFL Draft have made an impact on their new teams. Many of them are now considered to be much better than their draft position suggested. For example, Jack Jones of the New England Patriots was the 121st overall pick last year. However, he made a memorable impact in his debut against the Green Bay Packers and then went on to have a strong season.
The Patriots also picked up Bailey Zappe in the fourth round last year. Zappe was originally intended to act as the third-string quarterback behind Mac Jones and Brian Hoyer. Due to injuries to the key players, Zappe broke into the first team and made his mark instantly. He completed 10 of 15 passes in his first game. He was also the first rookie to throw a touchdown pass in the 2022 season. Even with Jones back from injury, Zappe has been able to prove his value on numerous occasions. He is now the firm second-choice QB for the Patriots.
Jamaree Salyer is another example of a late pick who ended up making a difference this season. He was a much-overlooked sixth-round pick. Salyer went 195th overall when the Los Angeles Chargers selected him. Originally signed as a backup, the 22-year-old offensive tackle got his big break in Week 4 when starting left tackle Rashawn Slater picked up an injury. Salyer’s performance in the game was so strong that he earned a regular starting spot in Brandon Staley’s team for the rest of the campaign.
Which Names Should NFL Fans Be Looking Out for in the 2023 Mid-Round Picks?
Most publications are focusing on the first-round picks and the incredible talent on display. However, it is also interesting to look through some of the lesser-known talents. Those sleepers could make a splash in the NFL next term. There are plenty of scouting reports out there if you want to find more information on players and take a deep dive into their stats.
The NFL attracts a lot of interest from Canada. But, it helps viewers from the northern country get more involved when their own countrymen are in action as well. There are a few Canadian players who could be picked in the later rounds of the 2023 draft. Especially with Canadian Sydney Brown recently declaring. Benjamin St-Juste, Joshua Palmer, and Alex Singleton are all players to watch out for as well.
K.J. Henry is one pick who should get a lot of attention after the most hyped names have been selected. He plays defensive edge for Clemson. Henry is regarded by some as the third strongest in the defensive line behind Bryan Bresee and Myles Murphy. He has a variety of skills that would be useful to any team. This includes his ability to force his way through contact. Henry was initially considered a borderline draft pick in 2022. Though he could be in the mid-round discussion this time out.
The Pac-12
The Utah offense will get a lot of attention in the 2023 NFL Draft. There are plenty of Utes to choose. Braeden Daniels plays offensive tackle there and manages to fly under the radar with more shiny toys for franchises to look at among his teammates. Daniels is exceptionally good at cutting off pass-rush angles. Despite only having average strength in his position, he can handle a whole range of rushers.
Another player who could be set to be a shrewd mid-round pick is Jordan Morgan. The Arizona offensive tackle has already garnered a lot of interest from NFL scouts. Morgan has been working on improving his draft grade over the past season. He’s known for his balanced pass sets and adeptness at combatting power rushers.
Which Teams are Predicted to Have Success in the Draft?
There’s likely to be a lot of betting action on the first-round picks. For example, BetVictor offers a range of odds for NFL markets. The site is one of the best betting sites in Canada, thanks to its 100 percent matched free bet up to $300 for new players. After all the NFL teams have completed the draft and strengthened their teams, it represents a good opportunity to stake on who could be successful in the season ahead.
Going into the draft, experts can make predictions about how well different teams could do. The Houston Texans and the Chicago Bears are widely predicted to have successful drafts. They both have early picks, meaning that they can pick up the most talented players. They could also trade their picks for more value in the later rounds. Houston will have 12 picks in the upcoming draft. This is more than any other team. This gives them an excellent chance of refreshing the squad in several key areas. Whether they can translate this to success on the field is another question. A question that bettors will have to carefully consider.
The NFL draft is one of the most exciting times of the year for NFL fans. Not only is it great to see which players go where, but it allows for more speculation about how the season could unfold. The mid-round selections this year are likely to be of huge importance to franchises that want to build healthy squads.
