Alright, picture this. The NFL Draft is in full swing, fans are screaming, cameras are zooming in on prospects, and Roger Goodell’s up there shaking hands like he’s running for office. But while the big names are getting their flowers, there’s always that one star sitting in the green room, waiting… and waiting… and waiting. Some guys get hyped to the moon, others? Straight-up slept on. Happened to Lamar Jackson, and happens every year. But let us put you on the game—there are a handful of dawgs like Dillon Gabriel in this draft who ain’t getting the love they deserve, and some teams are about to get a STEAL when they pull the trigger. Here we go:

1. Gunnar Helm (TE, Texas)

Tight ends don’t always get the first-round love unless they’re so-called generational talents like Kyle Pitts. Gunnar Helm is the type of tight end who doesn’t just make plays—he makes statements. Standing at 6’5” and 238 pounds, Helm went from an under-the-radar role player to a breakout star for Texas in 2024. His numbers don’t lie—58 catches, 744 yards, seven touchdowns, and a whole lot of scouts rethinking their tight-end rankings.

His basketball background shows up every time he goes up for a contested rebound or loose play. This TE boxes out defenders like he’s fighting for a rebound in the paint. And when he gets his hands on the pigskin? Good luck knocking it out—he’s had only two drops in his entire collegiate career. He’s also surprising swift after the catch, routinely breaking tackles and hurdling defenders like he’s got a highlight reel quota to hit.

Beyond the stat sheet, Helm showed up in the biggest moments. Against #10 Michigan, he hauled in seven catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. Then, in Texas’s CFP run, he balled out again—77 yards and a TD against Clemson, 56 yards and another score in the Peach Bowl. He just knows how to show up when it matters. Gunnar is literally one of the best blocking tight ends in the class, which NFL teams love.

So why is he being overlooked? Maybe because tight ends not named Brock Bowers don’t get much first-round love. Maybe because he wasn’t the guy in Texas’s offense until his senior year. Whatever the reason, don’t be surprised if Helm gets snatched up earlier than expected. He’s got the hands, the route-running, and the football IQ to be a serious weapon in the NFL.

2. Shavon Revel Jr. (CB, East Carolina)

Shavon Revel Jr. went from working graveyard shifts to locking down wide receivers at ECU. If that doesn’t scream grinder, then what does? At 6’3” and 193 pounds, Revel has the type of length NFL teams drool over in a press corner. He put up ridiculous tape in 2023—54 tackles, 12 pass breakups, and even a couple of blocked kicks. He was flying up draft boards before an ACL tear in 2024 derailed his momentum. Pre-injury, we were talking about a potential top-15 pick. Now? The word on the street: He’s cleared and ready to go all in on Week 1, according to his doctor, Daniel Cooper.

His combination of size, speed (4.40 40-yard dash), and skills make him a nightmare for receivers. He’s got the hip fluidity of a much smaller corner, the ability to mirror routes like a veteran and a dog mentality that shows up in his run support. He’s a CB who thrives in press-heavy schemes—think the Jets, Ravens, or Seahawks.

Still, injuries always make teams nervous; some lucky team is going to get a first-round talent at a discount. If you’re a GM picking in the late 20s, ask yourself: Do you really want to be the guy who passed on a lockdown corner because of a knee injury that happened six months ago?

3. Jack Sawyer (DE/EDGE, Ohio State)

Jack Sawyer is the hometown hero who turned his childhood dream into reality. A five-star recruit from Pickerington, Ohio, he took the slow-burn route to stardom at Ohio State. And in 2024, everything finally clicked. His senior season was a masterclass—9 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and a Cotton Bowl performance for the ages. He strip-sacked Quinn Ewers and took the fumble 83 yards to the house, sending Ohio State to the national championship game. That’s the type of play that sticks in NFL scouts’ heads. Some consider him a 1st round pick, but anything can happen in the draft night.

Sawyer ain’t the flashiest pass rusher in this class, but his power game is filthy. He doesn’t just rely on raw athleticism—his hand usage, counter moves, and ability to convert speed to power are all NFL-ready. His bull rush is lethal, and his play recognition against the run is excellent. Pro Football Focus graded him as one of the best run-defending edges in the country, which is a big reason why he’s a safe bet for early playing time.

4. Tre Harris (WR, Ole Miss)

Tre Harris is a name you should start getting familiar with. The 6’3”, 210-pound receiver transferred from Louisiana Tech to Ole Miss and immediately proved he could hang with the big boys. In 2024, he put up 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns against SEC competition, including a monstrous 225-yard game against Georgia Southern and a clutch 134-yard performance in the Peach Bowl against Penn State.

Harris wins with physicality, body control, and elite ball-tracking. He’s the type of receiver who makes quarterbacks look better by consistently hauling in contested catches. His ability to adjust to off-target throws and make plays at all three levels of the field makes him an easy projection as an NFL X-receiver.

His speed (reportedly in the 4.45 range) isn’t blazing, but he separates well with route-running and physicality. He’s also a strong blocker, which will endear him to teams that prioritize toughness. Think of him as a mix between DeAndre Hopkins and Michael Pittman Jr.—not a pure burner, but a dude who wins with savvy and strength. If a team like the Ravens, Chiefs, or Packers is looking for an immediate contributor at WR, Harris should be in the conversation late in Round 1.

5. Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oregon)

Quarterback evaluations are always tricky. Only top QBs like Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders make the noise; and Dillon Gabriel ain’t getting nearly enough respect in this class. The lefty gunslinger has been one of the most productive passers in college football, throwing for over 14,000 career yards with 125 touchdowns and just 26 interceptions. After successful stints at UCF and Oklahoma, he transferred to Oregon and immediately took control of the offense, putting up 3,857 yards, 30 touchdowns, and just six interceptions in 2024.

Dillon Gabriel’s game is all about precision. He processes defenses quickly, delivers accurate throws at all levels, and has the mobility to extend plays when things break down. His pocket awareness is elite, and while he doesn’t have a cannon like Josh Allen, he can throw the pigskin faster, and he’s got enough arm strength to make every NFL throw. He’s also a high-character leader who will instantly command a locker room.

The main knock? His height—at 5’11”, he doesn’t fit the prototypical NFL QB mold. But with quarterbacks like Kyler Murray and Drew Brees proving that size ain’t everything, teams should be focusing on his tape. Look, Dillon Gabriel would literally thrive in a West Coast-style offense that values quick decision-making and rhythm passing. Teams like the Raiders or Buccaneers, who might not want to spend a top-10 pick on a QB but still need a future starter, should strongly consider Gabriel late in Round 2.

So there you have it—five athletes who should be getting WAY more first-round buzz. Some of these guys will hear their names called on Day 1, some might slip to Day 2, but trust us when we say this: they’re gonna make teams regret passing on them. That’s the draft: hype vs. heart. The less noisy ones? They bide their time, then silence the critics. Remember Kurt Warner? Exactly!