NFL Draft Prospects: 5 most underrated players slated to go in Round 1

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 28: Wide receiver Justin Jefferson #2 of the LSU Tigers reacts to a play during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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Justin Jefferson #2 of the LSU Tigers runs with the ball after a 56-yard pass from Joe Burrow during the second quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The LSU Tigers topped the Clemson Tigers, 42-25. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

1. Justin Jefferson

Jefferson isn’t quite big enough to be the No. 1 wideout in this draft class, but he’s much closer than the experts think. The idea that he might be the fourth wide receiver off the board doesn’t match what Jefferson put on film at LSU.

Teams that focus on his athletic testing are going to be underwhelmed. He’s tall, but not overly powerful. His 40-yard dash times are good, but nothing special. Instead, scouts need to look more at what he did on the field during his collegiate career.

His work at LSU was dominant. He certainly benefited from having Joe Burrow at quarterback, but he showed a consistent ability to defeat the top cornerbacks in the SEC with ease. The fact that he did so when lining up out wide or in the slot should make him even more attractive for teams looking for a new No. 1 wide receiver.

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Right now, there seems to be a real chance that Jefferson will drop into Round 2. NFL GMs should be ashamed of themselves if that happens. He comfortably profiles as a guy who should be competing for a spot in the top 10. Jefferson is going to make the team that drafts him very happy a couple of years down the road.

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