NFL Draft 2023: Five Sleeper Prospects You Need to Know

Jake Haener, Kelee Ringo, Tank Dell, Cedric Tillman and Tyjae Spears are the players whose impact could be felt for years to come.

Bryce Young. Will Anderson Jr. Bijan Robinson.

These are names we’ll hear quickly once commissioner Roger Goodell opens the 2023 NFL draft Thursday night in Kansas City.

But who are the players who we might not hear until Friday or Saturday, yet whose impact could be felt for years to come? Here are five names you should know before next week’s festivities begin.

5

Jake Haener, QB, Fresno State

The ideal situation is for Haener is to develop as a backup after someone makes him a mid-round pick :: Brian Losness/USA TODAY Sports

After transferring to Fresno State after two seasons at the University of Washington, Haener starred for three years with the Bulldogs. As a junior in 2022, he threw for 4,096 yards and 33 touchdowns against nine interceptions, while completing 67.1% of his throws.

Breaking down Haener is simple: He has a mediocre arm, but makes up for it with quick decision-making and the ability to stand in the pocket under duress. The ideal situation is for the 6'4", 207-pounder to develop as a backup after someone makes him a mid-round pick. At the Senior Bowl, Haener earned MVP honors while also being the most consistent performer throughout practices.

Nobody would argue Haener has the skill set of those who are legitimate first-round prospects this year, such as Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, Will Levis or Henden Hooker, but as a project with the right coaching staff, there’s plenty to work with.

4

Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

If you played a substantial role on Georgia’s defense over the past two seasons, there’s probably a good reason for NFL front offices to cue up their tape. Ringo certainly qualifies as such a man, having played in 29 games while notching four interceptions for the Bulldogs, which repeated as champions in January.

At 6'2" and 205 pounds, Ringo’s measurables are fantastic. At the scouting combine in Indianapolis, he ran a 4.36 40-yard dash, giving general managers another reason to strongly consider Ringo once Christian Gonzalez, Joey Porter Jr. and Devon Witherspoon come off the board on Day 1. If Ringo has enough quick-twitch athleticism to stay with speedy receivers coming out of their breaks, he could have a long career ahead.

In a league where corner play is increasingly becoming more important due to the volume of throws and their quickness after the snap, Ringo has the potential to make for a high-upside pick on the draft’s second day. 

3

Tank Dell, WR, Houston

Dell is one of the draft’s most fascinating prospects. The 23-year-old stands only 5'8" and 165 pounds. At the combine, he ran a 4.49 40. Yet Dell has unbelievable quickness, something that made him a force with the University of Houston.

With the Cougars, Dell was virtually unstoppable over his last two seasons. In 2021, he caught 90 passes for 1,329 passes and 12 touchdowns. Last year, the Daytona Beach native had 109 receptions, 1,398 yards and 17 scores. At the Senior Bowl, in the predraft process, Dell repeatedly torched corners with his route running throughout the week’s practices.

In the NFL, Dell will need to find a creative offensive mind in his coordinator who can move him around formations. He’ll obviously play predominantly in the slot, keeping him away from press coverage while allowing him to run 

2

Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee

Everyone knows about Jalin Hyatt and his draft stock, but there’s another receiver from Tennessee worth talking about. Tillman is familiar with the NFL, with his father, Cedric Sr., having played pro ball.

Measuring at 6'3'' and 213 pounds while running a 4.54 40-time, Tillman has the size and speed to be a problem for diminutive corners at the next level. With the Volunteers, Tillman’s best year was 2021, when he played in 12 games and caught 64 passes for 1,081 yards and a dozen touchdowns. Last year, he was limited to six games due to an ankle injury, but still posted 37 receptions for 417 yards.

While Hyatt is the deep-ball threat of the pairing, Tillman could be a dynamic possession receiver who wins on a variety of routes, including over the middle. As a mid-round pick, there’s good upside for Tillman to become a playmaker for a team needing size and physicality on the outside.

1

Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane

Back in 2008, running back Matt Forte was a second-round pick by the Bears, selected out of Tulane. The first man on our list hopes to have a similar career.

While Forte was much more of a pass-catching back than Spears looks to be, the senior was dominant for the Green Wave in 2022, rushing for 1,581 yards on 6.9 yards per carry, while totaling 21 touchdowns. Although Spears doesn’t have great size at 5'10'' and 201 pounds, he runs with intelligence. Watching him, it’s clear his combination of vision and balance makes him tough to tackle.

In a league where teams are rarely willing to spend premium draft capital on a running back, Spears makes sense as a selection in the middle rounds.

While he’s likely not going to play as a three-down back due to his lack of receiving chops, the 21-year-old could immediately fit into a rotation, sharing carries from the start.