Rival Views: Which sleeper will emerge at NFL Combine?
Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney don’t always see eye to eye. In this edition of Rival Views, the two debate which player could be a sleeper to watch at the NFL Combine.
PRE-COMBINE DRAFT RANKINGS: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
FARRELL'S VIEW: OLE MISS DE BREELAND SPEAKS
Breeland Speaks from Ole Miss is a kid who had a nice season, has good size and could have a very athletic showing at the combine. His versatility as a three-tech defensive tackle or five-tech defensive end should have scouts intrigued. If he does well testing and in drills, he could move from the middle of the draft to the second day.
Anthony Miller from Memphis is a kid I like a lot as well. Roc Thomas from Jacksonville State is a former five-star who could have a good showing as well.
GORNEY'S VIEW: PENN STATE WR DAESEAN HAMILTON
This is considered a generally weak draft for wide receivers but there are a lot of talented players even if they're not top 10 picks. DaeSean Hamilton has seen his stock rise after a strong Senior Bowl performance and he was consistently solid during his time at Penn State. This past season, Hamilton finished fourth on the Nittany Lions in receiving but he still had an impressive 53 catches for 857 yards and nine touchdowns as Penn State spread the ball around. Saquon Barkley got the ball a lot, so that took some of Hamilton's touches away, too.
If Hamilton could run in the 4.4s then he should move up even more and he should be excellent during the drill sessions. After Alabama's Calvin Ridley, is there a receiver anyone really trusts in this draft? It's wide open. Plus, first-round WRs in the last few drafts have been widely disappointing. So Hamilton can definitely move up to be one of the top four or five receivers in this draft and teams would be very happy.
NC State running back Nyheim Hines and Miami defensive end Chad Thomas are two other guys who can shoot up draft boards with solid showings in Indianapolis.
