RAIDERS DRAFT COVERAGE

2023 NFL Draft:5 Small-School Defensive Sleepers to Watch for

by
Wasted Talent
April 21, 2023

Florida A&M EDGE Isaiah Land

Isaiah Land’s impressive pass rush win rate and production despite limited usage is certainly noteworthy.

Isaiah Land’s impressive pass rush win rate and production despite limited usage is certainly noteworthy. While his size may be a concern for some NFL teams, his ability to get after the quarterback cannot be ignored. It will be interesting to see how Land performs at the next level and if he can translate his success from the FCS level to the NFL. Land’s combination of size, speed, and athleticism make him a standout outside linebacker prospect from a physical perspective His 4.62-second 40-yard dash time and 126-inch broad jump results show that he possesses elite speed and explosiveness, which are valuable assets for any linebacker. He has an impressive pass rush win percentage indicates that he has the skills to pressure quarterbacks off the edge which makes him a sleeper. Land’s potential as a speed rusher makes him an attractive prospect for teams looking to bolster their pass rush. With his physical abilities, Land has the potential to become a star player in the NFL. With any small school prospect, there are always questions about how they will perform against higher levels of competition. However, Land’s production and skill set suggest that he could be a valuable asset for a team willing to take a chance on him in the later rounds of the draft. It will be up to Land to continue to work on his game and prove himself at the next level.

Jackson State LB Aubrey Miller Jr

Miller is instinctive reading and reacting and can absolutely fly around the field.

Deion Sanders’ hiring at Jackson State University, has certainly brought more attention to these institutions and their athletic programs. Even with the recent attention many players still have flown under the radar for some NFL teams, but Miller’s impressive statistics and skills should not be overlooked. Miller Began his college career at the University of Missouri. As a freshman, he played in ten games but suffered an injury that caused him to miss three games. During Miller’s sophomore year, he played in ten games but didn’t receive much playing time. During his junior season, he only played in one game due to a knee injury. He decided to transfer to Jackson State University before the 2020 season. He had a very strong senior year, totaling 109 tackles, which led the Southwestern Atlantic conference, and also had 6.5 sacks. Named to the 2021 1st Team All-SWAC. He decided to use his extra year of eligibility. During the 2022 season, he finished with 106 tackles and two sacks. He has a high football IQ and can diagnose plays quickly, allowing him to make plays in the backfield or in coverage. Despite his lack of size at 229 pounds he is a sure tackler and can bring down bigger ball carriers with ease. His ability to read and react to the offense makes him a valuable asset to any defense. Miller may not have the prototypical size for a MIKE linebacker, but his instincts and intelligence make him a force to be reckoned with on the field. Miller is instinctive reading and reacting and can absolutely fly around the field.

Sacramento State S Marte Mapu

Mapu’s versatility and physicality on the field make him an intriguing prospect for The Las Vegas Raiders.

Mapu’s versatility and physicality on the field make him an intriguing prospect for The Las Vegas Raiders. His ability to stop the run and play in the box as a linebacker, while also having the skills to cover receivers, which is a valuable asset in the AFC WEST where Travis Kelce has owned the Raiders for a Decade. Mapu is a tweener some scouts may view him as a potential linebacker others view him as. Defensive Back His ability to defend against the pass, as well as his physicality in the run game, make him a well-rounded box safety Mapu continues to impress in the pre-draft process I think he will be a starter at the next level, and he could end up being a steal for the Raiders in the later rounds of the draft. His versatility and physicality on the field make him a valuable asset for any defense looking for a playmaker who can make an impact in multiple formations.

Stephen F. Austin B.J.-Thompson

Thompson’s pass-rush grade of 92.3 is remarkable Despite his relatively small size for his position,

Thompson’s pass-rush grade of 92.3 is remarkable Despite his relatively small size for his position, he has an impressive ability to get to the quarterback and generate pressure. His 6-foot-6 frame is also a huge advantage because it allows him to disrupt passing lanes and make it difficult for opposing quarterbacks to throw over him. While 235 pounds is still small for an edge defender he has the frame to allow him to put in the weight and still be fluid off the edge. Thompson’s pass-rush win percentage of 18.3% shows that he is more than capable of holding his own against bigger, stronger offensive linemen. Overall, Thompson’s combination of size, speed, and skill make him an intriguing prospect in this upcoming draft and he has the potential to improve and become an even more dominant force, Thompson’s understanding of pass-rushing techniques, coupled with his ability to execute them effectively, has made him a well-rounded player. Though he may not be the most explosive athlete, his ability to use diverse move set to challenge his opponents on the interior has made him a formidable player worth considering for a team like the Raiders in desperate need of depth. If he continues to develop he could be a valuable asset to Patrick Graham.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Devonnsha Maxwell

Although his college career was supposed to be over, he took advantage of the COVID eligibility rules and returned for one more year.

Maxwell’s tenure at UTC was one of the best four-year stretches in the history of the program. His impressive list of accomplishments includes being a four-time All-Southern Conference first-team selection, a three-time All-American (with two first-team selections), and the 2021 SoCon defensive player of the year. He was also named a Freshman All-American in 2018 and a Sophomore All-American in 2019. Maxwell’s 37.5 career sacks set a UTC and SoCon record, demonstrating his ability to get to the quarterback and disrupt opposing offenses. He also played a pivotal role in helping the Mocs achieve success on the field, contributing to seven-win, and two six-win seasons during his time with the team. Maxwell has strong instincts and awareness in defending the run, showing the ability to diagnose plays and quickly react to fill gaps or pursue ball carriers. He is a physical and aggressive tackler, often delivering bone-jarring hits to opponents. Maxwell’s career at Chattanooga was an interesting one. After redshirting as a freshman, he played six games in the 2021 season, recording 18 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Although his college career was supposed to be over, he took advantage of the COVID eligibility rules and returned for one more year. Maxwell’s career at Chattanooga was an interesting one. After redshirting as a freshman, he played six games in the 2021 season, recording 18 tackles and 2.5 sacks. sixth-year senior, Maxwell played in 11 games and had an outstanding season. He earned 48 total tackles, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles. His performance helped make him a legit NFL prospect and demonstrated why he had earned the honor of team captain. Throughout his college career, Maxwell played in 42 games and amassed 163 total tackles, 45.5 tackles for loss, 28 sacks, and four forced fumbles. although Maxwell has had a super productive career I believe because of his limitations Maxwell will have to wait for the third day of the draft to hear his name called. The main reason Maxwell makes sense for the Las Vegas Raiders is the need for depth on the defensive line with a versatile skill set and high football IQ. I think Maxwell checks those boxes. Look for teams such as The Raiders and Seahawks to take a flyer on a player some might find to be a udfa in the later to rounds.