Every year I fall for players who aren't necessarily can't-miss prospects or surefire top-10 picks. Sometimes it's because of one particular game I saw them play, like Sean Smith against Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl, or just because I love to watch them play, like Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour, or the Eagles' own Brandon Graham when he was at Michigan.
My favorites don't always pan out in the NFL (see LeFevour), but generally, they become solid contributors at the pro level.
Here they are for this year's draft:
Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson (6-5/277)
While his teammate Shaq Lawson gets most of the attention, I believe Dodd will have more of an impact at the pro level as a pass rusher (12 sacks in 2015). Just watch what Dodd did in the National Championship Game against Alabama. Strength, power and bend make Dodd a potentially devastating pass rusher in the NFL. Look for Dodd to be off the board by pick No. 22.
Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana (6-6/301)
I've been on Spriggs as a first-round pick since September. It's hard to find another offensive lineman with his athletic ability in this draft. Spriggs needs to improve his strength (which he will in an NFL weight room), but he has the tools to remain on the left side in the NFL. I see him coming off the board somewhere at the end of the first round (Seattle, Arizona or Carolina).
NFL
De'Runnya Wilson, WR, Mississippi State (6-5/224)
Despite limited deep speed (ran a 4.85 40 at the combine), the former basketball player (was Mr. Basketball in Alabama) has a huge body with good hands and a nose for the end zone. He's very good running the fade route and, despite his size, can contort his body to grab the ball wherever it's thrown. His lack of separation speed will be more of an issue in the NFL, but Wilson is a hard worker who has made himself into a second-team All-SEC performer after only a single season of high school football. Some NFL team is going to get itself a solid third-down and red-zone target somewhere in the fifth or sixth round.
Antonio Morrison, LB, Florida (6-1/232)
He has his limitations, but Morrison is a football player, plain and simple. I challenge anyone to find another player in this draft who plays harder than this guy. He is just a pleasure to watch and you wish guys with way more physical talent (Robert Nkemdiche, for example) played with the emotion he does. A knee injury from the 2014 Birmingham Bowl (which he recovered from in time to play in 2015) and two scrapes with the law back in 2013 may scare off more than one NFL team, but I can see Morrison being a core special team kamikaze early in his career and eventual contributor at MLB. Morrison should go in the sixth or seventh round.
Here are my favorites from the previous three seasons. Like I said above, some guys really panned out (Mosley, Jackson, and Williams) and some didn't (Jordan, Archer, and Dysert).
2015 Favorites:
Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska - Dallas Cowboys, Second Round (No. 60 overall)
Because of a failed drug test at the combine, Gregory fell to the second round. A high-ankle sprain disrupted his season and a four-game drug suspension awaits the start of his 2016 season.
P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State - New Orleans Saints, Third Round (No. 78)
Williams' season ended when he tore his hamstring in the preseason.
Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn - Pittsburgh Steelers, Third Round (No. 87)
Coates was a non-factor during the regular season, but made his biggest impact during the playoffs. With Martavis Bryant suspended for the 2016 season, Coates should take on a bigger role.
Jake Ryan, LB, Michigan - Green Bay Packers, Fourth Round (No. 129)
Ryan became the starter at ILB in Week 13 and has the inside track on that position for 2016.
Grady Jarrett, DT, Clemson - Atlanta Falcons, Fifth Round (No. 137)
A rotational player in 2015, Jarrett proved to be a very capable run defender and should have a much larger role in 2016.
2014 Favorites:
• C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama - Baltimore Ravens, First round (No. 17 overall)
• Lamarcus Joyner, DB, Florida State - St. Louis Rams, Second round (41)
• Gabe Jackson, OG, Mississippi State - Oakland Raiders, Third round (81)
• Jared Abbrederis, WR, Wisconsin - Green Bay Packers, Fifth round (176)
• Dri Archer, RB/KR, Kent State - Pittsburgh Steelers, Third round (97)
2013 Favorites:
• Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon - Miami Dolphins, First round (No. 3 overall)
• Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina - Denver Broncos. First round (28)
• Zac Dysert, QB, Miami(OH) - Denver Broncos, Seventh round (234)
• Phillip Thomas, S, Fresno State - Washington Redskins, Fourth round (119)
• Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M - Arizona Cardinals, Sixth round (174)