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

By Zach Bigalke

Mar 6, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Diego State defensive back Damontae Kazee runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Diego State defensive back Damontae Kazee runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Youngstown defensive end Derek Rivers speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Youngstown defensive end Derek Rivers speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Sleepers from outside the FBS at least have the advantage of broader coverage than ever before. As a four-year starter at Youngstown State, Derek Rivers was an instrumental part of the Penguins’ run to the FCS National Championship Game last year. He ranked second in the country at the FCS level with 13 solo sacks. Over the course of his career, Rivers has 35 solo sacks and five more assisted sacks. Rivers has also racked up 51 solo tackles for loss and assisted on 11 more takedowns in the backfield.

At 6-foot-4 and 248 pounds, he would likely be best suited to play at outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. But Rivers has been a consistent producer at his position, and he should be able to add some bulk in the pros. He put up 30 reps in the bench press at the NFL Combine and finished with the fourth-best 40-yard dash time among defensive line prospects.

Rivers is poised to make some team very happy that they took a chance on one of the most intriguing defensive sleepers of this year’s Draft.

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