While the 2024 NFL Draft has its’ fair share of elite players at the top of the draft, it’s in the middle to late rounds where the depth of a team is created. Great teams are built on days two and three of the draft, when the overlooked players get drafted and become essential depth pieces. There may not be a Puka Nacua waiting in this draft, but late on days two and three there are going to be starters or heavy rotation players that are found. Here are some sleepers who will eventually become good rotation players or starters at the next level.
Javon Solomon, EDGE, Troy
While he’s undersized at 6’1 and 246, Solomon has longer arms and produced at an insane level in college while seemingly playing out of position at Troy. He’s got a lot of burst and bend to his game, which is something that most players coming out don’t have. When he can flatten and bend around the corner as a designated pass rusher, that has a lot of value for NFL teams.
Jalyx Hunt, Houston Christian
Another undersized edge rusher, Hunt’s story is such an interesting one. Starting out as a safety at Cornell, Hunt transferred during the COVID season, and got big enough to play on the edge. The movement skills that Hunt has on the edge are very reminiscient of a former safety, and his game is still growing as a well-rounded EDGE prospect. He still needs more refinement to his pass rush plan and true counters, but anyone with that athletic profile is worth a draft pick.
You can tell Jalyx Hunt is still trying to learn how to play EDGE (was a safety at Cornell before transferring) but was second team all conference in his first year playing and yeah man he can move (#13, bottom of screen) pic.twitter.com/MkXDK4sGHe
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) November 15, 2023
Jalen Coker, WR, Holy Cross
Coker is an interesting prospect. He’s got really good ball skills and hands that are in the 82nd percentile for all receivers, but the big knock on him is going to be the speed (4.57 40 yard dash). However, what Coker does well is win above the rim at the catch point and be a willing blocker. He’s got enough wiggle to create short-area separation, but that’s not really his game. He profiles the most as a power slot at the next level, who can eventually grow into a starter in a few years.
Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State
With the NFL kickoff return rules changing, there’s more room for guys to be exclusively kickoff returners and maker a roster that way. Gould is one of those guys who can make the roster as a slot receiver and return man. Gould is a small receiver at 5’8 and 174 pounds, but his speed (4.39 40 yard dash) makes him a valuable asset in the return game. He’s got good vision with the ball in his hands and can be an electric playmaker.
Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois
Reiman is a great athlete at tight end who is an extremely physical blocker. While he took over the combine with running a 4.64 40 yard dash at 271 pounds, Reiman doesn’t have a wide net of pass catching reps. He’s much more of a blocker in-line and off the ball, which is going to be extremely valuable in the NFL. The odds of him getting picked on Day 2 are pretty slim, but he’s a great Day 3 prospect who can immediately raise the floor of a run game.
Tyrone Tracy Jr, RB, Purdue
In a RB class that has gotten a lot of undue hate, Purdue RB Tyrone Tracy Jr could be a guy who gets selected on Day 3 and serves a good role on an NFL team. His athletic testing came in near the tops of the class, posting elite numbers in the short shuttle and 40 yard dash.
He’s a tough runner on the inside, but has the speed to be a factor in the passing game as well. His contact balance is good for a guy his size, and teams will value that on Day 3.
