2018 NFL Draft: 5 sleepers in the class
By Joe Romano
Ian Thomas, TE, Indiana
An extremely difficult position for rookie’s to make an impact in year one is the tight end position. The New York Giants saw an anomaly in Evan Engram a year ago. Other first rounders David Njoku and O.J. Howard put their talents on display as well. Those three were a rare case. This tight end class is a big drop compared to last year’s. An intriguing prospect that is not receiving enough talk is Indiana’s Ian Thomas.
As a whole this tight end class features more specialists than starters. There are players like Mike Gesicki who thrive in the red zone and play the ball in the air. Dallas Goedert, the other top tight end, is a raw prospect from a small school who missed the workout process. It will be tough for league scouts to find a well rounded player like Thomas at any point in the draft. It is odd that he is considered a later round prospect than his potential.
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Thomas may not have had an extremely productive stint in college but he has the skills to be a better NFL player. Unlike other tight ends in this class, Thomas is a strong blocker able to hold off linebackers and undersized ends in the run game. He also possesses strengths in the passing game that will put him on the field early. He is a raw, plus athlete with flashes of excellence in every facet.
There are a number of landing spots that make sense for Thomas. Teams with a veteran presence who can continue his upward development. His best game came against an extremely tough Ohio State defense. Any NFL coach that can mold him into the best version of that player will produce a steal in this draft class.