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NFL Draft: Ranking the 5 most underrated prospects for 2018

By Peter Panacy

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Luke Falk #4 of the Washington State Cougars looks downfield to pass against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Luke Falk #4 of the Washington State Cougars looks downfield to pass against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 04: Teammates Tony Adams #50 and Jaylen Samuels #1 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack celebrate after a touchdown against the Clemson Tigers during their game at Carter Finley Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 04: Teammates Tony Adams #50 and Jaylen Samuels #1 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack celebrate after a touchdown against the Clemson Tigers during their game at Carter Finley Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Offensive Guard Tony Adams, NC State

This year’s NFL Draft isn’t considered to be terrifically deep at offensive guard, meaning offensive line-needy teams will have to strike gold if they choose to address this issue in the later rounds.

The draft’s consensus top guard this year is Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson, with Georgia’s Isaiah Wynn and UTEP’s Will Hernandez not far behind.

At 6-foot-2 and 315 pounds, North Carolina State guard Tony Adams is a late-round prospect worth listing here. NFLDraftScout.com lists him as a sixth-round prospect. His smallish height is probably one reason why his stock isn’t higher, and that makes sense. But only to a point.

Smaller-framed players often gain an advantage in lower leverage, and Adams is no exception. Sure, he has some technique issues but nothing uncoachable.

Adams works well in space and does have good footwork, meaning teams operating zone-style offenses could be attracted to his abilities. And with NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein comparing Adams to four-time Pro Bowl guard Josh Sitton, landing Adams in Round 6 could end up being a steal.