The Ten Most Underrated Draft Prospects This Year

Finding diamonds in the rough is one of the most fun aspects of scouting. In addition, there are always a handful of top-tier draft prospects that get undervalued. The consensus draft board often looks drastically different than my draft board. Here we go over all the players who need to receive more recognition or be higher on consensus boards. The list goes in order of who is most relevant, not by who is the most underrated. Use promo code TREYSCHNEIDER on Underdog Fantasy to match your deposit up to $100. Please gamble responsibly and leave your feedback on Twitter @FBIntellect.

RB Bijan Robinson, Texas

This player may be an odd guy tounderrated, as he’s been compared to all-time greats by numerous sources. However, he needs to be higher on big boards across the web. He also needs to get mocked more in the top ten. Robinson is by far the best prospect in this class without including positional value.

He has the highest grade I’ve ever given a prospect and is near flawless across the board. Besides pass-pro, name one area that Bijan doesn’t excel in. The burst, agility, power, balance, and vision are all top-notch. And, oh yeah, he is also a massive threat as a receiver. We are all looking at one of the most talented prospects ever, and he needs to be the number one player on more analysts’ draft boards.

EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia

Nolan Smith may be scheme dependent, but he is easily one of the most talented prospects this year. His combine numbers don’t lie, as he demonstrated elite athleticism countless times at Georgia. His burst and bend will be deadly to opponents if paired with the proper defense. Furthermore, despite being undersized, he excels in run defense and possesses legitimate strength. He also flashed impressive power as a pass rusher at times. More people need to realize how dangerous of a player Smith can become. Any 3-4 team needing an EDGE will likely get a steal out of drafting him.

CB Deonte Banks, Maryland

I absolutely treasure what Deonte Banks brings to the field as a Corner. At 6’0, 200 lbs, he ran a staggering 4.35 forty with a 1.49 split time. What’s even more incredible is how impressive his athleticism is on film. His fluidity and change of direction are genuinely better than most slot guys. His length and play strength also allows him to be a dominant press corner. Banks can thrive whether it’s press-man, press bail, or even trail technique. He is simply the complete package. While other people are mocking him in the late first, I believe he can make it to the top 15, where he deserves to be.

IDL Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh

Kancey is another that may be a surprise to see here, but he is actually more versatile than others would say. His juice and explosiveness, paired with the hand technique, are rare. He also uses his small size to the best of his advantage. Despite being just 280 lbs, Kancey is strong in the trenches and has a surprisingly good anchor. His pass-rush moves are well-developed, and he’s a very high-effort player. 

The big question that worries people is his size and length. But, because he is such a technician with his hands, he likely will flourish in the NFL. Some 3-4 teams can still make good use of him, too, as he is a capable 4i/ 5-tech player. The size concerns that lowered his stock will likely become a massive overvalue in the long run. His other traits are just too phenomenal to let size change your outlook on him.

IDL Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern

Very few prospects are as unique and exciting as Adetomiwa Adebore. His speed is off the charts for an interior player and is better than some of the best EDGE rushers. At 282 lbs, he can play 3-tech but would be best deployed as a 4-3 hybrid Defensive End. His versatility on the D-line is unmatched. He impressively utilizes a tremendous cross-chop that is consistent. In addition, he has the length and explosiveness to be a nasty bull rusher. More people need to mock this guy in the first round, and I’m excited to see which team inevitably snags him for excellent value.

IOL Cody Mauch, NDSU

Take one good look at Cody Mauch, and it’s obvious he is meant to play Guard or Center in the NFL. Mauch is a guy often left out of two-round mock drafts, and it’s because people don’t realize how good of a Guard he can become. He flies off the ball and has the proper build to play interior in the NFL. There are a lot of great move blockers in this class, but Mauch, in particular, stands out as one of the best. Mauch has much better physical tools and upside than guys like Steve Avila. As he has the flexibility to play anywhere on the O-line, he should be a second-round target for a handful of teams.

LB Daiyan Henley, Washington ST

Daiyan Henley’s film can be described as a gift to the scouting community. The flashes he showed at Washington State were reminiscent of some of the league’s best Linebackers. Because he doesn’t have flashy stats or is from a top-tier conference, he gets pushed down boards. His film indicates a rangy and instinctive player, and I love what he brings to the table. He ran an impressive 4.54, and his range and burst look even better on film. He is still a work in progress, but he checks all the boxes of an NFL Linebacker. I can’t wait to see this guy prove people wrong.

WR Michael Wilson, Stanford

Michael Wilson is just a guy I have a hard time seeing fail. He doesn’t have the excellent speed to rely on, but his release package is beyond his years. Moreover, his feet are light and explosive. Also, his ball skills are nothing to complain about, either. He often caught passes in traffic or showed a wide catch radius.

Moreover, his route-running prowess was on full display at the senior bowl. While he may never be a true X or a dominant possession receiver, he’s a safe bet to be a quality starter. With only a consensus ranking of 108, he is being dramatically underrated.

RB Roschon Johnson, Texas

This player is one which whom a lot of people are probably in agreement with. However, he makes this list because he’s a projected 3-4th round player. To me, Roschon Johnson is the sixth-best RB in this class. His explosiveness and power out of the backfield are some of the most difficult to stop. He also has a surprising element of shakiness and elusiveness in his game. While he never played a full-time role, his durability is fantastic. In the NFL, he should be able to handle a heavy workload. In addition to what he does as a runner, he is an asset in pass-pro. When looking past how he was a backup, he is one of the best backs you can find in a draft.

WR Rakim Jarrett, Maryland

Rakim Jarrett isn’t going to become a star receiver, but the draft community vastly undervalues him. Out of Maryland, he brings an intriguing skill set and could be a nice weapon to add to an offense. At 6’0, 192 lbs, he is an all-around terrific athlete. Jarrett put up quality numbers at the combine and showed real potential. He has a shot at becoming a perimeter receiver because he has solid height, long speed, and can beat press. He must expand upon his game and develop better ball skills, but regardless, he can be a phenomenal playmaker. As he’s projected to go in round four-five, whoever takes him is getting a bargain.