SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 5: Adoree' Jackson #2 of the USC Trojans runs with the ball during the Pac-12 Championship Game against the Stanford Cardinal played on December 5, 2015 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Stanford's Blake Martinez #4 attempts to tackle Jackson. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Adoree' Jackson

The 2016 NFL Draft’s late round picks ready to make a name for themselves

Despite the media hype, premature coronations, and star treatment received by the highest picks in the NFL Draft, players selected late in the draft cannot be overlooked.

The best all-around wide receiver in the game, Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown, waited until the sixth round to hear his name called. On the other side of the ball, the league’s top shutdown corners, Seattle’s Richard Sherman and Washington’s Josh Norman, weren’t selected until the fifth and sixth round, respectively.

But the extent of which a late round pick can affect the game is most frequently referenced when discussing the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, a lanky quarterback who struggled to hold off the immortal Drew Henson for the starting job at Michigan. We all know how it turned out for Tom Brady, arguably the best player of all time. While Brady was a one-in-a-million draft pick, there is always the possibility that a forgotten prospect taken on Day 3 can make a significant impact in the league.

Here are a few late round selections from this years draft you should keep your eye on this year and beyond.

Hassan Ridgeway, NT, Indianapolis (Round 4, 116th overall)

The former Texas Longhorn fell victim to the trend of unexpected drops of defensive tackles in this year’s draft. Viewed largely as a second or third round pick, Ridgeway dropped to the fourth and the Indianapolis Colts, who have a definite need for the big man. The Colts brought in defensive coordinator Ted Monachino this offseason, whose 3-4 system is a perfect fit for Ridgeway. With David Parry as the only competition for the nose tackle spot, expect Ridgeway to be in the rotation for snaps right away, and for his role to expand as the season progresses.

Andrew Billings, NT, Cincinnati (Round 4, 122nd overall)

Another member of the seemingly-cursed defensive tackle class of 2016, Billings’ slide was more significant than Ridgeway’s. Multiple mock drafts had the Baylor nose tackle as the Bengals’ first round selection, making this one of the best value picks in the draft. Billings was one of the strongest guys at the Combine, posting 31 bench press reps of 225 pounds. He may not play much this year with Domata Peko still entrenched in the interior of the line, but Peko’s age is starting to catch up with him and his contract is up after this season. Billings could be the Bengals’ anchor for the next decade.

Kenneth Dixon, RB, Baltimore (Round 4, 134th overall)

Since the inception of the Ravens’ franchise, they have been a ground-and-pound football team. Dixon, despite some injury issues, was regarded as the best back in this class outside of Ezekiel Elliott and Derrick Henry. The Louisiana Tech product consistently was one of the most productive running backs in the college game, and is second to only his new teammate Keenan Reynolds in total touchdowns in FBS history. Dixon may not have the frame to match his physical style of play, but with the wear starting to show on Justin Forsett’s tires, don’t be surprised if the incumbent cedes the lion’s share of carries to the rookie.

Blake Martinez, ILB, Green Bay (Round 4, 131st overall)

It has been no secret that the interior of the Packers’ linebacking corps has been a soft spot for the last couple years. Jake Ryan has been nothing to call home about, and while Sam Barrington has showed promise, he missed all of last season due to a torn ACL. Clay Mathews has been forced inside in the past, which puts their best defensive player out of the position where he wrecks the most havoc. The selection of Martinez will give them much needed depth at inside linebacker in Dom Capers’ 3-4 scheme. Martinez isn’t the fastest player, but he is cerebral and a hard hitter.

DeVontae Booker, RB, Denver (Round 4, 136th overall)

As the Broncos move on from the Peyton Manning era to the raw rookie Paxton Lynch, a strong running game will be crucial if the defending Super Bowl champs want to simply return to the playoffs. C.J. Anderson was expected to be one of the top rushers in the league last season, but was a major disappointment. Ronnie Hillman and Juwan Thompson have both shown flashes, but neither is any more than a supplementary back. An improvement at running back is necessary, and Booker will be in the rotation for carries immediately. Booker has a great mix of elusiveness and power, and is a strong pass-catcher out of the backfield.

Zack Sanchez, CB, Carolina (Round 5, 141st overall)

Even before losing the best corner in the league last season Josh Norman in free agency, the Panthers secondary was a sieve. Last season, they were forced to bring in aging veterans Charles Tillman and Cortland Finnegan and play them in featured roles. None of those three players are on the roster this season. The Super Bowl runners-up drafted two other corners earlier in the draft (James Bradberry in the 2nd and Daryl Worley in the 3rd), but Sanchez is more pro-ready. He doesn’t have the size of Bradberry or Worley, but Norman himself (a fifth round pick) wasn’t the largest guy either.

Moritz Boehringer, WR, Minnesota (Round 6, 180th overall)

Possibly the most intriguing player in this draft class, Boehringer played football last season for the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns of the German Football League. The man who learned to play football by watching Adrian Peterson highlight reels burst onto the scene during his pro day, where the 6’4”, 227 lb wideout ran a 4.43 forty yard dash and posted a 39 inch vertical. He is extremely raw, but his physical gifts could lead to a solid NFL career. And with the Vikings’ receiving corps being particularly thin, Boehringer will have opportunities to display his overwhelming talent.

Keenan Reynolds, QB/RB/WR, Baltimore (Round 6, 182nd overall)

The all-time leader in total touchdowns in FBS history, Reynolds played quarterback at Navy, but will be transitioned into a different role in the NFL. His projected position is running back as of this moment, but with the aforementioned Dixon, Forsett, Buck Allen, and Lorenzo Taliaferro, the Ravens have a crowded backfield. However, Reynolds is a swiss army knife of a player, as he could be used as a Wildcat quarterback or even split out wide as a slot receiver. Though look for him to make his biggest impact on special teams during his rookie year.

Jerell Adams, TE, New York Giants (Round 6, 184th overall)

Adams was a steal in the sixth round, as most mock drafts had the former South Carolina tight end selected in the second or third rounds. He has great size and tested well at the Combine, but his hands are shaky. Adams compares very well to the Giants’ current tight end, Larry Donnell, but with more upside. Donnell is in the prime of his career at 27 years of age, but as Adams develops, he could surpass the incumbent as Eli Manning’s safety blanket. But don’t be surprised if the Giants employ more two tight end sets this season to include Adams more often.

Jeff Driskel, QB, San Francisco (Round 6, 207th overall)

There isn’t a quarterback situation in the league more muddied than that of San Francisco’s. Just three years ago, Colin Kaepernick was seen as one of the most promising quarterbacks in the league and the 49ers were supposed to contend for the Super Bowl for years to come. But the team went 8-8 in 2014 and lost Jim Harbaugh to University of Michigan, and little has gone right for the storied franchise since. The embattled Chip Kelly was brought in to right the ship, but the 49ers have little to offer at the most important position in the game. Kaepernick all but refuses to play and Blaine Gabbert is serviceable at best. Enter Driskel, who seems perfect for Kelly’s system. The fastest quarterback at the Combine, Driskel’s athletic abilities exceed his arm strength. It wouldn’t be a shocker if he starts at some point for the team this season.

Rico Gathers, TE, Dallas (Round 6, 217th overall)

Antonio Gates. Tony Gonzalez. Jimmy Graham. Three of the most prolific tight ends in NFL history right? All three played basketball collegiately at the D1 level. Gathers was one of the most dominating rebounders in college basketball last season for the Baylor Bears, but he hasn’t played competitive football since he was in middle school. However, he decided that an NFL career provided him a better chance to succeed than an NBA career, and Gathers looks to join the long line of tight ends who played power forward in college. As future Hall-of-Famer Jason Witten enters the twilight of his career, Gathers will look to gain enough knowledge from the great to eventually make an impact in the league.

Scooby Wright III, ILB, Cleveland (Round 7, 250th overall)

Despite going at the very end of the draft, Wright was considered a surefire first round pick before injuries ruined his 2015-16 season. The former Arizona Wildcat was able to compete at the Combine, but his performance wasn’t spectacular. While Wright will never be the best pure athlete on the field, he is extremely instinctive and his college production was off the charts. Scouts often compared him to Dolphins legend Zach Thomas, who was one of the most productive middle linebackers in the NFL during the 2000s. If Wright is half the player Thomas was, the Browns got great value. If Wright lives up to the hype, this pick will be one of the great draft steals of all time.

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