Fansided

5 NFL Draft sleepers for Round 1 selections

By Rucker Haringey

GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 10: South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) runs with the ball during the game between the SouthCaroline Gamecocks and the Florida Gators on November 10, 2018 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 10: South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) runs with the ball during the game between the SouthCaroline Gamecocks and the Florida Gators on November 10, 2018 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 26: Defensive back Nasir Adderley #23 from Delaware of the North Team during the 2019 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 26, 2019 in Mobile, Alabama. The North defeated the South 34 to 24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 26: Defensive back Nasir Adderley #23 from Delaware of the North Team during the 2019 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 26, 2019 in Mobile, Alabama. The North defeated the South 34 to 24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

4. Nasir Adderley

Most scouts agree that Johnathan Abram is the best safety in this draft class, but there’s a legitimate debate about who’s number two. Don’t be surprised if Adderley manages to be the second safety of the board in this draft. That gives him a chance to go off the board late in Round 1.

Adderley lacks the physicality that Abram shows in the middle of the field, but he does have better ball skills than any other safety in this class. Teams looking for a true center fielder to protect the final third of the field will give Adderley a strong look.

Some scouts might ding Adderley for playing at the FCS level at Delaware, but his play at the Senior Bowl shut down most of those concerns. He might have been able to boost his stock even more, but he didn’t work out at all at the Combine. Again, that forced teams to spend more time and energy evaluating him with their own eyes.

Safety still isn’t the most valuable position in the NFL, but you’re starting to see it get some real attention from teams who are desperate to stop pass-happy offenses. Adderley’s cover skills give him a chance to sneak into the 20s of this year’s draft.

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