5 NFL Draft prospects who could make surprise runs into Round 1

5 NFL Draft sleepers for Round 1 selections

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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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 1: Deebo Samuel #WO41 of the South Carolina Gamecocks is seen at the 2019 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

1. Deebo Samuel

If you aren’t counting slot receiver as a starting position for every team in the NFL then you aren’t paying enough attention to the way the game is going. Samuel has a chance to play that role for a good team to perfection.

He wasn’t the most productive receiver during his collegiate career at South Carolina, but he wasn’t blessed with great surrounding talent in Columbia. It would be a mistake to sleep on this guy’s talent.

Samuel may not have one exceptional skill, but he does everything pretty well. He’s got above-average size for the slot and while he’s not a burner, he consistently finds a way to separate from quality defensive backs in the SEC. It’s possible Samuel is more of a quick receiver than he is a burner.

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What really separates Samuel from the competition is his ability to make plays with the ball in his hands. He’s a receiver who always finds a way to make the first man miss. That’s a priceless skill in today’s NFL. Most mocks have Samuel in Round 2 or 3, but a smart team should and quite possibly will, snap him up at the end of Day One.

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