10 Sleepers To Watch For At The 2023 NFL Combine
The 2023 NFL calendar year officially begins on March 15th with free agency. However, the 2023 NFL Combine is the true first glimpse into the future of the league and our dynasty fantasy football teams.
Typically, the event will usually draw the larger names in the upcoming NFL Draft, while also amplifying the hundreds of prospects just seeking an NFL opportunity. Late-round prospects are able to find roles and production in the NFL most years, that shouldn’t shock dynasty managers. The NFL doesn’t always get a player’s draft ranking perfectly right, and most players need development.
That being said, here are 10 players that can start their development at this year’s NFL Combine. They could be going from being unheard of, to being your late picks in your upcoming rookie drafts. These players are some sleeper candidates who might have solid performances at the NFL Combine and overall, give their draft stock a boost.
Keaton Mitchell
Running Back – East Carolina
The first of two running backs on this list is East Carolina speedster and three-year player Keaton Mitchell. He posted back-to-back 1,000+ yard campaigns in his second and third years. Additionally, he caught at least 20 balls each season.
Mitchell creates space between himself and defenders using his speed. Additionally, he makes creative cuts to grind out yards, even keeping his body safe by reaching the sideline. His size is the big question to be answered at the Combine. NFL teams love receiving backs and a swing pass right now, and Mitchell’s top speed is breakaway speed.
Mitchell could be a team’s RB3 next year and develop his promising ability in space. In the end, he may be taken late in the NFL Draft and dynasty rookie drafts, but he should be drafted.
Tiyon Evans
Running Back – Louisville
While he may not bring exorbitant flash to a backfield, Tiyon Evans has a powerful skillset that could lead him to a role in an NFL offense. He displays good one-cut decisiveness, using acceleration to the next levels in the defense, and even passed the defense. In his final collegiate season as a Louisville Cardinal, he ranked 26th in the NCAA in YPC (6.3) on 83 carries.
Furthermore, he should show strength and IQ in Indianapolis, and he would excel in a zone-rushing scheme. This is yet another running back to watch for at the NFL Draft in the later days. Evans is solid, keep an eye out for him late on Day 3 or as a UDFA option. Remember undrafted free agent Zonovan Knight made the New York Jets’ 53-man roster to start 2022, having upside in their scheme. Evans can be a depth running back next season.
Tyler Scott
Wide Receiver – Cincinnati
Keep an eye on Tyler Scott’s 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. It will be a fun time and will only take about four seconds from your life. He is a player who gets vertical quickly, as he often catches the ball while wide open, due to his blazing speed. Additionally, he has impressive ball-tracking skills and body control while it’s in the air. This is to say his agility is as impressive as his speed, and he should be a riser you will hear a lot about in March and April.
Scott could sneak into rookie drafts third or second rounds, becoming less a sleeper and more draft day darling. He is the player with the most draft stock behind his name currently and I think a team will lock up his speed when late day two of the NFL Draft comes. There’s a chance he could go earlier as well. All in all, he is one to scoop up for your team in the late rounds of your rookie drafts.
Trey Palmer
Wide Receiver – Nebraska
The following is a projection for Trey Palmer, and it’s largely due to his physical traits. Coming off a 1,000-yard season at Nebraska, he looks like a great mold of a big slot wide receiver at the NFL level. It would limit him from getting jammed off the line while using his speed to get downfield first, he should be able to get away from defenders. His Senior Bowl measurements put him at 6’0 and 193 pounds, solid for a wide receiver who relies on his quickness.
When drafting a possible late-round wide receiver, all you hope for is plus coaching and good traits. Palmer already has the traits, having the incredible speed to find holes in the defense. With the opportunity to make an impression at this year’s Combine, he definitely has me interested.
Jalen Cropper
Wide Receiver – Fresno State
Our third wide receiver to talk about is a big play waiting to happen, and his name is Jalen Cropper. For Cropper to get an NFL role, he needs to keep building on what he did at the college level. As with any player in a smaller conference, you want him to look like the best player on the field, by a decent margin. Cropper does that.
He is a bit slight in frame at 5’11 and just 171 pounds. It’s encouraging that he got a Combine invite. He’s a consistent contributor in the red zone, has sure hands, and is tough to catch up to in the secondary. All in all, I see him as an NFL team’s WR2-3 for the next few years, giving your fantasy team a possible diet version of Tyler Lockett.
Jonathan Mingo
Wide Receiver – Ole Miss
This player has exciting shiftiness with and without the football in his hands, and a team should be adding a solid wide receiver in Jonathan Mingo from Ole Miss. I expect him to become a dependable NFL wide receiver at the NFL level, as I have a growing faith in the Rebels’ development of wide receivers. His best trait is his release moves off the line of scrimmage, creating good separation from defenders as early as possible. Weighing in at 226 lbs during the Senior Bowl, his pace and power is also evident in how he wins downfield. He can take a screen to the endzone and he can leave a corner behind him in a one-on-one, those are plus attributes that I’m willing to invest in. Mingo should be available later in rookie drafts, but he’s the most NFL-ready player on this list. Becoming a late day two or early day three NFL Draft pick will demonstrate that.
CJ Johnson
Wide Receiver – East Carolina
The second East Carolina Pirate listed, CJ Johnson is my favorite prospect on this list. His breakout season coincides with his Freshman year in 2019, giving him the youngest breakout age of the players I have and will cover here. That first year was highlighted by a 12-catch, 283-yard performance against an Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and Coby Bryant-led Cincinnati Bearcat secondary. Did I mention he’s big? He measured 6’1 and 225 pounds at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
All in all, he’s a strong receiver and has a high gear in the run after the catch. Additionally, he is experienced as a big slot wide receiver. He’s one of those players that is just going to make something good happen with the ball in his hands. This is the wide receiver I have the most confidence in becoming a teams cost controlled WR2 or WR3 with a role, for the next four to five seasons. CJ Johnson can absolutely be an NFL playmaker and is a sleeper to watch for at the NFL Combine.
Davis Allen
Tight End – Clemson
Davis Allen plays his position with agility and ability and is the most athletic tight end I’ll talk about. He moves well with swift, loose hips. Additionally, his change of direction in the receiving game, both running routes and contorting his body for catches, is impressive. He can be a solid third option on an NFL team’s passing attack, as he can line up inside, and can also be a positive factor in the run game. These are important traits in this position, they need to see the field to be able to produce.
Allen should see the field early, and his pass-catching traits are ideal. He has good hands, extending his arms to grab the football versus snatching it with the chest. While his college production is lacking, his highest receiving totals came this past season, with 443 yards and five touchdowns.
Daniel Bellinger was another four-year college player, and his highest receiving total was 357 yards in his Senior season. For any rookie tight end pick, patience should be baked into the value and reasoning behind the pick. Allen is a name to stash for dynasty players.
Will Mallory
Tight End – Miami
The tight end discussion this draft season is led by Michael Mayer, Dalton Kincaid, and Luke Musgraves. While I don’t see that changing, I do see Will Mallory TE4 in this class for dynasty fantasy football purposes.
Mallory is the elder statesman of this group, as his first NFL snaps will be taken at 24 years old. Here are the positives in Mallory: He does everything you want your fantasy tight end to do, and that’s run routes and catch passes. He lines up in the slot with success, which is an encouraging sign for adapting to a modern role in the NFL. Furthermore, he’s a good player to watch with the ball in his hands and for a larger player, he has impressive moves to extend plays. He runs a good variety of routes to be used at the next level. This is the reason his age is even less of a concern for me.
Overall, I think Mallory is a solid prospect for the position coming in. This is an excellent tight end class for dynasty leagues, don’t be afraid to pick one with a late-rounder, and be sure to have some patience.
Sam LaPorta
Tight End – Iowa
Sam Laporta is a very refined tight end for an incoming rookie. He knows his role, racking up over 600 yards in both his Junior and Senior seasons with the Iowa Hawkeyes passing offense. He has strength and has the Michael Mayer-esque ability to be a big target framing the football.
LaPorta can be a safety valve in an offense and has great pass-catching ability. With good hands, he should catch a lot of touchdowns and that is where his upside might be for fantasy football. Also, he’s got a high football IQ so he is a secure player and will only improve in the NFL. It’s realistic that he’s a less athletic Cole Kmet, but Laporta may also grow a bigger role in an offense. In your TE-Premium leagues, keep Sam Laporta and the tight ends I’ve discussed in mind with landing spots. This one in particular could be the perfect third round target.
Conclusion
I’ve talked about the names, listing out two running backs, five receivers, and three tight ends. This 2023 class is deep at these positions, and around 260 players will be drafted into the NFL this year. There are over 300 players invited to the Combine, and players who are not at the Combine will also be drafted.
Players will fluctuate higher on a few or the majority of teams’ boards after Combine week. That being said, don’t be afraid if you see players rise late in the process. The NFL will be using those late-rounders, due to the depth of this 2023 class. At running back and tight end, invest in those positions often this year. That will build some value and depth to your dynasty fantasy football teams in the long run.
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