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NFL Draft sleepers and stay-aways
Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Draft sleepers and stay-aways

The NFL Draft is now just weeks away. As with every year, there are many players who go into the draft underrated by scouts and the media, while others have major red flags that could limit their NFL performance.

 
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Sleeper: D.J. Chark, WR, LSU

Sleeper: D.J. Chark, WR, LSU
Matt Starney / USA Today Sports Images

Chark had limited production in an LSU offense that didn't throw often, but his athleticism is off the charts. Standing at 6-4, Chark ran the fastest 40 time at the combine (4.34) and had the highest vertical (40 inches) at his position. It's no wonder he averaged 21.9 yards per reception last season.

 
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Stay-away: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

Stay-away: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
Brian Losness / USA Today Sports Images

There's no denying Allen as an athlete, but will that make him a great NFL quarterback? The Wyoming quarterback could go first overall, but he completed just 56.2 percent of his passes in college to go along with a mediocre 44/21 TD/INT rate. The lack of accuracy should be worrisome for teams, but somehow it hasn't been.

 
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Sleeper: Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State

Sleeper: Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
Mitch Stringer / USA Today Sports Images

Gesicki is a truly elite athlete, tying for the best 40 time at tight end, and has been highly productive as a pass catcher for Penn State over the last two seasons. He's been building momentum since the combine and could sneak in as an early second-day pick.

 
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Stay-away: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma

Stay-away: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Brown was a productive tackle at Oklahoma, his father was an excellent pro, and he has unbelievable size at 6-8, 345 pounds. Now that we have the positives out of the way, take a look at his combine results. Among all players in the combine he had the slowest 40 times (5.85), the worst vertical (19.5 inches), the shortest broad jump (82 inches), the slowest shuttle (5.38), and only 14 bench reps, worst among all offensive linemen. Simply put, he's not athletic enough to play in the NFL.

 
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Sleeper: Shaquem Griffin, OLB, UCF

Sleeper: Shaquem Griffin, OLB, UCF
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Griffin's incredible story is well-documented, leading the UCF defense last season despite playing without a left hand due to a rare condition. He was the story of the combine and had a combined 166 tackles and 18.5 sacks over the last two seasons. It would be a mistake if he falls past the second day.

 
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Stay-away: Antonio Callaway, WR, Florida

Stay-away: Antonio Callaway, WR, Florida
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Callaway showed great ability at Florida, but teams are taking an enormous risk if he goes before the third day of the draft. The former Florida wideout didn't play football at all in 2017 because of an off-field issue, and it wasn't his first while in college. He had a chance to be reinstated but decided to go pro instead.

 
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Sleeper: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina

Sleeper: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
Tommy Gilligan / USA Today Sports Images

A former minor league pitcher, Hurst returned to college football and seemingly made the right choice. He's older than the competition, turning age 25 by his rookie season, but Hurst is advanced as both a pass catcher and blocker. He could slide into the first round because he's a rare tight end teams can plug and play, even though he lacks the optimal height to be a red zone performer.

 
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Stay-away: Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia

Stay-away: Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Todd Gurley's replacement at Georgia, Chubb had an incredible freshman season but injured his knee the following year. He didn't look like the same player after getting injured, peaking at 6.0 yards per carry last season after averaging 7.1 yards in his freshman season. Chubb was also frequently replaced on passing downs. He doesn't have the versatility that you'd want from a second-day pick.

 
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Sleeper: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

Sleeper: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

While he's projected as a late first-round pick, Kirk has the big-play ability to be taken much higher. The Aggie was highly productive in three seasons, with 234 catches for 2,856 yards and 26 touchdowns while also showing great ability as a returner. He has terrific hands and could fit in as an elite slot receiver immediately with the right team.

 
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Stay-away: Holton Hill, CB, Texas

Stay-away: Holton Hill, CB, Texas
Andrew Dieb / USA Today Sports Images

Hill has elite size for a corner at 6-3 and looked like a top prospect before getting suspended for team rules violations. The pure talent is there for Hill to be a first-round pick, but there's good reason that he could fall to the third day.

 
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Sleeper: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

Sleeper: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports Images

Mayfield has made some negative headlines over the last year for a run-in with the law and some on-field antics, but there isn't a more NFL-ready quarterback in the draft. He's put up unbelievable stats in three seasons at Oklahoma, completing more than 70 percent of his passes over the last two seasons with 129/21 TD/INT over the last three years. He's being penalized for his lack of height but could very well be the next Russell Wilson. If Mayfield were a few inches taller, he would likely be the consensus first overall pick.

 
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Stay-away: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan

Stay-away: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
Mike Carter / USA Today Sports Images

A highly productive player at Michigan, Hurst projected as a first-round pick until he wasn't allowed to participate in the combine due to a heart condition. He hasn't been called back for a second test, but it is a red flag that could make teams nervous.

 
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Sleeper: Sony Michel, RB, Georgia

Sleeper: Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Michel was a speed back alongside Nick Chubb at Georgia. During his senior season, Michel averaged an incredible 7.9 yards per carry. He's a decisive runner who would fit well in a zone blocking scheme and should be able to start immediately. It wouldn't be a shock if he slips into the first round.

 
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Stay-away: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

Stay-away: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
Melina Vastola / USA Today Sports Images

The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner, Jackson declined to run the 40 at the combine because he's insistent on remaining a quarterback. He's also resisted signing with an agent, which could be a concern for some teams. Jackson is arguably the most athletic quarterback since Michael Vick, but his 57.0 percent completion rate for his career didn't set the world on fire. At the very least, he will need some seasoning in the NFL.

 
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Sleeper: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA

Sleeper: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

One of the best athletes among this year's offensive linemen, Miller is a towering 6-9. Despite his height, Miller had an outstanding combine, running a sub-5.0 second 40 and ranking tied for fourth in the vertical among linemen. He's performed at both tackle spots for the Bruins, and his stock has been rising.

 
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Stay-away: Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State

Stay-away: Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State
Joseph Maiorana / USA Today Sports Images

Jones missed time last season to a shoulder injury and didn't grade well at the combine. He ran the third slowest 40 among offensive linemen, and also had the second slowest three cone drill. Projected to go in the second day, Jones' lack of athleticism and injury history makes him risky.

 
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Sleeper: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland

Sleeper: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
Mike Carter / USA Today Sports Images

Moore didn't play for a great college team, but that shouldn't hurt his draft stock. He had a terrific combine after a breakout junior season at Maryland, finishing with 80 receptions for 1,033 yards and eight touchdowns. He has a chance to be a great slot receiver and possibly go in the first round.

 
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Stay-away: Arden Key, DE, LSU

Stay-away: Arden Key, DE, LSU
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

Projected as an early first round pick before last season, Key's draft stock took a huge hit due to injury. He had both shoulder and finger injuries last season, and he didn't look in tip-top shape. There's definitely some risk here.

 
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Sleeper: J'Mon Moore, WR, Missouri

Sleeper: J'Mon Moore, WR, Missouri
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

Moore put together consecutive 1,000-yard seasons at Mizzou and showed great red zone ability with 18 scores over the last two years. While he didn't run a great 40, Moore excelled in the quickness drills and has nice size at 6-3. He could go as early as the third round and shows nice immediate upside.

 
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Stay-away: Jordan Lasley, WR, UCLA

Stay-away: Jordan Lasley, WR, UCLA
Casey Sapio / USA Today Sports Images

Lasley certainly performed in college, but his off-field issues are concerning. He was suspended multiple times and arrested twice during his college career. After gaining 1,264 yards in only nine games last season, he really opened some eyes, but there's reason for teams to be scared off taking him early.

 
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Sleeper: Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State

Sleeper: Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State
Raymond Carlin III / USA Today Sports Images

Penny rushed for more than 2,000 yards last season, though teams could be scared off by his run-heavy system at San Diego State and former teammate Donnel Pumphrey's training camp struggles last year. Though, it's worth noting that Penny averaged more than seven yards per carry in consecutive seasons, peaking at 7.8 yards per carry last season. He can also work as a receiver.

 
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Stay-away: Kamryn Pettway, RB, Auburn

Stay-away: Kamryn Pettway, RB, Auburn
John Reed / USA Today Sports Images

Pettway's draft stock has plummeted after an injury-plagued last year at Auburn and a poor combine. He's a potential short-yardage runner in the NFL but ran a poor 4.74 40-yard dash at the combine and hasn't shown good hands. Propensity for injury for a bruising back is never a good sign.

 
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Sleeper: Josh Sweat, DE, Florida State

Sleeper: Josh Sweat, DE, Florida State
Logan Bowles / USA Today Sports Images

One of the top athletes available on the edge, Sweat lit up the combine with his speed. He never had more than seven sacks in a season at Florida State, but teams should be salivating over his potential to get to the quarterback.

 
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Stay-away: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Stay-away: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Likely the first wideout taken in the draft, Ridley is a potential top 10 pick despite putting up his best season in his freshman year. That's not all his fault, as the Crimson Tide offense evolved with Jalen Hurts at quarterback, but Ridley has just average size (6-0) and speed. Acclaimed for his ability as a route runner, Ridley is certainly first round pick worthy but also doesn't have the versatility of Christian Kirk. He's more of an "overrated" prospect than a "stay-away."

 
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Sleeper: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

Sleeper: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
Justin Ford / USA Today Sports Images

An incredibly productive college wideout, Sutton could shine in the red zone. He scored 31 touchdowns over the last three seasons and averaged 16.5 yards per reception in a high-octane SMU offense. Standing at 6-4, Sutton graded as elite at the combine and would be a steal if he falls into the second round.

 
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Stay-away: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

Stay-away: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

A former elite quarterback recruit, Rosen was highly productive at UCLA but also didn't win nearly as much as anticipated. He can't take all of the blame for that, but his injuries didn't help. He played only six games in 2016 due to a shoulder injury and had two concussions last year. If the injury trend continues, he will probably get a GM and head coach fired.

 
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Sleeper: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

Sleeper: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Matt Kartozian / USA Today Sports Images

Ward is likely the first cornerback to go in the draft, but he could deserve a top five selection. He had as impressive a combine as any player, tying for first in the 40 and ranking first in the broad jump. Opposing teams simply stayed away from him at Ohio State, but he still managed two picks and 15 passes defensed last season. He could be an immediate Pro Bowler.

 
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Stay-away: Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama

Stay-away: Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama
Matthew Emmons / USA Today Sports Images

A bruising back at Alabama, Scarbrough got hot in his sophomore season but fell out of favor last year. He averaged just 4.8 yards per carry. While he has impressive speed for his size, the dwindling production at Bama is concerning, to say the least.

 
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Sleeper: Mike White, QB, Western Kentucky

Sleeper: Mike White, QB, Western Kentucky
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

White has arguably the strongest arm among all quarterbacks in this year's draft, and he threw for more than 4,000 yards in consecutive seasons at Western Kentucky. His draft stock has dropped after struggling in his senior season, but the physical tools are intriguing.

 
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Stay-away: Auden Tate, WR, Florida State

Stay-away: Auden Tate, WR, Florida State
Glenn Bell / USA Today Sports Images

Standing at 6-5, Tate is the most imposing wideout in the draft but wasn't much more than a red zone target at Florida. That's because Tate lacks breakaway speed, running a mediocre 4.68 second 40-yard dash at the combine. He could go as early as the second round, but it remains to be seen if he has enough speed to perform in the NFL.

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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