Which late-round NFL draft picks will have an impact on their perspective team in year one? These guys could shock the NFL as rookies.
The late rounds of the NFL draft are where general managers, scouts, and head coaches earn their money. They are looking for that diamond in the rough. Different teams have varying philosophies when drafting late.
Some teams want the overachiever. They want the player who was a walk-on and worked their way to being a productive starter at their school. Others look for the standout at the lower levels of college football (D-II, NAIA or D-III).
Some scouts and football people look for the underachiever. Patriots head coach and head of football operations Bill Belichick takes the player who has professional traits but might not have the tape of a professional.
The idea behind this is if you can get a guy with the measurables he can be coached up and possibly produce for your team. The overachiever might not be able to get better.
What constitutes the late rounds? There are seven rounds in the NFL draft and the fourth round is sort of the line of demarcation. Most players in the fourth round have pro traits and can start in the NFL, but simply graded there.
The fifth round is where you begin the latter rounds. There are some good football players, but each prospect has their issues. Some players have physical limitations. Others have significant injury concerns while others did not have the production that their workouts or measurables dictate.
Despite being drafted late, some players go on to have great NFL careers. Tom Brady was the 20th pick — of the sixth round. Shannon Sharpe was a seventh-round pick.
Here are five late-round picks who will have an impact this season.