The NFL Combine started to ramp up on Thursday Afternoon as the defensive linemen and linebackers took centerstage. Friday Afternoon will bring the defensive backs and tight ends to the field as draft prospects look to build up their draft stock. While many will be eying the elite blue chip prospects, the combine is the best for finding diamonds in the rough.
On Friday, keep an eye on these five under the radar sleepers as they could test well and fly up teams big boards.
In a loaded class of cornerbacks, LSU's Zy Alexander has flown under the radar as a prospect. At the College Level Zy Alexander has had a ton of ball production with 13 career interceptions 4 of which came while at LSU. Alexander has a ton that NFL teams will like as a lengthy cornerback with great ball skills while showing a willingness to tackle. The lone thing NFL teams will be concerned about is Alexander's medicals as he suffered a torn ACL while at LSU.
Every NFL team is constantly looking for ways to improve their secondary especially by adding cornerbacks. One day three prospect that has a chance to blow NFL Front Offices out of the water is Bilhal Kone from Western Michigan. Kone is a smooth operator with the size and length to be a cornerback in the NFL. The only concern is the levels of College Football Kone has played at which will take him time to adjust to the NFL.
While he's not a name many knew in the Draft Cycle coming into the offseason, O'Donnell Fortune is being talked about now. Fortune is coming off of his best season in College and his Defensive MVP performance at the East West Shrine Bowl has scouts keeping an eye on the Day Three Pick. Fortune can play Cornerback and Safety which will make him a name to watch on Friday.
The deepest position in the 2025 NFL Draft Class may be the tight end position as there are tight ends that will hear their names called on Day 3 that could be Second Round picks in most drafts. One of those tight ends is Terrance Ferguson who is looking to build momentum after an incredible showing at the Reese's Senior Bowl. Ferguson has impressive acceleration off of the line and should test really well if he chooses to do so.
Lost in the shuffle in an NFL Draft loaded with elite tight end prospects, Clemson Tight End Jake Briningstool has flown under the radar. After a productive College career, Briningstool will get his best chance to impress NFL scouts at the combine. The downsides to Briningstool's game won't be on display at the combine as he won't have to defend rushers while his speed will impress NFL scouts as he could be a productive tight end as a receiver.