FanPost

Best underrated defensive rookies of 2015

Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

It's not so difficult to find value players in the first 2 rounds of the NFL draft, however after that things can get a bit tricky. Franchises that find starters in the later rounds or by signing undrafted Rookies can be hugely successful. Just take a look at the 2014 Super Bowl winning Seahawks defensive starters which included Richard Sherman (5th round), Byron Maxwell (6th round), Walter Thurmond (4th round), Kam Chancellor (5th round) and K.J Wright (7th round). Finding value in the draft can make franchises, and taking a play maker in the later rounds can help transform a team. Finding value in undrafted rookies can be especially difficult but remember Night Train Lane and John Randle were both UDFA's. After reading a lot of scouting reports and watching probably far too much game footage than I probably should on company time, I have put together a list of mid-late round or UDFA rookies who could surprise this year. I've based this on pick value, guys who I think were a steal in the round they were taken with and in the case of UDFA's I looked for players who could instantly contribute to a team. So without further ado I'd like to present you with the 11 defensive Rookies that were taken in the 3rd round or later or as UDFA's who I think could do big things this year.

Defensive Lineman.

Michael Bennett, Round 6, 180 overall, Jacksonville Jaguars.

This guy is not 6th round talent. He is a 2nd rounder and I have no idea why he slid so far. He had hamstring problems making him unable to work out for scouts as much as they'd like and maybe is a little undersized, however he has a lot of talent and natural ability. Watch him get sacks from the interior of the defensive line this season. He may struggle against more elite guards and centers in his first year but I expect him to be an instant contributor. He should be getting snaps on the D line from day one and quickly putting up stats.

Grady Jarrett, Round 5, 137 overall, Atlanta Falcons.

A productive player in college, who tumbled in the draft due to being undersized. Surprisingly fast for a nose tackle I see him as a situational player who get snaps in a 4-3 scheme as a run stopper and pass rusher. If he can get snaps on schemes where he is one on one with an offensive lineman I expect him to become very productive, situational player, a great value pick in the 5th.

Carl Davis, Round 3, 90 overall, Baltimore Ravens.

Taken in the third round of the draft he had all the measurable's and talent to have been a first round pick but lacked college production. He fatigues far too quickly for a professional athlete but this can be rectified with offseason work with conditioning coaches. He is a very strong run stopper, with big potential as pass rusher. I expect the Ravens coaches to work with him a lot and I fully expect him to be a starter this season.

Linebackers.

Lorenzo Mauldin, Round 3, 82 overall, New York Jets.

Love, love, love, this pick for the Jets. As many of you know I'm very high on Mauldin. We hear so much about the hardships he's faced and his life story but forget all that for a moment and just concentrate on the player. He had great moves to get by tackles and a nose for finding the ball. Has shown he has ability as a run stopper as well. He ran a 4.85 40 at the combine which is misleading as I believe him to be faster than that and by his own admission he was carry a little more weight than he was used to. He has great game speed and has never once looked slow on tape. His motor is huge and it has been reported that he is a student of the game and perfectly coachable. With the D that the Jets will run this year expect him to see a lot of action and make some big plays. This is a 3rd round steal.

Taiwan Jones, UDFA, New York Jets.

NFL.com described him as a "Hulk smash" linebacker. The fact that I'm far more excited about his Rookie season than anyone else outside the first 3 rounds tells me something. I see him as an instant contributor on special teams and an eventual successor to David Harris. At the moment he is an out and out run stopping interior linebacker who has the ceiling for much more. Worst case scenario I see him having a long career as a backup and special teams player in the NFL.

Bryce Hager, Round 7, 224 overall, St Louis Rams.

The Rams traded up to take him in the 7th round and looking at his tape from Baylor you will see why. He is a tackling machine. The Rams are set at linebacker so don't expect him to be a starter anytime soon, however I see him getting snaps at inside linebacker over the course of the season and I expect he will be a lock on special teams.

Eli Harold, Round 3, 79 overall, San Francisco 49ers.

How the hell he was still there in the 3rd round I will never know. Just before the draft I made a mock on NFL.com and had him going at the end of the first round. He will be a starter for the 49ers who are desperate for someone to step into Patrick Willis' vacated position. I expect huge things from him this season and for many more in the future.

Defensive Backs.

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Round 7, 241 overall, Cleveland Browns.

You are always going to do well when you get 1st - 2nd round talent with the 241st pick of the draft. A well document draft free fall due to the knee injury sustained just before the Rose Bowl. At 5'9" he's small for a cornerback which also hurt his stock. In my opinion any team drafting him should have being doing so as a prospective free safety. Depending on his recovery he could be a good NFL CB, but I think at FS he will be a pro bowl caliber player. His instincts, tackling ability and reading of QB's makes him perfect for the transition to FS in a league where length if the preferred option for CB's.

Charles Gaines, Round 6, 189 overall, Cleveland Browns.

At 5'10" chances he are he will never be an outside corner. A converted wide receiver, he is incredibly athletic with plenty of speed. He could come in day one as a slot receiver and can contribute on special teams. Don't be surprised if he's playing the role of gunner for the Browns first game of the season. It should be noted that there was mentions of character concerns and he was twice suspended by his coach when he played in high school which probably also lowered his draft stock.

Derron Smith, Round 5, 197 Overall, Cincinnati Bengals.

He was asked to do a lot in an underperforming Fresno state defense last year. Added to his lack of length and recent hernia surgery he ended up going to the Bengals in the 6th round. These things aside the guy has buckets of talent. Former high school QB he shows a really high football IQ and the athletic ability to make plays, had 13 interceptions over sophomore and junior seasons. He should be competing for starting safety job or getting snaps as a slot CB.

Cody Prewitt, UDFA, Tennessee Titans.

I was so surprised that he was drafted. I see him as a mid round talent. He can be great as a single high safety and I think this is exactly how the Titans will use him. Various articles I've read have stated that he doesn't have the ability to put in the bruising tackles but if you look at his tape this is completely untrue. At 6'2", 208lbs with 4.46 40 speed he has all the traits you look for in an NFL safety. A two time ALL-SEC pick and captain of the best scoring defense in the country, to be a picked up as an UDFA is great for the Titans.

So what do you guys think of my picks? Did I miss out the next big thing? Are Durell Eskridge or Deion Barnes going to be future bowlers? Are there any players That you think are out rightly terrible and have no business here? I welcome your thoughts.

This is a FanPost written by a registered member of this site. The views expressed here are those of the author alone and not those of anybody affiliated with Gang Green Nation or SB Nation.