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We are less than 3 weeks away now from the 2020 NFL Draft. I have a few bits and pieces to finish in terms of players to watch but I am nearly through those on my list now. Most of what is left is writing stuff up. One of the things I will start with is a handful of my sleepers. I am interested to hear other people's sleeper picks too. The qualification is they cannot be players who have had any buzz as a day 1 pick.... that is not a sleeper. This is either guys who are consensus day 3 guys who you think are day 1 or 2 talents, OR guys who are deep day 3 / UDFA sleepers but you think can play.

 

Here are a selection of my favourite sleeper picks for this year:

 

DE, Bryce Huff, Memphis 

Consensus: 6th-7th rounder

On my board: 3rd rounder

In a draft class that lacks explosive edge rushers it surprises me that Bryce Huff continues to slide under the radar. I heard the Stick to Football Podcast crew mention him during the season but my first exposure was the Shrine Game where I thought he just popped off the screen. Love his film against Cincinnati and Penn State he just always seems to be around the football making plays. Has a bit of work to do in sorting through the mess sometimes in the run game but I think he can be a situational pass rusher early and develop with coaching into a rounded edge player.

 

LB, Troy Dye, Oregon

Consensus: 3rd-4th rounder

On my board: 2nd rounder

Dye might not be a sleeper anymore. When I first began putting this list together people seemed to have him as consensus day 3 guy. Now seems there are a few thinking he goes day 2. I think he should go round 2. Whilst he is athletic he is a downhill guy rather than a sideline to sideline type and he is long, but could stand to add to some weight. I think he looks a bit awkward at times on the backpedal but my word... his play recognition skills are right up there. He is more advanced in that regard than Patrick Queen for example who will go in the 1st round.

 

CB, Lamar Jackson, Nebraska

Consensus: 5th rounder

On my board: 3rd rounder

Another guy who has finally started to pick up some limited buzz in the last couple of weeks but who I have had on my radar for a while. He is 6'3, he gets his hands on receivers early and doesn't mind playing physical. The knock on him is he grabs when beaten and could be a flag machine at the next level, lacks a bit for speed and isn't the best run support tackler. But I think as a #2 corner in a scheme that is predicated on playing lots of zone or match coverage he could be a really efficient and effective player. If his run support can be coached up he'd look darn good in a McDermott defense. Overall I don't love the depth of this corner class but Jackson is a guy of interest.

 

TE, Josiah Degura, Cincinnati

Consensus: 6th-7th rounder

On my board: 4th rounder

At the start of every college season I obviously have a list of potential draftees to look out for based on the early boards and mocks of guys like Matt Miller and others. As I watch college games during the year I keep a red pen next to me and add the names of guys not on my initial list who stand out to me during games. The first entry on that list this year from Cincinnati - UCLA week 1 is "Deguara - Tight End - nasty blocker and good feel for finding the zones when route running." Look, he isn't going to blow anyone away athletically. He isn't the second coming of Zach Ertz but if you want an old school tight end who can block and be a safe pair of hands as a chain mover in the receiving game. I know @MrEpsYtown has mentioned him as a guy who could be that H-Back hybrid type meaning you could probably get away with him as opposed to a full back and a specialist blocking tight end and that is an option down the line too (though probably not as a rookie).

 

RB, Adrian Killins, UCF

Consensus: UDFA

On my board: 5th-6th rounder

Okay, Adrian Killins was never a true bell cow back in college, only topped 1,000 scrimmage yards once in 4 years. He is small. He is 5'8, 165lbs. But man.... he is fast. Real fast. And as the old saying goes... you can't coach speed. He clocked at 4.26 40 as a sophomore. I liked him a lot in 2018 when I was watching a few UCF games and my pro comparison (I hate these) was Dion Lewis. He is a change of pace scat back who you can run some gadget stuff with - sweeps, reverses etc, use as a receiver out of the backfield (he had 7 for 92 in the Shrine game) and he has value as a return guy averaging over 21 yards per kick return in college. This kid is gonna make a few NFL highlight reels even though he is unlikely to ever be an every down type player.

 

DT, Raequan Williams, Michigan State

Consensus: 5th-6th rounder

On my board: 4th rounder

Raequan Williams is a nuisance of an interior lineman. He isn't the most refined technically but when he bull rushes you then you stay bull rushed. He is inconsistent snap to snap and game to game but there is talent there and in a league that increasingly likes to be two deep across the defensive line I think he has some value to be your penetrating 3 technique on your second line. People who know what I look for in rushers know I value the clichéd "violent hands" and this guy has them. Now if he could just learn how to use them properly then he would be very good value early on day 3.

 

WR, Juwan Johnson, Oregon

Consensus: UDFA

On my board: 6th-7th rounder

This is a bit of a guilty pleasure. What is it Doug Flutie always says "if you are 5'8 you have to prove you can play and if you are 6'4 you have to prove you can't"? Well Juwan Johnson is 6'4 was a four star recruit at Penn State who struggled with injuries and drops, transferred this year to Oregon where he struggled with injuries and drops. But man... there are just moments where he makes some incredible circus catches. I think in a receiver class this deep if you wanted to get him as an UDFA you probably could. But would I be tempted to throw a 7th rounder at a punt on talent? Yes, I would.

 

QB, James Morgan, Florida International

Consensus: 5th-6th round

On my board: 5th-6th round

I might be a bit late on this one because the consensus has probably caught up with me. This year I only have 8 draftable Quarterbacks. I know more than 8 will get picked but I only have 8. There is almost no tier of developmental guys. The other 7 (Burrow, Tua, Love, Herbert, Hurts, Fromm, Eason) I will write up in more depth before the draft but the one other guy I would spend a draft pick on is James Morgan. I watched him against Miami at the end of the season and was underwhelmed but after he shone at the Shrine game I went back and dug into more of his tape. The kid can play Quarterback. He is a developmental guy who probably ends up as a career backup, but he reminds me a bit of Kirk Cousins and maybe he could shock everyone like Cousins and outperform his draft spot. Rumours in the last 48 hours that the Patriots have show an interest and I could definitely see him in that scheme.

 

 

Okay there are my guys..... let's hear yours.

 

 

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I like Lynn Bowden from Kentucky.  Played Qb last year due to the QB1 and Qb2 getting hurt.  I think he could be Heins Ward.  Thick lower body, good in the open field.  For Buffalo he can develop Wr skills while taking over for Mckenzie in some of the gadget plays.  

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9 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

We are less than 3 weeks away now from the 2020 NFL Draft. I have a few bits and pieces to finish in terms of players to watch but I am nearly through those on my list now. Most of what is left is writing stuff up. One of the things I will start with is a handful of my sleepers. I am interested to hear other people's sleeper picks too. The qualification is they cannot be players who have had any buzz as a day 1 pick.... that is not a sleeper. This is either guys who are consensus day 3 guys who you think are day 1 or 2 talents, OR guys who are deep day 3 / UDFA sleepers but you think can play.

 

Here are a selection of my favourite sleeper picks for this year:

 

 

TE, Josiah Degura, Cincinnati

Consensus: 6th-7th rounder

On my board: 4th rounder

At the start of every college season I obviously have a list of potential draftees to look out for based on the early boards and mocks of guys like Matt Miller and others. As I watch college games during the year I keep a red pen next to me and add the names of guys not on my initial list who stand out to me during games. The first entry on that list this year from Cincinnati - UCLA week 1 is "Deguara - Tight End - nasty blocker and good feel for finding the zones when route running." Look, he isn't going to blow anyone away athletically. He isn't the second coming of Zach Ertz but if you want an old school tight end who can block and be a safe pair of hands as a chain mover in the receiving game. I know @MrEpsYtown has mentioned him as a guy who could be that H-Back hybrid type meaning you could probably get away with him as opposed to a full back and a specialist blocking tight end and that is an option down the line too (though probably not as a rookie).

 

WR, Juwan Johnson, Oregon

Consensus: UDFA

On my board: 6th-7th rounder

This is a bit of a guilty pleasure. What is it Doug Flutie always says "if you are 5'8 you have to prove you can play and if you are 6'4 you have to prove you can't"? Well Juwan Johnson is 6'4 was a four star recruit at Penn State who struggled with injuries and drops, transferred this year to Oregon where he struggled with injuries and drops. But man... there are just moments where he makes some incredible circus catches. I think in a receiver class this deep if you wanted to get him as an UDFA you probably could. But would I be tempted to throw a 7th rounder at a punt on talent? Yes, I would.

 

QB, James Morgan, Florida International

Consensus: 5th-6th round

On my board: 5th-6th round

I might be a bit late on this one because the consensus has probably caught up with me. This year I only have 8 draftable Quarterbacks. I know more than 8 will get picked but I only have 8. There is almost no tier of developmental guys. The other 7 (Burrow, Tua, Love, Herbert, Hurts, Fromm, Eason) I will write up in more depth before the draft but the one other guy I would spend a draft pick on is James Morgan. I watched him against Miami at the end of the season and was underwhelmed but after he shone at the Shrine game I went back and dug into more of his tape. The kid can play Quarterback. He is a developmental guy who probably ends up as a career backup, but he reminds me a bit of Kirk Cousins and maybe he could shock everyone like Cousins and outperform his draft spot. Rumours in the last 48 hours that the Patriots have show an interest and I could definitely see him in that scheme.

 

 

Okay there are my guys..... let's hear yours.

 

 

 

I don't have any of my own and rely on guys like you.

What I will comment on is the above 3 are the kind of guys in positions I think should be considered in the late rounds if those picks are not used

to move up a couple spots to get one of "their guys".

 

Even if guys like this can't make the team this year they could make it to the PS to develop.

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There are a few guys that I like that are a little underrated IMO. I like Bellamy from Western Michigan. He has explosive playmaking ability and will be a good 3rd down back. A year ago at this time I was banging the table for the Bills to take Singletary (humble brag). I wouldn’t be even a little mad if they added Bellamy late to be the change of pace guy. He has a nose for the end zone (remember we need more TD makers). 
 

I think KJ Hill will play for a long time in the NFL. He just does a lot well. He isn’t the most physically gifted (except for his hands). He just is really dependable. I could see him being the kind of guy that catches a lot of balls without a ton of yards. In some ways, he’s kind of a poor man’s Jarvis Landry to me. He’s a guy that’s probably going to go in the 4th round that I think will catch 60+ balls a season. That feels like good value to me.

 

Alex Highsmith is my last guy. He’s probably not a super deep sleeper but he’s another mid-round guy that I like. Highsmith makes a lot of plays behind the LOS. He might get knocked a little for playing in a so-so conference but a lot of rushers did. He could be this year’s Maxx Crosby. He’s a guy that a year from now we may all agree was way under-drafted.

Edited by Kirby Jackson
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5 minutes ago, wppete said:

I like Troy Dye, LB, Oregon on your list. If we can get him in the 4th then that’s a steal. Hope it happens. I trust McBeane to find some solid players in the later rounds. 

 

Last year my board and Beane's board were incredibly alike. I think Singletary was like 16th BPA or something on my board at the point the Bills picked him and that was the lowest I had any of the first 6 guys they picked at the point of selection. Most were in my top 6 BPA when picked. The only two I didn't have on my board and hadn't watched were the two 7th rounders. 

1 minute ago, Kirby Jackson said:

There are a few guys that I like that are a little underrated IMO. I like Bellamy from Western Michigan. He has explosive playmaking ability and will be a good 3rd down back IMO. A year ago at this time I was banging the table for the Bills to take Singletary (humble brag). I wouldn’t be even a little mad if they added Bellamy late to be the change of pace guy. He has a nose for the end zone (remember we need more TD makers). 
 

I think KJ Hill will play for a long time in the NFL. He just does a lot well. He isn’t the most physically gifted (except for his hands). He just is really dependable. I could see him being the kind of guy that catches a lot of balls without a ton of yards. In some ways, he’s kind of a poor man’s Jarvis Landry to me. He’s a guy that’s probably going to go in the 4th round that I think will catch 60+ balls a season. That feels like good value to me.

 

Alex Highsmith is my last guy. He’s probably not a super deep sleeper but he’s another mid-round guy that I like. Highsmith makes a lot of plays behind the LOS. He might get knocked a little for playing in a so-so conference but a lot of rushers did. He could be this year’s Maxx Crosby. He’s a guy that a year from now we may all agree was way under-drafted.

 

Yea I like Highsmith as well. I left him off because I am not sure if he is a sleeper anymore and I had already got a couple in that camp on the list. 

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Wr John Hightower Boise St.

DE Darrell Taylor Tennessee 

 

 Troy Dye has already been mentioned, I have seen him play in person many times. A bit undersized but what a playmaker. Great in coverage and great blitzing blowing up plays in the backfield. 

   Hightower is a very smooth deep threat, long shot possibly UDFA. Taylor is a physical specimen who will need some work on his technical skills, maybe a 4rth rndr.

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43 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

There are a few guys that I like that are a little underrated IMO. I like Bellamy from Western Michigan. He has explosive playmaking ability and will be a good 3rd down back. A year ago at this time I was banging the table for the Bills to take Singletary (humble brag). I wouldn’t be even a little mad if they added Bellamy late to be the change of pace guy. He has a nose for the end zone (remember we need more TD makers). 
 

I think KJ Hill will play for a long time in the NFL. He just does a lot well. He isn’t the most physically gifted (except for his hands). He just is really dependable. I could see him being the kind of guy that catches a lot of balls without a ton of yards. In some ways, he’s kind of a poor man’s Jarvis Landry to me. He’s a guy that’s probably going to go in the 4th round that I think will catch 60+ balls a season. That feels like good value to me.

 

Alex Highsmith is my last guy. He’s probably not a super deep sleeper but he’s another mid-round guy that I like. Highsmith makes a lot of plays behind the LOS. He might get knocked a little for playing in a so-so conference but a lot of rushers did. He could be this year’s Maxx Crosby. He’s a guy that a year from now we may all agree was way under-drafted.

I really liked Maxx Crosby last year, and was bummed we didn't get him. I don't know Highsmith well, but here's to hoping he will be our Maxx Crosby.

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1 hour ago, Mat68 said:

I like Lynn Bowden from Kentucky.  Played Qb last year due to the QB1 and Qb2 getting hurt.  I think he could be Heins Ward.  Thick lower body, good in the open field.  For Buffalo he can develop Wr skills while taking over for Mckenzie in some of the gadget plays.  

I’m not sure if Bowden is a sleeper. I do think that folks forgot about how good of a WR he is because of his move to QB. Seems like folks don’t remember that he caught 30 passes before the transition. NFL scouts probably didn’t forget though. I have him comped with Randall Cobb and think he’ll go in the third round. 

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I think a wr projected 3rd and below this year is a sleeper.  There could be 10 to 15 wr drafted before Bowden.  I undertand your point though. 

 

Depends when hes drafted a mid rd pick or later on Jalen Hurts would be something I would consider.  Third string behind Barkley to develop.  As an organization I would draft him.  Day 1 tell him offseason OTAs traing camp he will be treated like a Qb.  If he is not the starting Qb if you want to see the feild we will have a Brandon Smith/ Taysum Hill role in the offense.  Every offseason, training camp, preseason hes a Qb and can earn his spot.  

 

In this defense I think Cam Brown from Penn St would be a monster next to Edmunds.  Similar profile to Milano but 6-4 and long.  Im on the fence with Milano.  I think Brown would be am ideal replacement at either OLB spot if Milano makes another jump in play.

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1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

We are less than 3 weeks away now from the 2020 NFL Draft. I have a few bits and pieces to finish in terms of players to watch but I am nearly through those on my list now. Most of what is left is writing stuff up. One of the things I will start with is a handful of my sleepers. I am interested to hear other people's sleeper picks too. The qualification is they cannot be players who have had any buzz as a day 1 pick.... that is not a sleeper. This is either guys who are consensus day 3 guys who you think are day 1 or 2 talents, OR guys who are deep day 3 / UDFA sleepers but you think can play.

 

Here are a selection of my favourite sleeper picks for this year:

 

DE, Bryce Huff, Memphis 

Consensus: 6th-7th rounder

On my board: 3rd rounder

In a draft class that lacks explosive edge rushers it surprises me that Bryce Huff continues to slide under the radar. I heard the Stick to Football Podcast crew mention him during the season but my first exposure was the Shrine Game where I thought he just popped off the screen. Love his film against Cincinnati and Penn State he just always seems to be around the football making plays. Has a bit of work to do in sorting through the mess sometimes in the run game but I think he can be a situational pass rusher early and develop with coaching into a rounded edge player.

 

LB, Troy Dye, Oregon

Consensus: 3rd-4th rounder

On my board: 2nd rounder

Dye might not be a sleeper anymore. When I first began putting this list together people seemed to have him as consensus day 3 guy. Now seems there are a few thinking he goes day 2. I think he should go round 2. Whilst he is athletic he is a downhill guy rather than a sideline to sideline type and he is long, but could stand to add to some weight. I think he looks a bit awkward at times on the backpedal but my word... his play recognition skills are right up there. He is more advanced in that regard than Patrick Queen for example who will go in the 1st round.

 

CB, Lamar Jackson, Nebraska

Consensus: 5th rounder

On my board: 3rd rounder

Another guy who has finally started to pick up some limited buzz in the last couple of weeks but who I have had on my radar for a while. He is 6'3, he gets his hands on receivers early and doesn't mind playing physical. The knock on him is he grabs when beaten and could be a flag machine at the next level, lacks a bit for speed and isn't the best run support tackler. But I think as a #2 corner in a scheme that is predicated on playing lots of zone or match coverage he could be a really efficient and effective player. If his run support can be coached up he'd look darn good in a McDermott defense. Overall I don't love the depth of this corner class but Jackson is a guy of interest.

 

TE, Josiah Degura, Cincinnati

Consensus: 6th-7th rounder

On my board: 4th rounder

At the start of every college season I obviously have a list of potential draftees to look out for based on the early boards and mocks of guys like Matt Miller and others. As I watch college games during the year I keep a red pen next to me and add the names of guys not on my initial list who stand out to me during games. The first entry on that list this year from Cincinnati - UCLA week 1 is "Deguara - Tight End - nasty blocker and good feel for finding the zones when route running." Look, he isn't going to blow anyone away athletically. He isn't the second coming of Zach Ertz but if you want an old school tight end who can block and be a safe pair of hands as a chain mover in the receiving game. I know @MrEpsYtown has mentioned him as a guy who could be that H-Back hybrid type meaning you could probably get away with him as opposed to a full back and a specialist blocking tight end and that is an option down the line too (though probably not as a rookie).

 

RB, Adrian Killins, UCF

Consensus: UDFA

On my board: 5th-6th rounder

Okay, Adrian Killins was never a true bell cow back in college, only topped 1,000 scrimmage yards once in 4 years. He is small. He is 5'8, 165lbs. But man.... he is fast. Real fast. And as the old saying goes... you can't coach speed. He clocked at 4.26 40 as a sophomore. I liked him a lot in 2018 when I was watching a few UCF games and my pro comparison (I hate these) was Dion Lewis. He is a change of pace scat back who you can run some gadget stuff with - sweeps, reverses etc, use as a receiver out of the backfield (he had 7 for 92 in the Shrine game) and he has value as a return guy averaging over 21 yards per kick return in college. This kid is gonna make a few NFL highlight reels even though he is unlikely to ever be an every down type player.

 

DT, Raequan Williams, Michigan State

Consensus: 5th-6th rounder

On my board: 4th rounder

Raequan Williams is a nuisance of an interior lineman. He isn't the most refined technically but when he bull rushes you then you stay bull rushed. He is inconsistent snap to snap and game to game but there is talent there and in a league that increasingly likes to be two deep across the defensive line I think he has some value to be your penetrating 3 technique on your second line. People who know what I look for in rushers know I value the clichéd "violent hands" and this guy has them. Now if he could just learn how to use them properly then he would be very good value early on day 3.

 

WR, Juwan Johnson, Oregon

Consensus: UDFA

On my board: 6th-7th rounder

This is a bit of a guilty pleasure. What is it Doug Flutie always says "if you are 5'8 you have to prove you can play and if you are 6'4 you have to prove you can't"? Well Juwan Johnson is 6'4 was a four star recruit at Penn State who struggled with injuries and drops, transferred this year to Oregon where he struggled with injuries and drops. But man... there are just moments where he makes some incredible circus catches. I think in a receiver class this deep if you wanted to get him as an UDFA you probably could. But would I be tempted to throw a 7th rounder at a punt on talent? Yes, I would.

 

QB, James Morgan, Florida International

Consensus: 5th-6th round

On my board: 5th-6th round

I might be a bit late on this one because the consensus has probably caught up with me. This year I only have 8 draftable Quarterbacks. I know more than 8 will get picked but I only have 8. There is almost no tier of developmental guys. The other 7 (Burrow, Tua, Love, Herbert, Hurts, Fromm, Eason) I will write up in more depth before the draft but the one other guy I would spend a draft pick on is James Morgan. I watched him against Miami at the end of the season and was underwhelmed but after he shone at the Shrine game I went back and dug into more of his tape. The kid can play Quarterback. He is a developmental guy who probably ends up as a career backup, but he reminds me a bit of Kirk Cousins and maybe he could shock everyone like Cousins and outperform his draft spot. Rumours in the last 48 hours that the Patriots have show an interest and I could definitely see him in that scheme.

 

 

Okay there are my guys..... let's hear yours.

 

 


Good info...except Lamar Jackson is off the board.  He was drafted in 2018 by Baltimore

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5 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

I still like Pittman USC WR. He has the NFL blood line and played at a high level against top competition in a pro style offense.  6’-4” and 220.....nice!

Used as a Gronk type weapon you put inside vs zone and outside vs man would make alot of sense.  I think Pitman is in pkay if they miss out on a guy early.  I think Higgins and Claypool are real options at 54. 

 

The main thing Beane has said at the end of the season has been true all offseason.  Year 1 we need to improve the Quartetback position long term.  Made multiple trades to draft Allen.  Year 2 we need to do a better job protecting the Qb.  They made 6 oline signings and drafted a guy the start of day 2.  This offseason what stayed with me is the offense needs to score more points.  A trade for Diggs is only the beginning imo.  I think offense is the position groups that make the most sense in Rd 2.  Wr you could have multiple guys with higher grades then the wrs drafted in rd 1 last year available.  I think they draft a guy at wr day 2 and 3 maybe they may trade up to the end of rd 1 if 1 falls.  Pittman as a later rd big body makes sense if they go reagor or Hamler earlier.  I think Bowden comes into pkay if they go big body rd 2.

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Michael Ojumedia (CB, Iowa) is my favorite sleeper. A big (6'1 200lb), athletic (4.45 forty, 36" vert, 6.87 3-cone) and physical corner who tackles well against the run. He excelled in zone coverage at Iowa and has the physical traits needed to improve his man coverage skills. Most mocks I see have him going in the 4th round.

https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/michael-ojemudia

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I still like Antonio Gibson as a sleeper pick.  He was in the WR group at the combine, but he was Mr. Everything for Memphis and he took snaps at RB and as a wildcat QB.  He was listed at something like 6'3" at Memphis, but measured just 6 ft at the combine.  But he's  228 lbs and runs a 4.39 40.  He could back up Singletary and get reps at WR if Daboll wanted to use him that way.  You might get him in the fourth, but to be sure, you might have to grab him in the third.

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Alohi Gilman / S / Notre Dame - I've seen people with him all over their draft boards from the 3rd-7th Rounds. Hard to say where he will go. I think he should fall in the 3-4 category. He kind of reminds me of Poyer only he'll hit like Bob Sanders and doesn't miss tackles. Because he is so aggressive at times he will occasionally not be where he should be on his deeper zone assignments. This can be coached out of him though. I think whoever gets him will have a quality starting S for the next 8-10 years. 

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