The NFL draft, given the first-rounder, has marquee charm. But teams that continue their annual selections consistently win in the middle and late rounds.
This means that there are undeclared probabilities at days 2 and 3. Some call him a sleeper, some call him a steal, but in the end, these are the players who will deliver the greatest returns, where he was drafted in the league.
Here are the 10 best hidden gems of the 2021 NFL Draft, one from each primary offensive and defensive position:
MORE NFL DRAFT: Complete 7-Round Mock | Top 100 Big Boards
2021 NFL Draft Sleepers
Quarterback: Kellen Mond, Texas A&M (6-3, 211 pounds)
Mond is the ideal untapped prospect as he has solid physical equipment as a runner and passer and has shown steady growth as an experienced college starter so far. He has hands, athleticism and confidence as a strong baseline and needs help to grow with his accuracy and efficiency. With the right coaching, he can move from promising young backup to a viable starter.
Running Back: Ramondre Stevenson, Oklahoma (6-0, 231 pounds)
Stevenson stands out with his strong run and gets extra bursts with his hard-charged downhill style. He also does small things well and is growing in conservation nearby. Although their receiving mills and open-field explosives are limited, they can provide strength with the support of a solid blocking system.
Wide receiver: Chatterius “Tutu” Atwell, Louisville (5-9, 155 pounds)
Atwell is a speed trader out of the slot and one of the more underrated big-play threats in the class. He has a small frame, but if used as a true change of pace to get up and running, he can make a lot of explosive plays. For teams previously interested in Purdue’s Rondell Moore, Atwell may later provide the same juice with some Tyrik Hill traits on the field.
Tight end: Tommy Tremble, Notre Dame (6-3, 241 pounds)
In addition to being intimidated by the last name, Tremble is another strong prospect out of the tight end tradition of pro-Irish fighting under Brian Kelly. He can increase the lining in many places as a blocker and has a lot of potential as an athletic receiver. With some good coaching to shield his hands and steer, Tremble can develop into a well-rounded starter.
Aggressive behavior: James Hudson, Cincinnati (6-5, 313 pounds)
Hudson has incredible athleticism that cannot teach for his size. He gets around as a pass guard everywhere and drives a blocker while studying less agile assignments. He is limited in experience, which is needed to work on his hands, feet and overall technique. He should eventually be a willing student to put everything together to develop into a beginner-caliber tackle.
Guard / center: Jack Anderson, Texas Tech (6-5, 314 pounds)
Anderson has an interesting mix of quick feet and tough hands to love his ability that a bad run blocker removes moving players from the path. He also needs to refine and understand how to better use his body and natural athleticism to his advantage.
Defensive Combat: Aleem McNeill, NC State (6-2, 317 pounds)
Match Magnil under another lineman with impressive size and stratrophy to match with great agility. His high level of athleticism translated into fine internal pass-rush production. He needs to be more consistent and more reliable against runs, but he can be disruptive in pressure situations right now.
Edge rusher: Dayo Odingybo, Vanderbilt (6-5, 285 pounds)
Odeyingbo looks the part with its shape and some strange qualities. Teams that are exempt from the arrival of a torn Achilles will be passing with someone to top the sacks in the event of pressure. He can actually come in at quarterback from many angles with different angles. Odeyingbo needs to have more substance to go with the flash to be reliable with regular snacks.
Linebacker: Monty Rice, Georgia (6-0, 233 pounds)
Rice is a classic middle-round high-effort linebacker. He is not going to fly teams with traditional flat-out speed and quickness, but he relies on his smart SD mover to make a ton of plays. They have found a fundamentally sound foundation and their instincts, recognition and leadership skills are welcome for a defense and special teams unit.
Cornerback: Aaron Robinson, UCF (6-0, 186 pounds)
Robinson has the size and enough speed to be a top-flight slot corner. He is not the fastest to stay with the receiver on the outside field, but his sharp legs are ideal for covering the inside well for a long time.
Safety: Talano Hafanga, USC (6-0, 199 lb)
Hafanga has great size to become an extra linebacker from the position with his thrilling, powerful style. He has a good range as a tackler and comes into the field to make a lot of plays. He is quite active to improve his work in pass defense.
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