NFL Draft: 5 off-the-radar prospects who can crash Round 1

4. Willie Gay, Jr.

Gay is another SEC prospect that isn’t getting quite the love he deserves from the national media. His suspensions at Mississippi State are definitely concerning, but the physicality he plays the game with makes him an interesting player for a lot of NFL defensive coordinators.

Teams will have to do their own homework regarding his conduct. Any chance he has of ascending into Round 1 will require teams getting comfortable with his off-the-field character.

If that happens, there’s a lot to like about his on-field talent. He’s a big, physical linebacker who can run well enough to make plays from sideline-to-sideline. Gay also plays the position with the amount of physicality that teams want to see from someone patrolling the middle of their defense.

Admittedly, Gay does need more reps if he’s going to process information fast enough to direct traffic from the middle linebacker position. Once he catches on, he’s got a chance to be an intimidating force for a good defense. Thumping middle linebackers don’t often go in Round 1, but Gay might have enough upside to break that trend.