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One NFL Draft sleeper and one stay-away at every position
Jacob Eason, QB, Washington. Stephen R. Sylvanie / USA Today Images

One NFL Draft sleeper and one stay-away at every position

The NFL Draft has undervalued and overvalued players every year. Here's a look at some of this year's biggest sleepers and possible busts.

 
1 of 22

Sleeper: Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma

Sleeper: Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
Matthew Emmons / USA Today Sports Images

Hurts isn't considered to be one of the top-tier quarterbacks in this year's draft, but his track record and talent show that he's deserving. His elite mobility is well known, but the development of Hurts' passing accuracy makes him a legitimate starting possibility at the next level. He completed nearly 70 percent of his passes for Oklahoma last season and is a rare fit for a Ravens-style offense that's quickly becoming en vogue.

 
2 of 22

Stay-away: Jacob Eason, QB, Washington

Stay-away: Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
Troy Wayrynen / USA Today Sports Images

Eason could have the strongest arm in the draft, but he has failed to reach expectations in college due to his lack of accuracy, completing less than 60 percent of his passes for his college career. That's not a trend that will transition well to the next level.

 
3 of 22

Sleeper: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU

Sleeper: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
Stephen Lew / USA Today Sports Images

There isn't a more versatile back available in the draft, but Edwards-Helaire's running ability is also underrated. He gained 6.6 yards per carry for the Tigers last season, and his versatility should allow him to start at the beginning of his NFL career.

 
4 of 22

Stay-away: A.J. Dillon, RB, Boston College

Stay-away: A.J. Dillon, RB, Boston College
Matt Cashore / USA Today Sports Images

Dillon has been highly productive in college, but there's a lot of tread on his tires. He had two 300-plus carry seasons at Boston College and also has shown limited pass-catching ability.

 
5 of 22

Sleeper: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC

Sleeper: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

Pittman is a possible Day 2 pick with first-round upside. He's coming off a great senior season with 101 catches for 1,275 yards, and he shows elite red-zone potential at 6-foot-4 with a 36.5 inch vertical.

 
6 of 22

Stay-away: Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado

Stay-away: Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

Shenault is flashy with the ball in his hands, yet he averaged only 13.0 yards per catch in college and regressed in his junior season. Further concern is core muscle surgery this offseason that could limit him in his rookie season.

 
7 of 22

Sleeper: Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU

Sleeper: Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

The son of Randy Moss, Thaddeus' limited speed and size could push him to Day 3 of the draft. However, he has excellent hands and is a willing blocker, two traits that could make him a cheap starter at the next level.

 
8 of 22

Stay-away: Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri

Stay-away: Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

Albert O's draft stock declined after a subpar junior season, and injuries have been a constant during his college career. He has big upside as a pass catcher with 98 catches and 23 touchdowns in three seasons, but the failure of his development is a huge concern.

 
9 of 22

Sleeper: Ben Bartch, OL, St. John's (MN)

Sleeper: Ben Bartch, OL, St. John's (MN)
Vasha Hunt / USA Today Sports Images

A converted tight end, Bartch has shown quick feet and plenty of upside in his transition to the offensive line. He will be a project but one who could pay long-term dividends as a late-round starter.

 
10 of 22

Stay-away: Trey Adams, OL, Washington

Stay-away: Trey Adams, OL, Washington
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Adams was considered a first-round pick not long ago, but he's suffered injuries in back-to-back seasons. To make matters worse, Adams had a terrible combine performance. The great size and history is worth a flier, but Adams seems likely to disappoint.

 
11 of 22

Sleeper: Josh Uche, DE, Michigan

Sleeper: Josh Uche, DE, Michigan
Raj Mehta / USA Today Sports Images

Uche is a pass-rushing specialist who lacks the size to be an every-down defensive end, but that doesn't mean he won't have a strong career. He recorded 14.5 sacks over the last two seasons with limited snaps and shows the edge rush ability to be a nice find in a weak edge rusher class.

 
12 of 22

Stay-away: Terrell Lewis, DE, Alabama

Stay-away: Terrell Lewis, DE, Alabama
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Lewis is a polarizing prospect and one of the bigger upside plays in the late first round. He has great size and physical ability but was sidelined for much of his college career due to injury. That risk is viable for the right price, though Lewis could be overdrafted with the lack of quality competition at his position.

 
13 of 22

Sleeper: Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama

Sleeper: Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports Images

Davis looked like a surefire early-round pick after recording 8.5 sacks in his sophomore season, but he's struggled to rush the quarterback since then. He's still a massive run stuffer at 6-foot-6, 311 pounds with huge upside for a Day 2 investment.

 
14 of 22

Stay-away: Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU

Stay-away: Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Blacklock is considered a first-round prospect because of his interior pass rushing potential, but it never really showed in college. He missed 2018 due to injury and had only 3.5 sacks in 12 games last year.

 
15 of 22

Sleeper: Jacob Phillips, ILB, LSU

Sleeper: Jacob Phillips, ILB, LSU
Stephew Lew / USA Today Sports Images

Phillips seems likely to fall until at least Day 2 in a deep linebacker class, but he was a tackling machine for the Tigers over the last two seasons. Add in his ability to play special teams, and he could be a great short- and long-term value for teams.

 
16 of 22

Stay-away: Willie Gay, ILB, Mississippi State

Stay-away: Willie Gay, ILB, Mississippi State
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Gay has first-round athleticism, running a 4.46 second 40-yard dash at the combine. However, he had multiple off-field issues last season that could drop his stock and make him a serious risk if the draft value is significant.

 
17 of 22

Sleeper: Malik Harrison, OLB, Ohio State

Sleeper: Malik Harrison, OLB, Ohio State
Chuck Cook / USA Today Sports Images

A former top recruit, Harrison had back-to-back strong seasons for Ohio State. He had a solid combine and has excellent size at 6-foot-3. He could be a steal in Rounds 3-5.

 
18 of 22

Stay-away: Zack Baun, OLB, Wisconsin

Stay-away: Zack Baun, OLB, Wisconsin
Vasha Hunt / USA Today Sports Images

Baun's value jumped with a 12.5 sacks senior year. However, his performance was uneven before last year, and he failed a drug test at the combine. He will also turn 24 in December, another potential red flag for what could be a first-round pick.

 
19 of 22

Sleeper: Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State

Sleeper: Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
Joseph Maiorana / USA Today Sports Images

Arnette is overshadowed by teammate Jeff Okudah, but he should also be a quality NFL player at a much cheaper draft-day price. He is versatile, with the ability to play the outside or cover in the slot, and he got a lot of experience over four seasons for the Buckeyes.

 
20 of 22

Stay-away: A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson

Stay-away: A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Terrell could be drafted as early as mid-first round, but his struggles against top competition in the College Football Playoff should give teams some pause. He has flashy speed (4.42 second 40-yard dash) and good size, but LSU was able to pick on him with its top wide receiver talent in the national championship.

 
21 of 22

Sleeper: Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota

Sleeper: Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
Noah K. Murray / USA Today Sports Images

Winfield not only has the pedigree as the son of a longtime NFL cornerback, but he also has the tape of a first-round pick. He's knocked for his lack of size, but Winfield had seven interceptions and showed a nose for the ball last year with 83 tackles.

 
22 of 22

Stay-away: Grant Delpit, S, LSU

Stay-away: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
Jason Getz / USA Today Sports Images

Delpit looked like a potential top-10 pick going into last year, but he struggled with an ankle injury last year. He does get props for staying on the field through the injury, though the regression in his junior season could be enough to drop him out of the first round.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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