NFL Draft 2017: 10 biggest sleepers from non-Power Five schools

Every NFL Draft yields plenty of sleepers that end up producing big in the pros. Which players from non-Power Five schools could bust draft boards in 2017?

In an era with more attention on football than ever before, players still fall through the cracks. While most of the NFL’s talent comes from Power Five schools, there are plenty of sleepers out there that were lightly recruited and ended up at Group of Five and FCS programs.

NFL franchises have become increasingly adept at scouting these lower levels. Fans, however, still tend to gravitate toward the big names at powerhouse programs. Once a player manages to reach the pros, though, where he played college ball matters little.

This year’s draft is no different. Plenty of mid-major and FCS talent will be selected by NFL teams looking to meet specific needs on their rosters. Click ahead to see a dozen among this year’s crop of sleepers who could emerge as future stars at the next level.

Last year no team had more interceptions than San Diego State. A key part of the Aztecs’ secondary was cornerback Damontae Kazee, who finished tied for third nationally in interceptions. Kazee hauled in seven of SDSU’s 26 picks, returning one for a touchdown. He also broke up eight passes, forced a fumble, and finished with 67 total tackles. He also forced quarterbacks to look elsewhere, allowing his talented teammates to capitalize with their own turnover production.

Kazee has spent the past four years as a cornerstone of SDSU’s defensive backfield. Last year he ranked second nationally in interceptions, and finished his Aztec career with 17 interceptions and six forced fumbles.

Given the rising reliance of NFL offenses on their passing games, teams increasingly need more cornerbacks to fill their secondary rotation. Kazee offers immediate help for any NFL team as a situational player and should have a fruitful career.