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NFL Draft 2017: 10 sleepers to watch

By Andrew Goldwasser

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of football fans in the stands during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Anderson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of football fans in the stands during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Anderson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 21, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; East Team quarterback Alek Torgersen (15) throws the ball during the second half of the East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field. West Team defeated the East Team 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; East Team quarterback Alek Torgersen (15) throws the ball during the second half of the East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field. West Team defeated the East Team 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Alek Torgersen, Pennsylvania

Torgersen’s name may be new to you. He’s generally considered a seventh round draft’n’stash type of a prospect.

But Torgersen’s capable of being a whole lot more. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, he has an NFL body. And all he did with that body is become, perhaps, the most successful quarterback in the history of the Ivy League with nearly 8,000 yards of total offense, 52 touchdowns, and a completion percentage of over 65 percent.

This is not a draft loaded with top-tier talent, but every team is always on the lookout for a late-round quarterback that could develop into something more.

He’s big. He’s strong. He has big hands. He throws with terrific touch downfield. Has a quick release. Accuracy is probably his best asset. What’s not to like?

The biggest knock, of course is his level of competition in the Ivy League. Teams are also a bit wary of his playing in a not-so-pro-style system at Penn.

But with an Ivy League head on a pair of big broad shoulders and with a long history of smaller-school quarterbacks finding big time success in the NFL, I wouldn’t write Torgersen off.

4. Josh Dobbs, Tennessee

Dobbs is not an elite passer by any means, but he is also more than a mere athlete. Despite being better known for his tremendous running skills at the quarterback position, Dobbs managed to complete 63 percent of his passes for nearly 3,000 yards and 27 passing touchdowns as a senior.

He’s viewed by many as late-rounder or a priority free agent. But for a team that already utilizes an athletic quarterback, he provides a backup that you can plug in without having to drastically alter your offense.

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