Much of the fanfare surrounding the NFL Draft is focused on its first day, but it's actually the latter two days of the draft that are paramount in team building.
The reason for this is simple. The NFL is well-known as a battle of attrition, and thus, it is important for contending teams to stockpile quality depth.
One of the easiest ways to do this is to ace the mid-to-late rounds of the NFL Draft. Why? Because those players are on cost-controlled contracts. So, finding sleepers who are ready to produce and even start outside of the first round can provide NFL teams with a significant boost.
NFL fans saw this firsthand with the Seahawks in 2022. They drafted several rookies outside of the first round in Kenneth Walker, Abraham Lucas and Tariq Woolen who all became starters for the team early. Their performances were critical in getting Seattle to the playoffs in a season during which the Seahawks were expected to be one of the NFL's worst teams.
Teams across the NFL will be hoping to copy Seattle's approach in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The 2023 draft is thought to be a strong class that has great depth at cornerback and tight end, among other positions. It is also a solid quarterback draft, so there will be a handful of mid-round quarterback options who could emerge as potential starters at the next level.
Either way, there will be plenty of sleeper candidates for teams to target outside of the top 50 picks. But which players will provide the most value to teams? Here's a breakdown of the 2023 NFL Draft's top sleeper candidates at every position on offense and defense.
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NFL Draft sleepers 2023
Quarterback: Stetson Bennett IV, Georgia
Bennett has been one of the best stories in college football over the past couple of seasons after leading Georgia to back-to-back national championships as a walk-on. That was enough to get him NFL looks, and he has shown that he has the tools needed to be an NFL player.
Bennett was a good game manager who threw the ball accurately at Georgia, completing 68.1 percent of his passes as a senior for 4,128 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also showcased deceptive mobility and recorded 10 rushing touchdowns.
There were some arm strength concerns about Bennett entering the 2023 NFL Combine, but he quelled those by firing a pass at 59 mph during the ball-speed drills and showing well in the deep passing drills. Sure, his 5-11, 192-pound frame will scare some off while the fact that he will be a 25-year-old rookie will scare off some others.
Still, Bennett's winning pedigree should draw him Day 3 consideration. He may never develop into a quality starting quarterback, but it shouldn't surprise anyone if he become as a Taylor Heinicke-type backup at the next level.
Also watch: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA. Thompson-Robinson has flown under the radar a bit after playing in Chip Kelly's quarterback-friendly offense. That shouldn't be held against him, however, as he possesses a cannon arm and excellent athletic ability. He improved in each of his five years with the Bruins and will have a chance to continue his upward trajectory in the right NFL system.
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Running back: Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
Thompson-Robinson isn't the only sleeper prospect to watch coming out of UCLA's offense. Charbonnet is among the most productive backs in the 2023 NFL Draft and he could end up being a mid-round steal.
Charbonnet was a consensus top-10 recruit in 2019 and went on to star for two seasons at Michigan before transferring to UCLA. He thrived in Kelly's offense, averaging 1,507 scrimmage yards and 13.5 touchdowns per season while playing with the Bruins.
Charbonnet runs with great power and has good speed — he ran a 4.53 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Combine — for his 6-0, 214-pound frame. That size will allow him to be a workhorse at the NFL level or the power back in a strong one-two punch.
Also watch: Tyjae Spears, Tulane. Spears was a key part of the Green Wave's bounce-back season, and a strong performance at the Senior Bowl has sent him rocketing up draft boards. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry during his final year at Tulane and should be a great change-of-pace back given his shifty running style.
Wide receiver: Kayshon Boutte, LSU
Boutte was once considered to be a potential first-round pick at receiver, but that changed after his down season in 2022. He totaled just 48 catches, 538 yards and two touchdowns at LSU while averaging a career-low 11.2 yards per catch.
While Boutte's downturn was a concern, there's still no denying that the 20-year-old has potential. He showed good speed on tape and was a playmaker at times for the Tigers, especially during his first two seasons. His combine 40-time of 4.5-flat may not encourage those looking just at the raw numbers, but the 5-11, 195-pound receiver could end up developing into a starter in the right situation.
Any team that selects Boutte will have to be patient with him given his lacking production and young age. But among mid-round receiver candidates, there are few that possess his ceiling.
Also watch: Andrei Iosivas, Princeton. Iosivas was one of the faster receivers at the 2023 NFL Combine, as he ran a 4.43 40-yard dash after measuring at 6-3, 203 pounds. He has the tools needed to be a do-it-all threat but will need time to adjust to the uptick in competition from the Ivy League to the NFL.
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Tight end: Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan
Schoonmaker didn't start for Michigan, as he was behind Erick All in the Wolverines' rotation at tight end. That said, he was still productive as the team's No. 2 tight end, generating 35 catches, 418 yards and three touchdowns during his final year at Michigan.
Schoonmaker has even more potential for the NFL level. Why? Well, for one, he is a top-tier athlete. He showed off at the 2023 NFL Combine and will enter the NFL with a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.86 out of 10. That gives him a high ceiling that will excite position coaches across the NFL.
Additionally, Schoonmaker has a physically imposing 6-5, 251-pound frame that made him a solid blocker at Michigan. Even so, he will be able to add more strength to his frame at the NFL level, and that could eventually allow him to become a solid starter at the position.
Also watch: Cameron Latu, Alabama. Latu was a two-year starter at Alabama and showcased great pass-catching skills as the team's top tight end. He recorded 56 catches, 787 yards and 12 touchdowns in his 25 starts and should be a quality middle-of-the-field target in the NFL too.
Offensive tackle: Cody Mauch, North Dakota State
North Dakota State has established itself as an offensive line factory of sorts, and Mauch is the latest to emerge from there as a quality NFL prospect.
Mauch is an experienced lineman, having started 39 consecutive games to close his career with the Bison. The mauler has a 6-5, 302-pound frame and is an excellent run blocker because of his functional strength. He largely played at left tackle for the Bison but should have the versatility needed to play multiple positions in the NFL.
Mauch's playing style will likely endear him to NFL coaches, so he has a chance to go earlier than expected, much like Chattanooga's Cole Strange did last season. Given his solid showing at the NFL Combine — and his 4.55 short shuttle time, good for second-best among tackles — he could end up being a second-round pick.
Also watch: Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse. Bergeron is another experienced offensive lineman who started 39 games at his alma mater. The Orangeman is 6-5, 318 pounds and, like Mauch, is an excellent run blocker. He needs to develop his pass protection a bit but there's plenty of reason to like him as a right tackle of the future.
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Guard/center: Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin
Wisconsin has long had a reputation for producing quality offensive line prospects. Tippmann is the latest to head to the NFL and he could end up being one of the best centers in this year's class.
Tippmann was a two-year starter for the Badgers and played 22 games at center. He allowed just one sack during the 2022 season and was Wisconsin's highest-graded run blocker, per PFF. He had excellent size at 6-6, 313 pounds which will give him the ability to play guard if needed.
Tippmann is simply a solid, safe-looking prospect who could be a quality starting center long-term. He will be worth the investment as a Day 2 pick.
Also watch: McClendon Curtis, Chattanooga. Curtis won't be selected as high as his former teammate Cole Strange was, but he has a lot of physical talent at 6-6, 324 pounds. His size and length give him the potential needed to become a road-grade run blocker at guard; the concern. ishow he will hold up against top-tier interior pass rushers and NFL-caliber athletes.
Defensive tackle: Gervon Dexter, Florida
Dexter has been a productive run defender at Florida. He put together back-to-back seasons with at least 50 tackles and he also generated two sacks in each of those campaigns. Rushing the passer isn't necessarily his strong suit, but his 1.7-second 10-yard split demonstrates that he has potential in that area.
Dexter's best skill is his size (6-6, 310 pounds) and athletic ability. He ran the 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Combine in 4.88 seconds and has a Relative Athletic Score of 9.52. With the right coaching, he could be a threatening three-down player at defensive tackle. And either way, he should be a good run-stopping force in a defensive line rotation.
Also watch: Karl Brooks, Bowling Green. Brooks was highly productive during his career at Bowling Green, as he generated 27.5 sacks and 46 TFL during his five seasons with the Eagles. His 6-3, 303-pound frame should allow him to remain inside at the NFL level and be a threatening three-down, pass-rushing force.
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Edge rusher: Byron Young, Tennessee
Young is a bit smaller than most teams would prefer on the edge. He is just 6-2, 250 pounds and lacks the size that teams typically look for in a three-down edge rusher. He will need to bulk up a bit at the next level to ensure that he won't just be a situational pass rusher.
That said, Young has excellent speed off the edge, as evidenced by the 4.43 40-yard dash and 1.62 10-yard split he posted at the 2023 NFL Combine. He was also productive in each of his two seasons at Tennessee after transferring from Georgia Military College, racking up five sacks as a junior and 7.5 sacks as a senior.
Young will be a 25-year-old rookie like his teammate Hendon Hooker, but a team looking for a pure speed rusher off the edge who can work to become a three-down player will be willing to select him early. He will probably be a Day 2 pick at the earliest but could be among the rookie sack leaders if he lands in the right situation.
Also watch: Andre Carter II, Army. Carter is the opposite of Young in terms of size, as the Army product is 6-7, 256 pounds and has the length needed to be a menace at the next level. He only had 3.5 sacks in 10 games as a senior but if he can tap into the form that saw him record 14.5 as a junior, he could emerge as a threatening all-around edge presence.
Linebacker: DeMarvion Overshown, Texas
Overshown is an athletic linebacker who converted to the position after beginning his Longhorns career as a safety. He became a productive, do-it-all linebacker who racked up 95 tackles, 10 TFL and four sacks during his final season at Texas.
Overshown possesses a long 6-3 frame, but he probably needs to bulk up a bit, as he weighed 229 pounds at the 2023 NFL Combine. That will help him to be more of a physical tackler who can shed blocks and get to ball carrier at the NFL level.
What makes Overshown a potential boom pick is his abilities in coverage, as his safety skill set and athletic ability will allow him to cover tight ends and other players over the middle of the field well. Teams will covet him because of that as the NFL continues to become increasingly pass-heavy.
Also watch: Ventrell Miller, Florida. Miller is just a marginal athlete, but he has a well-built 6-0, 232-pound frame and plays with great physicality. His instincts will give him a chance to be a two-down thumper and core special teams player in the NFL, so don't be surprised to see him become a solid rotational player for whichever team drafts him.
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Cornerback: Julius Brents, Kansas State
Kansas State has produced several quality NFL defensive backs in recent years, and Brents could be the latest in that line. The former Iowa corner had a breakout year for the Wildcats in 2022, posting a career-high four interceptions and showcasing the skills needed to be a quality NFL starter.
Brents has great size at 6-3 and is a long playmaker at cornerback. He isn't the fastest defensive back, as evidenced by his 4.53-second 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Combine, but his length and jumping ability will allow him to make up ground quickly if he is a bit behind in coverage.
Brents would probably best fit in a zone-heavy scheme given his lack of speed, but his instincts should make him a coveted prospect on Day 2. He should be a starter early in his NFL career and could end up being a steal because of his size-related measurables.
Also watch: Tyrique Stevenson, Miami. Stevenson is another big-bodied cornerback who will have the chance to be a quality outside starter thanks to his 6-0, 198-pound frame. He is a bit quicker than Brents and should be able to play in man coverage better than the Kansas State product, so he's another potential Day 2 prospect who could emerge as a starter in short order.
Safety: Ji'Ayir Brown, Penn State
If you're looking for a ballhawk, look no further than Ji'Ayir Brown. The Penn State product has racked up 10 total interceptions over the last couple of seasons with eight pass defenses, establishing himself as one of the hardest safeties on which to throw in the Big Ten.
Brown is versatile, as he can play both safety positions and even played the slot at times for the Nittany Lions. The 5-11, 203-pound defensive back also a physical tackler, as he had 73 and 74 tackles in his final two seasons at the school.
The only thing that might hold Brown back at the next level is his lack of elite athleticism. He logged just a 4.65 in the 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Combine, so he will have to rely on his football IQ and instincts to carry him at the next level.
Even so, he has plenty of those to go around, and that could make him a long-term starter in the NFL.
Also watch: Marte Mapu, Sacramento State. There's some debate about whether Mapu will be a safety or a linebacker at the NFL level, but he has a 6-3, 217-pound frame and is a good downhill tackler. That should allow him to carve out a role as either a strong safety or an outside linebacker — or perhaps a bit of both depending on the situation.
