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2019 NFL Draft: Skill Position sleepers you need to know

By Ryan Roberts

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 10: Jarrett Stidham #8 of the Auburn Tigers heads off the field after failing to make a first down against the Georgia Bulldogs on November 10, 2018 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 10: Jarrett Stidham #8 of the Auburn Tigers heads off the field after failing to make a first down against the Georgia Bulldogs on November 10, 2018 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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PALO ALTO, CA – SEPTEMBER 15: Keelan Doss #3 of the UC Davis Aggies catches a pass in front of Paulson Adebo #11 of the Stanford Cardinal during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA – SEPTEMBER 15: Keelan Doss #3 of the UC Davis Aggies catches a pass in front of Paulson Adebo #11 of the Stanford Cardinal during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Wide Receivers

Keelan Doss, UC Davis 

Keelan Doss is a small school receiver prospect who has shown advanced refinement as a technical route runner. He consistently drops his hips/accelerates out of his break to create instant separation. He has also shown the ability to work both on the outside and out of the slot. In a wide receiver class that presents a ton of depth, Doss is someone that will present incredible value on Day 3 of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Doss will never be sold as a dynamic athlete, but at 6-2, 211 pounds, he doesn’t need to be. That size goes a long way on the field, demonstrating an ability to shield defenders on inside breaking routes, and presenting a headache to corral in after the catch situations.

There were more than a few instances on film where I was reminded of former Fresno State wide receiver and current Green Bay Packers star receiver Davante Adams. With a slow acclimatization to the professional speed and continued evolution in the weight room, Doss can be the next small school receiver to make a big splash in the NFL.

Anthony Ratliff-Williams, North Carolina

The Tar Heels offense has been nothing short of abysmal over the last two seasons. One playmaking exception who flew under the radar due to this ineptitude was 2019 NFL Draft early entrant wide receiver Anthony Ratliff-Williams.

Originally recruited as a quarterback out of high school, Ratliff-Williams is a versatile playmaker who has demonstrated ability as a pass receiver, ball carrier, kick returner and even threw two career touchdown passes as a gadget player.

The best quality for Ratliff-Williams as a pass receiver is the body control he has demonstrated as a vertical player. The 6-1, 205-pounder has shown a great ability to attack defensive backs leverage at the top of the stem, demonstrating a great feel to make plays on the ball in awkward body positioning.

Due to lack of refinement as a route runner and inconsistent opportunities while in college, Ratliff-Williams is poised to be a player that a team takes a flyer on late to develop the obvious athletic tools he possesses. He might not be a player a team depends on year one, but the ability provides opportunity down the road for a huge payoff.

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