NFL.com analysts reveal their most underrated draft prospects
With less than two weeks to go until the first round begins, we have officially entered the final stretch of the pre-draft season.
Over the last few months, we have seen numerous prospects both rise and fall in the media's prospect rankings.
NFL.com recently asked eight of their analysts to choose which prospect in this year's draft they believe are the most underrated.
Here are their most underrated prospects, along with commentary from each analyst.
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Jeffri Chadiha: "More people would be talking about Thomas if this draft wasn't loaded with wide receivers. It's true that he's not on the same level as Marvin Harrison, Rome Odunze or Malik Nabers, his teammate at LSU. That doesn't mean he doesn't have star potential. Thomas has size (6-foot-3, 209 pounds), speed (he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 secondsat the NFL Scouting Combine) and production (he led college football with 17 touchdown receptions last year). He might last until the second half of the first round, but somebody will be thrilled to grab him."
Marshawn Kneeland, Edge, Western Michigan
Eric Edholm: "There's some debate over just how athletic he is relative to his testing numbers, but Kneeland impressed me with his movement skills in space along with his momentum-stopping hitting ability. He'll whiff on a few plays and might be overwhelmed by elite power blockers, but Kneeland has a hot motor, big production and a nose for the ball. I think top 50 isn't out of the question."
Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama
Chad Reuter: "Burton went a bit under the radar despite leading Alabama in receiving yards (898) and touchdowns (eight) because the Crimson Tide ranked just 68th in the FBS in passing offense. He was not credited with a drop, per PFF, maturing as a reliable short and intermediate route-runner to complement the speed he's shown since his days at Georgia. Burton will be an Amon-Ra St. Brown-type bargain if available in the third or fourth round."
View photos of every NFL player selected with the sixth overall pick since the first draft in 1936.
OT Paris Johnson - Arizona Cardinals (2023)
OT Ikem Ekwonu - Carolina Panthers (2022)
WR Jaylen Waddle - Miami Dolphins (2021)
QB Justin Herbert - Los Angeles Chargers (2020)
QB Daniel Jones - New York Giants (2019)
G Quenton Nelson - Indianapolis Colts (2018)
S Jamal Adams - New York Jets (2017)
OT Ronnie Stanley - Baltimore Ravens (2016)
DE Leonard Williams - New York Jets (2015)
OT Jake Matthews - Atlanta Falcons (2014)
DE Barkevious Mingo - Cleveland Browns (2013)
CB Morris Claiborne - Dallas Cowboys (2012)
WR Julio Jones - Atlanta Falcons (2011)
OT Russell Okung - Seattle Seahawks (2010)
OT Andre Smith - Cincinnati Bengals (2009)
LB Vernon Gholston - New York Jets (2008)
S LaRon Landry - Washington Redskins (2007)
TE Vernon Davis - San Francisco 49ers (2006)
CB Adam "Pacman" Jones - Tennessee Titans (2005)
TE Kellen Winslow - Cleveland Browns (2004)
DT Johnathan Sullivan - New Orleans Saints (2003)
DT Ryan Sims - Kansas City Chiefs (2002)
DE Richard Seymour - New England Patriots (2001)
DT Corey Simon - Philadelphia Eagles (2000)
WR Torry Holt - St. Louis Rams (1999)
DE Grant Wistrom – St. Louis Rams (1998)
OT Walter Jones – Seattle Seahawks (1997)
RB Lawrence Phillips – St. Louis Rams (1996)
DE Kevin Carter – St. Louis Rams (1995)
QB Trent Dilfer – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1994)
DE Eric Curry – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1993)
QB David Klingler – Cincinnati Bengals (1992)
DT Eric Swann – Phoenix Cardinals (1991)
S Mark Carrier – Chicago Bears (1990)
LB Broderick Thomas – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1989)
WR Tim Brown – Los Angeles Raiders (1988)
QB Kelly Stouffer – St. Louis Cardinals (1987)
G Jim Dombrowski – New Orleans Saints (1986)
OT Lomas Brown – Detroit Lions (1985)
DB Mossy Cade – San Diego Chargers (1984)
OT Jim Covert – Chicago Bears (1983)
DE Jeff Bryant – Seattle Seahawks (1982)
QB Rich Campbell – Green Bay Packers (1981)
DE Curtis Greer – St. Louis Cardinals (1980)
LB Barry Krauss – Baltimore Colts (1979)
WR James Lofton – Green Bay Packers (1978)
OT Warren Bryant – Atlanta Falcons (1977)
QB Richard Todd – New York Jets (1976)
LB Robert Brazile – Houston Oilers (1975)
DT Carl Barzilauskas – New York Jets (1974)
TE Charle Young – Philadelphia Eagles (1973)
OT Greg Sampson – Houston Oilers (1972)
RB John Riggins – New York Jets (1971)
LB Steve Zabel – Philadelphia Eagles (1970)
WR Ron Sellers – Boston Patriots (1969)
DE Dennis Byrd – Boston Patriots (1968)
RB Floyd Little – Denver Broncos (1967)
K Charlie Gogolak – Washington Redskins (1966)
DT Steve DeLong – Chicago Bears/San Diego Chargers (1965)
DE Carl Eller – Minnesota Vikings (1964)
LB Lee Roy Jordan – Dallas Cowboys (1963)
T Fate Echols – St. Louis Cardinals (1962)
DB Jimmy Johnson – San Francisco 49ers (1961)
RB Jack Spikes – Pittsburgh Steelers (1960)
RB Nick Pietrosante – Detroit Lions (1959)
RB Walt Kowalczyk – Philadelphia Eagles (1958)
RB Jim Brown – Cleveland Browns (1957)
RB Joe Marconi – Los Angeles Rams (1956)
T Frank Varrichione – Pittsburgh Steelers (1955)
DB Stan Wallace – Chicago Bears (1954)
RB Billy Anderson – Chicago Bears (1953)
FB Ed Modzelewski – Pittsburgh Steelers (1952)
C Jerry Groom – Chicago Cardinals (1951)
HB/DB George Thomas – Washington Redskins (1950)
RB Bob Gage – Pittsburgh Steelers (1949)
QB Y.A. Tittle – Detroit Lions (1948)
QB Ernie Case – Green Bay Packers (1947)
RB Johnny Strzykalski – Green Bay Packers (1946)
C Frank Szymanski – Detroit Lions (1945)
HB Billy Hillenbrand – New York Giants (1944)
B Steve Filipowicz – New York Giants (1943)
B Spec Sanders – Washington Redskins (1942)
B George Franck – New York Giants (1941)
QB Doyle Nave – Detroit Lions (1940)
B Bill Osmanski – Chicago Bears (1939)
C Alex Wojciechowicz – Detroit Lions (1938)
QB Sammy Baugh – Washington Redskins (1937)
T Joe Stydahar – Chicago Bears (1936)
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Maurice Jones-Drew: "DeJean sustained a season-ending fibula injury in November, forcing him to miss the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine, but he tested well at his private pro day on Monday. While he's still a likely first-round pick, if not for the injury, I believe the Iowa cornerback would be a sure-fire top-15 selection. He excels in man and zone coverage and has great ball skills with the ability to take it the distance -- thanks to his return ability. He's a unicorn who will positively influence both the defense and special teams."
Jonah Elliss, Edge, Utah
Scott Pioli: "There are a lot of players who fall under this category, but Elliss is the player I'm focusing on. Measuring 6-foot-2, 248 pounds, he is an undersized edge rusher who surprised a lot of people by entering the draft this year. Although he is a good, young player with major upside, he still has to develop to become a finish product. The son of two-time NFL Pro Bowler Luther Elliss, Jonah possesses good initial get-off, strong pass rush instincts and disruptive ability with a nonstop motor."
Renardo Green, CB, Florida State
Lance Zierlein: "Green did an incredible job of shadowing LSU's Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., and yet, he still flies under the radar somewhat. He has slightly below average size (6-foot, 186 pounds) to play outside, but he can really blanket targets over the first two levels in man coverage. I see him as a possible nickel cornerback and a future starter who should be in consideration in the second round, but will probably go a round or two later."
Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Marc Ross: "Legette was a late bloomer for South Carolina but is a legit playmaker. The 6-foot-1, 221-pound wideout plays physical and fast (4.39-second 40-yard dash) with outstanding ball skills, and his kick return ability adds more value to his stock with the league's new rules. To me, his talent is comparable with the better-known receivers who'll get picked early in Round 1."
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
David Carr: "I get that some teams might be concerned with Penix's injury history, but I still believe Penix's name should be among the elite in this year's quarterback class. Instead, he'll likely be the fifth -- maybe sixth – passer off the board at the end of this month. Penix has proven to be one of the best downfield passers in this class. He's a natural thrower with great vision and processing skills, and he showed last season he can elevate an offense around him. Penix can do the same at the next level."
View photos of EVERY player projected to the Giants in every round by draft analysts in mock drafts.
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Byron Murphy II, DL, Texas
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Graham Barton, IOL, Duke
Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri
Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Renardo Green, CB, Florida State
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
Adisa Isaac, EDGE, Penn State
Ruke Orhorhoro, DL, Clemson
Kris Jenkins, DL, Michigan
Javon Bullard, S, Georgia
Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon
Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina
Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
Joe Milton III, QB, Tennessee
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas
Cole Bishop, S, Utah
Brenden Rice, WR, USC
Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami
Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
Christian Mahogany, OL, Boston College
Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
Cooper Beebe, IOL, Kansas State
MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC
Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State
Josh Newton, CB, TCU
Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame
Justin Eboigbe, DL, Alabama
Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame
Delmar Glaze, OT, Maryland
Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri
Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane
Leonard Taylor III, DT, Miami
Tanner McLachlan,TE, Arizona
Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
Dillon Johnson, RB, Washington
M.J. Devonshire, DB, Pittsburgh
Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Auburn
Nelson Ceaser, Edge, Houston
CJ Hanson, OL, Holy Cross
Gabe Hall, DT, Baylor
Dwight McGlothern, DB, Arkansas
Blake Watson, RB, Memphis
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech
Frank Gore Jr., RB, Southern Miss
Andru Phillips, DB, Kentucky
Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville
Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, Purdue
Nathan Thomas, OT, Louisiana
In honor of this weekend's Masters Tournament, check out photos of Giants hitting the golf course over the years.
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms circa 1992. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
New York Giants Foundation Charity Golf Classic at Canoe Brook Country Club on Monday May 31, 2022 in Summit, New Jersey
Head Coach Brian Daboll at the New York Giants Foundation Charity Golf Classic at Canoe Brook Country Club on Monday May 31, 2022 in Summit, New Jersey
Victor Cruz
Actor Bill Murray right, stretches as New York Giants football quarterback Eli Manning smiles before the first tee at the Pro-Am of the Zurich golf classic in Avondale, La., Wednesday, April 18, 2007.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
Jalin Hyatt at the Giants Foundation Golf Outing on May 30, 2023 in Summit, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
K Graham Gano (9)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
Quarterback Daniel Jones at the New York Giants Foundation Charity Golf Classic at Canoe Brook Country Club on Monday May 31, 2022 in Summit, New Jersey
Eli Manning follows his shot from the first fairway of the Spyglass Hill Golf Course during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, in Pebble Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Justin Tuck at the 2021 TGF Charity Golf Classic
New York Giants quarterback Kerry Collins watches his shot from the rough on the 9th hole during the opening round of the NFL Players Championship at the Cadillac NFL Golf Classic at the Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, N.J., Wednesday, June 21, 2000. Collins finished the first round with a 16-over-par 88. (AP Photo/Mike Derer)
Amani Toomer at the 2021 TGF Charity Golf Classic
Eli Manning, right, and brother Peyton Manning walk to the green on the 11th hole of the Monterey Peninsula County Club Shore Course during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, in Pebble Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Eli Manning, left, and brother Peyton Manning walk to the green on the 11th hole of the Monterey Peninsula County Club Shore Course during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, in Pebble Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Peyton Manning, right, and Eli Manning prepare to hit from the first tee of the Spyglass Hill Golf Course during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, in Pebble Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Peyton Manning, left, and his brother, Eli Manning, look over the seventh green of the Pebble Beach Golf Links before hitting from the tee during the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Pebble Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Eli Manning hits from the 12th tee of the Monterey Peninsula County Club Shore Course during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, in Pebble Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Peyton Manning, left, follows his shot from the 11th tee of the Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shore Course as his brother, Eli Manning, looks on during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, in Pebble Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Kevin Chappell putts on the 10th green of the Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shore Course during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, in Pebble Beach, Calif. Looking on from left are Peyton Manning, Luke Donald and Eli Manning. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Peyton Manning, left, and his brother, Eli Manning, wait to hit from the 16th tee of the Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shore Course during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, in Pebble Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms circa 1992. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Eli Manning follows his drive from the 12th tee of the Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shore Course during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, in Pebble Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Peyton Manning, left, and his brother Eli Manning wait to hit from the first tee of the Spyglass Hill Golf Course during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, in Pebble Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms circa 1992. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor drives golf balls into the East River during a contest at New York's Water Club restaurant in afternoon on Tuesday, May 24, 1988. The event, in which Taylor competed against local media personalities, promoted the upcoming Northville Invitational Golf Tournament, which benefits the American Cancer Society and Nassau-Suffolk General Hospital on Long Island. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler)
Former New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers football player Bart Oates attends the 27th annual NFL Foundation Super Bowl Celebrity Golf Classic on Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 in New Orleans. (Photo by Benjamin Cohen/Invision/AP Images)
Amateur Danny Lee , left, of New Zealand walks off the 18th green with New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning during the Pro-Am at the Zurich Classic golf tournament in Avondale, La., Wednesday, April 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
Indianapolis Colts football quarterback Peyton Manning left, smiles at his brother New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning between holes during the Pro-Am of the Zurich golf classic in Avondale, La., Wednesday, April 18, 2007.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin checks out his irons prior to the NFL coaches golf outing at the annual NFL meetings Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at the Arizona Biltmore resort in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, left, slaps hands with Senior PGA golfer Lee Trevino after Simms sank a 20-foot putt on the 10th hole during the NFL Golf Classic at the Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, N.J., Thursday, June 7, 2001. Trevino won last year's Senior PGA NFL Classic, which is to start Friday. (AP Photo/Mike Derer)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, right, signs an autograph for Kelli Hicks, of Laurel, Miss. during the Pro-Am at the Zurich Classic golf tournament in Avondale, La., Wednesday, April 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
Quarterback Daniel Jones at the New York Giants Foundation Charity Golf Classic at Canoe Brook Country Club on Monday May 31, 2022 in Summit, New Jersey
Justin Tuck at the 2021 TGF Charity Golf Classic
General Manager Joe Schoen at the New York Giants Foundation Charity Golf Classic at Canoe Brook Country Club on Monday May 31, 2022 in Summit, New Jersey
Zak DeOssie at the 2021 TGF Charity Golf Classic
Head Coach Brian Daboll at the New York Giants Foundation Charity Golf Classic at Canoe Brook Country Club on Monday May 31, 2022 in Summit, New Jersey
Amani Toomer at the 2021 TGF Charity Golf Classic
Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard at the New York Giants Foundation Charity Golf Classic at Canoe Brook Country Club on Monday May 31, 2022 in Summit, New Jersey
Lawrence Tynes at the 2021 TGF Charity Golf Classic
Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard at the New York Giants Foundation Charity Golf Classic at Canoe Brook Country Club on Monday May 31, 2022 in Summit, New Jersey
Carl Banks at the 2021 TGF Charity Golf Classic
General Manager Joe Schoen at the New York Giants Foundation Charity Golf Classic at Canoe Brook Country Club on Monday May 31, 2022 in Summit, New Jersey
Shaun O'Hara at the New York Giants Foundation Charity Golf Classic at Canoe Brook Country Club on Monday May 31, 2022 in Summit, New Jersey
Shaun O'Hara at the New York Giants Foundation Charity Golf Classic at Canoe Brook Country Club on Monday May 31, 2022 in Summit, New Jersey
Kayvon Thibodeaux at the Giants Foundation Golf Outing on May 30, 2023 in Summit, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
Quarterback Daniel Jones at the New York Giants Foundation Charity Golf Classic at Canoe Brook Country Club on Monday May 31, 2022 in Summit, New Jersey
Carl Banks at the 2021 TGF Charity Golf Classic
Lawrence Tynes at the 2021 TGF Charity Golf Classic
Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager
Jamie Gillan at the Giants Foundation Golf Outing on May 30, 2023 in Summit, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
Kayvon Thibodeaux at the Giants Foundation Golf Outing on May 30, 2023 in Summit, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
General Manager Joe Schoen at the Giants Foundation Golf Outing on May 30, 2023 in Summit, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
Eli Manning at the Giants Foundation Golf Outing on May 30, 2023 in Summit, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
General Manager Joe Schoen at the Giants Foundation Golf Outing on May 30, 2023 in Summit, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
Jalin Hyatt at the Giants Foundation Golf Outing on May 30, 2023 in Summit, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
Eli Manning at the Giants Foundation Golf Outing on May 30, 2023 in Summit, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
Kayvon Thibodeaux at the Giants Foundation Golf Outing on May 30, 2023 in Summit, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
Casey Kreiter at the Giants Foundation Golf Outing on May 30, 2023 in Summit, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
Victor Cruz at the Giants Foundation Golf Outing on May 30, 2023 in Summit, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
Carter Coughlin at the Giants Foundation Golf Outing on May 30, 2023 in Summit, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
Bryce Ford-Wheaton at the Giants Foundation Golf Outing on May 30, 2023 in Summit, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
Carter Coughlin at the Giants Foundation Golf Outing on May 30, 2023 in Summit, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager
Casey Kreiter at the Giants Foundation Golf Outing on May 30, 2023 in Summit, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
Victor Cruz
P Jamie Gillan (6)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
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