7 sleepers to watch in NFL Draft 2020 including highly-productive receivers and a small-school offensive tackle

CLEVELAND, Ohio — By now, football fans know all about the top players in the 2020 NFL Draft. But there is more to a draft than just the first two or three rounds.

There are four rounds after that which can elevate a draft from good to great if a general manager or his scouts can find those hidden gems. They can be players from smaller schools, ones that were overlooked for lack of athleticism or other reasons.

This year, finding those prospects might be tougher because of the limited access to players and very few pro days. Good front offices should still be able to find that sleeper prospect.

And there are plenty of such players in this year’s draft. Here are seven to keep an eye on.

Ben Bartch, OT, Saint John’s (Minn.)

It’s rare that a Division III prospect is getting some consideration to get drafted as early as Day 2 of a draft. That’s the case with Bartch, who is 6-foot-6, 305 pounds.

Bartch got an invite to the NFL combine, but did not compete due to a knee injury suffered during Senior Bowl week. He did share how he gained enough weight to play tackle thanks to a smoothie recipe that made him gag occasionally. He will need more strength to compete at the NFL level. But Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network wrote that Bartch has very good technique, which should only get better as he puts on more weight.

Lynn Bowden, WR, Kentucky

The Warren Harding alum was an electrifying player every time he touched the football. Bowden accumulated more than 1,800 yards from scrimmage in 2019, scoring 14 touchdowns.

He rushed for 1,468 yards and 13 TDs in 2019 when he was used at times as a quarterback. But as a receiver, he also put up some good numbers, catching 67 passes in 2018 for 745 yards and five TDs.

Bowden will need to work on technique as a receiver in the NFL to be more than a gimmick player long term. But in the interim, being a gimmick player will work. A creative offensive coach should be able to come up with ways to get him the ball in space and let him make plays.

Ashtyn Davis, S, California

Davis is one of those players that could be really hurt by the inability for teams to do physicals with prospects at their respective team facilities. He had surgery on a groin injury in December, preventing him from working out at the combine.

For that reason, Davis was tabbed by NBC’s Peter King as the “mystery man” of this year’s draft. Teams will probably be less likely to take chances on players that have any injury questions with the lack of a clear picture. That describes Davis.

But based on talent, Davis is among the best safeties in this year’s class. If he is healthy, he has the ability to be a quality starter.

AJ Dillon, RB, Boston College

It’s rare that a running back with three seasons of at least 1,100 yards and 10 TDs isn’t considered a top-flight talent. That’s the situation with Dillon, who is 6-foot, 247 pounds. He was the top SPARQ running back in the draft with a positional percentile at 96.7.

He showcased his explosiveness at the combine, jumping 131 inches in the broad jump and 41 in the vertical. That along with a 40-yard-dash time of 4.53 seconds suggests he is an extremely good athlete.

Teams could be looking for the next Derrick Henry. Dillon may never be as good as Henry, but he has a similar athletic profile, which should help him succeed at the NFL level.

Alex Highsmith, EDGE, Charlotte

Charlotte had its first two players drafted in the last three years, with defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi going to the Browns in 2017 and guard Nate Davis joining the Titans in 2019. Both were third-round picks. Highsmith can possibly go in Day 2 as well. But because of the amount of edge rushers available in that area, Highsmith could slide into the final day.

He ended his career in spectacular fashion, recording 15 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss in 2019. A reason he could drop, according to Joe Marino of The Draft Network, is that Highsmith lacks length and might not be able to get much stronger. But he can certainly step in and be at least a rotational pass rusher in the NFL.

Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota

This year’s receiver class is so talented and deep that at least one or two talented receivers could slip through the cracks. Johnson could be one since he lacks the athleticism of some of his counterparts like Chase Claypool and Donovan Peoples-Jones.

Johnson simply got better and better throughout his college career, capping it off in 2019 with 86 catches for 1,318 yards and 13 TDs.

Ellis L. Williams picked Johnson as one player that could be a great fit for Kevin Stefanski’s offense. Read why here.

Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming

Wilson had four very good of production at Wyoming, recording 249 solo tackles, seven sacks, 34.5 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and 10 interceptions. A big reason why, writes Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network, is that Wilson has a very high football IQ.

Wilson also tested above average at his position at the combine according to 3SigmaAthlete.com. Among his highlights is a 3-cone-drill time of 7.07 seconds, which is among the best at his position. He could be a good Day 3 option for the Browns if they want to continue to bolster their depth at linebacker.