The Secret to NFL Draft Success: Late-Round Steals

Wide Receivers
De’Zhaun Stribling | Ole Miss
Age: 23

Schools Attended: 2 (Washington State, Ole Miss)

Strengths: Classic “X” receiver profile with a 6’2″ frame and elite 4.36 speed. Strong hands and effective shield-blocking in the run game.

Weaknesses: Can struggle with physical press-man coverage. Needs to sharpen route transitions to consistently separate against NFL-tier cornerbacks.

NFL Comparison: Josh Palmer

Ideal Fits: New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Chargers

Draft Projected: 4th – 5th Round

Josh Cameron | Baylor
Age: 23

Schools Attended: 1 (Baylor)

Strengths: Massive 220-pound frame with elite arm length and hand size. Dominant contested-catch specialist with a wide radius and significant value in the red zone.

Weaknesses: Developmental route runner; release techniques and break efficiency are currently below NFL standards.

NFL Comparison: Gabriel Davis

Ideal Fits: San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills

Draft Projected: 6th – 7th Round

Tight End / Offensive Line
Eli Raridon | Notre Dame (TE)
Age: 22

Schools Attended: 1 (Notre Dame)

Strengths: Elite 6’6″ size with seam-stretching speed. High-ceiling “projection” prospect with reliable hands and impressive body control at the catch point.

Weaknesses: Currently lacks the functional play strength required for consistent inline blocking. The route tree is still relatively basic.

NFL Comparison: Mike Gesicki

Draft Projected: 4th – 5th Round

Ideal Fits: Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts

Riley Mahlman | Wisconsin (OT)
Age: 23

Schools Attended: 1 (Wisconsin)

Strengths: Towering 6’8″ frame and technically sound pass sets. He is a disciplined “road grader” with the pedigree of a pro-ready Wisconsin tackle.

Weaknesses: Lateral agility is the primary hurdle; elite speed rushers can occasionally exploit his footwork to turn the corner.

NFL Comparison: Rob Havenstein

Ideal Fits: New York Jets, Green Bay Packers

Draft Projected: 3rd – 4th Round

Anez Cooper | Miami (OG)
Age: 22

Schools Attended: 1 (Miami)

Strengths: Massive, powerful interior anchor who is hard to displace. Plays to his frame, locking out defenders and excelling in gap-scheme run blocking.

Weaknesses: Heavy-footed in pass protection with limited lateral range. Can tire easily, leading to technical degradation late in games.

NFL Comparison: Kevin Zeitler

Ideal Fits: Miami Dolphins, New York Giants

Draft Projected: 4th – 5th Round

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