Accurate Scouting Reports Check
Obviously it’s far too early to judge this years rookie class. Though we can’t judge the class we can see what sleepers made final 53 man NFL rosters. Let’s take a look at how we did judging the skill of players who went on day 3 or undrafted. I think you’ll be impressed with our scouting skills. Most of the prospects who are unsigned were real deep sleepers that I didn’t expect to be drafted.
5th Round
Minnesota Vikings WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette.
Ihmir Smith Marsette– 5th round pick 157th overall.
Status: Made Minnesota Vikings final roster
A day 3 Iowa pick. Ihmir Smith Marsette has a good chance of working his way up to the number three receiver spot this year. He will be a return man for the Minnesota Vikings in the meantime.
Daviyon Nixon– 5th round pick 158 overall Status: Made Carolina Panthers final roster
Daviyon Nixon will be part of the Carolina Panthers defensive line rotation. We employee the world’s greatest Iowa scout, so you can see exactly what to expect from him.
Caden Sterns– 5th round pick 152 overall Status: Made Denver Broncos final roster.
I have been hearing positive things about Sterns from the Broncos. I would expect him to see some real playing time this season. Feel free to read why.
6th Round
Shemar Jean Charles– 5th round pick 178 overall Status: Made Green Bay Packers final roster
How many high draft picks have the Green Bay Packers spent on cornerbacks? A lot, including their most recent first rounder, who we also loved. Shemar Jean Charles made the Packers final roster despite being a fifth round pick surrounded by first and second rounders.
Jaylen Twyman– 6th round 199 overall Minnesota Vikings. Status: Injured.
We were extremely high on Jaylen Twyman and he was taken by the Minnesota Vikings. Sadly, he was shot during the offseason and is on the non football injury list, so we have to wait to see if he dominates.
Larry Rountree III– 6th Round pick 198 overall Status: Made Los Angeles Chargers final roster.
6th round picks aren’t guaranteed a roster spot, but we thought Rountree would make it. He’s currently depth on the Chargers roster, but don’t be shocked if he works his way up.
7th Round
Chicago Bears DL Khyiris Tonga (95).
Khyiris Tonga– 7th round pick 250 overall
Status: Made Chicago Bears final roster
The Chicago Bears got a steal at the end of the 2021 NFL Draft. Bears fans will see Tonga line up at nose tackle and eat up space this season. He has the talent to make it as a full time starter.
Kylin Hill (32), RB for the Green Bay Packers.
Kylin Hill– 7th round pick 256 overall
Status: Made Green Bay Packers final roster
Another super late pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and another steal. Hill made the Green Bay Packers final roster due to his immense talent. He’s currently their number three running back.
Undrafted Free Agents
Alaric Jackson– Undrafted free agent Status: Made Los Angeles Rams final roster
Once again, we have the best Iowa scout in the world. He proved it by being high on Alaric Jackson, an undrafted free agent who is now a second string offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams.
O’Bryan Goodson– Undrafted free agent Status: Went to CFL
Goodson is a defensive lineman I loved, though I knew he would probably go undrafted. He’s a little undersized, but I believe in him. He’s strong against the run and the pass. If a team gives him a look, I think they’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Raymond Johnson iii (91) of the New York Giants.
Raymond Johnson III– Undrafted free agent
Status: Made New York Giants final roster
I compared Johnson to Everson Griffen. I’m not saying he will have that kind of career, but he reminds me of him. Looks like I was onto something as he made the New York Giants final roster as an undrafted free agent.
Damonte Coxie– Undrafted free agent. Worked out by Green Bay Packers Status: Unsigned.
A wide receiver I expected to go undrafted after his pro day. He was given a look by the Green Bay Packers, but did not make the final roster. Coxie is still a player I would like to see get a chance. He had a bad pro day, but four good years of college. I know which one I care about.
KJ Costello– Undrafted free agent Los Angeles Chargers preseason Status: Unsigned.
Costello was an extremely deep sleeper. He was a camp arm, and turned that opportunity into more time with the team. However, he did not make the final cuts.
Undrafted Free Agent-Injured
Anthony Hines III– Undrafted free agent Status: Injured released
Hines was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys. He was injured, reached an injury settlement, and was released. Watch for his name when he gets healthy and another team signs him. He’s got the talent to make it.
Sadarius Hutcherson– Undrafted free agent Status: Injured reserve for Tampa Bay Buccaneers
We had very high hopes for Hutcherson and I believe he would have made the Buccaneers final roster. Sadly, he was injured and is on the IR. Watch out for Hutcherson next year when he gets healthy.
Final Grade
We had 15 NFL Draft prospects who were taken on day 3 or went undrafted. Three prospects are injured, three prospects are unsigned. I don’t want to make excuses, but I wrote up the three prospects who are unsigned and they were deep sleepers. Every single prospect we liked who was drafted made the final 53 man NFL roster. Two undrafted free agents we wrote up made their team’s final 53 man roster. Injuries are obviously beyond anyone’s control. If we take out the injured players, 9 out of 12 of our sleepers made their team’s final roster. That’s 75%. I don’t write this to toot our own horn, but to prove that our scouting process is legitimate.
